LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 44, Issue 134036, 2 January 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ilawke"* .Bay motorists are complaining or" tho flifaculty in obtaining supplies ol' benine, although it is understood largo stocks are hold by merchants (states the Tribune).. Thu prico has been steadily on the up grade for some time, ;uul it is now about 30s a. singlo case. Three and a half years ago the prico was 13s 2d. In connection with tho piping events at the Wnirarapa. Caledonian Society's meeting yesterday, Mr Ji. Finlayson (PalmiTston North) won the Wairarapa Caledonian Society's Band Challenge (hip, and the gold medal of the chief (Mr Robert Cameron). The holder of tho cup during I!U7 was Mr Allan Htait, of Blenheim, who did not compete this yar. The following were the winners of the cups awarded in the juvenile dancing sections at the Caledonian sports yester-day:—-Kahnmingi Cup (holder 1917, Miss Jean Main, Wellington).—Thelina McKenzie (Wellington) 17S J, Violet Campbell (Wellington) 410 2, Ruby Phillips (Auckland) 436 3. Braneepeth Hose Bowl (holder 1917, Miss Lily O 'Leary, Wellington).—Lily O 'Lutiry (Wellington) t\~> I 1, Tuppy Sutherland (Timaru) (512 2, Joan Mckeuzie (Wellington) 557 3. Blairlogio Cup (holder 1917, MisH Daisy McLellan, Wellington).— Lizzie, Keid (Hunterville) f> SS 1, Daisy McLellan (Wellington) 671 2, Lena Scott (Auckland) (3(38 3. Sometimes the entries found in diaries found on captured German soldiers are immensely entertaining. A man of the Ith Guard Division burns with wrath when he tolls of the distribution of Iron Crosses, a certain number of which come periodically to each regiment, and have to be (hslnbvtfed somehow. "All that is necessary," said tho diarist naively, "is thiit the sergeant-major should be well disposed towards you." Tie then goes on fo tell how in a, recent distribution among tins recipients were the battalion cook and the battalion carpenter. "who makes the cases J'or the officers, which they send home Tilled," the battalion clerk, who Iklh never been near the trenches, any more than the cook or t!ie carpenter, and, finally, "the company gardener, because lie grows such good lettuce." The raw material of margarine i« largely oil made from eoeoanuts and palm oil kernels, but Central and South America appear to possess an additional source of supply in the shape of nuts from the cohune palm (states the "Scientific American"). The fruit hangs in largo clusters near the bases of the loaves, and is encased in a hard shell nbout throe-tenths of an inch thick, whilo the kernel measures 2in to 3iu in length by IJin in diameter. Until recently some difficulty had been experienced in cracking the shells of these nuts, but machines have now been devised for that purpose which givo satisfactory results. About a quart of oil is obtained from 100 nuts, and an average tree produces 1000 nuts annually. It is estimated that in British Honduras there are 25 cohuno palms to tho acre, in which case the colony should be capable of producing 275,000 tons of oil per annum. Spanish Honduras and Guatemala are said to have a still large number of trees, and cohune nut oil is worth wore in the open market than that derived from, eoeoanuts. The refreshing, stimulating qualities of KOLA-NIP; are more than welcome on these tiring, hot, thirstful days. It quenches thirst, cools hoatod blood, and 'feele good , all the way down.

