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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 144909, 10 February 1916, Page 2

Ten eases of iniautile paralysis were notified on Wednesday in Auckland, making a tolift of 127 eaves, ol wliieti 86 ate in the city ami 11 in the country. A Burmese mile nearly equals two bhigrish ones. The wort! tor "mile ’ in Burmese means '‘to sit.” and so a mile is the distance that a man goes before he. considers it necessary to sit down and rest himself.

A Wellington telegram says; Speaking as ehairmau ol the Recruiting Board, the Holt. W. I’. Alassey said tile response to the hoard's appeal bad been almost entirely favourable and replies were pouring in from local bodies ami recruiting organisations anxious to do everything in their power to make the selcme a success.

Ales. Arden. Frank ley Hoad, writes: —We have an interesting bird family iu our trees close to the house just mm. A tiny warbb r is all day long feeding two betiulilii) small euekeos; though small they are far bigger than their hnsy little toslor-motber. I, siially. I think, there is nn|v the one euekmi, but here are two—twins, perhaps.

The Herald's Taumarunui eorre.spondent telephoned on Wednesday night stating that Ngitruahoo was very active and flashes of fire were seen in Taumarunui in spite of the intervening bills. Telephone messages were entiling through to Taumurumii from settlers saying the activity of the mountain was very marked. The effect in Taumaruuni resembled strong lightning. Hater messages reported that all was quiet. The I’angitikei Advocate says:— Complaints are lining made that the wheat crop throughout tile Hangitikei district will not be anything like so heavy as anticipated. Before, the heavy rain of some days ago the ripening iVtps promised splendidly, but the excessively hot weather which followed immediately on tho wet is said to have shrunk the grain terribly. F.xperts believe that tho New Zealand harvest, will he insufficient to supply the needs of the country.

The recruiting areas for the Wellington military district has boon made public. No. 8 Group includes New Plymouth. Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford. Kit ham. Unworn, Patea, Ohaituue, ami Tamnarunm boroughs; F.gtuout, Tarau'.aki. (Tinou. Stratford. Klthum, Wbanagomonmna, Waimate West, Hawera. Patea, W’ailotara, Ohara, Waimanno and Kaitieke counties; Opnuake (Kginont), Kaponga f Klthum), Atnnaia iW'nimate West), Nornmnhy (Hawera), Wavcrley (Patea), Bnetihi (Wnimnrino), Bangntami i Wnimnrino) and Manumit (Kaitieke) town districts.

The Wanganui Garrison Band, engaged hy the Taranaki Jockey dub, played a fine programme ol music in Devon Street this morning, Tbo various items rendered were greatly enjoyed by the large crowd of spectators in the streets. The band, totalling 26 members, have made themselves deservedly popular during their stay in New Plymouth, and probably the public will have further importunities of hearing tlii.-y talented combination of musicians. The programme submitted in Devon Street included: March. "I’ll make you aunt me”; intermezzo, "Moonlight” ; march, ‘'Canberra” ; march. "Dawn of r roedom.”

••The subject of tho census has boon before Cabinet times.” >jiid ibn Prime Minister on W oduesday. ‘ Ihe quinquennial census would have wen taken in tho ordinary course in April next, but. there has been a miggestion that it should bo postponed in view ol tho war. Cabinet decided to-day that the census should be taken, but in all probability it will not- bo possible in make the necessary arrangements until early next year. The decision of the OoveVmuent vtjls due mainly to the desire of the Ministers to give tho noundary Commissioners a sure basis ior :he* suliustmont ot the electoral boundaries before the nest general election. Wellington Chy and -suburbs, says the Dominion, have now registered over ICMXKI men for active service. the 10.000 mark was reached and paspfcd at tlio beginning of the week, and the ‘ r ronp has now made a modest stai t on Tts eleventh thousand. A Defence estimate of the total population ot tho C it\ .rrouu is 90,000. so Wellington has now enrolled one-ninth of the whole ol its people . If all New Zealand lias refruited as well as the City, well over 100.000 men have enlisted since the beginning of the war. AVitlioui. minimising AVellington’s line effort, it. should he pointed out that the City naturallv secures innnv recruits who arc not actual residents, so that tho figures appear better than they really are.

