LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 43, Issue 133045, 13 September 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

.» Several prosecutions are to be taken against settlers in the Ekctahuna County for allowing stock to wander on the roads. Between half-past one and two o'clock yesterday morning the Kaiwaiwai ITali Avas destroyed by lire, the origin of which is a mystery.

The seduction case, Cross v. Colquhoun, a report of which appears on page f>, was concluded last evening, when plaintiff was awarded £.1000 da-mages.

The tender of .Messrs Morton and McLeod, at. £281 ss, has been accepted by the Masterton County Council for quarrying and breaking 750 cubic yards of rock at the Puketiritiri pit.

In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey announced that he had consulted the Minister for Finance, and he had agreed to go on the Efficiency Board with him (Mr Massey). There would thus be two Ministers and five members on the new Board, which he hoped would do good work in that form. Some of the members of the Board were retiring, but others would take their place.

The first public statement relative to the preliminary results of the Special Medical Board set up to reconsider the cases of those members of the First Division who have been rejected as physically unfit, was made in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Defence. Minister. The Minister said that out of the 199 men so far examined at Auckland fifty had been classed as fit and 64: as CI men. This meant that 114 out of 199 would have to go into camp.

When you consider that Wood-Milne tyres carry a definite guarantee of 3500 miles, their economy and goodness will bo at once apparent. Moreover, you owe it as a duty towards our Empire to use Wood-Milne tyres in preference to foreign makes, because Wood-Milne'a are British and are made with that thoroughness which characterises British methods. So help British workerskeep British cash within the Empire by specifying Wood-Milne tyres. Write for details to your garage, 0 Necmfwy for details to your garage or New Zealand Depot, 167 Vivian street, Wellington.

The Masterton Soldiers' Entertainment Committee decided last night that the minimum number of' surprise packets for the "Commercial Travellers' Crusade" in November should be 50,000. It is likely that the whole of one of the side streets leading from Queen street will be utilised for a Fair.

A Press Association, telegram states that, at the Police Court, Christehurch, yesterday, Frank Hyman, manager of tho "Lyttelton Times" Company, was fined £5 for publishing in the "Star" an advertisement by tho Socialist party announcing a meeting, the ad\ r ertisometn being held to bo seditious, and tending to discourago recruiting and tho prosecution of the Avar.

lieplyingxto a question asked by Mr W. 11. Field, the Minister for Finance said yesterday that provision is already made in the regulations relating to financial assistance to soldiers of the Expeditionary Force for tho payment of life insurance premiums. It is open to any soldier, or his ncxt-of-kin on his beluilf, to apply for financial assistance for this purpose. Eyery case is considered on its merits.

The difficulties in many friendly societies of making good to the benefit funds tho contributions of their soldier members on actiA"c service was brought under tho notice? of the Minister in Charge of Friendly Societies in Parliament a few days ago. In reply yesterday, tho Minister said these difficulties were appreciated by the Government. The department is now engaged in collecting data Avith a view to specially reporting on this important subject. As soon as the necessary information is ready the matter Avould receive prompt consideration, and the Minister said lie would Him notifA' the societies.

'Notice to ask the Defence Minister the following question Avas given in the House yesterday by Mr Parata (Southern Maori District): —Whether it is a fact that all profits from the military camp canteens go to the soldiers, as stated by the Minister for Defence in the House on Tuesday, September 11th? J n a note, Mr Parata adds: If the foregoing is correct there is no use in call-

ing for fenders from outside people. From the Minister's .statement it Avould appear that the successful tenderer in each camp was carrying on his business in the camp without profit for patriotic motives only. This assumption is not borne out by any means by the soldiers' .statements.