In tho Wellington-Canterbury represontatiyo cricket match, Canterbury compiled 244 and 2 for 99, and Wellington 122. The match is being continued to-day. The old year passed out disastrously for South Canterbury farmers, heavy rain adding to the mischief done by frequent rains during some weeks pa&t. A largo proportion of the best wheat crops are badly laid, and cannot yield good wheat, which will be very difficult to liar vest. ; Some German prisoners %ere receiving what they [ thought too little pay for their work. . They thereupon petitioned for more pay. They were told they could have an extra Id or 2d per day, but would bo put under an Australian, guard. They immediately exclaimed: "Kamerad, we would rather work for nothing than have an Australian guard." The Masterton sportsman, Mr W. E. Kemball, has had a very successful trip to tho Auckland meeting. On Boxing Day llymcstra. dead-heated with King Lupin in the Railway Handicap ol: £.1000, Mr Kemball's other nominee, Nainia. running third. Ou Saturday llynie.stra won. the Royal Stakes of £1000. Yesterday liymestni won the Newmarket Handicap of £050, and Nanna won the Glasgow Handicap of £350. As a. result of a, disturbance at LytteUou early yesterday morning, three men, Thomas Donovan, Charles Joseph Stone and Walter Scott, have been charged with assaulting Carlo (iuabello p.viM.domew, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, ft appears that, the three me:, went to the house occupied by Ba>'tli(ilome\v, atid an altercation ensued. Hie victim's head being battered, it. is .illeg.y.l, with an iron bar. His condition is very critical. An Aslibui-toii resident received a let-li-r from a Manawatu farmer stating that along the railway lines in that locality this year travellers were surprised at the magnificent- crops of cocksfoot, and some were more than disgusted to find that hundreds of acres of it had been burned by the railway mainien:ni.T. men. The Maiiawutu resident adds:--" The Government is going hammer and tongs ni the fanners to produce mure, and here is one of its departments ruthlessly desf roy'iii.u beautiful clean seed." A distressing drowning fatality occurred at the Oamnru bench at noun veslerd.-iy. Walter Brown, :i.if>'d fifteen, m.h of Walter lirown, railway surfaceman, of Oliristchurch, who was fishing with his cousin, Andrew Med'-alf, fell into the surf off the storm-water <lisch.irg-. , pipe. The boy Mcdeaif pluchily ,lived into the water fo the rescue, but was iniNUccessful, and got. into ditliculties. A younger sist'-r of M.odcalf waded into tlie water up to the shoulders and brought her brother to the shore. Tie boi'v of Brown was recovered by a railway fireman named Cameron, but artificial respiration failed to restore brearhiiiL,'. i>ecr.nsed, with his parents, was on a holiday visit to relatives here. The "Frankfurter Zeifung," in an account of the autumn meeting of the German Agricultural Society, states that, after an address, by the new Minister of Agriculture, a. representative From Breslau spoke as follows ou "<lermasi Agriculture Production and Food .Supply'after the War": —He stated that owing to the different methods of obtaining nitrales, the subject of manure- would, be entirely revolutionised

aiid production would be greatly increased by nitrate manure, the supply of which would be quite independent of Chile saltpetre. Meadows would produce two or even three hay crops. The cultivation of several kinds of pulse would be limited, but that of Jupiues extended. The scarcity of concentrated fodder would lead to a reduction in the stocks of cattle for fattening, to a change in the keeping of milch cows, ar.d-reariiig would loy:. , in importance. The conditions of labour would be altered, and wages would rise. Foreign casual workers and prisoners of war would be wanting. Native workers would have to be induced to settle, and machines would be used more and more. A remarkable story is being told by :x New Zealand nautical man who has sailed in many seas, and who is at present in Dunediu. He says that ou one occasion the captain of ii steamer which was crammed full of war material for Mesopotamia complained of illness just prior io the time the \ essel was to cast off from an English port, and was taken ashore. A hurried search was made to secure a captain to take the steamer out > but, as no ono wns available, the iirst mate, though he did not possess the necessary ticket, was promoted to captain, and the lines were cast off. The steamer, however, had not proceeded far on her voyage when she was hailed by the commander of a German submarine and ordered to stop. The commander then, according to the Dunedin sailor, wanted to know what had happened to the steamer —"she was , eight hours late. , - . The steamer was then quickly destroyed, and a number of the crew were either drowned or killed by tho explosion of the torpedo. The captain who complained of illness and went ashore was subsequently examined by several doctors, who could discover nothing wrong with him either organically or mentally, and tho sailor who tells the story says that ho was then committed to take his trial for murder. An ideal drink with meals or between meals, is a little KOLA-NIP in a. glass of aerated water. Pure —healthful. Snappy and full of twang. Try it to-day. Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica and Lumbago are amongst the most common and yet most painful diseases. RHEUMO is a scientifically compounded remedy, which removes the cause—excess Uric Acid—and thus , seldom fails to cure. 2s Cd and 4s (3d. i [ Time was when the future of New Zealand was supposed to be chiefly bound up in its gold resources. Those wore tho days of tho Otago and West Coast rushes. Since then agriculture, on a big scale, and sheep and cattle raising on an equally largo scale, have opened up new avenues to woalth. Later came the founding of our industries, and that these latter are destined to play a tremendously important part in tho progress and, development of the country, who can doubt? Take one of these industries alone—the tobacco industry, and see the strides it is making. Gold Pouch tobacco grown and manufactured in the Hawke's Bay, district, is now in general use all over the Dominion, and tho demand hag increased aij such a stupendous rate that the manufacturers can no longer cope with it. It is thns evident that the smoker prefers the local product to the imported article, chiefly, it would appear, on account of its smaller percentage of nicotine, while it is a milder and healthier smoke. The price has not been advanced. Gold Pouch as well as Three Diamonds aro still obtainable at a shilling per pouch. *

