LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In a written statement to the Military Service Bouril, a Taranuki appellant wrote that lie was not religious us lie belonged to the Church of England !

The next meeting of the Board. of Education will be held on Tuesday, December 18th,_ and from the beginning of the new year the meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of each month.

An appellant at yesterday's sitting of the Military Service Board expressed the opinion that the o,nly way to utilise Gchool-boy labor was to work one man and a boy together. Three or four boys in a group would not work lyell. A small boy appeared before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., at the Juvenile Court yesterday morning, to answer « charge of the theft of 15/- from a till at the premises of Ellen Lithgow, Devon street. The boy was admonished and discharged. "I should think," said Captain Walker at yesterday's sitting of the Military Service Board, to an old man who was appealing for an unmarried son, "that one of your farm manager sons could come back to give a hand. Surely dad has more claim on them than an employer."

At a short sitting of the Court yesterday morning, Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiff in the following undefended civil case 9: Newton King (Mr. D. Hutchen) v. John Bishop, £62 10s 9d (costs £4 9b 3d) j Kay and Bergman (Mr. F. E. Wilson) v. Wm. Pratt, £l2 10s (costs £2 0s 6d); same v. H. Bishop, £2 0s (costs £1 3s). In the course of his report to the Taranaki Education Board, the acting Truant Inspector stated that the nonattendance of two girls of 12 and 13 who have never attended any school came before his notice. The parents stated they would ?end them to school at once, tut so far had not done so. He proposed to enforce the Act as thy were within school htdius. Members expressed surprise that sueh a state of affairs should be able to prevail in an enlightened country like this, and the hope was expressed that the Inspector would take as harsh measures as necessary to ensure their attendance.

The world famous actress, Miss Theda Bara, will appear at Everybody's to-mor-row night in the William Fox superfeature, "Her Double Life." The programme will also include the bi£ Triangle sensation, "The Paws of the Bear," a story of the war with William Desmond in the leading role. Intending patron 3 are asked to note that the overture will commence at 7.50 sharp. At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board, Mr. H. Trimble said that the Board's agricultural policy was so often criticised that it was a* pleasure to hear something on the other side, and ho read a letter from Mr. W. J. Simpson, secretary of the Agricultural Claßs, Tu> tutawa, expressing, on behalf of the members of the class, appreciation ol Mr. Sergei's instruction, which had proved most beneficial and would be of. great value to the district. Jt might, he added, bo gratifying to the Board to know that its efforts in this respect were appreciated by and were of use to the settlers.

In connection with the police searchings over the Runanga murder, a most interesting fact is recorded (says the Greymouth Star). As is well known, the police guarded the Cobden bridge at night time. The fjrst night a black dog came along, never crossed the traffic bridge, but went over the railway bridge. This was regarded as remarkable. But judge of the surprise of the men when the dog next night ,came along at the same time—l.lS a.m. .—and repeated t]ie trick. This followed on the remaining nights of the guarcf, and the appearance of the dog was regarded as a timekeeper, so regular was lie in crossing the bridge. The incident is a most remarkable one.

The smal boy nuisance is apt to prove decidedly costly at. times. The ir. responsible youth with the pea-rifle has proved a very expensive item to the Post and Telegraph Department. Insulators, lead cables, and other parts of the telegraph and telephone equipment are "fair game" to the pea-rifle expert," to whom the target they offer is irresistible. Before the Department had their lead telephone cable in the Hutt road laid under-gTound, a short time ago, trouble was continually being caused by pea-rifle bullets short-circuit-ing the closely-packed wires inside. In one portion of the line, ten inches in length, no fewer than ten bullets were embedded. The "trouble-gang" of the Department were doing nothing but at. tending to faulty on the Hutt road. Finally, to obviate the nuisance, and also for minor technical reasons, it was decided to lay the line underground, which was accordingly done. The coat to the State of thwarting the "pearifle experts" along the Hutt road was £14,000!

The breaking up ceremony in con. nection with the Boys' High School, will be held in the Good Templar Hall to-morrow evening at 7.45 o'clock. Parents and friends are cordially invited. ■

The concert to be held at Fitzroy tonight in the Holy Trinity Sunday School promises to be a musical treat. Sev. oral of our most popular performers are giving their services, and as the object is a good one, there is every indication of a bumper house.

Among the good things promised for the produce stall at St. Mary's Guild Sale next Thursday are cooked ham, I pressed tongue, lemon honey, plum pud- ! dings, this season's red currant jam and jelly, pineapple jam, potted meat, homemade cakes. The Bale will be opened at 2.30 p.m., continuing through the afternoon and evening. Arrangements for the Technical Coljtcge sports to be held in the Pukekura Park to-morrow, are now complete and a very good day's sport is expected. Entries are larger this year than for any previous meeting and competition in all events will be keen. The proceeds of the afternoon tea will be devoted to the sports fund.

pear on the platform will be . hailed with great satisfaction. This year it has been decided, to attempt something much more advanced than has hitherto been tried, and Mee Pattison's beautiful secular cantata, "The Song of the Bell," is the work to be produced. In Addition to the musical items there will ;J>c some very attractive fancy dancin".

