LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7566, 9 May 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The scow "Maroro" was taken up on the Putiki slip yesterday. The vessel occupied ail the space available an rl the lift was a fairly heavy one. Hosvever, the winch proved quite equal to the task. The propellors, which were installed with the now engines, are teing taken off, and it is understood will De readjusted when tho vessel returns ie Australia.

A cow that was peacefully slumbering on the No. 1 Line at Kaifcoke got the shock of its life last night, the disturbing element being a motor car with a party of Wanganui sportsmen homeward-bound from Palmerston races. Both car and cow survived the collision, but some hard things were said about the danger of straying stock on a public road.

One result of the abnormal gardening season which we have experienced in New Zealand is that persons who are accustomed to grow their own seeds have not been able to ripen them (says the "Duuedin Star"), This is peculiarly so in regard to vegetable seeds. Hence ther« will be an extra demand upon the seedsmen in the next spring. One gardener who is in a big way is as a stand-by keeping some of last season's seed, taking care to pack it in airtight tins.

The Minister for Mines stated yesterday that Cabinet had practically agreed to proposals of his respecting the new mining policy, and he was having legislation prepared for submission to Parliament next session. He intended that the Dominion's mineral resources should be thoroughly -tested. For this a measure of reorganisation and full staffing of the Mine Department would be necessary, so that samples could be reported on more quickly than was at present possible.

Mr. George Ebhett, who -was elected Mayor of Hastings by a decisive majority from Mr. H. Lan Simpson, was born within a mile of Hastings Post Office, 47 years ago (there being then no place known as Hastings), and "Karamn" is given as his birthplace. He is an old boy of the first Public School in Hastings, and of Napier High School, and at the time of his election was connected with a legal firm. He has acted on several public bodies, including the Farmers' tinion Executive as vicechairman, the Efficiency Board local trustees as chairman, and is a director of several large and active companies.

Another official scheme is afoot to ensure \\s having a plentiful Supply of the right sort of horses if they are ever wanted again for a big army, says an English paper. There are 50,000 selected army horses to be loaned to anyone who will apply for them- For those horses £7 10s. per annum is to-be paid by farmers and others, but this covers all veterinary attendance and veterinary medicines and appliances. The horses will be delivered carriage free, and at the end of six years will become the property of the lessee. There is a condition that any horse so loaned may be required for sixteen days' service in the Army manoeuvres each year.

The Taranaki Natives are doing their share in feasting and entertaining the Maori soldiers who returned from the front recently. A large number at Maoris travelled from Wanganui to New Plymouth, being on'their way to the Maori pah at Parihaka. Airs Walter Hipango, of wanganui and Waitara, is said to be providing for the entertainment of about twenty soldiers from the Wanganui district at Parihaka, where Mrs Perene, sister ot Noho Te Whiti, is the leading spirit. About fifty natives proceeded by car from New Plymouth to Parihaka, and it is probable the gathering there will last until the eighteenth day of the month, which is the recognised feast day.

It has been brought under the notice of the Commonwealth Government tnat a quiet Italian invasion of Northern (Queensland has been steadily progressing; and that the Itaiians are rapidly displacing British and Australian.born sugar-growers (says the Sydney Sun). In the Ingham district it is stated that nearly all the hotels and the stores have passed into the hands .of the Italians j that the farms are nearly all dwned and worked by Italians; and tiiat they are making satisfactory progress, especially as there is a singular freedom from the labour troubles which, mark the adjoining districts. The Italians have come from Northern Italy, and are spoken of as people of a fine ciasß. '. ,

The Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., casually mentioned to an " Oiago Daily Times" reporter that when on a visit to Wellington recently he looked in at the Court of Appeal, which was then sitting, and was astonished to find that the five Judges on tho Bench were exOtago solicitors—via., Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Justices Sira, Edwards, Hosking, and Chapman. The case being heard was att Otago one, and tho four hamsters engaged—Sir John Salmond. Mr. W. 0. MaeGregor, K.C. Mr. John MacGregor, and Mr. D. Stewart (Balclutha)—'wer© Ota&o men. Two other barristers who were keen listener* to the argument weie also ex-Otago men—viz.. Mr. John O'Slwa (city solicitor, Wellington) and Mr. Cornish.

A vigorous and energetic roading scheme is being put through by the councils in the Far North. They call it the "Good Roads Movement," and to further the scheme a loan of about £60,000 is being raised. With that enterprise lately so characteristic of them, the County Council have invited Mr. J. A. Hansen, engineer of the Waimate West Council, and Mr. E. Crofa, of Wanctanui, to consult and advise them. The movement is already started, and it is hoped before long to have many parts of the mam roads metalled -and tarred. Tt is said they consider it will take all that money to pull Northland out of the mud. The members* of the Winterless North tour two years airo will concur in this statement, or nerhaps think it will take still more money to achieve that desired end.

It may not be generally known that upon every troopshin leaving England with returning soldiers, the New Zealand Branch of the British Bed Cross Society and Order of St. John places a quantity of articles aboard for prizes in the various, competitions, which are held periodically. Also a quantity of comforts for the sick men, and a cheque to the officer commanding for £50 to £7/5, according to the number of men aboard each boat, for the purpose of buying fruit or anything else thougnt necessary for the men's benefit at either Panama Canal or Colombo, according to the route taken. The following letter from Lieut.-Ctolonel E. E. l'omtt. officer commanding hos* pital ship Maheno, addressed to Colonel Moorhouse, officer in charge of headquarters of the society, one of many received froiu time to time, shows the appreciation felt by the men for the consideration shown them by the society:—"On leaving England on 10th March, Colonetl R. Heaton Rhodes, president of the Red Cross in England, very kindly put on board 108 prizes to be competed for by the patients on the voyage to the Dominion, and also presented me with a cheque for £50 to be spent on fruit, or anything else that was thought, necessary for the benefit of the men tinder my charge during the voyage. I cannot speak too highly of the kindness we received from him during our stay in England, and of our appreciation for all the trouble taken by him and those associated with him. The prises were of the greatest assistance to me in keeping the patients constantly interested during what wouid have otherwise been long and tedious days for unfit men."