To-morrow, at their Jiuivt. coni, mcncing at 3 o’clock, Messrs. «roster Bros, will hold a very large sale ot the Dominion's best fruits. Our readers are reminded of the furniture sale advertised by Nolan and Co. on behalf of -Miss Morshead, which will he held to-morrow at Dawson Street at 2 p.ra.

History is being made every day. Our bervs are taking part at the Dardanelles, Their Tetters give us a slight idea of what is going on jnst now, so that we long to know more. Jnst think, if ■vonr friend or relative had a camera which, while-small and compact enough to ho carried anywhere without the slightest inconvenience, would take perfect post-card pictures, iveuldn’t those pictures bo interesting. Present your friend with a soldier’s camera, to bo had from Fraser's at 27s 6d, 32s 6cl, 37s 6d, and 465, and wouldn’t he appreciate pictures of home when ho is uway! Got a camera yourself. Our Guaranteed cameras from bs to Xll2.■ —■ Fraser’s Photographic Pharmacy. Devon .Street.*

’l‘iic Maori dearly loves a race meeting. On Wednesday many dusky ladies basked in the sunshine and moved round the streets dressed in brilliant hues that compelled’ attention. The Native gentleman was hardly so conspicuous, but he mingled witli the genera! throng in a lordly manner. Judging by appearances the Mauris must be enjoying a prosperous period. Many secmoTl possessed of motor-cars, and it was very noticeable that the motor horns that created the most distressing wails were those squeezed between brown fingers. The mania for getting rid of German names which seized upon so many people here early in tho war has apparently now spread to hyphenated regions across the ocean. halo American impels contain official announcements that Air. Katzenbcrger is now Air. Key; that Air. howenstein has become Air. Low; that Air. Hamburger will be known henceforth as Hambur; and that Air. Levi has annexed the aristocratic British name of Hytton. An obviously German surname appears nowadays ro bo as undesirable in the United States as in other parts of tho world. ffesiclcnts in the )ono districts in Hast. Anglia, where they have grown specially accustomed to the spectral appearance of Zeppelins, have now a means of telling when they are coming long beloro they can ho heard with the human car. The first indication of their approach is given by tbo eommo-’ tion which takes place among the bird creation. Pheasants and partridges, iu particular, show extreme uneasiness, ami begin to fly about violently long before the sound of the engines is caught by human beings. Pheasants in Neir Zealand aha give warnings of earthquakes before human beings feel them, .Tim Otaki Alai! rolls the following "true .-.lory'' of a farmer .who was always-, grumbling;—One day a friend, who knew the farmer’s jailing, congratulated him on his remarkable prosperity, the tine feed in his paddocks, ttie .splendid prices stock was bringing, etc., but to every remark the farmer had some disparaging reply in ol’er. At last, in desperation, the gentleman. pointing to, a magnificent crop ot turnips, the sight of which should gladden the heart of any farmer, said; "What a magnificent cron of turnips! Aon cannot possible find anything to .grumble at with a crop like that!” "Vr-,." reluetaigly replied the farmer, "it’s not such a bad crop, but you must remember that a crop like that takes a hit out of the ground 1" W riling on the British Compulsion Bill tho Hamburger Naehiieluen says:—• ‘■Compulsion to serve in the army is to he introduced into Kn.ihuul, hy law—-in the first place, tor the unmarried. It is by no merits universal military service as wo know it—tii'* staking of the life ot a man ior wife and child, hearth and homo. What is planned ill Kngland is /bachelor tax. It is not proposed to summon the defensive power of tho people to the sacred buttle for tho fatherland. . . it is mere arithmetic and a penal tax on bachelors. And yet this people, which so mechanically defrauds itself of the sacred duty to stake .strength anil life for home and country, claims to be iwlitieally the most advanced people on earth. It is a people id hagglers, and where other peoples keep ihri. bean it keeps nothing but dry figures.”

