LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13891, 17 October 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

B e true; then you may expect others to be true to you. The unconfirmed news of the capitulation of Germany and the abdication of the Kaiser caused much excitement and rejoicing in Hamilton to-day. Flags were hoisted and syrens sounded, and the Waikato Times Office was surrounded by a large crowd of people eager for the latest news. News from Auckland and other towns indicate that the excitement is general. At a meeting of the committee of the Waikato Winter Show Association, this morning, the annual meeting of members was fixed for October 31st. The annual meeting of the Cambridge branch of the Plunket Societv will be held on Saturday. A full and representative attendance is desired. The Allies have reached an agreement to use each country's aircraftTproduction and resources to the utmost, by combining results and pooling supplies. ' A first offender, for being drunk in Victoria street, was convicted and discharged at the Police Court, Hamilton, this morning, by Messrs Mason and Walsh, J's.P. . The Polish Committee in London officially describes as absolutely fair;? the German allegation that the continued German occupation of Poland is sought.

Mr L. Heckler, of Masterton, has decided to establish a scholarship, to he held at Wellington College with a tenure of two years, worth £6O a year, for the-sons of fallen soldiers.

Visitors to Cordonton yesterday were much impressed with the appearance of the country, which is looking particularly well just now. The road between Hamilton and Gordonton is in fairly good order. "Many of those who talk so glibly of after-thc-war problems very often" contribute little to the solution of those problems" said Rev. Lawry, during his home mission address in Ham. ilton, last night. The annual home mission meeting in connection with the Hamilton Methodist Church took place last night. Rev. E. 0. Blamires presided. Rev. S. Lawry, connes'ional secretary, gave an address on the after-the-wa'r problems of the church and the need to prepare for them. At the close of the meeting Mr Lawry was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his interesting address. During his address at St. Paul's Methodist Church, Hamilton, last night, Rev. S. Lawry said he recently asked a returned soldier "What is uppermost in the men's minds out there?" The reply was, "Most of them are just looking forward to the time when they will return, settle down, marry, and have a home of their own. They have been without a home for four years." The Hamilton Courthouse is at present undergoing much-needed renovation. The Courtroom has been completed, and presents a very pleasing appearance, the walls having been painted a soft green, which is very restful to the eye. It is a great pity that something cannot be done to improve the acoustic properties, about which there are complaints at almost every sitting of the Court. "A fine soldier and a fine man," was the manner in which General Allcnby was described by an officer who arrived back in Christchurch from Egypt. The oftfeer went on to speak of General Allcnby in highly eulogistic terms, laying particular stress upon the way in which be fraternised with the men, and interested himself in their need. "He takes every risk," the officer added, "and when there is something doing he does not direct affairs from behind the lines. He is away up with the men in the very front fme of all. English officers are not always idolised by colonial troops, but General Allcnby is, and he, in his turn, has nothing but praise for the Australian and New Zealand troops. He has <n Australian for his A.D.C., and he has stated more than once that the NewZealand Brigade are the best troops under his command."

At the annual meeting of the Hamilton Croquet Club Mr H. H. Howdon presided over a large number of members. The report and statement, as read, were adopted. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr H. ~/Howden; vice-president, Mrs P. Stevens; hon. secretary, Mrs T. F. Jolly; hon. treasurer, Mrs L. Bull; committee: Mesdames Piatt, Black, Wilson, Stanley and Fergusson. The meeting resolved to hold the annual South Auckland Croquet Tournament next year in January, during the week of the South Auckland Bowling Toar. nament, and to be open to all members of croquet clubs. It was also decided to make arrangements for the forthcoming Red Cross stall, with which the Hamilton Bowling Club is assisting, but it was agreed not to fix a date for same until later in the season when the weather would l>e settled. A vote of thanks to the outgoing officers was passed, and it was decided to open the lawns for play as soon as a caretaker could be secured.

Further donations to the "Red Cross Our Day Fund," making a total of £ 19,370, are acknowledged in this issue.

The Victoria College Council has decided to adopt the proposal of the Professorial Board to enedavour to arrange with the Rhodes trustees that a trial he given to a scheme for a research lectureship.

The treatment of returned soldiers in the several military hospitals and convalescent homes is such that their progress towards recovery is comparatively rapid. The defence medical authorities stated that there was approximately seven hundred men in hospital, only about 80 of whom had been receiving treatment for,more than six months.

Mr A. "W. Sands, farmer, Horotiu, informs us of a rather extraordinary tilling which happened at his home early this morning. He states that about 4 a.m. he was awakened bv the .screams of his six-year-old child* and upon investigating found the cjiild saturated with blood having been bit. ten by a rat on the nose, under the eye, and through the lip—in all no fewer than 12 places. The marks of the rat's teeth are plainly visible. Residents of Ohaupo and district will be pleased to learn that "The Bhng Boys,' that talented combination of entertainers which created such a favourable impression at Eureka last week, will give a performance at Ohaupo to-morrow (Friday) night. "The Bang Boys' submit a varied programme of the latest songs, monologues, farces, etc., and are worthy of liberal patronage, which will no doubt l>e accorded them. The proceeds will be devoted to the Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association.

During the hearing of a case at the Police Court, Hamilton, this morning, the Bench expressed regret that a returned solder should he l>efore such a charge. Senior.Sergt. Cassclls stated that the conduct of practically every returned man from this district had been exemplary. They behaved very well, and the police had never had to speak to them misconduct. Although he had every sympathy with the man who had "done his hit" at the front, the fact that a man was a returned soldier should not excuse him if he was guilty of a flagrant offence. The Bench agreed. At the Police Court, Hamilton, this morning before Messrs Mason and Walsh, J's.P., Alfred Gifford was charged with having been found drunk at the Hamilton Railway Station, and with committing a grossly indecent act there. He pleaded guilty, and stated that he "had taken more than was. good for him," and did not know / what he was doing. The Bench pointed out that the matter was a very serious one. A fine of 10s and costs was imposed on the charge of drunkenness, and he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence on the charge of indecency. A prohibition order would also be issued against accused.

A singular record of interest is that of the Turner family, of Auckland. Of seven sons eligible for active service out of a family of nine, all passed as fit. One has been exempted as indispensable to the cool storage section of the business, while an appeal for another brother to help iit the general I management is under consideration by ! the Military Service Board. Three sons ; have been on service for several years 'and of two shortly to enter camp one is not 20 years of age. The only other t\V<y members of the famly who are not ;eligible for active service are bovs at. tending school. All the brothers-in-law of the' Turners are also on active i service.