A man from Chrietohnrch, who is alleged to have committed a technical breach of the Defence Act, occupied the lock-up in Masterton to-day. Hβ will, be handed over to the military authorities. M. Rousseau, naval expert of the Paris "Temps, ,, states that at Fairfield Yard, Gov.au, he saw with wonder and amazement "the extraordinary .dimensions, of new British warships, beside which the size of tho Queon Elizabeth and Tiger would seem very modest. ,. In the; Industrial Arbitration Court in Sydney a few days ago, Mr Justice Heydon. concluded tho hearing of cases in which J. C, Williamson, Ltd., summoned eight members of the Musicians , Union of Australasia, and the secretary, A. E. O'Brien, to show cause why they should not pay penalty for having takou part in c, strike. Mr Justice Heydon said that eleven musicians were engaged for a pantomime. They failed to attend a rehearsal. They contended that the orchestra should have been 18 or 20, in accordance, with an undertaking alleged to have been, given when the award was made that the number of the orchestra should not be reduced. Ho held that a theatrical proprietary had just, as much right as any other business concern to keep down its expenses by a reduction of the staff to within the probable income, and that there was no record of a promise to maintain the pantomime orchestra at 18 or 20. Each, defendant, was fined £10, with conts. The outlook for the New Year was discussed at Auckland yesterday by the Hon. Arthur Myers. "I venture to prophesy that we are entering upon the last year of the war," he said. ''The event of .1917 has been the entrance into the arena- of the United States, with its unlimited, resources in wealth and manpower. The record of the British and French armies during the past year has been one of practically unbroken success. We are advancing steadily and surely on the, Western front, in l'alestiue, and in .Mesopotamia, also. The Oerman Colonies are now in the hands of the Allies. The British Navy is absolutely intact. The Allies' stocktaking for 1917 reveals that we have meanwhile to debit ourselves with Ihe loss of the. co-operation of J?ussia and I'oumnnia, with their populations of two hundred millions. We have, on the other hand, to enter on the credit side the gain, of new Allies in the United States, China, and the South American .Republics, with their populations of four hundred and eighty millions and their reserves in wealth and man-power, so that the cud of 191" finds us with a larger balam-e than ever on the credit side. From nil'indications i.MS will see a victorious culmination'of the Allies' concerted efforts in the proclamation of an honourable and last i: i ,li peace on the terms for which we drew the sword.'"

Great interest was aroused in Christ(•huivli city by the following announcement, which was published in. the morning papers: —"Captain Henry Thomas .loynt Thacker, N.Z.M.C. (reserve of officers; is hereby reque.-ied to appear, along wirli any persons who have any cause of complaint as to the treatment received by them from any of the military medical boards, before a court of enquiry to be held at King Edward Barracks on Wednesday, .(anunry 9th, 1918, at 10 ii.m.—(Signed) N. A. Chaffoy, Colonel Commanding Canterbury Military District."' Colonel Chaffey, who was asked yesterday for the constitution of the court, said that it would be representative of the military and medical service. It was in no sense a court-mar-tial, and the order of reference was: —

■'To enquire into the allegations made by Dr. Thac.ker in Parliament regarding the medical hoards?."' Dr. Thacker was asked whether lie would attend the enquiry, lie replied that he was quite prepared to tender evidence, although the lime was most inconvenient to obtain witnesses, lie would only attend, however, if the enquiry was open to the press anil the proceedings were uncensorcl. lie also stipulated thai the authorities should give him an undertaking that any men h<. might call as wit nesses would he prut e.cied from action by the authorities.

in thi' concluding chapter of Mr Gerard 's hook he makes some general rejections upon Germany's crime:—ls it nota shame that Ihe world should have been so disturbed that peaceful men are compelled to lie out in the mud and tilth in the depth of raw winter, shot at and stormed at- and shelled, waiting foi a chance to murder some other inoffensive l'cllow-ereature.' Why must the people in old Poland die of hunger, not finding dogs enough to eat. in. the streets of Licmberg? The loug lines of broken peasants in Servia and in Eoumania; the population of Belgium and Northern France torn from their homes to "work as slaves for the Germans; the poor prisoners of war starving in their huts or working in factories and mines; tho cries of the old and the children wounded by bombs from Zeppelins the wails of tho mothers for their sons; the very rustling of the air as the souls of ten million dead sweep to another world— why must nil these horrors conic upon a fair green earth whore we believed that love and help and friendship, genius and science and commerce and religion and civilisation once ruled? It is because in tho dark, cold, northern plains of Germany there exists an autocracy, deceiving a great people, poisoning their minds from one. generation to another, and preaching the virtue and necessity of war. And until that autocracy is either wiped out or made powerless, there can be no peace on earth.

