LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13753, 4 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Greymouth telegram states that Sullivan's Hotel at Ahaura was broken into and the cash-box stolen. There is no clue.

Out of five applicants, Mr Greenfield, who recently returned from camp, was last evening selected caretaker by the Masterton school committee.

A Wairoa telegram states that on Saturday night Dickscn's Wairoa Hotel was broken into by some person unknown, and the contents of the till removed, approximately about £46. The thieves evidently were disturbed, as they overlooked £60 in large notes in the till.

Our food question is still a difficult one, writes a lady from London at the end of November, but I trust it won't be long before ~Ne\v Zealand can send us some of your good lamb and mutton, for you cannot imagine what horrible stuff we have been living on. The beef has been so tough that we often cannot eat any of it, even at the prices of 2s 10d and os per lb.

The boring experts, who have been extremely busy during the last six months in proving the new coalfield at the Nine Mile, have just completed their eighth hole, which gave lift of clean coal (says the Eewanui correspondent of the Greymouth Star). This practically proves close on 400 acres. In one hole the coal pinched down to about 6ft. The bore 3 put down give an average of about nine feet of clean coal, right through the field.

'' So far as the recent epidemic is concerned, tke danger of harbouring the contagion in clothes and books and cupboards is nil, for the reason that the micropic agent does not live outside of a human body for a period exceeding 24 hours, or even a shorter period. ,, This information was supplied by Dr. J. S. Reekie at the meeting of the Board of Education at Auckland, when an enquiry was made by Mra I\ E. Baume as to whether or not a cupboard in a school, containing pyjamas for the Bed Cross Society, was opened during fumigation operations.

A reminder is given of the second annual meeting of shareholders of F.S. Dispensary to-night, at Foresters , Hall, at 8 6 'clock.

A few Masterton soldiers returned home by yesterday afternoon's train, and other soldiers by the evening trains from north and south. -

The Claims Board of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association yesterday granted three loans to returned Wairarapa soldiers for an aggregate amount of £900.

At the Wellington Supreme Court yesterday, Thomas Albrccht Avas charged with manslaughter concerning the death of his mother, whom he is said by the prosecution to have struck, thus causing her death. Accused denied having struck his mother, and said he was on good terms with her. She was subject to fits, and on the night of the trouble fell to the floor. The jury disagreed, raid a new trial was ordered.

The Mayors of Wanganui and Paljuerston North and Mr E. 11. Crabb, President of the Hydro-Electric Vigilance Committee, had a talk with Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, on Saturday, and received tho satisfying , assurance that preliminary work in connection with the Maugahao scheme would be entered upon at the earliest possible moment. The deputation promised to do everything possible to iiclp in securing the necessary labour.

Three representatives of the Wairarapa Hydro-Electric Investigation Committee, Messrs J. C. Cooper, C. E. Daniell and .1. C. Ewington, visited Greytown last evening and addressed a mcetiiig composed of members of the Grcytown Borough Council and Chamber oi" Commerce. The meeting, by resolution, endorsed the work already done by the Committee, and promised to assist as far as it lay in its power to develop the hydro-elcttric resources of the district.

A number nf Wairarapa .soldiers returned to Masterton b} r the north train lost evening. They were met at the station by the Mayor and hundreds of local residents. The Central and S'ilvur Bands turned out, and as the train .steamed in they struck up "Home, .Sweet Home. , ' The crowd present then .■icorded the soldiers throe hearty cheers. It was a fitting reception, and reminiscent of the welcomes home which were accorded to returning soldiers >in the early days of the war

A Masterton soldier, writing to his father, graphically describes the scenes ■in London during-the armistice celebration. A bonfire was set alight in Trafalgar Square, chiefly by Australian soldiers, who piled motor bikes and captured German gun.y on to it. Tho people resented tin , , destruction of the enL'liiy guns, but tho Australians held the position and curried tho game on. Everyone went wild, and soldiers from the western front seemed to be walking round in a dazed state, so glorious was the news. Undoubtedly the huge payments by the Imperial Government for our produce, says the N.Z. Trade Review, have saved the financial position for New Zealand, payments amounting to over 80 millions up to the present, and it is these payments and. the high prices paid that have enabled the Government to raise the necessary war loans within the Dominion. With the Imperial purchase extended up to the end of June, 1(120, and the prospect of considerable improvement in the supply of shipping to remove our accumulated produce, we should see a period of stable finance for some time to come.

