LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Last Friday afternoon, Mr. Ward, of the taxi stand, very kindly placed Ms car at the disposal of the eoldiers who are at present in hospital, and drove them to the mountain. Afternoon tea was provided at the hostel,Sind the trip was very much enjoyed by the men. »

The Land Board epont some time yesterday discussing the position of Crown tenants who are still in arrears with rental payments. It was decided to postpone the decision urftil the December meeting of the Board to give defaulters a further and final opportunity to meet their obligations before taking extreme measures.

The Hon T. M. Wilford has informed the Hawera authorities that he is now fully occupied with his departmental duties and cannot make any appointments, until the end of the year, consequently he lips been compelled to decline the invitation to deliver a war lecture at Hawera.

At the Land Board meeting yesterday, the commissioner informed members that the Crown had Recently acquired another estate in the district, on the Croydon Road, near Waipuku, for soldier settlement, comprising 040 acres, which he hoped to have cut up into six farms and put on the market within the next two months for returned soldiers.

The secretary of the New Plymouth centre of the Royal Life Saving Society notifies that some alight modifications have been made in the programme laid out in connection with Mr Walker's visits to schools to-morrow for the purpose of giving instruction in life-saving. The various schools will be visited as follows:—Waiongona, 9 a.m.; Inglewood, 9.50; Kaimata, 10.45; Tariki, 11.35; Midhirst, 1 p.m.; Durham, 1.50; Norfolk 2.45. Any different times previously notified to the teachers may be disregarded.

A good deal of time Was spent by the Land Board at its meeting yesterday dealing with questions relating to soldier settlement in this district. Applica. tions for advances for stock and improvements from seven soldiers already settled on the land were considered, and recommendations are to be forwarded for progress payments totalling nearly £1,500, subject to the usual conditions. The case of one soldier who possesses the sporting spirit and wants to unduly mix sport with work, came under review. This selector ip to be informed that the combination under present circumstances is a bad one, and that th» whole of his energies are required for the development of his holding in a hus-band-like manner.

There is a growing feeling amongst those in touch with the military authorities that the Government will not hurry the process of balloting the married men with a family (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Hawera Star). There is still a good sprinkling of first division men to be got, apart from those who are coming of age, and they are being sorted out from the men who have done their duty all the more easily by reason of the fact that no single man of military age lifts a right to be in his civilian occupation to-day unless he has secured exemption by the official process. The Pei'obhal Service branch of the Defence Department is receiving scores of hints daily about these single men, and are now able to trace them out quickly, and get them into camp if they ought to be there. The Government has the extra brigade to use as reinforcements whenever necessary,, and there is, a strong probability that this will be done before the married men with children begin to answer the call to camp. If this course is adopted before balloting Class B men, it will delay their entrance into camp until some time in September. No doubt the Minister of Defence will make an announcement regarding the Government's policy early in the new year, after the "childless class" has been exhausted.

Visitors to St. Mary's Guild sale this afternoon will have an opportunity of purchasing dainty and inexpensive Christmas gifts for their friends. Little tray cloths, afternoon tea cloths and d'oyleya in eyelet, embroidery, guest towels' and table napkins, handkerchiefs, coat hangers, scent sachets, raffia baskets and tea pot stands, pincushions and needle books, besides the usual good supply of babies' frocks and bonnets and plain needlework. 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 scaled envelope, giving full details. State if Mr., Mrs., or Miss. Lady Manager, Drinko Proprietary, 212.J Lambton Chambers, Wellington . Flatulency and acidity of the stomach in young children'is corrected bv Shar* hind's Masnesi"-

j In connection with (lie opening of tlie Tu ra link i- Welling toil Methodist Syntid lit JOltluuii on Tuesday, it conversazione was held in tile evening when songs were sung by the Itcv. Pupakaknra, (I. 13. ilinton, A. (Sims, and Miss Milner, Miss Phillips and Mr. Aitken. Mr. I.« Rodgcrs gave a recitation, and Mr. Rodgers and tlie Rodger* gave an instrumental item. Messrs T. Ilunell and Turner welcomed the Synod, and the Revs. R. B. Tinslcy and Mr. R. Pepperell responded, ■ The gathering was a very pleasant one. At the annual meeting of the Tarn nnki County Council yesterday the chairman (Mr. .1. S. Connett), said that the present overdraft stood at £12,341 as compared with £ll,. OftO last year. The increase was due to the sum of £BOO still outstanding on (lie Waiwakailin liri'.fe'e in sums of £40(1 to the Government and £4OO to the Borough Council, anil to the increase in wages paid. An extra Is a day amomi.. Ed to about £4OO per annum.