We have pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of £5 from Mr G. F. Moore; p,nd 10s 6d from Mr *j. U. Young, towards the Stevens Relief Fund.

It is officially announced that, in the case of intended wives of Nevv Ze.iiand soldiers, the Immigration Department accepts nomination for assisted passage, and gives £13 towards either second or third-class passage.

To-morrow night in the Town HaJl at Wanganui East fche Salvation Army Band is advertised to give a special programme of vocal and instrumental items. The band has improved of late r.nd its playing has been most favourably commented on. The programme to be submitted will include some t>t the band's best items. As the admission is only sixpence, no doubt tlie hall will be filled.

A correspondent draws our atte.it'.on to what he describes as "refined cruelty to ?.nimais." Iv the Borough paddocko in London Street Extension and in the Collegiate School paddocl.s m the same locality there are drinking troughs for stock, but they are oo high ffom the ground that the Mima Is cannot reach the water. Ihjr correspondent sugestc that the troughs should be lowered at least a fo«t. "

In connection with the issue of the General War Medal, the New Zealand Defence Department is preparing rolls ot recipients, and making arrangements for the distribution of the medals. It is also proposed to Issue to all members of the .New Zealand Kx-l-editionary Force an illuminated certi" ficate, showing each man's, record- of service. There will be two classes dt certificate—one for soldiers on oversea service, the other for soldiers with not less than twelve months' home Service. It is hot intended to issue certificates of discharge to men in training here when the armistice was signed, butito discharge them en bloc by proclattiiition on the conclusion of peace. ;'; *

It is announced that the Government has decided to pay the full rate of 3s. per day as from the date of embarkation for all married men from the,beginning of the war, payment to be rnatta in the first week in June, by special warrant, and sent direct to the payees. In .the case of soldiers deceased prior to 3l.it December 1917, payment to.be i made up to the date of decease, or to the date the separation allowance wijs ' paid. If latfr, it will be necessary,for the application to ifcr? made in respert ' of married soldiers undischarged on April 30th. 1910, but in the case of married soldiers deceased or discharge | prior to that date, applications wi!l ibe reejuired before the payments ate [issued. • ■

Tlie hatpin epidemic seems to hay* made its reappearance in Dunedin, states the "Otago Daily Times." The regulation as to a protector being user] on the point of the hatpin has beer ignored by nearly all the ladies, wiij? the result that the male physiognomj has, in one case at least, been seriously disfigured. Fortunately the -injury was confined to a severe and lengthy scratch—it is described by one eyewitness as a gash—just below the eye. Half an inch higher and a loss of sight would probably have resulted. Tlw. luckless man is a tram conductor, whose tongue remained silent v under the infliction, while his face bore nji injured appearance. To the observant it is plain that one of this barbarous class of hab fastener does not suftic^. Two and sometimes three are nece^r sary, and in niost instances these stick out "like quills upon the fretful por- i cupine."

At the annual meeting of the Sandqn Old Boys' Association a vote of thank* and appreciation was accorded to Mi* I<i. H. Suisted nnd.-other member*^ ♦he Wanganui Branch of the British ■■■■, Red Cross Society/ who h<.J nnd«»» <aken to "procure nnd despatch the tobacco provided by the Association to a'l .._, 'ocal boys serving in the ExpeditimKCjjj nry Forces. By arrangement with tJfe rwv authorities the British Red Cro«^ >!o> oiety was able to teeure a remifffio^ in Customs duty on tobacco whi.'ft telped very mntenaity to increase Vyi purchasing power of donation* makfe locally to the fund. Altogether inwards of eight hundred parcels" ■ nv»r« ■ despatched, nil of which were ra^k^'i and sent through the medium of tf!•; Wanganui ladies to whdtn the . < *'d Boys, both as subscribers to the i'ln), nnd ns recipients of parcels. fiw« t.'iejt, «ratit!i<ie. The soldiers affirmed tintthe tobacco arrived in splendid ordej;. thanks to the careful wav it was packfd. *.:-•■■■

There are thousands of people in and about Sydney who do not know what tt is to have homes to themselves (suyV a Sydney paper). In some strePts-^-ia ' many streets, in fact—a house tenant*- • ed by only one family has the novtft freshness of an oasis in a wilderness of bricks and mortar. Some people prater this mode of life, but in the va«J number of caSes they have simply become inured to conditions which they cannot control. They have grown ac* customed to living two and three, aii£ sometimes more, families under the oaf roof. They have surrendered to em cumstances with which they feel thenjE-] selves powerless to deal. And what ithappening in one suburb is happening in almost every other thickly.populai£ ed suburb. There are not nearly enotfgl* houses to go round. In common wJtfe \. many other municipalities. Mascot, foT example, recently reported a, shortage in the number of new buildings. It isstated «hat during 1913. 1914, and; 1915 flia buildings erected €here nunW bered 168 175, and 105 tespeotively;. while in 1916, 1917, and 1918 the figures dropped to 49, 36, and 28 respect tively. The average cost, it is statedr had almost doubled. Mascot, howeverf is not a glaring instance. There is ft shortage of houses everywhere, and with soldiers returning in thousands-* many of them are bringing brides froTi^ across the sea —the position has become accentuated. ;;