Now that the process of disbanding the temporary employees in the Government oliices has begun, one hoars .strange stories of former opulence and prospective poverty (says a London paper of December 4th). One of the avojnen clerks, for instance, has told the head of her department that if he dismisses her she will have to part with her fur coat, for which paid forty guineas last winter. Another who has been known to pay 7s and Ss a pound for grapes every Saturday, says she will not be able to buy even oranges in future.

A meeting of the Lansdowno School Committee was held last evening, there being present:—Messrs D. A. Pickering (chairman), ,1. H. Naylor, T. Jones, E. Welch, ,1. Haxton, E. ColJie ami ' T. Wyeth. Accounts amounting to £:*1 Itis lid were passed for payment. The headmaster's report was read, and this showed that prior to closing the school owing to the epidemic, the "average roll number was :JSO. It was decided, to obviate crowding, that a marquee be obtained capable of accommodating about J OO children pending the completion of the now infant school. It was also resolvod to asphalt the whole of tho girls' playground.

One street in Mastoiton yesterday ai'ternoon celebrated tho return from the war of the son of a, resident of the street. At the house of the soldier's parents there was a gay display of bunting, and from several houses flags were flown. A number of children got out their flags and marched up and down the street in celebration of the return home of "the Brownie Boy," as one little dot describes the soldiers. Visitors to the street wondered at the display of bunting, and thought that peace had bceu finally signed. It lias been suggested that other residents in Masterton might well follow this method of welcoming home the "Brownie Boys" iv their streets.

That a joke may sometimes have a result very different from that intended was exemplified at the Picton Court (says the Press), when J. M. Sloan, licensee of the Federal Hotel, \va s called upon to answer a charge of assaulting Michael Burke, at Pie ton, on the 13th mst. Messrs ,). Blizzard and 11. J. gtace were the presiding justices. The prosecution stated that when Burke entered the hotel sitting voom} tno licensee declared, "Here'is Mr Burke; he's going to shout." Sloan procured drinks for ±our, and demanded 2s. Burke refused to pay, and it was alleged that Sloan knocked his hat off, slapped him on the face, and made use of strong language. Ihe defence was a complete denial'of any intention of assault. A line of £2 with 11s costs, was imposed.

The Morning Post scorns tlie politicians ' bribes of minimum wages, housing reform, shorter hours, -a-iid land for the people. The bankers tell Us bluntly we can't have them. A judge publicly asserts that the labour market will certainly be flooded by demobilised soldiers competing for jobs. What is .ill this but sheer Bolshevism? These people are just as ignorant of economic and industrial principles and possibilities as the fanatics who think the millenium can be obtained by waving red flags and killing off the bourgeoisie. Their ideals are little less than those of the degenerate ex-Kaiser. It is these people who are the danger point. Mr Lloyd George says he is not afraid of Bolshevism, but he was not alluding to tho Bolsheviks of vested interests. He referred to the have-nots. He need not fear any Bolshevism in that quarter so long a s he deals faithfully with the banker Bolsheviks, and the industrial Bolsheviks. Will he do so? ,, —Mr B. B. Suthers, in the Clarion.

The hospital ship Maheno arrived at Suez on January 30th, and proceeded westward on the 31st. The rainfall for Timaru for January was over G inches, exceeding by over 2 inches any January in the quarter century's record, states a Press Association telegram. Tho rain having cleared off, harvesting was resumed yesterday, states a Press Association message from Timaru. Some grain in stook had commenced sprouting.

The annual general meeting of members of the Wairara] a Caledonian Society takes place on Friday, 21 st iust. Nominations for office bearers close with tho secretary on Friday next, at 8 o'clock.

The weekly meeting of the Claims Board of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association was held in Mastertou yesterday, Mr Hugh Morrison presiding. Ten applications for temporary assistance were granted.

