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Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11928, 23 October 1919, Page 4

’ New South Wales butter won all sis Colonial classes at the Islington Dairy Show. The extraordinary period of prosperity which the meat export industry is experiencing is reflected in the affairs of the North Canterbury Sheepfarmers’ Co-operative Freezing, Export [and Agency Company, Limited, as revealed by its annual balance-sheet just issued. The net profit on the year’s operations is £38,850 11a 3d, compared with £lO,614 17a during the preceding 13 months. This is quite outstanding in view of the fact that the allotted capital is only £50,983 10s. An ingenious scheme by the chief veterinary officer (Mr W. A. N. Robertson) for the branding of stock on the thigh, shoulder, ear, and neck is to be submitted to Parliament by the State Ministry under an amending stock marking Bill. The State Cabinet has approved of the measure. Under the scheme each stock-owner will have a distinctive mark, and it is estimated that the system of branding will save £500,000 a year in the preventing of damage of hides. The hill is to be submitted to Parliament at an early date.

The Auckland Herald reports that a deputation of soldier settlers from the Wairere settlement, near Waharoa, waited on Piako County Council asking for remission of rates, pleading hardship. They stated they had fought overseas, but the present battle was the hardest in their experience. The land, previously owned by Maoris, was infested with all the pests known to tanners. Three settlers have no access to their holdings. Members ot the Council expressed indignation at the Department placing soldiers on land without giving them suitable access, and decided to make strong representations to secure them fair treatment.

The agent of Lord Oowdray, who is beginning to bore for petroleum in various places, found promising indications in one place, and forwarded a bottle containing a sample of the first crude petroleum. Being in somewhat of a hurry, Lord Cowdray handed the bottle to one of bis servants to take to an eminent chemist. The man set out with the bottle and a note, but stopped to visi%fiis family on the way. He suddenly xememered his errand; and picking up from a shelf what he thought was the same bottle, hurried out to deliver it. In the morning Lord Cowdray received from the chemist a telegram to the effect that congratulations were in order in view of the greatest find of the century, adding “You have struck paregoric.” Mr W. H. Triggs, writing on a visit to France, said he was not able to visit the Somme area, and continued “But we had seen and heard enough to fill us with pride and thankfulness on account of all that “Our Boys” have done. On all hands we heard them spoken or in the highest berms of praise, not only for their valour and endurance in the field, but also tor their high character, good breeding, and gentle manners in the ordinary relations of life. A French gentleman, evidently a man of some standing, with whom I travelled from Paris to Boulogne, who had two sons in the French Army, told me he had heard the New Zealanders spoken of as the best-mannered men at the front. Wherever he went in England one Heard tiie same story, and over and over again English people told me it was a pleasure not only to meet the New Zealand soldiers but to entertain them in an English home.

For laws that are strange, Uncle Sam * Ticks creation, ” if one may judge from a few only of the Bills recently introduced in the various State Legislatures, In Maryland, for example, a Bill was introduced asking it a misdemeanour for a woman to appear in a public place wearing a hat exceeding lOin in diameter. In Texas it is a criminal offence to swear over the. telephone, and in Nebraska, all hotels must have bed sheets 9ft. long, clean towels, and must disinfect ail linen once a season. Chicago has a very salutary law imposing tines on husbands who slap their wives: with the left hand, one dollar; with the right hand, two dollars; while sitting down, five dollars; and while standing flat-footed, three dollars. Of all the States, probably Illinois takes the palm for really amusing “freaks, ” such as the law prohibiting bachelors from being called “Mister,” their Christian names and surnames only being used as a mark, and the other prescribing that every bridegroom must make an affidavit that he has not been intoxicated more than twice during the year before his marriage. Ladies blouses are the special feature of the display now being made by The Economic (Low and Gregory) who advise in this issue that they have just received large deliveries of these goods of quite exceptional style arid value.