The possibilities of trade between New Zealand and Hus.-ia wore, mentioned in a letter tram the HusSo-Bri-lish Chamber of Commerce. Pet.rograd. read at Tuesday’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The Petrograd Chamber staled that I lie time was opportune for a substantial increase in the trade between Russia and the British dominions, which could supply many of the articles formerly imported into Kus-ia from Germany and Austria, ‘1 he antagonisms created by tin- war would cause an enormous diversion of trade, and the Allies should be seeking to turn the change;, to the best advantage. It seemed highly desirable that" the British dominions should establish direct communication with Russia, and tho first step should be nn effort to bring the business men of tbo two countries into touch with one another through the chambers of eo’SVeree and other organisations. The Wellington Chamber received the letter. To give children on the dry hot plains of Queensland a week eaeh year at a sea“ide school is a plan formed by the Queensland Minister lor Education (the Him. H. F. Hardaere). Air. Jlardaerc thinks his idea well within the rangy ol practical |>o!ities. and ho wants to know what the Railway Department can do in the matter ot carrying the children to the sea at. reduced fares. He thinks it sltould not be a very costly undertaking to erect at watering places serving the .Southern. Central, amt Northern (list riots respectively buildings capable of accommodating children both for instructional and residential purpo-.es. He thinks itwould be a good plan to start the scheme in an experimental fashion, at first taking the .scholars from one or two oat-back districts lo the sea and accommodating them in tents. He tle.sires thus to pave the way to a big permanent scheme, whereby all the children who never get a sight of the sea may- he taken in rotation throughout the year for a week to the seaside. He is convinced that it would be of immense benefit- to their health, and would awaken in youngsters from the back country new interests and give them an Inton-e love for Nature .study.

Bering iii** one ot tin* wounded who had returned from Gallipoli. and narrating hairbreadth escapes Irom death that existed oiTiy m iiis imagination, a soldier iu uniform had a good time in Pukekohe for several days. He played the part splendidly, carrying his left arm m a sling. He was welcomed as a hero, and made his headquarters at the Pnkekohe 'Hotel. He worked upon llio feelings of the relatives of a Jhrkckoho ' officer who was killed in action at Anznc, and related in graphic style how lie had stood beside the officer when the hitter was hit, and how the officer had asked him to deliver to the bereaved ones his last message. The groat stories of his doings on the Held of battle, however, led to his downfall. Constable Watson compared dates, and, finding inaccuracies, interviewed tho man. The latter admitted never having been to the war. ahß that ho recently enlisted, having been only in the training camp as a member of tho 3rd Battalion of tho. Rifle Brigade. He had over-stayed his final leave. Ke was brought before Mr. K. C. OutU*n. S.M., and charged, under the name of Harry .Sparrow, alias Sparks, with being a rogue and a vagabond, and, further, with fraudulently representing himself as a. returned wounded soldier, bv which ho gained benefits. The magistrate ordered the accused to be banded over to tho military authorities.

Big savings can he effected on small articles at the H.B. Summer Sale. Such items of attire a.s shirts, ties, socks, pyjamas, huts, caps, etc., that go to make up a man's wardrobe should bo bought at this popular sale, as the goods of the New Zealand Cloth-' jng Factory are always dependable, in. spite of theso-dow prices/*

Tho Prisons Board will hold a sitting in New Plymouth on Monday next.

A Sydney cablegram stales that at the wool sales scoured wool touched 32d, tlio highest price recorded lor many rears.

The attendance of dancers at tho long night dance at tho Kast End Pavilion on Wednesday evening was very satisfactory. The music by Mrs. and Miss George was very pleasing. The floor Wits in capital onlcr v »nd a bountiful supply of retreshments was available. Ali present spent a most enjoyable evening. To-night a dance will also bo held and another good attendance is anticipated. Members of the, Expeditionary Forces are admitted free. Proceed- realised by lbe.se dances are divided between the Wounded Soldiers’ and East pud Reserve Funds.

Those who really knew the merchant service sailor are not surprised at the way in which be has ignored the perils arising from German submarines and mines, says a London paper. As a matter of fact tho reduction in the supply of sailors due to this danger has Wen infinitesimal —at the most, only one or two per cent. Nor has there been a falling-off in the number of boys presenting themselves as apprentices. That, at all events, is tho experience of the Shipping Federation. Any number of likely hoys tome forward, but. owing to there being fewer ships available, not so many youngsters cun he indentured. As to the attitude of seamen, the instance is cited of n man who ships away through the federation office, and who has been on throe ships which were torpedoed. He is still at sea. Owing to (he harsh spring being detrimental to the reaving of bees, the hives this year are (writes the Hamilton eorrespomlont of the Auckland ‘■Star”) considerably smaller than tho average, ami the honey crops arc suffering in conse.iiuonee. The honey industry is rapidly growing in importance, in New /calami and there are at present nine bee-keepers’ associations in existence, in addition to the national body. There is also the Now Zealand Honey IVodnoers' Association, a separate organisation, which sees to the marketing of the produce in England. The industry is earned on very extensively in AVaikato, tho local association approximating forty members, while last season, which was a very poor one, .something like twenty-seven tons were exported from the district, in addition to the large quantities consumed local-

