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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16304, 3 December 1918, Page 2

After a suspension of publication for about throe weeks, duo to the influenza claiming most of tho staff, our Inglewood contemporary, we are pleased to see, was able to reappear on Monday. Tho AVaimate AVitness looks forward to the advent of tho railway to bring about greater punctuality among M-anaia people in the keeping of appointments. Land tax became due and payable on November 8, but 21 days additional were allowed in which to forward amounts before enforcing the usual penalty for non-payment. The last day therefore was November 29, and as tho influenza epidemic was at its height at this time and in view of tho probability that many people liable for tax were afflicted with the disease whilst others wore busily engaged combating the, epidemic it was suggested that his AVorship the Mayor telegraph to AVellington in tho hope that the time might be extended and thus avoid any undue hardship. Mr. Burgess did so, but received a reply tins morning regretting that there was no power to extend the time. The penalty will therefore apparently have to bo added on all taxes still unpaid. • Ladies he sure and inspect these spec? inis now being offered at the Regal Shoo Store. Glace Derby Shoes, high toes and Cuban heels, 18s fid. Ladies Glace Court Shoes as now worn, 17s 9d. These are splendid .soiling lines, so come early to save disappointment.* Mr. A. B. Gibson advertises in this issue a 5-roonved cottage, Devon Street East, and f-acre section with immediate possession. [The cable news in this issue accredited to The Times has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly slated is such news the editorial opinion of The Times.l

A Wellington message states that demobilisation is proceeding briskly at Trentham and other camps. Trentliam was expected to be closed on Monday. A Gazette extraordinary proclaims that all woo! clipped in New Zealand not later than one year from June 30, 1919, is requisitioned, on behalf of his Majesty the King. The deaths in Wanganui for th«. last five months have been; July 102, August 121, September 107, October 79, November 221. In November, 1917. the deaths were 77.

Inland telegraph restrictions due to the influenza epidemic are removed from to-day. hut the offices are .observing curtailed attendance and will continue to observe it until farther notice.

The Prime Minister remarked in the House on Thursday that the Government had work in readiness for 15,000 men on various public works. He anticipated that many returning soldiers would be thus placed satisfactorily. Mr. Robert Dell, managing director of the Lyttelton Times, who is a member of the executive of the Dress Congress of tho World, has received) a cable communication from tho representative of tho Government of New South Wales, Sydney, stating that the meetings in connection with tho next congress will commence in Sydney on November 11, 1919. In tho House on Friday night Mr. Veitch asked Sir Joseph AVard to consider the matter of a State service on the AA’anganui River. Tho matter was one of .great urgency. Sir Joseph AVard replied that he would give the matter his immediate attention. He also stated, in reply to another question by Mr. A r citch, that mail contracts were always given to British subjects where possible. The National Executive of the Second Division passed a resolution that the league views with alarm the continued dilatorinoss of tho Government in regard to tho question of repatriation, particularly in view of the fact that thousands of soldiers are now. being discharged and that official statements point to tho early return of tho men from overseas, and urges upon tho Government and Parliament that no further delay be tolerated.—Press Assn. According to several writers in tho AVellington press, tho overcrowded nature of that city—a condition that has been responsible for the rapid spread and severity of tho epidemic there —is tho result of the system of rating on unimproved values, causing landowners to cut down breathing space about the homes and to cram as many houses as possible on a given area of land. A movement is to bo started to alter the rating system, and generally to put AVellington’s house in order. Complications arising out of the sudden death from influenza of a Chinese lanndryman about two weeks ago have been brought to the notice of tlm Auckland police. The laundry, which is situated in Albert Street, has been closed since the owner’s death, and customers who had left their laundry there have been unable to recover their property. Tho police are endeavouring to have the shop fumigated and taken over bv someone who understands the business, in order that the articles in question may bo returned to the owners. At a rest camp back of the lines tho men of a Highland regiment were holding a concert, to which drifted in, lured by sounds of revelry, a Cockney motor driver of the A.S.C. He too could sing a. Scotch song, he intimated. After a whispered consultation, the pianist, amid applause, struck up afamous patriotic tune; the A.S.C. man advanced to the edge of the stage and began;— , , Scots wha hao on porridge reel, -.Scots wha’s hair is awfu"rcd, Scots wha suffer frne swelled head— Gang and wash yer knees. Ho made his escape in good time, hut the maddehed kilties are still hoping to pick up his trail. The boys at the front know well that humour can always bo founjl wherever you are, and well they have proved it. The influenza epidemic, serious as it has been, also has its reliefs. Two insurance agents, both well known in town, working as reliefs for farmers, have been for several days employed in milking at a certain cookie’s farm not many miles away. One of them knew something about milking and the other the rest, They were told to take what cream they likcfl and the new chum guaranteed to get the cream and he did —in two fruit jars.—But when the cart dame back from tile factory the cream alas! had faded into nothing. Ho had _ skimmed the froth off the morning’s milk. Next day they wore sure they had tho real cream but the new chum had not screwed in the top of his fruit jars and most of it was in his pocket when they pulled up in New Plymouth. People are sent to the hospital for many complaints and to have many tilings done to them, hut it is unusual for anyone to be sent there to have a bath. It is reported that this occurred recently at New Plymouth. A man and his wife, who lived in the country, were reported as suffering from influenza. On investigation it was found that they had recovered and wore again well in body, but that the house wanted a thorough cleansing. Tho inmates also admitted that they had not had a bath for 16 years. They wore packed off to the hospital and thence to a convalescent home. At the hospital each was given a bath. A returned soldier took, the man in hand—and for the rest of the day went about exclaiming “You ought to have seen his knees.” When a nureo led the wife towards a bath, she looked at it and said “My! This is going to he an experience.” This, at least, is what is reported to have occurred. Speaking to a Press reporter on the slum question, Colonel AA’ylie, who has had charge of the Christchurch Hospital for the past fortnight, said that the mere building of nice houses for workers would not entirely solve what might lie called the slum question. He knew that there was a certain class of people who, given a new and up-to-date house, would reproduce slum conditions in it in sk months. It was not always a matter of lack of money either. He knew in a country district where he had worked of houses on. farms where slum conditions could Jio found. The house might, and probably did, contain a phonograph, and n piano or a pianola, but there would be no bathroom in it or decent conveniences, and its surroundings would be filthy, though there was a modern motor-car in tho shed outside. The people would have to be educated to appreciate and work for healthy living conditions as well as given the chance to get them. Everybody invited to push tho sales of “No*Rubhing” Laundry Help, “Golden Rule” Soap and “Golden Rule” Candles.—Burgess, Fraser and Co., Wholesale Agents for “Mo Rubbing” and “Golden Rule” brands.- _ 6 The oft postponed Capitulation Sale at the Melbourne, Ltd., is fairly launched at last. The bargains offered are extremely attractive and are creating a stir among shoppers and especially with those who are wisely anticipating their Christmas requirements* For rapid recovery take “Amoo.”*

