LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17655, 3 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During August 80 births were registered in Wauganui, 24 marriages were celebrated and 27 deaths occurred.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the management committee of the Patriotic Society will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon..

A Palmerston North wire says that Glen Pollock, a conscientious objector, who was tried by court martial for desertion last Wednesday and found guilty, was sentenced to two years' hard labour in Wellington gaol.

Farmers are reminded of an important meeting to be held this afternoon, in the board room of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company. The meeting will be addressed by the Provincial Secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union.

■ Railway clerk: "Another farmer is suing us on account of his cows." Manager McVilly: "What! Killed by our trains?" Railway clerk: "No. He complains of the passengers leaning out of the windows and milking them as the trains,go by!"

Since the visit of the steamer Armagh to Wa.nganui blankets have been turning up in, unexpected places. Lsat Friday a small boy playing in the vicinity of the Gonville School found three blankets hidden in a clump of lupin. Recently a local resident discovered one morning a bag of .blankets out on his lawn.

The troopship Ayrshire is due to A>*iive at Lyttelton on September 19th, under command of Lieut.-Col-orel W. F. Narby (Hamilton). The following names of Wanganui men appear in the nominal roll:—Lieut. G. A. A. Barton (MM.), Cpl. K. Aitken, Pvts. L. R. Banks, T. Blanch, F. H. Bleasdale. T. M. Bourke (Patea), W. Cann, C. E. Chappell L. D. Chappell, L. D. Dalziell, V. H. Dickey, S. Duffy1 (Waitotara) > T. H Edgecombe (Patea), C. W. Gregg (Raetihi.) The following men from Wanganui and district are returning by the Corinthic: Melvill, C. W. (C.M.G.,,D.5.0.) Brig.- Gen.; Ydung, R. (C.M\G., D.5.0.), 10/451, Brig.Gen., Marton; Hardie, R. D. (D.5.0.) 10/171, Major, Palmerston North; Andrew, L. W. (V.C.), 11795, Capt.; Benefield, A. E. b9687; Burns, G. 10210; Cavanagh, J., 56737; Hardy, E. 55116; Henderson, H. C. 41799, Corpl., Marton; Jones, O.S. 19089, Sergt.; Lewis, E. A. 28165; Moss, A. 22934; Randal, F. J. 56856; Robertson, J. 25/1804.

From present indications there is not a .very great deal of profit in the boot-retailing industry- A local firm has just received an account; from an Australia* warehouse firm giving details of the account rendered, and stating in a tag, that travellers' and direct orders will be supplied only on the distinct understanding that the goods are to be charged at the prices current on the day of despatch. An accompanying letter states that the Australian firm in question has received from its various manufacturers news of an advance on all Australian manufacturers of anything up to 50 per cent., and such an advance leaves the Australian maker for similar goods with an advantage of about 75 per cent, in the latest quotations from England and America. The letter proceeds that it was believed that further heavy advances would occur. A world-wide shortage in leather was no doubt about to occur.

An individual, who is described as a fairly big man, and, judging by his actions, is apparently mentally defective, has for some weeks past; ac-< cording to several accounts, been causing perturbation in a portion of the Papanui district. The practice of this person, it is reported (says the Christchurch Press) is to hide in a quiet road, and when a girl or woman cycles by he pursues her on a bicycle, and, catching up, sjtrikes or pushes the woman or girl off her machine and then cycles off as quickly as possible. One young lady who was cycling home along Harewood Road about 6.30 one evening, was subjected to such an attack. She was struck a hard blow on the forehead, presumably with a stone, and fell unconscious. She was found by friends and taken home, where she regained consciousness, but so severe was the injury received that she was not able to return to work for over a week. Several other instances of cowardly attacks are related, and in some cases chase was giveni but the culprit always escapes without his identity being revealed

Grave dissatisfaction exists among the fruit importers of Auckland .n connection with the regulations governing the inspection o£ fruit from Rarotonga. Discussing the matter with a New Zealand Herald representatiev last week, one of the importing firms declared that the position was becoming unbearable. Despite the fact that the Cook Islands was under the New Zealand Government, this importer said, a double inspection of the fruit—at the Islands and again on arrival in New Zealand — was demanded. What this meant was shown by what happened to the 12,000 cases of oranges which arrived by the Flora recently. Each line, averaging 10 cases', had to be opened up on the wharf and examined by the inspector, causing great confusion and mixing the brands. This inspection of over 1000 different consignments in the shipment occupied three days, during which 25 per cent, of the oranges went rotten, and the total cost of the inspection to the importers was £1500 to £2000. *The fruit importers have decided, therefore, to place the whole matter before the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet. With this ob- l jeet they have appointed Mr A. Donald their representative, and he will shortly visit Wellington to interview Ministers.

Ten seamen, who arrived at Wellington on Sunday by the Moeraki from Sydney to onan te steamer Inga arrived by the train from Wellington last night. They are to supplant a non-union crew, whose presence on the Inga resulted in the Wanganui watersiders refusing to unload the ship.

It is thought in some quarters that the large number of dances which are taking place at the present time may be looked to as a source of danger in connection with a possible recurrence of the epidemic with the changeable weathej conditions existing at the present time. All who are now enjoying the delight of Terpsicore to the full' would be well advised to take every precaution against contracting a chill while present at the daucea.

The Te Awamutu Power Board committee, when seeking provision for a loan for reticulation, was advised that existing legislation does not allow loans by the State Advances Office for electric installations, as these are not included in tne schedule of public works for State loans. In view of the Wjde^pread movement for electrical ' development, the Board decided to make uigent representations to the Government for the necessary legislative amendment.