LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13781, 10 March 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Several members of the Opaki Rifle Club left Masterton for Trentham today, in order to take part in the Dominion Eiile Association meeting.

A man named Lepinski was arrested in Masterton on Saturday on a warrant issued from Carterton, on a charge of disobeying) the terms of a maintenanceorder.

A number of Masterton soldiers returned home by the train from the north on Saturday evening, and. were welcomed at the station. The Silver Bund was present ■■and played a number of suitable airs.

There were large congregations at the thanksgiving services held in. the Masterton Methodist Church yesterday. The church was tastefully decorated. Tlio Rev. Thos. Halliday (Presbyterian) occupied the pulpit in the morning, and the Rev. J. A. Hosking in the" evening. Special anthem s wore rendered by a strong choir. The collections for the day (£4O) will go towards extinguishing the church debt.

Mr Parry, a member of the New Zealand Labour Party's Executive, addressed a meeting in the Municipal Hall last evening, Mr D. Threadwell (president of the local branch) being in the chair. Mr Parry dealt with various matters of interest to the Labour Party, and at the conclusion of his speech was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr Brader, seconded by Mr S. Sinclair.

At the Methodist Conference at Christchurch. on Saturday, several recommendations from thf TaranakiWanganui Synod, regarding work amongst the returned and returning soldiers, wero approved. These re-

commendations urged that every thing possible should be done by Church" members to give the men ;.i suitable welcome home; that all allowances be made for fhe nervous condition of many of the men; :i nd that efforts be made to counteract pernicious social influences, it was also urged, jn view of the possibility of prohibition being curried and the consequent need of places to meet the social needs of the men. the Church should cater in this direction, wherever possible, by linking up with the V.M.C.A. It was resolved that the Church keep in touch with the Returned Soldiers' Association.

The- judgment of the Arbitration Court was filed at Wellington on Saturday in the case of Eobina Jessie Sjience Lee v. the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Company, Ltd. It was a claim for compensation for £500 011 account of the death of the plaintiff's husband from injuries alleged to have been received during his employment as a carpenter and labourer by the defendant company. The evidence showed that the deceased fell and struck his head, cerebral haemorrhage following. The medical evidence given at the coronial enquiry was unable- to find any causal collection between the accident and the death of the deceased. The man resumed work shortly after the accident, and no post-mortem examination was held, in the circumstances the court decided that it had no option but to find a verdict for the defendant company. No costs were allowed.

Au excitino- experience befel the Wellington Steamship Company's coastal steamer Baden Powell cm her trip up from Lyttelton to Wellington yesterday . The Baden .Powell left Lyttelton at ").:i0 p.m. on Friday, and under ordinary circumstances .should have reached. Wellington on. Saturday afternoon. When the vessel cleared the Lyttelton heads, however, .she ran into a northeasterly gale wJi.li a heavy head sea. Throngliuot Saturday the vessel fought her way against the and progress was slow. Shortly after S o'clock yesterday morning, before reaehiiio- (..'ape Campbell, the bunker coal gave out, so it became necessary to use whatever fuel could, be obtained. A small wooden forward deckhouse was fed to the flames, followed by spare gear belonging to the lifeboats, all the tire bucket stands, the ship's gangway, vegetable locker, all the bunks and .gear out of a spare roim, a bi u - wooden fender, and all available light gear about the shin. On Hearing the Wellington heads weather conditions greatly improved, otherwise, the ship's hatches would probably have been put in the furnace.

Mr William Gillanders, general secretory of the Y.M'.C.A. in Sydney, arrived back there a few days ago by the Ventura from Los Angeles, ''the city of masks,'-' to don the gauze in Sydney. He left Sydney in November last to investigate the methods of the United States Government. Masks were then .in general use in San Francisco, with results satisfactory to the medical and. civic authority. It was held that the use of the- "eoverer" saved many lives. Jfc was contended that the influenza germ, colected on dust, disappeared on contacting with the mask. Whether this theory was correct or not, a marked decrease in cases followed the adoption of the mask. Theatres and picture shows were not closed, said Mr Gillanders. The authorities considered such action would lower tho moral of the people. Hotels were also allowed to remain open, and business in every direction went on as usual. Mr Gillanders believes that masks are very effective, as the American experience has proved. "The disease there was terrible," he added, "but it was dying out as I left."