Many of the men fighting for the Empire are carrying heavy burdens caused by anxieties regarding home, Avife and children, or mother; sickness or circumstances unforeseen have occurred, changing the whole outlook on life; or letters are not coming with regularity; or it may be one of a hundred other things. The notice now exhibited in the SaJvatioji Army hostels and huts, asking any who are anxious to communicate with the- otlicer in charge, or with the Salvation Army headquarters in Boulogne, has brought communications which have set the whole Sanation Army machinery at Avork in an endeavour to relieve. The results are such as To cause much rejoicing to those responsible. The Pofeiice Minister was asked in Parliament yesterday by Mr \V. T. .Icnnings if he \ypuld ascertain Avhy the in-validr-d men who landed at Auckland rot.eiitly Avere marched in the rain to ashod, when , fhey were kept waiting four hours before being entrained; Avhy they were taken to AVellmgton in secondciass carriages, and also, Avhy the wia'Cis of these invalided men, some of whom had boen away for i.early three years, had to pay for entrance to the railway platform at Wellington. ' .Sir -lames Allen asked the, hon. member to put the question on the Order-Paper, and he would have- the. matter enquired into. Mr Jennings: "The information was given me outside the House to-day by one of the invalided men, Private Stanhope, and tne answer",to the question ouyhr. not to be delayed.''

The labour position generally is a little better than last week, as shown by the latest figures from the various bureaux. At jDunediii twelve married and five single men applied for work, of whom nine were placed, all in private employment. In Auckland seven married and four single men applied; five were found private work. In Wellington eleven married and twelve .single persons sought assistance, and twentyone were found work, sixteen in private employment. At Christehurch there were seventeen applicants, of whom ten still remain unsuited. At Oarnaru four persons were out'of work; The Palmerston North, Gisborne and Masterton Bureaux received one application each. Good men are required for the Napier drainage works, also a few scrub-cut-ters. Experienced tunnel workers arc wanted for the Otira tunnel.

"Is it a fact (a) That at the recent examination at Trentham for commissions one hundred candidates came forward and only four were successful; (b) thai- amongst the candidates was the son of an Anglican bishop; (c) that this candidate was ore of the youngest, and his name came at the bottom, or nearly at the'boUom, of the list; and (d) that this candidate; nevertheless, received one of the four commissions granted?" wss a question to the Minister of Defence given notice of recently by Mr P. ('. Webb, Labour M.P. for Grey. In a printed reply since circulated, Sir James Allen stated: —"(a) At the qualifying examination there were seventytwo candidates. Of these thirty-four qualified. Six were finally selected for appointment as second lieutenants on probation. The number of vacancies was limited owing to the reduction in percentage of reinforcements the previous week, (b) The son of an Anglican bishop did compete, (c) This candidate, although young, passed sixteenth in the qualifying examination. Six were finally selected, and amongst these he stood second in order of commendation."

So highly is New Zealand grown leaf commented upon that it is merely a question of time when tobacco will rank among the staple articles of this country, like wool and mutton, and afford profitable employment to thousands of our people. Soil and climate seem to be particularly adapted to producing just that class of leaf which is in highest demand abroad, because of its mildness, its unequalled combustibility and its small percentage of Nicotine. Gold Pouch is a sample of N.Z.grown tobacco, but since its introduction it has been greatly improved, and the new Aromatic blend is far superior to the earlier product, particularly in aroma. You just try one pouch and you will no longer crave for foreign brands. Absolutely pure, and with less Nicotine than any other tobacco, Gold Pouch can be smoked all day without affecting the heart or nerves. It has no equal. No increase in price. One shilling will buy a big stout bag of either Gold Pouch or Three Diamonds. Cigarette smokers should use the N.Z.-

grown Three Diamonds Tobacco, a new type of a colour far superior to the imported yellow brands. #

The Supremo Court sittings in Masterton concluded this afternoon.

The meeting of the Wairarapa Amateur Athletic Club, which was to have been held to-night, has been postponed to next Monday evening.