Every member of the family should drink KOLA-NIP. It adds vim and vigour to the constitution. Snappy— delicious —wholesome. Buy a bottle to-day. Hotels and stores. A couple of "lunatic" anecdotes that show sanity . At a Fancy Dress Ball given to the inmates of a Mental Hospital, a visitor was amused by the remarks of an inmate concerning his fellows: "They're all balmy, but you see that chap there, he thinks he made the world. You know very well that I did it. " Now, here's another. A gang of mental deficients were working, and the attendant was a little fellow about 4 foot something. A passer-by said to him, "Why, if these fellows get together they could easily overpower you and do a get-away. n "Yes," said the little one, "but if they had the srense to get together they wouldn't be in Ihere." Which illustrates the mildness but sanity of the Corcoran claims. Not talking tall talk about .the supreme style, stuff, and sowing in Corcoran Clothing, but the claim (of satisfaction or money back. ; .Not .larying to run a little work-room and making the profit of a few suits pay for overhead expenses that can be split over five times the quantity.' Organising, getting together ith men who can produce clothes cheaper and more efficient, and specialising on correct cut, which is the first test and the final fact that sticks in the memory of every man. We have a motto, "Correct Clothes at Cash Prices. It's a good one, isn't it? —Corcoran, Clothing Store, Queen Street, Masterton. •

Mr Cyril Maude will appear in th<* comedy-drama "Grump" at'the ,Masterton Opera House on Friday, 17th. . ... ; . ; |PI Carl Scegner, who was the German. Consul at Auckland until the outbreak of war, has been arrested and conveyed to Motuihi for internment. Ho wae previously interned in February, 1916, but, on tho ground of ill-health, was released, in the following June. The United States medal of honour is a five-pointed, star of bronze. In the centre is a female figure armed •with a. shield, representing America driving , away discord. At the battle of Gettysburg, in .1865, a. whole regiment was awarded tho medal of honour. . TMe was the 27th Kogiment of Maine, who volunteered to remain for the battle, though time-expired. In all 864 medals were awarded. Since July there has been a noticeable slackening in the exporte of merchandise from the United States. During the September quarter those exports were £260,418,000, showing a reduction as compared with the quarter of 1916, of £30,440,000; wH>as during thp June quarter those expwtfp were £337,990,000, showing an increase of £65,027,000. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute at Wellington an interesting report by the executive regarding tho position of education was read. It deplored the fact that the idea- that tho national system of education should become the guiding. spirit of national lifo had been given, a. check through the establishment by some denominations of church schools. Tho seaplane from the Auckland flying school, which hud been giving passenger /lights at Napier since Boxing Day, was damaged in tho harbour yesterday. During the high wind in the morning the reversing gear of the pilot laum-li was carried away while attempting to low the .seaplane to a more sheltered anchorage. The seaplane- waa blown alongside the wharf, the wings and other parts being damaged.' Later the seaplane was hauled on to the beach. The damage is estimated at. over £500. Subscriptions taken up local Iv to cover th e cost of repairs already amount to over £250. Here is a characteristic Chicago st&ar about a builder who was asked wheißp con Id. undertake v contract for erecting a, church. "I can't do it at once," he answered. ''I have a house to build today and a market to-morrow; but maybe !. could put up your church the day after to-morrow. *' The expedition suggested in this story is matched in reality in Toledo, Ohio. They put up a fiveroomed house, with, bathroom, in twelve hours. .More than 200 workmen were employed. Tho house was a wedding pifi. from the Toledo Keal Estate Board to one of its employees, and cost 400U dollars.

