LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We hear from a reliable source that there will be no advance in the price of flour, more likely a slight reduction. Consequently the reported intention of the bakers to raise the price of bread will not be given effect to. Jf. y'

At the Industrial Corporation Conference in Christchurch On Friday, a resolution was carried: “That this conference,' recognising the importance for placing our secondary industries on the best possible basis with regard to their fullest development, calls upo nthe Government to establish a Department of Industries, with a Cabinet Minister in charge.

A local correspondent writes: Last night total darkness existed in Huia Street, not one street light being lighted. Surely this should be remedied, as it is most inconvenient to those attending church, on coming out of a well lighted church into total darkness. “Cleanliness is next to godliness’” cannot be the motto of our Council, as this street has received the least attention as regards clearing away the grass; yet this is the most frequented street, .at least once a week.

In ia letter to Mrs Sharplin, of Stanway, her brother, who is with the Hew Zealand division, says they were well treated by the Belgians, where they crossed over from France after the armistice. Food was very dear. Bits of pastry cost lOd each. He went to a cinema show—German pictures with headings in Btelgian. It was awful to see the ruined and broken homes along the line of march. Fritz left much loot, which he had not time to get away. The writer also mentions that there are very many nameless graves in France.

It is cabled that President Ebert has given an iassurance that the German army will be demobilised. The point is that the demobilisation should already have been an accomplished fact under the terms of the armistice, and the Hun hajs wJlfuiV marked time in keeping his word. These Hunnish tricks make us wonder how far the Germans are really democratic and how much they are still willingly under the heel of Prussianism. Also, how far is Germany sincere? ' We read this significant item in a London paper just to hand:—“All the princes and other royal pdrsonag'o'p who are still living in Germany were paid their usual allowances for December. ”

\ The latest adition to the telephone •exchange is Mr. J, Caseys’ farm, State Farm Road, No. 8 M.

Mrs Drew, of the Hautapu Tea Rooms, in Station Street, notifies that on Show days luncheon will be on from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m.

Members 'of the Taihape Tradesmen’s Association are reminded of the meeting which takes place this evening. A full attendance is requested.

The finder of a Star Brooch set with pearls is asked to he good enough to return it to this office. The brooch is valued highly from its sentimental connections.

It is apparent that the usual number of side-shows will be in attendance' at the local show on Wednesday, judging by the appearance on the “Rec,” several having taken up their abode there already.

On ithe ton Wednesday, at the Agricultural and Pastoral Show, the Taihape Plunket Society will have thjo. usual highy appreciative Mothers ’ Rest Tent, where mothers can get hot water and rest themselves during the day.

‘Advice has been received from the Viceroy and Governor General of India that arrangements ,are now being made for all the New Zealand wireless personnel serving in India, and who are fit to travel, to be returned to the Dominion. They will probably be dispatched during March.

Deeds, insurance policies, wills, securities, or any other paper or parchment documents will he accepted for custody by the Post Office at charges varying from 5s to £1 per annum, with free access four times a year. Full particulars may be obtained from the Postmaster.

The Domain Board has put in some good work this season in the reserve, and the tracks arc now in first-class order, being both clean and dry. The undergrowth is getting less about the tracks each year, and the Board would do well to plant some trees or shrubs alongside the paths to protect the undergrowth from the wind.

Apparently the public of Taihape do not appreciate the bush reserve as they should, as Several small trees were destroyed yesterday. As the bush reserve is a splendid asset to the town it behoves all/who use J the place for recreation to endeavour to protect it and inform on any miscreant who wilfully destroys the undergrowth.

Motor car and buyers of any class of motors are advise that the Director of one of the leading firms in New Zealand is leaving shortly for England, France, hnd Italy, in connection with the motor trade, who will be willing to execute commissions to purchase any make of cars or lorries new or Second hand) in the best markets, and ship them to New Zealand.

Many a Christchurch householder has wondered why the men on the city dustcarts are always so careful to rescue old kerosene tins from the refuse collected by them. The reason was revealed by a witness giving evidence before the Parliamentary Industries Committee. These tins, he said, were sold to his firm for the purpose of converting into oxidised paint, the manufacture of which was recently started in Christchurch.

Mr Kalph Partridgs, of the Taihape “Daily Times” staff, who has accepted a position with one of the Napier papers ,was farewelled by a number of his friends on Saturday evening. As a recognition of his many fine qualities he was presented by his Taihape friends with a pocket book and silver match box. In a neat speech Mr Partridge acknowledked the gifts and thanked his friends for the good wishes expresed.

Apparently our warning in Saturday ’s issue to motor cyclists was not taken in good faith, as last night a rider of a Tied Indian was apparently letting her out in the main street without lights and doing 40 or 50 miles fan hour. Unfortunately the police were on the look-out, as the motorist; knows ( ,to Jhis {Sorrow, |as when last seen he was trying to convince the police of the justice of his actions, but without avail.

Speaking at Waitara on the subject of road construction in country districts, Sir Wiliam Fraser said lie had during his term of office, come to the conclusion that to spend money on formation works without metalling them was a snare and a delusion to the settler and a wasteful expenditure of money, because, from the nature of the couhtry it soon became a bog and a quagmire, and the work' had to be done over again. He therefore always urged local bodies to borrow money, not an overdraft, which was limited, and was meant for maintenance only, but from the Local Bodies’ Department for a term of years, and on this amount he would grant a £ for £ subsidy.