A scowmaster, Victor Oliver, was at Auckland yesterday fined the minimum fine of £20 for employing an unenrolied reservist. '

' ' What did you put in the brandy to break it down'? ,, asked counsel of an expublican in the Supreme Court this morning. "1 put water into it/ was the reply. "It would have been better if you had put more water into it, ,, remarked the Chief Justice. Knowing Sir Robert's views on tho liquor question, there was a general laugh in Court.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas Jones, motor salesinau, was held in th o oflico of the Deputy Official Assignee, Masterton, yesterday. The only creditor, Mr D. W. Foreman, was represented by Mr IT. (J. Robinson, and Mr O. N. C. Pragnell appeared for Jones. Tho statement showed Jones' indebtedness as £184 ,3s 7d, and his assets consisted ol: a few shares in tho Taranaki. oil wells. Bankrupt was examined at great length by Mr Robinson as to his affairs before and since his marriage. It was eventually decided to adjourn tho meeting in order to examine Mrs Jones. Referring in his annual report to the poultry industry, the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald (Minister- for Agriculture) S uy S: —"The question of the prohibition of the entry of Asiatic egg-pulp into tho Dominion is now receiving the favourable consideration of tho Government. Commendable activity in the interests of the industry is being shown by the New Zealand Poultry-keepers' Association, which body, it is j>l easing to note, is now well in touch with the department. Increased production and reasonable, prices to the consumer should be the leading aim of the industry to-day. The production of eggs in the Dominion is still a considerable way behind the normal demand, and the table-poultry branch remains on a comparatively small scale. While the consumer must be prepared to pay a fair price, eggs should not have to be classed as a luxury for large sections of the population during a great part of the year.'- .

At the sitting of the Magistarte's Court at Martinborough on Tuesday, T. J. Kathbone was proceeded against on four charges of permitting a traction engine to be driven on Morison's Bush road, contrary to the by-laws. The county solicitor Qlr J. W. Card) explained that this road had been closed for traction traffic, and that the defendant, was a constant offender in allowing his traction engine to travel this road. The defendant, made a lengthy statement to the effect that the road was a hard one .and that the by-law was in that respect unreasonable, added to w r hict he-was only one of a number (whom lie detailed), Avho were users of tho road. The Magistrate fined him £5 on the. first charge and costs and witnesses' expenses on the other three.

• Tliroe friends, who had been spending the evening at their club, agreed that the (mo "who did not do as his wife toJil him when ho pot home should pay for an oyster supper. Smith, in trying to find, thu! matches, trod on the eat. "That's right, , " said his wife, waking lip, ''kill the poor cat, and have done, with it." "Well, ■' thought Smith. "] Ml have to do it or pay," so he killed, the family pel . Brown, in the dark, stumbled against flic piano. "Why don't you break the piano?' - ' demanded his wife. Browji at once broke the. piano. When .'lones got home he stumbled on the top step of the staircase. "Go on,-' , said his wife, "tumble downstairs and break your neck." "Not me." answered .I ones, "I'll pay for the supper first.V^

In the Legislative Council, the Hon. J. Paul asked a question relating to the present membership of the Council, and quoted statistics showing that it had fallen from :i maximum of 48 to 24 in the present year. In reply, the leader. Sir Francis Bell, said the Government considered that the present members of the Council constituted a body well iitted for the effective transaction of business, and was satisfied that the present members duly discharged their responsibilities. An addition to its members would Tiot increase its opportunities for usefulness at present. The subject of appointments to the Council will require very careful consideration au<J deliberation. It could not be dealt with during the absence of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and since their return Cabinet had been closely occupied with the legislation and business of the session. The Government proposed at an early date to advise the appointment of additional members to the Council.

Tho following question was put to the Defence Minister by Mr W. H. Field (Otiiki):—(l) Whether the Government, before it is too late, "will take definite action to save the last man— in many cases the last remainng son of Ji widow or aged parents—from being taken from the farm of this country whiJe there still remain large numbers of men who have evaded registration or have failed to respond to the ballot; and, if it is the intention of the Government to allow Military Service Boards a free hand to deplete farms of all their labour, and in many cases the last son who constitutes the parents'only really efficient labour, by which means the farmers are expected to maintain their production sufficiently to meet our taxation and other obligations? (2) Whether strenuous measures arc being taken to call the law-breakers abovementioned to account? (3) Whether it is true, as reported, that there are men living in the. bush in various parts of the Dominion for the purpose of escaping their military responsibilities?