McGrner’s are always giving the ladies of Marton special inducement for buying their drapery requirements, This week the firm extend the same to the men folk. On page 6 this firm advertise fourteen specials in men’s wear. As |McGruor’s hold big stocks of all classes in men’s clothing at their usual keen competitive prices it will pay the men to shop at this store.*

London reports that the Rev. Thomas King, a Sydneyite, chaplain of the Australian Forces, has been appoined Domestic Prelate to the Pope. The Thorndon and Napier branches of the A.S.R. S. have endorsed the objections of other branches to certain provisions of the Railway Bill,

J*The London Daily News states that it is reported that a flawless bine and white diamond of 1500 carats, valued at £IOO,OOO, has been discovered.

Three candidates, Messrs Nan Paraone, Ropata Porter, and Heuaro Toka, have announced thier intention of contesting the Northern Maori constitutency in opposition to Tan Heuare, the sitting member. The Times’ Washington correspondent states that the attorney for the I. W. W. organisation at Pittsburg, in testifying before the Senate Labour Committee, admitted that the I. W.W. and Bolsheviks were acting together.

" Paris reports that the Revision Court refused Lenoir’s appeal. His onij 7 hope is the President’s commutation of the death sentence. (Lenoir was just about to be executed, when a temporary reprieve was granted in order that he might confront Oaillaux).

A London message states that during the inquiry into her dismissal, Miss Douglas Pennant said that young women at Hurst Park camp were allowed out improverly. They were taken joy rides to Loudon in Government motor cars and returned drunk in the early hours of the morning.

A New York message states that mounted police charged a crowd of several hundred service men who were massed in front of Lexington Theatre in order to prevent the production of a German opera. They were dispersed by the police, but later they returned through the Times’ square, where they recruited a thousand civilians. Arriving at the theatre, they engaged in a fight with the police, laying down a barrage of bricks.

Two famous Australian tennis players, Norman Brookes and G. L. Patterson, reached Auckland yesterday by the Niagara on their way home after an absence of four years or more. Speaking to a [reporter, Patterson said that the pr esent American standard was certainly higher than that of any other country. Johnson, the American singles champion, was an all-round player, possessing a strong forehand drive, a steady backhand placing shot, and a good service. He was also a good volloyer and was particularly strong overhand. R. Lycett and R. L. Thomas, other Australians in the Wimbledon team, did not come by the Niagara, but returned to San Francisco and are coming thence by direct steamer.

The value of a stamp collection as collateral security is strikingly demonstrated by an episode arising ou of the Bolshevik administration of Russia. A French bank represenativs in Pefcrograd wishing to return to hia native land, was told that ho must not take more than 1000 francs in cash with him. Determined to outwit the Soviet authorities, he converted as much of his cash as possible inti rare postage stamps. With only the stipulated 1000 francs in his pocket he was permitted to cross the frontier unmolested, and on arriving in Paris was able to realise on bis purchases to the extent of 80,000 francs, which he would otherwise have been compelled to forfeit.

Vulgar display, says the Melbourne Argus, is one of the abstract subjects which legislators will have to consider when they attempt to fix prices. Mr Bruce Smith, M.H.R., cited an instance recently in which a shopkeeper found that he was forced to be a or to submit to goods being left on his hands. Lace marked at is 6d a yard was unsaleable until a bright Idea occurred to the salesman to mark it as 6s a yard. “Hot cakes” could not have gone off faster. One may draw a picture of the vain simpleton who made the purchase complaining with secret pride that she paid 6s a yard for the lace, while some nervous person held to her horrible secret that the lace cost ner only Is 6d. Some women feel compelled to pay high prices because they are presumed to be able to afford it, while those in cirumstances not so good have not the strength of mind to be content with less costly apparel. There is an opportunity for a cult, if not of simplicity, at least common sense, in dress.

