LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17110, 11 October 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

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men? TIV^ eDt °^ ng *° a lavement. Ihis . was lneorrect M Wi , "^^eteen-year-olds" in Welling, ton are. by "no means backward in tak mg advantage of the lowering of the age ljnut for military service On an average about four or five a day have galled lately at tbe oHce of the^reS rar .m order to procure the neceJary SSS^ ,° f "G*l****- Presenting' themselves for medical examination. After declining to participate in the non-party caucus convened by the NaSon aif^ Ve flnmeil- t 1 for the consideration of the financial position, the Parhamentary Labpurjarty held a meeting attended by Messrs A. H HindrFSr'd- f cSom^> W- A. Veitch, P. C. Webb, J. Payne,. A. Walker, and J. ;',M The political situation was tully discussed and a definite course of >ction decided upon.

A young man named J. Dawson met with a fatal accident at Braeburn sta«x? °. n Wednesday. He was (says the Napier Telegraph"), engaged in docking sheep when one sheep broke away Deceased made chase and fell over a tussock, receiving internal injuries. It was at once seen that his condition was serious, and he was removed to the hospital, where he died shortly after admission. An inquest was held, when medical evidence showed that death was due to an internal rupture, and a verdict was returned accordingly. xi.lnr, tlle c<mrse'of liis annual report the Government Astronomer mentions that New Zealand standard time is for the meridan 172deg 30min east of Breenwieli, and is lib. 13min in advance of Greenwich time. Ast it appeared that many advantages would be gained by making New Zealand standard time exactly twelve 3iours in advance of Greenwich mean time, the subject was discussed at the "Wellington Philosophical Society, and a resolution from the society was forwarded to the Government urging the desirability of the alteration. The Government was unable, however,, to take any action at present in this matter. . There is no precise record of the high-" est price that has been paid in this country for a seedling narcissus. It is doubtful, however, whether any bulb has been sold in the Dominion at a iigure exceeding that at which one changed hands in Dunedin last week, when the Incomparabilis champion seeding bulb, grown by Mr A. Miller, of Morrungton, .was sold, through the agency-of Mr Oswald Reilly, to Mrs. G. R. Storey, of Caversham, for 40 guineas. It is understood to be the intention of Mrs. Storey to have this flower placed in filtered water and then trozen and sent Home to compete at the Royal Horticultural Society's show which will be held in April next.— "Otago Times."

Mrs F. Porter, honorary organising secretary of the Women's National Heserve, arrived in town last evening from Wellington, She was met at the station.by Mrs Mackay (the presk dent), Miss Chapman (secretary), and members of the local committee of the "Reserve, after which the party were entertained at supper at Chavanne's Hotel, where the opportunity was taken fco discuss matters of importance to the "Reserve. Mrs Porter expressed herself as very pleased with tihe work which is being done in .Wanganui, and specially eulogised the social reunions ror soldiers' mothers and wives. She mentioned that more badges for soldiers' mothers had been sold in Wanganui than m my other, centre. OVirs Porter, who was the guest of Mrs Mackay last night leaves for Palmerston North this morning.

In August last the Education Board made an appeal to the schools of the district for funds for soldiers' Christmas puddings, and the money collected was forwarded direct from the schools to Mrs. Luke, Mayoress of Wellington. Ihe Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Association are now endeavouring to ascertain the amount collected in their district, the object being to have the money credited locally.

There will be a working bee at Kowhax Park this morning, commencino- at 9 o clock, to complete the planting of seed potatoes. Luncheon will be provided Should sufficient helpers turn up, the planting will be finished in the afternoon. The committee will be very Pleased to see anyone who can assist in. the good work. The potatoes planted m the first week are making a splendid show, and the work of hoeing will shortly be commenced.

At the meeting of the Education .Board-last night, the chairman (Mr. n plr^nS ,re| e*>red to the recent Queens' Park School fire, and said it was the rule of the Education Department to hold an inquiry. The police bad sent m a report but it did not amount to anything. There was no further evidence -to.offer, nor were they likely to get any. It was decided to send the report on to. the Department, and if an inquiry was ordered Messrs/ Collms and Sewell should represent the. Board. ■'.. •

. Engagement ring law was the subject or lengthy comment by Mr Justiea bnearman when he ordered a Mile End woman to return a diamond engagement ring, valued at £56, to her former fiancee, a Jewish soldier. When a man presented an engagement ring, said the judge, it was, in fact, unless there were other circumstances to distinguish it from the general rule, a ring presented on the consideration of future marriage. If the lady repudiated the contract she must return the ring. In Great Eritain not only the engagement ring, ■ but other presents were returned. ..The question of the engagement ring haa an interesting history. In early civilisation the ring was a sign and symbol of what in those days was a bargain of sale, but when one came to civilised times the woman had ceased to be :v chattel. The judge mentioned the passage in Genesis about Abraham presenting rings when ißebecca was betrothed to Isaac.,