LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13644, 26 November 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Good thoughts, even if they are forgotten, do not perish.

The Red Cnjfcs Committee lomicsts that all accounts against them be rendered by Thursday next, 29th insfc.

A cablegram from London states that_ the New Zealand Loan and MercaniSle Agency has declared a dividend of six percent and a bonus of one per cent.

Owing to the reduction in the reinlorcement quota, the Defence Department unfortunately, has been compelled to reduce to'the ranks approximately 68 men of the 37th ryja-com-missioned officers' class. This naturally has led to a certain amount of dissatisfaction, but, according to Ma-jor-General Sir A. W. Robin, it is quite unavoidable.

A request from the Auckland War Relief Association for assistance in the purchase and maintenance of a motor-car for the use of soldiers at Te Waikato Sanatorium was before the Wellington War Funds Association on Thursday. The executive of the Association decided to refer" the request to the Red Cross Association.

A notice in the Gazette prohibits the importation of preparations purporting to be remedies for the drink and drug habits. Preparations are mentioned specifically, and the notice places a general ban on " any preparation purporting to be a remedy for drunkenness, alcoholic habit, opium habit, tobacco habit, cocaine habit, or other drug habits."

Playgoers will be interested to learn that Mr Cyril Maude, the well-known London actor-manager, will appear in Hamilton in "Grumpy" early in the New Year. Hamilton has been included in the tour as it is Mr Maude's desire to spend a week at Rotorua before leaving New Zealand for America. This is perhaps the most important event in the theatrical history of the town.

At the Presbyterian Assembly now sitting at Dunedin, Professor Hewitson reported that Knox College opened this year with 90 men, and five joined during the winter. Eighteen had enlisted, and when the session closed the roll number was 77, a large number of whom were medical students. The debt on he_ buildings has been wiped out, and £3541 stood to the credit of the endowments fund.

tor giving false answers to the police regarding his registration, P. L. Phillips was brought before the Court at Te Awamutu on Friday. He had told a constable his name was Wilson, and that he had been rejected from camp. It was reported that the accused had been evading service. He was ordered to undergo a month's imprisonment, and to be handed over to the military authorities at the end of the term.

The new scale of separation allowances for the wives and children of soldiers will reduce the claims upon the patriotic societies. This point was mentioned at the meeting of the executive of the Wellington War Funds Association. The chairman said that after January 1, when the wife would receive 3s a day and each child Is a day, the position of the family that had been living *on an income of less than £2OO a year would be very good indeed.

Rev B. Mackie conducted the anniversary services in connection with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Sunday School yesterday. In the morning he delivered a special address to the parents and guardian* as to their responsibility towards the rising generation. In the afternoon & children's service was held, Mr Mackie's talk to the little ones being greatly appreciated. Special singing was rendered bv the children under the baton of Mr J. Smyth. The Cambridge Rose Day. inaugurated by the Women's General Hospital and War Committee for the purpose of raising funds to provide Christmas presents for the returned soldiers in Te Waikato Sanatorium, which was held on Saturday, proved a huge success. A large staff of ladies under the direction of the president (Mrs Reynolds) worked hard. The tea rooms* took £25 ss, and the flower stall (which was presided over by Mesdames Huddleston and Todd and Misses K. Wells and Richardson) £ll. Included in the latter was a guessing competition for a screen presented by Mrs,N. Banks. The 16th Waikato Regimental Band played the following programme at ferry Bank last night :—March "Marine Artillery," Rimmer; fantasia, "Latoria," Lewis Han; air varie, "Spanish Chant," Greenwood; intermezzo, "Rose Garland," Ord Humemarch. "Takapuna," Thessell; hymn "Abide With Me," D. Caros; overture. "Golden Star," Greenwood; march, "Kitchener's Own," Greenwood; National Anthem. It was an ideal night—moonlight and mild—consequently a large crowd gathered to listen to the music. The Band, under Mr W. Siddall, played exceedingly well, and the programme was much enjoyed.

