LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Taranaki Daily News will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday). The paper will be issued as usual on Saturday and Monday (Easter Monday). At the annual meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, the chairman, in accordance with notice, moved that the rate on contributing local authorities should be raised from Is ~0 Is 3d in the £IOO. The motion was carried.

A Petone Councillor has given notice to move at the next meeting of the Borough Council .—"That all single men eligible for service at the .front now in the council's employ he dismissed." The council on Monday night decided to refuse to allow footballers eligible for service to play on the borough reserves. At the meeeting of the Midhirst Settlers' Association held last week it was reported that the recent sports showed a profit of £23 10s. It was decided to divide the money equally among the Wounded Soldiers', Serbian and Belgian Funds. Up to the .present the Association has allotted £75 to patriotic funds.

"I am very disappointed that we don't get anything in the way of donations," remarked the chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board at yesterday's meeting of the Board. He remarked that hospitals in other places were frequently endowed with splendid gifts, but very little came to the New Plymouth hospital in this way. The hospital afforded wealthy people an excellent opportunity to spend their money well. The amount of food consumed at the hospital in a year makes interesting figures. In his annual report to the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday the chairman (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) said the supplies consumed at the hospital and Old Peoples' Home during the past year were over 10J tons of meat, two tons of butter, 12'/, tor.s of bread and flour, seven tons of potatoes, 1800J dozen eggs, and 13,194 gallons of milk. There had been little change in prices, but bread had rise from ljd per lb to 2d, and meat from s£d to Cd. Great dissatisfaction is being expressed, and with reason, at the quality and quantity of the gas as at present supplied by the New Plymouth Gas Company. For several nights, lately, there have been innumerable complaints about the lighting. Last evening, all gas consumers had much cause for loud complaint, light being a minus quality from about 8 o'clock till 0, when matters were somewhat rectified. From what we learn. There was a breakdown in the engine-room, and therefore the absence of light was excusable; also the coal that the company has been forced to use lately has not been of sufficient calibre to keep up the pressure. ,

In responding to the welcome extended to him by the Mayor and Borough Council of Palmerston North, Sir Joseph Ward gave an impressive illustration of the chee:fulness that obtains among soldiers returning to New Zealand from the front. The case in point was of the cot order on board the Maheno. The wounded man first suffered an injury to the cheek, and while being attended to in hospital, a shell burst over the institution and blew the two feet of the New Zealandor off below the ankle. He survived his terrible injuries, and "he was the life and soul of the crowd," said Sir Joseph, 'and a perpetual bright smile seemed to be ingrown upon his features. I was told he was the joker of the steamer, and when I interviewed him, I had little reason to doubt the statement. He was all smiles from fun and cheerfulness, and yet was handicapped by the loss of his two feet—a terrible affliction. That is the spirit of the Hngisli nation to-day, the influence of which will guide the young manhood of to-morrow. (Hear, hear). —Mr. W. H. Collingwood (Town Clerk): "Will lie be supplied with artificial feet?"— Sir Joseph Ward: "Most certainly—the best the world can provide, and in duplicate, ton. ]t is the duty of the Government to see that such provision is made."

It is an interesting fact, and one that '••. not generally known, that in view of (lie unusual dangers that attended the production of the, new serial photo-play, '■The Trey 0' Hearts," the company was not allowed to leave the. studio grounds for the purpose of staging scenes unless it was accompanied by one of the company's physicians from the hospital at Universal City. With him goes an emergency kit complete enough for him to set up a temporary field hospital should' the occasion arise. The wisdom of this procedure was demonstrated a number of times, for scarcely an instalment was completed without some accident of more or less seriousness, calling for a doctor's immediate services. "The Trey 0' Hearts" will commence at the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Thursday) night.

Amongst the novelties at the carnival on Ea9ter Monday at Stratford, will be the fish ponds. Anglers will have an opportunity of displaying their skill with rod and line and should get plenty of fun in catching the wily occupants of the ponds. The shooting range on the Showgrounds will without doubt have plenty of patronage. Six targets are j-being installed so that marksmen will not be kept waiting long for their turn in handling the rifles. A competent staff will ho, in charge of the range. Amongst the numerous other attractions will be Hoop-la, Table «and rings, Tobaggan, Cocoanut Shy, Doodle-em-buck, Putting competitions, Kaiser Board, Hobby Horses, etc. A charming feature of exhibits on the day will be the decorated classes, ranging from a, tiny tot's go-cart to a team of bicycles. With the varied forms of amusement and entertainment to be provided Easter Monday at the carnival on the Stratford Showgrounds should be a most enjoyable dip

Tlie secretary of tlie Pukekura Park Board asks us to acknowledge receipt of £5 from Mrs. E. A. Wulker as a donation to the Board's fuHds. The Maori war veterans and the Anzac returned wounded will be the guests of the New Plymouth townsfolk at a dinner at tlie Foresters' Hall early on Tuesday evening next (Anzac Day). The raffle for the gold ring will take place on Tuesday night at the "Anzac" Patriotic concert that is to take place in the Theatre Royal; instead of in the Town Hall, as was advertised on the tickets.

