LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3479, 6 May 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

One very interested spectator of the Prince ’s reception at Palmerston was a lady of 97 years whose brother was -a. footman in Queen .Victol'i:l"s household 50 years ago. é “ ~ .

Out of gratitude an ex-‘patient of the Taihape hospital called at the office to express his ” appreciation uf management and treatment he received fizom the matron and staff of that institution. .

The following vessels will be within wireless range for 6th May:—Radio, Auckland: Arahura, Niagara‘, Riverina, Talune, Kaitangata. Radio, Invanui: Katoa. Radio, Wellington: Hzxori, \Vahine, Paofeenav, Czumdian Importer, Otirn, Flora. Radio, Chathams: Cnriutllic_, Port Chalmers.

The “labour tickets” for school committees in Auckland and Wellington ciffes had rather a bad time this week. Most of them were defeatul in VVellillgton,.allCl at Auekland Parnell was the only district where the ticket was successful. When political parties endeavour to mix up with education control it is time common sense blocked the game.

Most interesting were the comments of the people in the crowd at Te Kuiti. “Hope we didn’t disturb your arrangexnents too much, Prince.” said a. railwayman. “Not at all,” replied the Prince. “W£hllt’s YOU!‘ weight Prince” shouted a YOUIIE 111311“Nine stone four,” replied the Prince. “Why do you ask?” “Had a bet on it,” replied the sport. “I hope XOll Won,” said the Prince. "‘No, I ]o's’r.” retorted the questioner. “T bet You were ten sfone.

Judging from ihe programme to be submitted at to-uigln"s social gafhm-~ ing in the Prosl)y’re.y-ian Church Hall. there can be no doubt that an evening’s pleasant entertainment is. assured. A novel éompetition has been arranged, and appearing on the musical programme. are flxe names of several of our most populwr singers, in addition to the names of several new performers. Supper will be provided, and, should the night be cold, artificial heaters will be used, so that ‘an especiallyb“Wal'm.” welcome is promisedThe proceeds are to be devoted to the -emergency fund for missions, which is so seriously in need of increment on account of the heavily inereased,l'ates of exchange in foreign countries.

! In the course of his remarks in reply to the Post and Telegraph deputation at Wellington yesterday, the Prime Minister said if the country had t.o avoid depression there must be less estravagance and more production. Their population had been very industrious during the War, and that industry m.ust continue. Their liabilities had increased during the war, so they must find an additional £7,000,000 annually, £5,000,000 for interest and sinking fund and £2,000,000 for war purposes.

Many interesting incidents take place in a court of law, but ‘it is seldomthat a defendant refuses to accept bail because he has a personal feeling against the person who offers to go surety for him. Such a case, however, happened recently at the Magistmte’s Court, Wellington. When ,a person came forward and oifered to go surety for a defendant, the accused would not accept the oflfered bond. Consequently the man ‘was locked up in gaol for two days, when another surety was forthcoming‘.

The fact cannot be ignored (says the Lyttelton Times) that the present Ministry, as a combination is not a Ministry of sufficient talent for its responsibilities. Except for Sir Francis Bell and Sir William Herries, both of whom are desirous» of retiring, Mr Massey is the only impressive figure in the Calbinet. He is vainly struggling under a load of duties and cares which are obviously beyond the strength of a political giant; and he cannot, on the face of it, obtain very much assistance from the mediocre and inexperienced members of the team. This position, we feel sure, has been a factor contributing to the exceedingly critical state of affairs throughout the Public Service.

On Saturday one of those thoughtful incidenfs that are so frequently connected with the Prince in this tour occurred at Auckland. He heard that there was somewhere in Auckland a veteran of the Crimean war and Maori war, and having ascertained where he lived, he senfi his «own motor fo bring him down‘ to the Renown. The old .soldier was pl-oudl,v wern-ing his Inedals. to one of which wrs :‘..f.tllChf3d no fewer than four clasps of one campaign. The veferan WOF4: 89 __w'~a:-s of age. and the Prince rrv-"Merl ‘-aim. .cordia.lly on his private. 'T“ok_ 912'! had ouite 2. long chat‘ with him. .‘—\mong' other things, he ascerfrinod that‘ the veteran ._had sailed wifh fhn Dukeof Edinburgh many ""‘"‘-w 99.0 ?n the Galatrza.