Brigadier-General Richardson, interviewed at Hamilton said it was absolutely necessary to make preparations for the defence of the country. Those who regarded the consummation of the League of Nations as the death knell of war were, he was afraid, greatly mistaken. The first interest of the country was to get the soldiers settled into civil life again as quickly as possible so as to become productive and assist in building up the country and commerce. This was the greatest essential at the present time. After that, he would advocate a vigorous immigration policy, with the idea of building up a population, so that when the time came we would be in a position to defend ourselves At present, surrounded by densely populated countries, a small population was a source of weakness. The General considered the protest by Church Council regarding foul language and the lowering of morals at concentraation camps was all nonsense. There was need for public education in matters of defence. General Richardson declared that he had no intention of entering politics, add - ing : “Very seldom a professional soldier makes a successful politician.”

Sheetings are always wanted. For the best value in these make straight for McGrner's. This firm can give you a splendid double bed heavy white twill sheeting at 4s lid a yard.*

The ladies of Macton will be interested to learn that Messrs Lloyds Ltd,, have just received in their Millinery Department some exceptionally smart new models. ‘ These new goods evidence the very last word in good taste. Every well dressed woman realises the importance of smart millinery and the dainty exclusive designs and colourings of'these hats w.iil appeal to ail. Ladies should take the opportunity of viewing the latest millinery creations at Lloyds’ well stocked show rooms*

The loading of wool ships a.t Sydney was stopped yesterday owing ot the lumpers demanding an increase in wages from Is 10>£d to 2s 3d per hour. Mr Hughes is visiting Queensland. He had receptions at various towns, with counterblasts in favour of Mr Ryan, whom opposition supporters prophetically hail as a new Prime Minister. Au influential movement has been launched in Sydney with the object of providing an Auzac memorial hail for the use of returned solders and saillors, and to establish a fund sufficient to provide bursaries for the orphans ot those who fell in the war.

A fire broke out yesterday morning at a sawmill owned by Stevens, Henderson and Co., at Marapuna. The fire started at the benches and spread rapidly to the engine house. The whole mill was soon in flanes, and the entire premises bur nt to the ground. The damage is estimated at over £2OO. The amount of insurence is not known at present. At Marton Court this morning B. J. Cassell was charged on the information of the County Ranger, with allowing three head of stock to wander on the roads. He pleaded guilty to having allowed cwo head to wander 'and was fined 10s. Defendant asked why it was that cattle could only run on the road for a few minutes, while horses could run . for months, but the Magistrate could not enlighten him. The lack of superphosphates and the difficulty in getting supplies have caused a good deal of anxiety amongst the farming community, iurng the last few months. The only available source of supply at present is Australia. Unfortunately the Australian Government, fearing a shortage in the Commonwealth, absolutely prohibited export. Mr Massey has been in constant communcation with the Commonwealth Government with a view to securing the release of at least sufficient to meet New Zealand’s immediate needs, and the effort has so far been successful in that the Commonwealth Government has agreed to allow the export of 3000 tens. Although this is not enough to supply the demand in New Zealand it will help to tide over our worst difficulties this season, Mr Massey is still in communication with the Australian Government, and is not without hope that a further quantity may soon be released.

Another old journalist has passed away, Mr Alexander McMinn having died at Devonport on Tuesday evening. He was at one time headmaster of Wanganui Grammar School, but soon entered journalism on the Wanganui Herald, being on the staff of the Raugitikei Advocate, and then starting the Manawatu Standard in Palmerston and the Examiner in Woodville. Having disposed of these he became subeditor of the Wairarapa Times, and later removed to Auckland and was on the staff of the Star till his decease. He was well-known to the old settlers on this Coast, who will remember his many good qualities, and the forceful nature of his journalistic work. He leaves a widow, four surviving sons and a daughter—Mrs Whailey, of Palmerston North, and Francis Alexander (Dannevirke), Garnet (Taumarunui), Gordon (Bendigo), and ;Leslie (Taikorea). The late Mr Archibald McMinn, the well-known footballer, was also a son.