The Chinese Minister in London li:is made :i notable statement. "When war broke out," ho said, "China, expected Hint, as it was to be fought between Christian- nations, it would be a fight between gentlemen. But Germany had consigned to the waste-papor- basket all the laws of humanity by killing women and children, by tho "ruthless sinking of unarmed ships, and by the murder of helpless neutrals. MJiny liven of his own people had been lost in this way. China protested, but no notice was taijL en of her protests, and she-,-entered fpP , war to iight for civilisation against barbnritv. for morn! right against material force, and the defence of the small nations against aggression. Kho will contribute everything in her power —men, raw materials, and the enemy ships in her ports —to tho Allied cause." """Little- is heard nowadays (says "Land and Water-") about Germany's plans for reconstruction after the war, but the work goes on. The Russo-Bri-tish News Bureau recently mentioned that "the German is making elaborate plans - to conduct his trade in Russia an if nothing had happened. Prom reliable sources we learn that he has established classes for discharged soldiers to train them as commercial travellers. They are- taught the Russian language, Russian history, and Russian methods of business. Moreover, numbers of women, some 40,000 it is said, arc being taught Russian so that, they maye be able to conduct correspondence and replace the greatly depleted ranks of men. Yet another idea that is being worked out is providing Russian agricultural prisoners with sample machines to take back with them to their villages, with tho promise- of a commission on ar.y they can sell. It. is a clever idea i u «4H| way, but. it will be futile if the AJBr make an effort to counter it, There will be enormous trade with Russia after the vrar, and now is the time to take; the necessary steps to secure it. " A young girl advertises for a lightposition. A reward is offered to the finder of a> gold broch lost on Christmas, Eve. Tho owner of a chestnut mare (been, running with foal) is advertised.for. A reward is offered to the finder of a rough-haired collie bitch, lost from Lansdowne. ..■-■■ A spiritual science demonstration will be given in the Dnrids' Hall tonight by Mrs L. Payne. A spare motor rim, with tube and, tyre attached, lost between Greytowii and Masterton, is advertised for.'

A meeting of the Carpenter's , and Joiners 1 Union will bo held" at tho Druids , Hall on Thursday evening. Mr G. B. Brim ton, who is leaving Mastcrton, has instructed Mr G. A. Fairbrothor to sell by auction on Fridaynoxt, his household furniture and effects. Particulars are advertised. During the screening of "The hopper"" in Wellington recently, manager of a Manners street picture theatre was prosecuted for causing such a crowd in front of the theatre that the traffic was blocked. "The Clodhopper' , will be screened at the Masterton. Opera House to-night. Feeling tired and run down? Try KOLA-NIP. It is a splendid tonic as well as a cooling beverage. Invigorating—stimulating. ■ Refreshing—-whole-some. Buy a bottle to-day. . Hotels and stores. For pickling, there's no better Vinegar on tho market than SHABLAND'S. Brewed from Malt and Sugar. Free from I mineral acid. Sold in bulk and' bottle. All grocers. Ask tho W.F.C.A., Ltd., for "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help." NO BUBBING" banishes washtub backacho. Washes all clothes clean withonfc the rubbing slavery. For polishing linoleums, floorcloths, leather goods and furniture, TAN-Ol* is most efficient and easy to use. Bβ judge and jury and OL" a trial. There can be ; .only one* verdict: —"Absolutely competent;,tp core, colds, influenza, bronchitis .and nasal catarrh." ■' To-night is hosing time —if you "want to keep your lawn looking fresh, green, attractive. Ask for the Lor G qualities of NOBTH BBITISH HOSE—the qualities for long wear, and trade Im-t perially.

The Masterton Tennis Club had intended to hold a combined Yankee tour■ioament yesterday afternoon, but this had to bo jrcstponed on account of tho ijkwiin having rendered the ground unfit Sir for play. Tho tournament is being held this afternoon.

During the wax between China and Japan in .1894, Viceroy Liv Kun-yi issued :i proclamation offering a reward to anyone who could suggest a plan for detho cuem 5' t[ccL Tho pnze was wou by an old literary gentleman, who suggested that a large number of .;ni"s' bladders-should bo procured and blown up tight. Then, when the wind was blowing off-shoro towards the Hoot, theso could bo put in the water and the enemy would mistako them for the ■heads of Chinese soldiers swimming out to attack, and would open fire with all ; their guns. When all their ammunition was .fired away the Chinese could then #0 out in boat's and secure possession of: the vessels without loss. To the foreign ■mind it sounded very funny, but it was quite a classical scheme. Puring the Thn'.r Kingdom times the city oi ITwiin.ecbow was being besieged by a i|| hero who had clean run out of arrows. IHe thereupon manned a fleet of boats ■with straw men, and sent them under the walls at night, when the defeuders shot them full of arrows. In this way Aio replenished his own magazine and depleted that of his opponents, thus capturing fhf' city easily.