A considerable recluction has taken place in the price of salt and rennet used extensively by dairy companies. It is not so long since salt could be obtained under £lB 10/ per ton, and the market price is now £1 210/, while rennett has clropjied from £25 to £ll 10/ per cwt. The market for bandage for cheese is still somewhat uncertain, and factories are obliged to purchase where the best‘ market ofl"ers. The local factories at present are fairly well stocked, and it. is stated that some companies operating along the coast have sufficient bandages to carry them through next season. The most of the supplies of late have been obtained by the National Dairy Association from 'America.

The position of the butter supply in England is very serious (states the London Grocer of January 3), and there appears to be no prospect of the situation becoming relieved until homeproduced butter becomes available. Adverse weather conditions‘ in Australia have seriously afiected the production, and New Zealand has sufiered from a similar cause. The quantities afloat from the above sources are seriously below normal; in pre-war times it was this source of supply that greatly helped to keep butter prices down. The absence of good supplies from Siberia is keenly felt, and stilt‘ rates have to be paid to secure Danish butter. Dutch can be had, but the authorities hesitate to pay the price wanted. It. is believed that certain quantities may be forthcoming from the United States, but nothing largecnough materially to influence the situation. Butter will remain short, but consumers must perforce adapt themselves to .t.he adveriso conditions arising from the war, and the unfavourable weather in the colonies.

Vouchod for by an official. of high standing in the cotton world, TL Lancashire correspondent sent the following to I“'e Daily Mail: “A man who had 1000 shares in a s1)i1111ix1g mill, on each of which £2 10/ was paid, with the prospect of :1 further call of £2 10/, was so convinced a. few years ago that the mill would fail, that he sold the slmres» for a penny each to a friend who accepted the risk of a further call. The buyer locked the shares away, and almost forgot them. But the mill weathered the period of adversity, and he has now sold hisshares for £32,000. His outlay was £4 3/4, so that his clear profit was £41,995 16/8.”

New Suede Gloves for Winter Wear, in good heavy quality skin. Shadese oi? Suete, Tan and Moie. P;-ice 15/6 and 15/9 per pair.—-Collinson and Gifford, Ltd. , ; ’ é

Mr J. M. Blair, of Waipukurau, has purchased the general carrying and forwarding business. of Messrs Rowe Bros., and announces in another column that all orders entrusted to him will receive prompt and careful attention. It is Mr Blairfs intention to largely increase the present plant by the addition of motor lorries, etc., to enable him to cofie with tile rapidly increasing volume of business.

A bachelor of 72 years ‘and u spinster of 66 years were married at Young, New South Wales, {L few days ago. The bridegroom contentedly declared that this was the culminating bliss of 50 years of friendship and courting. Both parties were required to made 501011111 declaration that they were above the age of 21 years, and that parental con—sent to the marriage was not necessary. With a lusty peal of laughter the bridegroom concluded the declaration: “I am above the age 01°: 2], though I may not look it.”

Lord Brownlow’s Briclgewater estate in Shropshire has been sold by auction. The property, which covers 4000 acres, realised £190,000. Many of the tenants acquired their farms by private treaty. During the sale Mr William Nunnerley tlianked Lord Brownlow on behalf of the tenants, for granting them the privilege of buying their farms. He added that, having been born on the estate, he wished to remain until the end of his days, as the tenant of a good landlord. Times had changed sadly when of nec.essity good old English estates had to be broken up.

The Prince ‘rode on a merry-go-round for the first time in his life at Rotorua. This amusement is located on a vacant section opposite the Grand Hotel, where he was staying, and before dinner hc passed out, practically unobserved, through a back gate with three of his stafi. The machine was without any customers at the time. His Royal Highness mounted one of the horses, a;nd,'paying his sixpence, gaily t.wir]ed"while the organ pounded out some homely tunes. He returned to the hotel through the back gate, and was hardly noticed by the fcwpeople in the neighbourhood.

A local resident who has just returned from Rotorua.-says that at the ‘great demonstration given 'by the Maoris to the Prince of Wales,‘ the -Wanganui and West Coast natives received a great reception, and carried out their part of the . reception with great credit. He added that the Maori camp and demonstration was organised and controlled solely by Maoris, and everything worked like clockwork. There were some splendid types of Maoris at Rot-oruar, and no -one, after seeing the ‘ciexn-onustiration could say that the Maoris were a dying or decadent race. An\other of/the Wanga-nui-ite’s. impressions was the vast number of cameras that were to be seen. Almost every other personseemed to be carrying one, and _besides he saw no fewer than eight cinema cameras at work.——Wanganui Herald.