LOCAL AND 'GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17074, 30 August 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND 'GENERAL.

The directors of Kempt-borne and ProKssr'e New Zealand Drug Company have declared an interim dividend of 7 per cent, per annum, and have also decided to subscribe .£IO,OOO to the War Loan. ..■■:•

A pleasing manifestation of patriotism at the of the Patriotic K«i Oross Shop yesterday was the acni lO£-°f^ vo little gH'Vi'hehna and lottie Allen, who brought along their (toll in its go-cart to be disposed of for the Red Cross funds.

ISext Monday evening a public address will be given by Mr L." M. Isitt, M.P. at the Opera House, on the sis o clock closing question. Mr Isltt is regarded as the finest platform orator m the Dominion, and will give a very clear exposition of one of the great questions of the day.

A message from Sydney, Nova Scotia, states that McMillan's expedition has arrived at Neptune after four years' absence. It proved the non-existence of Cooke Land, Peary having been deceived by a mirage vhich deceived McMillan for four days, but then lifted.

A young women's branch of the W.C.T.U. was inaugurated in the Aramoho Methodist schoolroom on the 28th instant, Mrs. Upton, vicepresident of the district officiating with Mrs. E. Smith as assistant! Eighteen were present, fourteen signing the pledge. Officers were elected for the following year.

In a recent issue our travelling reporter narrated the narrow escape a railway employee lrad when his jigger came into collision at Eastown with the morning train. We stated that the employee had to jump for his life, and a rpu jlgger was completely smashed. The party concerned called on us yesterday, and denied that he was travelling fast or that he had to jump for bis Me. He admitted that the engine struct the jigger, but said it did not cause very much damage.

Mr D. McKay, of the local office of the Government Insurance Department, who lias been granted leave in order to go into camp, was yesterday presented .with a memento by the office and canvassing staffs. The resident agent, in making the presentation, referred in terms of praise to Mr MsKay's good qualities, and wished him God-speed and a safe return to New Zealand. Mr Reed and Mr Mander also spoke. It may be mentioned that Mr McKay is the. third officer of the Wanganui Branch tv) go on active service. Mr Manr«n, of Invercargill, has arrived in Wanganui, to take up Mr McKays duties.

On Monday the Supreme Court was crowded during the hearing of . tho criminal cases, and among those present were a. number of Maoris and Ohinamen. Two gas fire? were kept going, with the result that as the day advanced the atmosphere became most oppressive. Headaches appear to have been fairly common, and one waiting juryman stated that he found things so bad that he had to go out occasionally for a breath of fresh air, a privilege that was denied those whose work kept them in close attention on the Court. There is no doubt that on crowded ■ occasions a better system oV ventilation is necesary for the building.