The New Plymouth Railway Patriotic Committee are travelling to Inglewood to-night to give a concert in the Town Hall in connection with their monster art union. ' A first-class programme will bo given and the public can look forward' to a real treat. Tickets for their art union will be obtainable at the hall.

A young man named Arthur Edward Tronson was sentenced yesterday to siv months' imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences the sum of £3 10s, and alo a cameo ring, valued at £6, from a young woman whom he had promised to marry on Easter Saturday. Tronson, who is married, and has a wife residing at Hamilton, admitted having been convicted of the same class of offence.—Wellington telegram. As a result of the open-air concert given at Inglewood a fortnight ago by the New Plymouth Railway Patriotic Committee, numerous requests have been sent them to give a concert in the Town Hall at Inglewood. The committee have obtained the services of the best talent in New Plymouth, and will journey to Inglewood to-night to take Inglewood by storm. Everyone should attend to hear one of the best concerts ever given in the town.

The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. H. Gunson) announced to a meeting of the City Council last night that as an example to citizens, in the matter of war time, economy, and self-denial, he proposed to forfeit during the period of war or his term of office his annual Mayoral allowance of £4OO. Mr. Gunson stated that nn Mayoral functions will be held other than those connected with or contributing to the end of the war—Press Association.

Specially selected programmes will be screened at the Empire Theatre and the Theatre Royal on Good Friday night, commencing at the usual hour. The Empire programme will be an entirely new departure for a local picture house, consisting of a full selection of scenic and industrial pictures. At the Theatre Royal the programme will be a selection of high class films of a varied nature, headed by the magnificent Vitagrapli 4000 ft star, "A Tale of Two Cities." The proceeds from both theatres are being devoted to the fund for establishing a Wounded Soldiers' Club in the town, now being organised by the Mayoress, Mrs. Burgess.

The Minister for Defence has received copies of correspondence relating to proposals made by the Imperial Government for an exchange of prisoners of war between the United Kingdom and Turkey. It appears that preliminary negotiations have been conducted through the United States Ambassador nt Constantinople. The British proposal is for an exchange on a numerical basis, officer for officer and man for man, and it is mentioned in the correspondence that the prisoners held by the British outnumber those reported to be held by the Turkish Government.

One of the most worthy objects for which funds are at tins present being raised is that of establishing a Wounded Soldiers' Club, for the exclusive use of the returned men, in New Plymouth. Although the New Plymouth Club affords welcome and honorary membership to all soldiers, it is felt that something more is required. The number of returned men is now considerable, and is weekly being increased, and a genuine want is the providing of a room where the men may meet and feel at home. The Mayoress, Mrs. Burgess, has taken the proposal up, and has arranged a splendid concert programme in the Theatre Royal. The management of the Theatre Royal and the Empire Theatre have been granted permission to show on Good Friday night, and special programmes will be screened at both theatres, the proceeds being devoted also to this worthy object. .It almost goes without saying that the public will show their sympathy with the objest by attending in such numbers as will make the early establishment of the club a certainty.

The only donkeys on the beach on Master Monday will be at Kawaroa Park, Mr. Flanagan having disposed of his well-known quartette of these animals to the Ngamotu Seaside Committee. This committee has generously placed the animals at the disposal of the Kawaroa Park Society for the children's pleasure on Kaster Monday. Rend Kawaroa Park advertisement, and you will say that you will be one to witness the biggest, brightest and best programme of display and events ever presented at a seaside gathering. Are yon coming by train? If so, come right in to the New Plymouth station and a penny ride in the new trams will whirl you to the famous Kawaroa Park. Donations to the seaside picnic at Kawaroa Park on Kaster Monday, are pouring in. A fat sheep for weight guessing from H. .1. Okey, Esq., M.P., a beautiful dressed doll from Mrs. J. Paul, two handsome cushions, several large iced cakes, foodstuffs by the car load, a canary, gifts of cash and offers of assitance are all tangible evidence of the immense interest taken in the great gathering at this beautiful seaside party. Special picture performances will be given in both the Theatre Koyal and Empire Picture Palace on Good Friday night, particulars of which will be found in cur advertising columns on the front page. Owing to Easter Monday falling on the date originally arranged for Mr. Newton King's fortnightly sale at his Douglas yards, he proposes holding his next sale on Wednesday, the 26th inst. Further particulars will be found in our sales by auction column.

Attention of onr country readers is drawn to the special descriptive circular of the Farmers' Milking Machine, inscrted in this issue. The inset should be of special interest to Taranaki dairy farmers as the machine is claimed to be the simplest and most easily cleaned mechanical milker in use. Any dairy farmer failing to get a copy 'of this circular should make immediate application to either of the local agents, who will be pleased to furnish any particulars required or quote inclusive prices for any size plant complete, ineuding election anywhere in Taranaki. Local agents: Collett and Co., Ltd., New Plymouth, or C. A. Wilkinson and Co., Ltd., Elthara. A FREE OFFER A cordial invitation is extended to all men returning from tho front, and those on leave from camp, to visit McAllister's new studio at Stratford during the Easter holidays, and be photographed free of charge.