A meeting of Napier returned soldiers resolved: "That this meeting views with regret the continued use of words 'returned soldier' by the press in connection with court proceedings and other matters detrimental to the reputation of returned soldiers; that we urge tur Government to e.vpedite the appointment of a returned soldier to the Pensions Board as promised, and we emphasise the necessity of the appointee 'being nominated by t,he New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association."

The unfortunate accident by which Mr D. H. Rait, veterinary surgeon of Waitara, lost his life, occurred in a paddock at the rear of deceased's residence in Talmerston North. Mr. A. H. Bergerson took a horse that was suffering from colic to Mr. Rait for veterinary treatment. Mr. Rait gave the horse an injection and a ball and nroeeeded to take its temperature, when the horse, suddenly jumped forward and lashed out with both hind legs, knocking Mr. Rait backwards. Mr. Bergerson, who was holding the horse, ran and picked him up, but he was quite unconscious, emit ting several moans before he expired. Dr. Putman, wns called and found that deceased's cliest was stove in and all the bones broken. Deceased loaves a widow and six children. The late Mr. Rait studied his profession at the University College, London, where he passed with honours. Mr. Rait went away with the Main Body, He was a captain in the veterinary section, and remained about two years in Egypt.

The number of immigrants arriving in Zealand in September last totalled 022—males 371, females 251—and 38 only of these were assisted by Government. In September. 1916, the number was 1091—males 528, females 503; assisted immigrants 5. The number of emigrants from the Dominion la<.t September was 423—males 233, females 190 —leaving an excess of immigrants over emigrants of 19!). This figure, small as it is, compares favorably with that for September, 1910, when there was an excess of departures over arrivals of 101. For the nine months ending September, 31, 1917, the number of arrivals was 11,111—males 0378, females 4375; assisted immigrants, 205. The number of departures, on the other hand, was 11.435—males 6430, females 5005—an eveess of , departures over arrivals o! 324. For the fifst nine months of 1910, however, the excess of departures over arrivals was 1240.. These figures are exclusive of troops of the Expeditionary Forces. The annual sale of work in connection with St. Mary's Guild, which is to be held at St. Mary's Hall to-day, promises to eclipse all previous efforts of the kind. For months past the ladies have been working most assiduously with the result that the various stall? wilt be laden with useful articles which appeal so strongly to the feminine mind. Plain and fancy work, dainty embroideries and baby linen in a profusion of artistic designs will all be displayed at prices which cannot fail to attract the keenest buyers. The produce stall as usual is laden with delicious Some made bread, plain and fancy cakes, vegetables of every description, and other comestibles which usually appeal to the thrifty housewife. For the young people, ai.i. in fact for some of the older ones alio, the sweets stall with ice cream and f:uit salad have many attractions, and lfcet, but no least, afternoon tea will be dii pensed to all and sundry. His Lordship, Bishop Avenll, has kindly eonsi: ted to open the bazaar at 2 p.m. The Borough Council invite.s tenders for reforming, regrading and gravelling work at Cutfield road.

What is a "Spug"? R. Hannah ana Co. explain in their advertisement in this issue. Don't miss it. It is useful to you. We are asked to remind the farmers of the district that the pupils of the. High School and Technical College are now about taking their Christmas vacation, and that if their help is required by the farmlrs, application should at once be made to the chairman of the A. and P. Society, Mr. Connett, who will make the necessary arrangements. Mrs. Burgess wishes to acknowledge with thanks two caaes of gift goods for soldiers, from the Awakino Ladies' Guild. "

Men's summer underwear at the Melbourne, Ltd.: Light weight cotton singlets, Is 3d; pants to match, 1? 6d; fine white India gauze singlets with silk facing, Is 9d; fine balbriggan trunk, drawers, 3s Gd; natural undershirts, 2s Gd, 3s lid and 4s lid; brown cotton singlets, 2s (3d; natural and Shetland merino shirts, 3s 6d and 3s lid; pants to match, 3s lid and 4s lid.