LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is stated, on excellent authority that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will visit Fiji in July next in the course of his proposed tour to the Dominions. He will probably remain in Fiji several weeks.

The coal shortage continues in Wellington to give anxiety to many homes. The State depot is distributing a consignment of 300 tons for household purposes in Wellington this week. It is expected that additional supplies will be available within the next few days.

An ambitious scheme of harbour improvemtenTs at Gisbdrne is !Min|B considered. ' A meeting was held, and the construction of an outer harbour was declared to be the only solution to the \shipping restriction!* Thfe estimated cost fe over £1,000,000. Committees have been -appointed to go into the matter.

The South British Insurance Company have accepted a tender for the erection of new premises at the corner of Hunter and O'ConDell Streets. Sydnc3 r_ a splendid site—and intend erecting a highly ornate, up-to-date building They expect to enter into occupation in about eighteen months' time. The expenditure, according to the Insurance and Banking Record, will be in the neighbourhood of £IOO,OOO.

The "Pall Mall Gazette" relates that Major Seton (who was shot recently by Lieut.-Colonel Rutherford) rode through a big bush fire in the Strathbogie Ranges in 1912 to succour a woman Who had been bitten by a tiger-snake-.- His horse was suffocated by sniok'o and burnt to a cinder Major Seton crawled on all fours through the fire for the last 500 yards and saved the woman's life.

The funeral of Mr C. Hill, the aviator who was killed while flying at Riccarton, took place at Christchurch, on Monday, and Was very largely attended. The Hon. G. W. Russell represented the Government, and Captain Robertson represented Sir James Allen. Several old pupils of the aviation school were among those present. Sir Jam'os Allen telegraphed: "I am deeply grieved to hear of the sad accident to Mr Hill, His death will be a great loss to us.''

Only Ave cases o? influenza were reported to the Health Department for the whole Dominion during the week ending at noon last Monday. Three of these werp "in the Auckland district, and one in Wellington. The total for the week ending January 27 was the lowest since the beginning of the epidemic. It is possible that doctors may not be reporting some cases, though the obligation to do so is still upon them, but it seems, from replies to inquiries in Wellington, that the disease has been well checked.

There seems to be some doubt as to fiow the draft of New Zejalanders which was brought from Egypt to Australia in the Nestor will come over to New Zealand. The present arrangement is that the men, 150 of all ranks. will come on by the MJarama, but there is a chance that this ship will have to go to Sydney to discharge cargo, and then to Newcastle; to bunker. If so, this plan will probably be abandoned In the meantime the draft is in camp

One of the Timaru fishing fleet was trawling off the lighthouse recently, when on coming to drag in the trawler it was found that the weight was so great that the winch could not haul it on board. Another trawler was passing, and her help was requisitioned, and the trawl was successfully hoisted aboard, when on examination it was found to contain a sturgeon, 10ft. in length. The sturgeon is rarely found in New Zealand waters, and the one taken is the first that has been secured off the Tiraaru fishing grounds

The Auckland "Star" on Thursday in discussing the heavy traffic on the railways and the probability of efforts being made To cope with it s'ays there is no prospect, of the Two daily Main Trunk expresses being restored The coal shortage on the railway is really acute, and there have not been nearly enough men returned from the war to bring the staff to its normals strength. But the Department is prepared to put on extra' expresses on the Main Trunk to cope with special traffic, provided it has reasonable notice. There is no hint of any of the restricted local services being reinstated yet.

A steady reliable man to drive a delivery cart is by Mr J. H. .Johnson, Tui Street, Taihape.

The following vessels will probably be within wireless range to-night:— Maori, Mararoa, Durham, and Tahiti.

Forty-one sharks, pulled ashore on one hook, was the catch of a fisherman on the Marine Parade. Napier, recently. The real catch was a tiger shark, which, on being opened, was found to contain 40 young sharks, averaging aboul Win.

The postal authorities notify that inland telegrams may now be signed with a christian name or surname onl}' or with a pen name or familiar name provided the telegram is endorsed with the full name and address of sender. Each such telegram is to be fully and properly endorsed. Telegrams without a signature will not bo accepted.

At Mr. J. H. Johnson's cordial factory in Tui Street, Taihape, may be oßTained all the most modern aerated beverages, and the highest quality \of cordials at prices that can compare favourably with anywhere In New eZaland, In Mr Johnson's wool, coal, and coke yards is carried large stocks of the best that is procurable for heating and cooking purposes.

Inquiries made from bank managers in Christc'hurch by a Lyttelton Times reporter regarding the position of girl clerks now that the war is over, elicited the information, that they would not be allowed to stand in the way of returning members of their staffs. The general opinion was that a large number of the girls would have to go, but the foest of them would be retained.

The catering arrangements in connection with the forthcoming hul at Gisborne, when the draft of Maori troops arrive, will be on a large scale. It is estimated* that, on military allowance, 37051 b of meat will be required daily, togther with 2000 loaves of bread, 1201 b tea, 9001 b sugar, 1601 b salt, and 30001 b vegetables. Seating will be "provided under coyer for 500 at one sitting—for the tfSops and Maori visitors —whilst it is also intended to erect a luncheon and tearoom for European visitors.