LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13789, 18 January 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Fitzhcrbort settler returning from town, with his family last night, had a fortunate escape from injury. Just at the top of Munro’s hill the wheel came off the gig; but fortunately the horse ■stood quietly while they climbed out. A passing motor car saw’ them safely home.

Messrs G. H. Bennett and F. Aisher, J.P. 7 s, presided at the Police Court yesterday morning. Mary Yeale, an old offender, was convicted and fined 5s for drunkenness and ordered to pay cab hire, 3s. A prohibition order was issued against her. A first offending inebriate was convicted and discharged. Speaking of the Dardanelles Commission, a New Zealander who speaks with authority indicates the opinion that the result of the Dardanelles Commission will bo such that shouH 1 our New Zealand lads again go to war, they will know that the duffers will have been eliminated and good officers put in charge.

The results of the. Royal Academy music examinations (theoretical) which ■was held on the 7th November last, have been forw'ardcd to the secretary, Mr F. do J. Clerc. The following passed their examinations in the grammar of music:—Hilda Agnes Kay (Copvent), Phoebe do Rosa (Convent), and Greta Rush (Convent). The Patriotic Shop is getting into its stride again after the Christmas recess. The shelves arc well stocked with jams and preserves, and fruit and flowers look fresh and tempting. The ladies in charge would be glad to have donations of cake and home cookery for Saturday. There, is a great demand for this class of goods, but donations of any kind whatsoever, will be gratefully received. A young Chinese woman of about 20 years of age, named Ning Fung, was arrested at Feilding yesterday afternoon, charged with a breach of the “Immigration Restriction Act, 1908,” to wit, entering the Dominion and faiilng to pay poll tax. She is alleged to have landed in Auckland in February, 191(5. Doeteetive-Sorgt. Quirke convoyed her to Palmerston and she will appear at the Court on the above charge this morning. ./

A statement from the Discharged Soldiers 7 Information Department, Wellington, made up to January Bth, .1918, shows that on and up to that date, 1)0195 cases before the department have been disposed of; 1039 cases are under action,, pending reports, etc. Of this number 219 are on the Employment Wanted Register. There are ' 2100' oases not ready, as the men are convalescing and not yet ready for employment, and are not yet discharged by the military authorities, 2200 having returned to New Zealand during the past fortnight.

The oppressive heat of the past few days has rendered additional exertion intolerable. Yet the lure of the bargain counter attracted some eager, early shoppers yesterday. Undeterred by the humid heat, they were breasting the barrier at 10 a.ra! sharp, and the early bird got the worm. However, the heat reduced energy, and there was nothing like the pushing, crowding, hustling and grafting which characterises most bargain sales. Even the. mechanism, down whose narrow throat the money is passed, panted exhausted - ly, then collapsed for a short space, while “getting change’ 7 was run on primitive lines,, pending the administration of a restorative to the engine.

The National Efficiency Trustees mot yesterday. Present: Messrs Stevens (chairman), McLeavy, Barber, Balsillie, Freeth, and, Liuklater. Apologies were received from Messrs R. 8. Abraham and J. M. Johnston. Eighteen personal cases were reviewed and the necessary action directed. The following general questions wore discussed: Suspension of transfers of Government officers until after the war; depletion of labour on bush farms and the danger of the land reverting to its original st-ate; labour for harvest, defaulters, addresses in published lists of casualties; diminishing output of foodstuffs. With regard to the national food economy, a league was formed, machinery put in motion., and funds subscribed to carry on the campaign.

On three occasions Cyril Maude, the famous English character actor, who appears in Palmerston to-night, has given command performances before the King. These have comprised “The Flag Lieutenant, 77 “The Clandestine Marriage, 77 and “French as She is Spoke, 77 as a double bill; and “Grumpy.” In connection with the last mentioned, Mr Maude received the personal congratulations of the King and Queen, by’ whom ho was presented with a diamond pin bearing the royal monogram. “Grumpy, 77 by the way’, put up a record in America daring Mr Maude’s recent tour. He jpluyed it throughout the States for ten months without having to break its continuity by staging another play—the one piece proving such a success that it was retained for the whole of the tour.

A prominent New Zealander, writing from London, says: The coining in of America is going to be an enormous help, and as the German expectations in regard to the submarine menace have not been fulfilled, we think it safe to assume that ships will be available for bringing assistance from the United States. Speaking of American assistance, I may’ say that I attended a most interesting service in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Independence Day. The gathering was a representative one, and the excellent sermon was by one of the finest preachers 1 have ever heard. I think the introduction of the American spirit into this war will do great good; it will correct the tendency

to run in old grooves. The American troops inarched through London a short time ago. ft was a glorious sight to see them, they had a magnificent reception, ami they deserved it. One sometimes hears expressions of jealousy that the Americans may say they had to assist ns to win flu* war, but I hope that spirit is not general. Even if they should boast a little, they’ arc entitled to do so, because thier assistance will be of immense value to us.