A well-known Frenchman, speaking recently, said: "In the future the words Organisation, Specialisation, Standardisation, and British Nation will be synonymous. " This compliment could not be made by the most rabid pro-Britisher in pre-war times, yet to-day Standardisation and Specialisation is so complete in Britain, that a boy 14 years old may be making some part whilst an unskilled labourer, hundreds of miles away, may be making the component part. Thus each, specialising, can produce articles produced in pre-war times by skilled and highly-trained mechanics. Organisation, whilst not having reached the same high, scale, has proved the death blow of German hopes, as Germans never thought organisation possible owing to the Britisher's individual ideas. No doubt, our own Efficiency Board recognise the lack of these qualities in New Zealand affairs.. Profits, and still more profits, are raising costs, with bad organisation raising them higher still. The only hope lies in discriminating. Shun any buying loaded with these costs. Buy your Clothes madeby specialised labour, but cut to your individual figure and ideas. That's the Corcoran way. Sold to you at the lowest profit, that's the Corcoran methods. And the Corcoran address is almost opposite the Bank,of N.Z. *

H. J. Ash by, a baker, wae fined at Auckland £10 and costs for selling short-weight bread. The magistrate ordered that the conviction be advertised in the press. - ~ At tho Auckland S.M. Conrt yester-ff day, -James' Mahoney- wae fined £20 lof $ selling milk deficient in fate and eolids*. ,/ and convicted and discharged oa * W charge of selling milk containing water.

"Tho Government has no intention off placing the Railway Department and civil staff of the Defeneo Departmenfc under military control," announced tho Prime Minister in tho House of Representatives yesterday, in reply to a question by Mr Robert Fleteher.

"Brandy and rum were the spirits generally used in the early days—whisky did not come into favour till later oily" remarked Sir Robert Stout during the hearing of a licensing appeal case in the Supreme Court this morning.

The ease Official Assignee in the estate of Patrick Carr v. John Savage, for possession of land at Te Ore Ore and £150 profits, which was to have been heard at the Masterton sittings of the Supreme Court, has been transferred to Wellington.

At a special meeting of tho Mastertoa Soldiers' Entertainment held last night for tho purpose of JH cidiug matters in connection with proposed Commercial Travellers' Crusade, to bo held in Maeterton, it was decided to leave the control of street etalls to the Girls' Red Cross Brigade, and the preparation of* surprise packets to the Lady Liverpool Committee.

A meeting of parishioners of St.. Andrew's Church, Whareaiaa, will be held in the Langdale Hall on Saturday next,, at 7.30 p.m., to consider steps to hotaken for repairing the damage to the church occasioned by the rocont earth- *"-» s quake. The injury to tho church is more serious than was realised at first, and a full attenda-nco it» desirable an the meeting, in order that the matter may be fully discussed. Owing to the condition of the church, the service ott Sunday morning will be hold in th<* hall.

In the House of Representatives last night, on a motion that the Parliamentary Elections Postponement Amendment Bill, providing that a general election be held this year instead of next, be read a. second time, the Premier raised a. point of order that inasmuch as fchs Bill, if passed, would bring aboufc£-#b-eral election sooner than it was an appropriation BU, and therefore could not eomo before the House as a private member's Bill. Mr Witty, who introduced the Bill, complained that the Premier's objection was purely technical, and he challenged him to let; it. go to a division. The Speaker upheld Mr Massey \s objection, and the Bill was ruled out.

