LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13948, 29 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Writes “Quiz”: On Wednesday a ruralising editor referred to a native meeting as a “huia. ” The bird is extinct and never was of a gregarious habit. It is safer to use plain English —unless one is a linguist. The members of the Awapuni Orchestra find considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies of music, and would bo very grateful for donations of orchestral music, which may bo left c/o Mrs Trask, at Park’s old shop. Saturday’s hard frost burst a pipe in the engine of the morning train from Wanganui. The result was an extinguished fire and a couple of hours’ delay at Turakina, The warmest thing about was tho language of tho delayed passengers. The Mayoress acknowledges the following articles for the Red Gross depot: —HokowhitU Guild (per Mrs Spooner): 4 pairs pyjamas, 7 flannel shirts; Newbury Guild, 10 pairs socks, 4 sets pyjamas, 13 flannel shirts;- Terrace End Guild (per Mrs Coombs): 8 flannel shirts, 5 khaki shirts and 3 pairs socks. Also the same of £5 2s 3d (per Mr L. J. Walker) on behalf of the Kangiotu School children as a donation to the Christmas Pudding for the soldiers at the front. The euchre party and dance held in the Auz:i Club on Saturday night in aid of the Parcel Fund and Tobacco Fund, realised £ls 12s. The euchre prizes were donated by Mrs Monrad, the winners being Miss Duff and Mr Monrad. The Awapnni Orchestra supplied the dance music and extras were played by Lady Ohaytor, Mrs Whalley and Miss Eyre. Among those present were the members of the “Scarlet Troubadours. ’ ’ At the conclusion of tho dance cheers -were given for the Misses Gardiner, two most devoted workers; also the Awapni Orchestra. Tho Government apparently does not believe in allowing theatrical artists to stay in New Zealand any longer than is possible. Recently a theatre manager had arrangements well in hand for the appearance in Napier of six or seven artists of a well-known theatrical company from Australia which had disbanded at Auckland. However, their passports to allow them to stay in Now Zealand only extended to a certain time. That time expired when the company disbanded, and so ffHon application was made to the Government for an extension, a prompt refusal was the reply. Consequently they had to leave New Zealand without giving Napier the benefit of their talent. A Foxton resident when commissorating with another who had recently sustained a broken rib, related Ins experience of forty years ago under similar circumstances, when domestic treatment had perforce to bo relied upon. A portly widower lived alone with his two boys near Foxton, and during a tussle with a young horse had broken two ribs, which put him into retirement. Becoming anxious for his welfare, our friend tho farmer paid a visit to tho invalid and found him stretched upon the long kitchen table, a board along ins back, and two ropes to the rafters, by which ho was suspended. The sole, surgical or medical treatment being that the two boys were instructed to keep his capacious stomach fully distended "with a constant supply of stiff Scotch burgoo, thus holding the broken ribs well in j place. The treatment was successful, • and the patient lived many years to j recite tho story of his boys’ domestic skill and his own study of anatomy. This week’s special offerings in our Footwear Section include a very smart lino of Ladies’ Derby Shoes, patent cap, sewn solos, shape and fitting right up to date, all sizes, only 16s 9d to clear. — The C. M. Rosg Co., Ltd.*

Piles of willow and poplar firewood now figure largely in tho supplies of many dairy factories in this district. This alone should w r arn us of the necessity for a proper system of tree-plant-ing on every farm. Tho Scarlet Troubadours brought their brief season to a close at the Opera House on Saturday night w’hen another delightful programme was carried through w r ith the consummate artistry for which the Troubadours are noted. There was a good house. The problem of a profitable disposal of our many thousands of benzine tins and tho protection of young trees in exposed positions go hand in hand. A Bainessc settlor has given a practical demonstration of this and is planting extensively on the sandy stretches, using benzine tins with both ends cut out to protect tho young trees until they are established. The Wanganui Harbour Board once had a valuable endowment of 21,337 acres at Pohangina. About forty years ago, according to Government valuation, it was worth 30s an acre, and was subsequently sold by the Board for perhaps twice that amount. If tho Board had “held on” to this fine farming land the value w'ould now have been twentyfold. While a Maori was passing along the beach at Waitotara, he discovered a couple of deck chairs, a silver-hooped barrel (such as is found in some of the saloons of steamers), and several kegs, which had been w’ashed up from the sea. Tho wreckage had' evidently come from a large vessel, and it is presumed in some quarters to have come from the Wimmera. The Presbyterian “Outlook” is very hard put to it to manufacture reasons for setting up denominational schools. It alleges that there is too much strap. Hero is the argument: —“Lacking to a large extent the restrictions of religious training, the teachers are faced by a generation of children w r ho make little or no response to more humane appeals; and thus the influence of force and fear, which in its extreme develops into frightfulness, is early felt in their lives. In the church schools there is found a substitute for tho strap as a preservative of discipline, and for the upholding of authority. Small wonder, then, that thoughtful parents everywhere are beginning to wonder whether the national system of education in Now r Zealand is so sacrosanct as the politician and the publicist would have us believe. ’ ’ Will the ‘ ‘ Outlook ’ ’ please explain why it is that ministers ’ sons are so frequently “perfect little devils”? Describing the modern infantryman as a man of many parts, a soldier at the front says he is quite a product of phenomena of tho present European conflict. Ho combines the qualities of pack mule, navvy, builder, ditcher, constructor of barb ware fences and other obstacles with those of a bomber, Lewis-gunner, and rifleman. He drills like an automaton, conducts and repels attacks, <■ withstands bombardments, takes part in raids and patrols, lives in holes in the ground, subsists on the roughest food (none at all if the occasion demands), while he can also eat and drink like the ordinary human being if put to the test. Ho can walk long distances without fatigue—exist in all kinds of weather and under any conditions without deterioration, is virtuous, truthful, sober (from necessity), and perfectly docile and obedient. He is in fact a treasure of utility, and wt.ll bo an exceedingly useful thing for a woman to have about the house after the war.