Ladies interested in exclusive millinery’ or smart ready-to-wears will Ih> enthusiastic about The C. M. Ross Co. special announcement in to-day’s issue, offering model millinery at half-price, and smart rcady-to-wcars at 8s lid. This is the best proposition afloat today’, Act quickly,*

The export ol ! plate and sheet glass from the Dominion is prohibited except: with the. consent of the Minister of Customs.

Mr Bates predicts moderate to strong northerly winds, changing from west to soulli. The weather will be cloudy and unsettled, with ruin probable generally. The barometer will be unsteady, but. will rise slowly in the south. It has been decided, after an inspection, to make certain rearrangements in the accommodation for prisoners of war on Eipa Island, and. this means that a few days will elapse before Count von Buckner, Lieut. Kirchoiss, and the Herman prisoner who will act as “batman’' can be received at the island. — Christchurch “Press.”

Our “Over the Range” correspondent reports that the first of a series of snooker matches' for the championship of Hawke s Bay took place last night at: Dannevirke. The players wore Messrs Moku, Takere, and W. Drinkwater. Moku was the winner, getting two out of three games. At the conclusion of the match, Mr Niehol, a visitor from England, gave an exhibition with the cue which was much appreciated by those present.

The building returns for the Borough of Palmerston for "'the past; year show that -Pi new residences of the value of £26,290 wore erected. Eight business promises, etc., including the Anzae Club and Campbell Street baths, were also built, their value being estimated at £22,970. Alterations and additions to the extent of £7805 wore carried out to existing buildings. The total value of the year’s building work was £57,005. The total value of the work for the previous year was £75,095, the items being new residences (125) £56,177, business premises (8) £12,828, and alterations and additions £6090.

For the Wellington North seat, which will be vacated shortly by the appointment of the Hon. A. L. Herd man to a scat on the Supreme Court Bench, an. Independent Liberal candidate is announced in the person of Air A. N. Polsen, for live years past secretary to the Hon. Dr Pomare. Mr Poison has been connected with the Ministerial private secretarial staffs for ton years. He has (the “New Zealand Times’’ states) resigned his position in the Civil Service to contest the scat and while he is not brought out by any political party, he says quite l definitely that he will go to the poll.

►Sir Thomas M.-.cKtvflzle, High Commissioner, writing to a friend in. Palmerston, says:—l have just returned from a. trip to the north, and so far as Aberdeen, the object being to get into touch with people dealing in our produce,, to learn exactly whore we stood, and what means should be employed for laying a permanent foundation for the expansion of our trade after the war. I found that our butter enjoyed the highest repute, and people once using ours were not likely to discontinue buying it, provided we kept it permanently under their notice. I purpose inaugurating a system to effect this.

At a meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board a letter was received from, the Minister of Pensions concerning a woman -at Wanganui East whose pension was stopped. It appears that she got behind in her payments on her house under the Advances to Workers Act, but a local resident came to her aid and paid to the Department the £322 owing on the building. Tint result was the Court refused to renew 'her pension. The Chairman (Mr T. H. Battle) claimed an injustice had been done, and if the debt was paid off gradually the pension would not have been lost. The woman, however, will be eligible for the pension next year, but meanwhile she is receiving charitable aid.

The* Levin “Chronicle’’ is :i bit disturbed about the methods of the Palmerston Hospital Board. Referring to the debate on finances at the Board’s last meeting, our contemporary says: “Xo doubt much of this comprehensive building programme is badly needed, for the Palmerston Hospital has not grown with the district it serves. Its reputation has come largely from the efficiency of its officers and medical staff. But it is a little disconcerting to find a responsible public body knowing its own mind so little it is not sure whether it wants £25,000 or £55,000. Mere outsiders like Levin, Otaki, and this County may be pardoned for wondering whether the Board will be any more capable of keeping within the estimate it has now made of its financial requirements. Horowhenua, which has no desire to jump from the Wellington frying-pan into the Palmerston fire, is surely entitled to be consulted in regard to a policy for which it will shortly be called upon to pay heavily enough.' ’

A Masterton soldier thus humorously describes a “blighty” he got in France, the letter being written from a hospital on October .14:—Well, here I am, lauded a bit of Fritzio’s high explosive, and in hospital getting overhauled and remodelled. My engines were unharmed except that I ran a little short of petrol, and got a bit hot. Lights went out when I got the breakdown, and it was a minute or two before I could gather my wits and locate the trouble. Well, he lias not absolutely disabled me, and I was able to get into port under my own steam. I have my right axle in the lathe at present, and some American mechanics on the job. I haven’t decided what colour I shall have my body painted, but there is one thing I do want, and that is a very fast, easy manipulated, reversible gear. I think they will be able to fix me up all right without too many rivets or any extra parts, which are difficult to obtain, the model being as ancient as 1891. However, in a few weeks I hope I shall be able to jam in the gear, slip in the clutch, open the throttle, and set the engines singing again.