j Says the Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Star. —The Labour Party has organised very thoroughly for the Wellington municipal campaign, and there is great interest in the Mayoral ! election in particular, for it is likely to develoj) into a straight-out fight between "moderates" and the official Labourites. It is generally understood that the present Mayor, Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., will not contest the election. Consequently several of the older councillors are- in the field, but in face of the danger of a split in the moderate vote, they are inclined to select one man to carry on the fight against a Labour man who is sure to be nominated for the Mayoralty. Mr H. Holland, M.P., is said to be the likely selection of the Labour Representation Committee. Labour has nominated a full "ticket" for the council, including Mr Peter Fraser, M.P., and three ladies. It is also endeavouring to capture the whole Wellington representation on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and three seats on the Harbour Board. Branches of the Labour Party are being formed in all the suburbs, and this activity seems to have stirred other sections in the community to action. So the elections will have something more than a municipal interest.

There is very keen interest being taken in the Mayoral election in Onehunga, and six candidates have so far notified their intention of being candidates.

A speaker, at a meeting at Christchurch, dealing with the slum conditions of that city, stated that the recent epidemic had shown that there were a lot of dwellings in Christehurch which were not fit for pigs to dwell in.

Speaking at a Labour meeting at Cfhristchureh, Mr B. Langley strongly supported tho hydro-electric scheme. Speaking of the success of the hydroelectric system at Lake Coleridge, he said that the city owed it to Mr T. E. Taylor, who had advocated harnessing the Waimakariri river. '

At a meeting of the members of the Auckland branch of the Women's International and Political League, the following resolution was passed unanimously: "That this meeting of women strongly protests against the position taken up by the recent court-martial at Wanganui with respect; to the management of military prisons, namely, that force is necessary to compel obedience, and personal violence practically justifiable. We urge, therefore, that the Government reorganise these institutions on the same lines and under the same rules and regulations as are in force in the civil prisons of the Dominion.. ,,

A recent writer in the Morning Post, ono who has lived most of his life in Germany, warns the British people against any tendency to believe in the possible democratisation of Germany. To anyone who really knows them, he says, the idea of a German Kepublie is ludicrous. The Germans are not the material of which free republics are made. For centuries they have been accustomed to being ruled, they have become used to it, and like it. They do not know the true_meaning of freedom, which to them only means license. The atrocities and excesses committed by. their troops —the most highly disciplined bodies in the world —supply us with. the key of their mentality.

It is very difficult for pleasantries to iind a crevice in the solemnity of the City Coroner's Court proceedings. Onegot through unintentionally in Sydney recently, though. An Italian, whose knowledge of the English tongue was apparently not very comprehensive, was put into the witness box, and was asked if he knew whether deceased left any property. He scratched his head

at tlio word "property." The query wvis repeated, and he robbed his Jocks again. Tlii'.n -the acting-coroner loudly asked: "Did lie have any houses or belongings—did ho own anything P ' That seemed simpler. "No, sir, : c didn't own nothiiL , , only 'issrielf," was the a us we i , . "'l'ertinax,"' in the "Echo de Paris,'"' discussing the situation of the French merchant marine, writes: —"Of all our modern passenger liners only two or three remain. The present available French merchant tonnage, is estimated on paper at 1,700,000 tons, but the greater portion will be immobilised, because of repairs which cannot at present be carried out. It Avill therefore be necessary for us to claim among the peace conditions the handing over of a certain number of German liners, in order to enable us to resume, at once our normal overseas trade, and to compensate us for the difference between the vessels .seized by us and those seized by the other Allies, which are respectively—Great. Britain, 432.000 tons; Italy," 1220,000 tons; United States, 736,000 tons; France, 340,000 tons. The low level of our shipbuilding construction, iv consequence of the general military necessities of the Allies which were met by France, is an additional justification for France being favoured in the partial or total distribution of the German merchant fleet.

Tailors who press and mend suits, cobblers who repair boots, milliners who trim hats "while you wait," have long been a feature of city life in the United States, but it has remained for the International Institute of the Young Women's Christian Association to apply the same intensive principle to the Americanisation of foreign girls. At a boarding home for foreign born girls which it maintains in New York, and at which sometimes twenty-one nationalities are represented among the twentysix inmates whom it accommodates, English and the "American" way of doing things are learned with lightninglike speed. At the dinner hour at the home tho girls arc required to speak only English, and they are urged to speak it at all times. A working knowledge of the language is often acquired within a, few weeks, and almost always within a few months. But the narrow view of "Amerieanisatiou," which would condemn native languages and customs to be forgotten, is not practised at the Institute. The girls are encouraged to retain their mother tongue as well as to learn English, and to treasure the traditions of their native lands.

