LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13751, 26 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The best of us may go on for ever learning as long as tb's wonderful and mysterious nature exists. Lord Brampton.

W. Baldwin, who recently figured in the Police Court in connection with- the theft of rifles from T. Wells' shop, Cambridge, has been remanded to the Auckland Supreme Court for sentence. The Rugby football match to-morrow at Steele Park, Old Boys' open tears; v. City, will be played under the new rules, eliminating the wing forward and no charge. The proceeds are to l>e given to the Public Schools' Rugby Union.

''What was 'undue hardship' six months ago, or even less, is not 'undue hardship ' to-day," said Captain Free at the sitting of the Military Service Board ; ; t Dunedin (says the Otago Daily Times). "We are living under an entirely different state of thing 3 now from what we were a few months ago."

Those who are opposed to dehorning cattle would have seen at the last Aldington sale three shocking examples of the injury that can be done by horn. Ed cattle (states the Christchurch Press). Two were fat cows, and one was so badly gored that she was unsaleable, and the other cow was a milker, whose udder was seriously injured, if not ruined. The Hamilton Municipal Band (Mr Thos. Donovan conductor) will, weather and other circumstances permitting, render the following programme at the Waikato Hospital, commencing at 3 p.m. on Sunday:—March, "The Great Little Army"; intermezzo, "Jingle Bells"; selection, "Maritana"; march, "My Regiment"; euphonium solo, "Land of Hope and Glory" (Sergeant Taylor, soloist); selection, "Girls of Gottenberg; march, "Fanjaul." By special request a number of popular hymn tunes will be played during the afternoon, and the programme will conclude with the National Anthem. The Dominion Conference of the Protestant Political Association elected the fo'lowing officers:—President, Mr A. Donald; vice-presidents, Messrs J. A. Hay and E McGregor ai!d Major Johnson; secretary, Mr H. S. Bilby; treasurer, Mr S. Aston; national lecturer, Rev. Howard Elliott; committee, Hon. W. Earnshaw, Kev. Knowles Smith and Messrs J. Middleton, J. Aston and J. S. Dickson. M.P.; auditors. Messrs E. C. Ludwig, J. Kellow and Son. The conference unanimously approved of a proposal to raise £ 100,000 fcr propaganda put poses.

A lad named Lee had an almost miraculous escape from serious injury in Victoria street, Hamilton, yesterday afternoon. He was rid : ng a bicycle a little in advance of a motor-car, of which tact he was evidently unaware, for he essayed to cross to the other side of the street, with the result that the car rin into him, knocking him rlnttn with some for-o I'-i unately the motor was travelling slowly, and both the 'boy and his bicycle were thrown clear of the wheels. A r-rowi' speedily gathered, and the lad was picked up. when it was found that beyond being a little dazed lie had escaped injury, and, the machine being also undamaged, he was able to resume his journey.

Smart coloured hosiery gives that tone of distinctiveness to your new frock or costume; almost all shades are procurable at Hooker and Kingston's— Garbardine, grey, navy, creme, and nigger are to lie obtained in all wool, cashmere; every pair marked'at an ex. tremely low price for cash. "Absolute satisfaction or your money back" is th< policy of the Hooker-Kingston Store. War rebate off every purchase—3d back in 5s spent, 6d discount in 10s, and so on.*

"When you feel a cold coming on. don't wait until it hag gripped you, but take NAZOL at one*. (4)

We have received the first number of "Quick .March," the organ of the Returned Soldiers' Association. It is an excellent production, full of matter varying from grave to gay and containing much useful information for the returned soldier, and manifesting on its numerous pages an linmistakeable intention to strongly support the soldiers' cause.

At the Police Court, Hamilton, today, a young man named Alfred Reed, 22 years of age, was committed for trial on charges of indecent assault on a boy and indecent exposure. Messrs J. W. Walsh and H. J. Greenslade were the presiding justices. Mr H. A. Hopkins appeared for the accused and Senior-Sergeant Cassells represented the police.

We wore in error yesterday when we stated that Bandmaster Donovan, of the Municipal Band, sounded " The Last Post" at the service in St. Peter's Church. It was Bandmaster Siddall, of the Regimental Band. Mr Siddall attended the service at considerable inconvenience, and it is only just that he should receive credit for his action.

A rather novel proposal was made to the Second Canterbury Military Service Board the other day. It concerned one Clarence Arrives, a conscientious objector, who is now giving service to the State on a State farm. The reservist's father, S. H. Amyes, who lives at Redcliffs, but has,a farm at Russell's Flat, asked the Board to allow the reservist to work on his farm instead of the State farm, on which he is now engaged, urging that he could give just as good service by that) means. However, the Board rejected the proposal rather decidedly.

Mr H. J. Manson, Trade Commissioner for New Zealand in Australia, spent yesterday afternoon in company with Mr D. L. Smith motoring round Hamilton and suburbs. He was surprised to see such a spk~did and well organised hospital, and L ought the nurses worked under ideal the idea of their home being apart, and amiust such beautiful surroundings, was excellent. The lake was a grand asset in the town, and he thought the. Beautifying Society had made the most of everything. He congratulated the town on acquiring such ideal and beautiful golf links, of which he took more than a passing notice, and said he was sure it was only a matter of time when these delightful sites would be built on by retired civil servants and commercial men who wanted a quiet home, with golfing and fishing at their door. Speaking of the town generally he said it was just in its infancy, but great progress had already been made, and the prospects for the future were the best he had seen in any part of New Zealand; the undulating nature of the country, the central position, and the grand river all lent themselves to the making of a fine residential town. Mr Manson had two days' good fishing at Rotorua, and left by last night's express for Wellington en route for Melbourne, which is his headquarters. From reports coming to hand it appears that the potato blight has wrought havoc in most of the crops this season (says the Christchurch Press). In the Ellesmere district little sign of the blight was to be seen up to about five weeks ago, and the indications were that the potato crop would be particularly good. The drizzling rain, fog. and humid conditions since then have no doubt l>een the cause of thi rapid spreading of the blight. Farmers on examining their crops now find th.it in nany cases fully 60 per cent of the tubers arc more or less affected. A week ngc a farmer brought in a load of potatoes to one of the centres in the Canterbury district for dispatch by rail. They .vere carefully examined by a merchant before being consigned, and were found tc be so badly affected with blight that the farmer took them home again. A splendid crop was grown on the Lee6ton Soldiers' Settlement by a retun.ed soldier, the area being well up towards 20 acres. Several weeks ago passers-by could not 1 elp noticing that a very strong smell came from the potato paddock. The tops quickly went almost black and died off, and it is fer red that the crop, or at least a portion of it. has been almost ruined. It is a rather remarkable fact that the blight seems to have attacked the props badly just at the ripening stage