Under new regulations men wishing to leave New Zealand at officers with the reinforcements will have to put in 44 weeks' training. The inspection of the Moturoa sec tion of the tramway system will in all probability be made to-day, and it is anticipated that the full service from Fitzroy to Moturoa will be inaugurated on Saturday. The temporary service from Fitzroy to the Railway Station will be in operation on Good Friday, the usual time-table being followed. "Anzac Day," which falls next Tuesday, will be commemorated by the children of the Central, Fitzroy, and West End schools at a gathering at the Good Templar Hall at two o'clock this afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) will preside, and the children will be addressed by Captain Hartnoll, who served in the Gallipoli campaign. Art invitation is extended to returned soldiers and soldiers on final leave.

In an address at Masterton recently, Mr. F. Norris, organiser of the National Service League, quoted an incident which occurred on the Lambton station at.Wellington. A returned soldier who was wounded on the right cheek with shwpnel, was walking along the platform, and When passing two ladies, one of them suddenly exclaimed, "Look at that poor soldier —disfigured for life." The soldier suddenly turned round and said, "No, madam, not disfigured, but decorated."

A cheque for £2O for the Taranakl Ambulance Fund was handed ■ts' -the » Mayoress on Tuesday afternoon by-Mr. A. Alexander, bringing the total con' tributions to a little over £SOO, vrhiek was regarded as the desired goal, as the ambulance car to be purchased will probably cost that amount. The fund has now been closed, but a lot of extras will be required for the ambulance, and another £IOO would pay for its nnkeep for a year, so that any further donations will be gratefully acknowledged. Says the Sydney Bulletin:—"Charles Atkins, the livest of Melbourne's city councillors, is off to London to offer his services to the British authorities for any sort of war work in which a sturdy alert man of 57 or thereabouts ctn be serviceable. If he can't get a Job in EnglAnd he will go to France, and push himself into some sort of employment. He refuses to sit down anions: the elderly optimists who do nothing beyond convincing themselves that 'we arc bound to win."

The interesting fact that there is no recipient of charitable aid in New Plymonth was mentioned by Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer in his annual report to the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday. Over the whole hospital district there are only three cases, and the expenditure reaches the remarkably low sum of £2 6s fid weekly. This position is one which has probably never been approached before, and it is extremely doubtful if any other part of New Zealand is so favorably situated. Mr. Bellringer found in this an indication of the prosperity of this district, for it shows how particularly well off are the people of New Plymouth at thi» time when the war is reflecting econpinio influences on communities.

There has been a great increase jn the number of rabbits in the ooun.try during the past two years (writes "Agricola," South Island correspondent of the Farmers' Union Advocate). The river beds are full of the pest, and the bunnies rapidly spread to the adjoining farms, particularly if there is any shelter available. It is a very long time since rabbits were so plentiful. In fact, on the farm lands it is probable that there were never so many before. Some farmers, it is feared, are not taking proper steps to deal with the pest, though the inspectors have been fairly active of late. A good deal may be done by shooting, dogging, and trapping, but th» really effective destroyer is poisoned pollard.

Some curious facts have come to llghj with regard to a new species of fly thai has been discovered in some parts of Southland. Several householders (say* the Southland Times), have noticed this fly on their windows. To all appearances it is a cannibal. It lies quite still until one of the ordinary house fli?* comes near it, then it springs upon the house fly, and forces its head back until the head is separated from 1li» body. Through the opening it inserts its proboscis and «uckfi the blood of the house fly. Mr. D. Miller, of Wellington, who is the best authority in New Zealand on the Diptcra "roup, identified the specimen as a species of Triehophtthicus family Anthomyidae. In a note Mr. Millet said that the fly was fairly common, and he had noticed it capturing othei flies, but was at a loss to understand how it obtained nourishment from itt victims, as the mouth parts were ii the form of a proboscis. The habU mentioned by the Otautau households of knocking off the head of the houst fly explained the matter.

We are asked to state that the com mittec organising the big carnival oi» Soldiers' Day, on Easter Monday al Stratford, very much appreciate the pat riotic spirit which has led Mr. Moyes tf take some forty-five boys of the High School to assist in giving exhibition! of physical drill at the carnival. Likewise this applies to the officer in chargn of the Salvation Army Boys' Homo *t Eltham, who is taking the Home boys tn Stratford on Easter Monday and they will give an exhibition of forming pyiumids and other physical exercises. The prices of colonial all-wool blankets are almost prohibitive. A splendid makeshift can be provided by tlic.Rng' lish-made rugs and blanket rugs showr by the Melbourne, Ltd., at lis 6d, \2<(id and upwards. Blue-grey single-beJ blankets are also in stock at 10s Od • pair.