'/The first demand, of course, is for food," wrote Mr Upton Sinclair, the well-known American writer and economist, in "Upton Sinclair's Magazine," for October, 1918. "Wo shall need food, not merely for America, but for tho disorganised countries of Europe. So the first thing to be done is to pass a tax on land values, which will wipe out the profits of speculation, and set free tho idle acres both in city and country. . . A land values tax would provide the Government with vast sums of money and also vast tracts of land. Just as to-day we are rushing our forces to build ships, so, after the war, we must rush our forces to the land; under tho best expert advice huge gardens must be laid out, with temporary barracks, and, later on, comfortable homes for the workers. The city land must be used to set up public markets, at which this food can be sold at cost. Cheap food means that the wages we pay become real wages—instead of being swallowed up by landlords and speculators and middlemen, as happens at prosent. Eeal wages will mean that labour will be contented instead of perpetually discontented, as at present, organising strikes and disorganising production."

Tan boots are easily dirtied, but this ■an be quickly got over if you use •'TAN-OL.' , It cleans, polishes and preserves. *

If sufficient students enrol, the Boartl of Managers of the Technical School will this session conduct an evening elo-t cution class (Tuesday), as well as the usual day class on Wednesday, at I.3ft p.m. The largest of all munition factories built by the State in Britain is said to>

be the Gretna factory, which cost nine million pounds to build. During the* war, 12,000 workers were employed, principally girls.

When asked for an opinion regarding the date of the coming general election, the Hon. J. A. Hanan told a • Southland Times reporter that he expected it to take place in October or November. Personally, he thought the session would be held in June or July. For the convenience of intendingr g students who have not yet enrolled, and ™ who desire advice regarding their courses of study at the Technical School the director will be in attendance at the office to-day and to-morrow from 4 t> m till (5.30 p.m. *

A striking example of the fertility of the soil in Napier South for potato growing is given by an exhibit of Up-to-Date variety. The sample 241b (all large, well-formed tubers), and is the product of one root. This repreesnts 52 tons to the acre, and is by no means an isolated instance of proline production in this locality.

With the exception of the art classes, all classes as time-tabled by advertisement on our front page, will meet at the Technical School this week. Tonight, at 7 o'clock, the dress-making, public service, matriculation, general knowledge, Standard VI. proficiency, English and arithmetic, Gregg's shorthand and type-writing classes, will meet.

During tie months of July, August, September, October and November of last year, the American people saved ] seven hundred and seventy-five thous- m and tons of sugar. This amount in- " eludes that saved as a result of the restrictions . placed on confectionery and soft-drink products. The Federal Food Board, in making this announcement, stated that the object in asking for economy in the use of sugar was to insuro a, supply that would be adequate to meet the needs of the Allies. < A decree nisi was granted in the orco Court, London, last month, to Mrs Cecilia Henrietta Augusta Singer, against her husband, Mr Paris E. Singer.

There was no defence. The marriaga took place at Hobart, Tasmania, in ISS7, and in 1910, when they were living iji England, Mr Singer left his wife. He wrote later saying he had an affection for a, Miss Bates, with whom lie was now believed to be living in Xew York. Jn Montana a ivulway bridge had MQ been destroyed by fire, and it was nee- 0 essary to replace it. The bridge engin- i eer and his staff were ordered in hastes to the place. Two days later came tho .superintendent of the division. Alighting from his private car he encountered the old-master bridge-builder. "Bill," said the superintendent, and the words quivered with energy, "I want this job rushed. Every hour's delay costs thecompany money. Have you got tbe engineer's plans for the new bridge?' 7

"I don't know," said the bridge builder, "'whether the engineer has the picture drawed yet or not, but the brid|4frt is up and the trains is passing over it."