When the cndlin moth ;i few years ago began to enttsc trouble for the apple growers in the Dominion, rarious methods of dealing with the pest were adopted. Some growers pinned their faith to binding the butt of thfe tree with sacking, believing’; that the grub of the moth crawled up from the ground and would be stayed in its upward progress by the sacking. Seeing that the egg from which the larva is hatched is deposited by the moth on the tree itself, the idea that the grub crawled from below are erroneous: still, there are some who continue to put sacking on their trees. By to doing, Mr. W. •I. Courtier, the Government Orch.irdist, points out, they are but providing a perfect breeding place for the ninth. 'l'he other day .’Ur. Courtier was, in support of his warning, exhibiting in Raugiora a piece of sacking taken from a tree in the district which was thicklyj inhabited by the pest in all stages oC development, from the chrysalis state to the moth ready to commence the propagation of its species. With this evidence of the fallacy of successfully dealing with the nest in the, manner indicated. those who have adopted it would he wise to remove the sacking from their trees and spray with arsenate of lead, the only effective remedy for the moth yet introduced.

Speaking at Birkenhead on Saturday nigut, Air. Clement L. \vraggc claiiutU that he nad attained Vi percentages of .success m tlie impmtaiu task ot forecasting the sensors in Australia. Alany people had riclieuled this as 1111possiole, hut just ns Harvey had been osiincised by sceptical people in his day lor his discovery of uio circulation of the blood, so people would admit when ho (Mr. AA'raggci had passed over to the astral plane, that he had been right in Ids contention that the seasons could be forecasted with a considerable degree of accuracy. To do so it was necessary' to study the physical constitution of the sun ro its maxima and minima moods; the astronomical positions of the moon, and swing of lunar declination, inducing plus or minus' atmospheric tides, and the perturbations produced by the positions of the other planets. Tho hydrogen (lames from the sun leap up from 60,000 to 300,000 miles; big flames in the sun would induce good seasons in Australia, and Now Zealand would respond in a modified way. The motions of the moon wore the most complicated known to astronomers. When the moon had a big swing of declination, the vapours o! tho ocean iverc lifted, condensed, and rainfall thus increased, whereas when the declination becajnc less, t.he vapours were not lifted, and the rainfall was less. By reason of its insular position. New Zealand would not respond to the .same extent as Australia, which was continental.

Some well-meaning people (says the AVangaimi Chronicle), in their verv laudable desire to see returned soldiers properly treated, arc apt to take 100 much for grunted. A case in point came under the notice of the Patriotic Committee this week. A man recently returned from the front accosted a ’wellknown resident, to whom he told a doleful talc of impccuniosify. He had, he fluid, landed in AA'anganui without a penny, and he had received no help either from the Government or from the local Patriotic Society. AVould Hie gentleman oblige, etc.;-' The gentleman did. He parted with all the loose silver ho had on him at tho time, and then proceeded to find tho chairman of the Patriotic Committee, with a view to letting that gentleman know just what he thought of the shameful manner in which the committee was neglecting its obvious duty. But tlie chairman of the Patriotic Committee is growing wise by experience. He lind-a shrewd suspicion that the too credulous, citizen had "fallon-iu.” He asked if the gentleman happened to know the- name and number of the soldier to whom lie had given the money. The gentleman did: the man had volunteered the information, and he had taken a note of it. "Very well.” said Sir. Williams, "just come to the committee room and look at our records. 1 think you will discover that only a few minutes before the man appealed to you we had advanced him i)2 ; and lie must have, had that money in his jmssession when lie told you he was penniless and that we would not assist him.” And that was precisely what the secretary’s records disclosed, to tl;c evident disgust of Uio victimised citizen. The moral is plain. Refer-soldier applicants for financial assistance to iho Patriotic Committee. No genuine ease will be allowed to go unaided. The furniture to be. sold by L. A. Nolan and Co. to-morrow on account of M iss Morshoad is a really good lot. '.Hie piano ib a particularly good instrument. Anyone re*juiriu£ same would be well repaid by attending the sale.