Only five influenza cases throughout the whole Dominion were reported to the Public Health Department for the week ending at noon last Monday. Three of these cases were in the Auckland district, and one in Wellington. The figures for the past week will be available to-morrow. The total for the week ended January 27th was the lowest since the beginning of tho epidemic. It is suggested that doctors may not be reporting some cases —though the obligation to do so is still upon them —but it seems, from replies to enquiries in Wellington, that the disease has been well checked.

When the French Mission visited Akaroa, Air E. S. Le Lievre offered Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, his beautiful residence and grounds at Akaroa as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. While thanking Mr Le Lievre for his offer, Sir James Allen stated that the Defence Department had accepted the offer of a number of convalescent homes, and that they could not iill any more. In fact, it was hoped that as the number of cases were decreasing with time, many of these convalescent homes would be closed.

At a meeting of a number of business men, held in Masterton yesterday, it was decided to have a business man's "Getting Together" luncheon next Tuesday in the Hi a Ora tea rooms. The object of the promoters is to establish a better understanding among business men and to propagate united effort for the benefit of Masterton generally. At these functions it is proposed to deliver short addresses on a number of topics of local interest. Full particulars of the proposal will be enumerated at the inaugural session next Tuesday. An advertiser wants to sell a quiet horse. « An advertiser wants to rent tworooms. A Chevrolet car is advertised for sale. A house is advertised to let for a few months. A furnished bed-sitting room is advertised to let.

An advertiser wants to buy a secondhand honey extractor. Chevrolet ear in good condition is advertised for sale.

An advertiser wishes to purchase r. gout's .second hand bicycle.

A position on a sheep farm or sta tion is sought by a rehned young man.

Tenders are elsewhere invited for the supply of 24 cords of straight matai or rut a firewood.

The usual parade of B Section, Xo. 4. Field Ambulance, will be held, at 7.00 o'clock this evening.

Mrs William Hood, 33 Works-op road, trill resume pianoforte teaching on Monday, February 10th.

M.'iss Colina Mackenzie, teacher of pianoforte and theory of music, will resume teaching on Wednesday next.

A furnished bedroom in a private family is offered to a lady in return for company ;t few evenings a week.

A notice with reference to the bankrupt estate of .John Gaskin is inserted on page 1 by Messrs Gawith and Logan.

The Wellington Meat Company's employees 'invite tenders for the sale ul' soft drinks and fruit at their annual picnic, lo be held on .Friday, February 2Sth.

.Messrs A. Henderson and Co. have now in stock a magnificent range of silver cups and rose bowls suitable for high-class trophies. Inspection is cordially invited.

The great summer sale at Messrs Hugo and Shearer's continues to attract large numbers of shoppers. The stock is so well selected that buyers have a very wide choice, and the drastic reductions that have been made present great money-saving opportunities.

Messrs Hood Bros, announce the lastfew days of their summer sale. Final reductions have been made in each department ,and some wonderful bargains can be .secured. Ladies are specially asked to visit the showroom, where millinery, dresses, sports coats and costumes are being sold at quick clearing prices. * Messrs A. J. Cooper anil Co., Ltd., have been instructed by the executrix of the estate of the late Mr J. Thomas, whose farm at Poro Poro has been sold, to sell by public auction. the whole of the live and dead stock. The list comprises 1400 sheep, 28 Shorthorn cows with Hereford calves at foot and in calf to Hereford bull, horses, implements, etc. The sale will take place on the farm on Thursday, February 13th, at 12.30 p.m. sharp. Full particulars are advertised on page "8 of this issue.

The moa caught alive is the talk of New Zealand to-day. Should this act be accomplished .great credit will be due to the party of hunters who are in search of this great bird. All hunters who are looking for a good cycle, new or second hand, or even to get your own repaired, will find a good spot in Mr W. G. Perry's Cycle Depot, oppo site the W.F.C.A. Soe the advertisement on page 6.

Tie next sittings of tho Supreme* JL Court in Masterton will bo opened March 21st.

The liospital sMp Marama is to return. Home shortly after necessary lefitting , , at the order of the Admiralty. She is to go via Suez so as to pick up the sick and wounded from the East —Mesopotamia, or Palestine, or both.