►Some, interesting remarks concerning • the. great German bid for Amiens were i made by Mr .R. Gilkison at :t Y.M'.C'.A. luncheon at Dunedin. During the great push in March, he said, ; the Fifth Army collapsed, and several of the best divisions were rushed to Jill the gap. Two Australian divisions were sent to the neighbourhood of. Amiens, and the New Zealand Division. —then an actual fighting strength of. w 15,000 men—was taken from Belgium ■ and pushed in near Bapaume. The New Zealanders actually met the Germans, led by a sergeant-major on g, bicycle, inarching into the town to look for bili lets, and immediately turned machine i guns on them, drove them a mile back, ; and held that front right on till the ad- | vanee. French papers were filled with I accounts of the New Zealanders ,an<>. one paper had the heading—"How tho New Zealanders Saved the British. Army. •' > Shaw Desmond, the London "Express" correspondent at Copenhagen., writes: —"I have received private i4fft formation from an authoritative source that Germany is makng enormous secret; preparatory to secure the mastery of the air. German insurance companies are seeking to cover in neutral countries, especially in Denmark, for insurance relating to a great chain of airplane factories and to aerial experiments. Factories throughout Germany are now being converted from war activities to the building of airplanes air engines. Staffs, including cors, designers and pilots, are being trained. Gigantic hangars and flying stations are to be laid down in all the principal towns. First steps will be to link up the chief German centres with Berlin, and then Berlin will be linked with the outside world, including Paris, London, and even New York."

A pony is offered in exchange for a bike.

A young woman is required to do housework.

A lost cap that holds a spare wheel of Eover ear is advertised for.

A notice with reference to territorial parades is published on page 1.

A dance is to be held at Langdalo Hall on Friday, 14th March, at eighto'clock. ' J± A reward is offered for that will lead to the finding of a child's wooden seated push cart, taken from the Park yesterday. .

An advertiser wishes to purchase a bungalow residence of 5 or 6 rooms, with i to 2-ncre suction, in vicinity of Jed Cole, Pownall or Renall Streets. A special attendance of members ol! t. the Rechabite Lodge in requested for to-morrow night 'a meeting, when a welcome back will be given to Corporal Colin Hendry, secretary.

Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., have an announcement on page 3 with reference to the new winter goods now being shown. Ladies should read the announcement and then inspect the goods-

Territorial whole-day parades are advertised in this issue. It is pointed, out that no leave can be considered, except to those who have attended the musketry parades recently held. These parades are rendered quite necessary at the present time on account of the mf nual camps having been abandoned,

The Board of Health, which was constituted under last session's Public

Health Act, is to be called together immediately to consider plans to deal with possible recrudescence of the influenza ■Epidemic. Over 250 ministers in Wales are stated by the Rev. Penrith Thomas, of Ferndale, to have given in their nanjes as candidates for holy orders in the Ohurch of England, after the war, when disestablishment is due. "Wβ are told that we are playing to the gallery when we preach on popular subjects, ,, said a minister recently during, a sermon in Auckland. He added, "■Well, it is quite time the Church did jplay to the gallery, because the trouble in the past has been that it played for hundreds of years to the dress circle only, with the result that it has run a good chanco of losing the masses. V The Bishop of Worcester has taken W a right course_ in regard to war memorials, states a London paper. In a circular letter to his clergy he pointed out -that for rich persons to occupy wall space in churches with memorials, "which could not be afforded by poorer

people, is as objectionable as occupying the floor* space by large private pews." £f£e claimed that the best method to ~Tjommemorate those who had died in the war, was the brotherly way of one memorial for the whole parish, on which the names of comrades could be inserted.

Every now and then there comes from Germany a particularly illuminating incident, "llere is the latest. Among the submarines surrendered to the British was IT9, the boat once commanded by Captain Weddigen, who by himself sank the cruisers Cressy, Hoguo and Aboukir shortly after the war began. In consideration of the fact that the XJ9 had not been used against merchantmen, Admiral Beatty offered to allow her to remain in Germany, excluded « from the ignominious surrender. But W the crew of the 119 thought otherwise. m The German sailors who brought the ■■ ships over to England were paid 500 aaarks for the job, and they said in reply to the English offer about the U9: "No, we'll take her over and earn the money.' ' Even a German paper realised the perfectly appalling depth to which the German navy had sunk when it reached this point. All is lost, it said, honour. remarkable story is told by the London "Pall Mall Gazette ,, :—lt says that the Red Cross women at one of the ports ot* repatriation found that some Englishmen returning from Ruhleben brought home their German, wives. The nurses tended any sick German woanen without differentiation of treatment, but all the German women who were well were received with stony silence and no welcome. One Englishman was recognised by a member of the

Bed Cross unit. On being greeted with

a hearty handshake he presented his wife. The Bed Cross worker saw an p extended hand, but paused: "'Your wife is German ■''* she queried (lie had spoken to the wife in German.) •'! cannot shake hands with a German." ''But this lady is my wife, and is an EnglishWoman now," he said. "Wβ will not discuss it," the Bed Cross worker replied. ' ; Your wife may be called an Englishwoman, but there are some things about which she can never i'eel "what real Englishwomen feel.' .