The inhalation chambers in different (parts of the borough are being systematically used, a regular stream of residents passing through each day. Mr. Massey replied to the Returned Soldiers’ Association regretting that Cabinet, after full consideration, regrets that, in view of the huge expenditure in connection with the repatriation scheme, it is unable to accede to the request that separation allowances to dependents of soldiers should be made retrospective.—Press Assn. Several members of the New Plymouth Harbour Board left for Wellington on Monday in connection with the New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Bill, which is expected to come before Parliament this week. Representatives of the Moa Road Board and Taranaki County Council also left for Wellington on 'Monday in connection with the Inglewood County Bill. The quarterly session of the Supremo Court was to have opened at the New Plymouth Courthouse to-day, but owing to the influenza epidemic, it has been adjourned. Tin's morning, in the Courthouse, the deputy-registrar of the Supreme Court (Mr. J. acting under instructions from His Honour the Chief Justice, formally adjourned the session until Monday, February 3, 1919.

The difficulties which some farmers stricken by influenza and those who volunteer to give assistance with _ the work have to contend with are illus-. trated by the case of a TJruti farmer. This man is in hospital in New Plymouth and his wife and four children (the eldest under five years and the youngest under nine weeks) are staying at a boardinghouse in the village. Both the parents are reported to be delicate and quite unsuited to back-blocks fanning. To get to their farm a mile of mud road almost impassable for a horse has to 'be traversed. Tbe cowyard is said to be in a deplorable state, the cows having to he scraped before they can be washed for milking. Voluntary workers have been carrying on, but it is stated that they cannot do! so any longer and it is not possible to get paid workers. The local committee suggest that steps be taken an the direction of selling the herd in order to avoid loss to the owner. An amusing story is told in connection with tho, working of the inhalation chamber which has been installed at the wharf. One of the Public Health Committee in charge, a well known local business man noted for his keen sense of humour, told a number of jockey hoys who came down from Auckland' tho other morning with half-a-dozen racehorses that not only they but the horses too had to go through the chamber. The boys did not mind so far as they themselves were concerned, but they were in grave doubt as to how their steeds would take the experiment and began to oiler all sorts of excuses. Apparently in all seriousness, however, the Health Committee man persisted, but was in turn assured by the jockeys that if the horses were taken inside the building they would most certainly kick it to pieces. With “reluctance” therefore he excused them and then rang up his principal and told him what a difficult task he had had in “getting the horses in, and spraying them and so* on.” Now the principal became alarmed and told his assistant that he she: id not have done any such thing and tiat it was not intended to take such precautions with horses. Of courserit was only a joke-and' has created a big laugh since.

Notwithstanding the present difficulties in procuring supplies a splendid range of footwear at reasonable prices is to be seen at the New Zealand Clothing Factory during this, their special boot week. Men, women and children are all well catered for with boots and shoes in the newest and nicest designs. Your early inspection is invited.*