Lieutenant "Billy" Hill, formerly oJB the "Herald, 7 < Samoa, Gallipoli, Egypt and France, and now on leave in Aucfc land, prior to going away to have another go at the Germans, tells how the story of Russians pausing through England originated. According to "8i11y, ,, an old lady who was a bit of a bore visited a, certain military hospital. After wearying a soldier with questions she concluded by asking his name, and was told to "pop off." She left and went to another soldier. After he, had listened patiently for. a while he too gofc tired, and when she asked hie name he said, " 'Op it, yer wretch." Then the old da me went away and forthwith , started Ihe story that the Russians /were *»< in England, giving as the reason thU-fc she had met Colonel Popoff and Opityerwretc.h. —" Observer." *""

The censorship of news between Australia and New Zealand has produced the most extraordinary rumours on the other side regarding the state of tho Dominion. When the Australian strike was at its height, Mr Groom, Federal Assistant Minister, received a telegram from Toowoomba, stating that a serious industrial disturbance had commenced in New Zealand, that 150 Queenelanders had been killed, and the total casualties were 1500. Mr Hughes subsequently stated that he had received a cable from Xlv Massey absolutely denying the reports, and' adding that the Dominion, was industrially quiet from one end td the other. A gentleman who was in. Sydney on September sth told a'"Star" reporter that he was gravely assured that there was a revolution in progress in New Zealand over the enforcement of conscription, that 49 men had been shot in Queen street, Auckland, that half Auckland had been burned down, and that Hamilton was in flames. It was also stated that Australian troops w.ere being despatched to N(sw Zealaa<jU, to quell the disturbances, and that ~j&y& laden transports were lying outside lington heads. People were wont to speak of "the New Zealand revolution" with bated breath, as if it were an undisputed and very dreadful fact.

A gardener advertises for work

A reward is offered to the finder , of <*» collie dog.

A general for the Tenui Hotel is advertised for.

An advertiser has a boat-shaped pram, for sale.

A 7-ton lorry in first-class order is ad-JL vertised for sale. j^ Mr B. Brown advertises a fresh list of properties for sale. Mr 11. W. Jackson, Macara Street, has White Rock eggs for sale. An advertiser wishes to buy an okl iron tank suitable for burning papers

A few of the attractions at tho Patriotic Shop on Saturday are advertised on the front page.

Several good cabinetmakers are required immediately; constant employment under ideal conditions. Progandra cures Corns quickly. \ j&iXS By Special Royal Appointment.— Save your best cow at once with- Day, Sou and Hewitt's Red Drench. The w W.F.C.A., Ltd., have been appointed *> agents for this celebrated invaluable remedy—RED DRENCH, known to most farmers. Get a packet to-day and save your prize cow. l s 6d per packet; 16/6 per dozen.—The W.F.C.A., Ltd. *

Consulting Optician.—H. H. Coote, late of H. A. Barraclough, Sydney, ophthalmic optician, holding English certificates by examination, and having 18 years 'practical experience, 348 Lambton Quay (opposite Bank of New Zealand), Wellington. •

As the tea tax is the same on highclass; teas as on inferior blends, it is most economical to obtain the best of teas—Desert Gold. Most delicious, best value. Get the Special I\imily Blend Desert Gold at 2s. *

Prom Auckland to the Bluff tovLewives are einging the praises of yft&Q RUBBING" Laundry Help beeaxwe it has abolished washboard slavery. That's the reason why. Strongly recommended.—"Watson and Co.

National efficiency is weakened by coughs and colds. Prevent this by taking NAZOL. One dose a day keeps colds away. Sixty doses 1/6., Sold everywhere. , . ,

Sergeant Miller was* pointing out in the Supreme Court this morning that sa analysis of certain brandy had shovrn. that it was not up to the standard strength, not being 75 per cent proof spirit. "I don't know thati it is any the worse for that," remarked Sir Kobert Stout, smiling.

The committee conducting the Patriotic Shop on Saturday, September 22nd, have been given a, pen of buff Lcghorna (one rooster and four hens) for •disposal. The proceeds of the shop are to go to the Salvation Army trench comforts. Offers for the purchase of the pen will be received by Mr IT. M. Boddington up till Wednesday, September 19th.