The officer in charge of the Government Labour Bureau at Auckland stated the other day that he had received from the manager in charge of a factory within a few miles of Hamilton a request for hands at the folowing wages:—Three firemen (eighthour shifts) at £3 15s per week, stronogirls at £2 a week, boys (16 to 17 years) £2 10 s a week, and men at not less than £3 per week, or labourers at Is Gd per hour. These wages, remarked the officer, were the biggest he had seen offered for this class of labour. Asked alxnit what was offering in the way of farm wages, he stated that he had received an inquiry for a farm hand, one able to do general work preferred, and the emplover stated that lie was prepared to pay un to £4 a week for a man who suited him.

This week is called "Underclothing Week," at Hooker and Kingston's.-All ladies' undergarments, including cotton vests nightdresses, camisoles, and the well-known Kinsonia corsets, will l )e sold at special discounts in the showloom. Ladies would lie wise to watch for these popular weeks at the HookerKingston store, for there is a direct saving on every purchase made. Ladies' cotton vests are priced from Is 3d each. War discount as usual, and the firm's policy of absolute satisfaction'or vour money hack protects you on every pur. chase.

The plainest row of books that cloth or paper ever covered is more significent of refinement than the most elaborately carved etagore or sideboard." At this season of the year it has always been the endeavour of Paul's Book Arcade to provide their clientele with an attractive of volumes suitaMe for presentation. To-day there is to be found on tlie shelves at Paul's a distinctive assemblage of books to meet the tastes of everyone. Particular attention lias been paid this year to the selection of*j books for school prizes. Teachers and members of committees should make their choice at an early date while the | stocks are comp'ete. There is also a ! good range of Australian publications i which will be appreciated by the bovs at the front, such as C. J. Dennis' ! "Glugs of Gosh," "Doreen," '•Sentimental Bloke," "Moods of Ginger Mick," Gellert's "Songs of a Campaign," Paterson's "Salt-bush Bill" and "Three Elephant Power." Clients are sure of cortoous treatment, and post enquiries received prompt attention at' Paul's Book Arcade,*

Tn the .course .of i sermon' at the London street Methodist Church last night, the Rev J. Clover stated that if Sabbath-breakers were stoned to death, as in the olden days, he thought that many gardens and lawns would be rather neglected. Weather and other circumstances permitting, -the Hanulton Municipal Band will play a programme at Steel rark on Ihursday evening next. They will also play at the Hospital next ounday afternoon.

Anniversary services in connection with the Methodist Sunday School at Hamilton East were held vesterdav, the Rev G. Cook, of Cambridge, being the preacher for the day. There were large congregations, and the special singing by the children, who gave evidence of rareful training, was much enjoyed. The celebration will close with a tea meeting and concert on Wednesday evening. Tlie Second Auckland Militarv Service Board is sjtting in Hamilton today. Owing to the absence of the chairman, Mr EarL K.C., no decisions were given this morning, evidence only being taken by Messrs Hockley and Rosser. Mr W. Leece is acting as secretary. Captain Bellamy as military representative, and is assisted bv Sergeant-Major Bentley.

His Lordship Bishop Cleary will conduct Confirmation services on Sunday next, as follows:—Kihikihi, 10 am.*; To Awamutu, 11 a.m., and Ohaupo. 3 p.m. A large number of candidates will be presented at each place. An endeavour is being made to get his Lordship to deliver one or more addresses in the parish during his visit on his "Experiences at the Front." "I want to make it clear that the new season's output of butter and cheese has been purchased by the Imperial authorities," said Mr Masscy. "All that now requires to be done is with regard to some details which are of undoubted importance to the producers, but which I have no doubt will be satisfactorily arranged between the New Zealand Government and the representatives of the Imperial Government. I have arranged to meet the representatives of the dairy industry next Wednesday, and I believe this will be the final meeting for the season."

i A farmer applied to the Military Service Board at Hamilton this morning for the exemption of his son. He admitted that he was fairly well off, having no mortgage on his farm and holding a couple of outside mortgages, but stated that he could not afford' the tfages asked for by farm labourers now. Mr Hockley: "You must be prepared to make some sacrifice. How about the brave fellows who arc sacrificing their lives on the battlefield?" "Oh," said the appellant airilv, "that's the fortunes of war." The Board impressed upon him what other farmers, many of them with heavilv encumbered properties, had to pay "high wages for labour, and he should be thankful that his farm carried no mortgage, and be prepared to make some little sacrifice in this time of stress. Appellant appeared to be unconvinced, and "laimed that if he was forced to pav high wages he would be ruined. The Board was not sympathetic.