HEAVY DRINKER FOR YEARS. "Although a heavy drinker for years, my husband is now off the drink, thanks to 'Drinko.' It is wonderful stuff." So .writes a grateful wife. Drinko can be given secretly in liquid or food. Write for free booklet, in sealed envelope, giving full details. State if Mr., Mrs., or Miss. Lady Manager, Drinko Proprietary, 212J Lombton Chambers. Wellington

A branch of the Empire Service League lias been formed at Dunedin.— Press Association.

The higher railway fares and generally increased cost has not, says the Argils, affected the popular Rummer practice of taking week-end vacations. QuiLe a. large number of Elthaiu people spent the last week-end in New Plymouth.

The story is told that in a Sunday school not 100 miles from Dannevirkc, an address was delivered by a visiting clergyman. The speaker eloquently aroused the young minds to a perception of Christian truths, and in the "midst of his discourse,'holding up an admonishing hand, he asked: "Now, who is the chief enemy of mankind?" A small boy immediately answered: "The Germans." '

The N.P. Borough Council is considering the question of a "clean up" week for the whole borough and to test the process it haR been decided io commence on Molesworth street. This morning every householder in fhe street will be circularised uith a request to gather up every description of rubbish, other than hedge clippings or weeds, for free removal by the Council on Friday morning. An excellent chance is offered to get rid of rubbish and litter, so that any enthusiasm shown by residents will be Repaid by their having a cleaner and healthier street.

The No. 11 Special Districts Medicai Board, comprising Lieut.-Colonel Barcroft and Captain Widdowson with Lieutenant Ansell (attesting officer) concluded their N.'P. sitting yesterday. In all 44 men, practically all of ' the Second Division, were examined, and about 30 per cent were passed for active ser. vice. This is a much higher return than was obtained on Monday, the men all round being of a better physique. Mr. Hine presented himself for examination for entry into the Royal Flying Corps,and was passed. Mr. Hine has yet to report to headquarters in Weland if his pass is approved he will shortly leave N.Z. to take up the course of training. Several volunteers, previously rejected, were passed for home service. Members of the Board remarked on the number of men over age who were drawn in the first Second Division ballot. The Board will sit at Stratford to-day, and will then proceed to Hawera, where ita sittings will extend over several days. The adequacy or otherwise of the Iras felling expenses paid to members of the Education Board was touched on during the meeting of the Education Board yesterday, when a copy of a letter forwarded by the Otago Education Board to the. Director of Education, disapproving of the new scale of travelling expenses, was read. The chairman said that he found the allowance ample. No one should wish to make monfey out of Ill's expenses, no should he be out of pocket over them. When a man took on the position he knew that he would have to make some sacr.ffices and could jjiot expect payment for his time. Messrs Wilkinson and Trimble also agreed that .the expenses paid were reasonable. Mr. Dixon thought it was time the chairman was paid for his services. He was sur. prised that men. could be'found so public spirited as to give their time and money and sacrifice of their ordinary business. On the motion of the chairman and Mr. Wilkinson it was resolved that,the Board is of opinion.- that the new regulation provides ample allowance for 'bare exI, penses.

The practice adopted by the Education Department Sfor some years past an holding examinations for proficiency certificates at various centres, where the children from surrounding schools are examined, was commented on at the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. Mr. Wilkinson stated that residents of Rawhitiroa had mentioned the hardships entailed in sending their children to Eltham, and he asked whether parents were re-imbursed for travelling expenses. The disadvantages that children suffered in being examined in Strange surroundings was also touched on. Mr. Morton, Chief Inspector, stated that parents were not' re-im-bursed for travelling expenses. Children usually did not have to travel many •miles-to any centre. The examination only took one day. He pointed out that as far as possible this year he had 'granted proficiency certificates at the ordinary school examinations., but where the pupils did not appear to be "strong'' enough in any subjects they were given 'the opportunity of attending at an examination held in a convenient centre after they had had a full year's study. It would be impossible, for the inspectors to examine the sixth standard of every school separately in December. On the motion of Messrs Smith and Wilkinson it was resolved that the Department be asked to pay the travelling expenses of children who are obliged to attend centreß in county districts for the proficiency examination, and in the event df the Department refusing to pay the expenses, the Department 'be asked ■fo devise some other means of conducting the examination.

To-night will see the final screening of the powerful Frohraan feature film, "God's Man," at the Empire. To-mor-row the vesrataile and bewitching little Metro star, Viola Dana, will feature in "God Law and Man's," a screen adapta. tion of Paul Trent's striking novel, "A Wife by Purchase."

A plentiful supply of good tilings is promised for the produce stall at St. Mary's Guild Sale next Thursday. Cooked ham and pressed tongue, lemon honey, plum pudding, this season's red currant .and jelly, pineapple jam, potted meat home-made bread and many varieties of home made cakes. Tho sale will ho open at 2 p.m. and continue throughout the afternoon and evening.