Many people have quite a horror of letter-n citing. The reason is somewhat vague. Of course some are much more fluent Ilian others, in expressing their thoughts. However, it is a great help to have a pen which glides over the paper and requires no dipping, so leaving the mind free to frame what it has to say. The ideal pen is a Waterman Fountain Pen —favourite all over the world for its easy writing, perfect flow of ink and long and satisfactory service. We advise our readers to obtain a Waterman from A. Millar, bookseller. Palmerston North.*

KOLA-NIP. It is a splendid toni- as well as a cooling beverage. Invi ; Aiug,stimulating, refreshing, whole.-' me. Buy a bottle to-day. Hotels and stores.

The Manawatu Patriotic, Society desires to continue the forwarding of literature to the boys at the front and in the various camps, and therefore appeals to the public for a supply of reading matter. Magazines, books, weekly papers, and general literature, arc all equally acceptable. The Beach Improvement Committee at Manawatu Heads met representatives of the Manawatu County Council at the Heads on Wednesday afternoon to discuss means to improve the road on to the beach. It was decided to concrete about a chain of the road and to use means to prevent the sand drifting on to it. The Council will provide the metal and the committee will carry through the work.

On account of the Railway Department refusing to provide excursion trains for the annual school picnics, a movement is on foot to hold a combined schools’ picnic and sports locally. It is intended also to make this an annual fixture and to provide trophies for annual competition amongst the schools. It is expected that when the school committees meet ■after the recess that the matter will, be fully gone into.

For some days after the six o ’clock closing measure came into operation, the arrests in Christchurch for drunkenness were very few, but now they seem, to bo drifting back towards tlie old standard. A well-known member of the legal profession expressed the idea to a reporter that the earlier falling-off in the matter of arrests was due to the fact that the drinking fraternity had by then not discovered the best remedy for the early cutting off of their supply. Now. however, they had “got into the running” in the way of laying in overnight stocks, establishing “plants” cte., and hence the rise in the drunkenness statistics.

Importations from tlio United States bid fair to become luxuries judging by tiic way freight rates are advancing. Recent quotations by cable °tvo freights for sailers at £8 per ton, & and tor steamers £ll per ton. This means adding considerably to the landed cost of goods, with insurance, war rates, and other charges included. Bulky goods such as motor cars will necessarily be correspondingly dearer and the cost of future shipments of benzine may be higher. Already benzine is quoted on the local market at 24s to 25s per case, which adds to the cost of transit by motor power. Australia is taking the advantage of the opportunity to get its goods on this market. A large business is now being done in axe and other handles which formerly came from the United States, but are now nladc in fhe Commonwealth from spotted gum, which appears to be a very suitable wood for the purpose.

Mr A. E. Clausen has received a letter from his son, Horace, which contains some references showing the dangerous nature of the work beingdone at the front by the stretcherbearers. At the time of writing Private Clausen says he is located in a captured “pill-box,” which is being used as a bearer relay post, and continues: “To-day the shelling has been a bit quieter, but yesterday it was murder. We were carrying our patient along and Fritz, who had been shelling a bit to our left, suddenly got right on to our track (a Fritz ’plane flying right above us evidently was signalling to the Hun batteries). First a shell lobbed right ahead of us about 20 yards away,, then another a little to the right. Wo got our patient down into a shell hole a bit off the track. We had just got in and a huge explosive shrapnel burst right overhead. We hugged the sides of that shell hole while pieces dropped all about. My mate and I looked round simultaneously to see if either of us ware hurt (the patient mercifully was unconscious). Then whizz! and another shell burst in the shell hole and the mud and pieces flew about us. We then picked up our stretcher and struck out a bit to the left, and after dropping into another shell hole for a bit, we pushed, on. It was most trying and fearful carrying our patient over the muddy shell holes, with Fritz trying hard to get us. We finally staggered into tie dressing-post, absolutely knocked out. The staff-sergt., who had been watching us from the post, said he reckoned we we were ‘ goners’ by the way Fritz had got on to us.”