LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3634, 22 November 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Three good waitresses and a general are required by an advertiser. The London -fund for the Hughes testimonial has closed with a total of £12,000. Mr. J. V. Thurston, headmaster of the Taihape District High School for many years,-will complete the year at Taihape before taking over the Fetiding High School. His term here ends with the Christmas vacation.

In order to attract competition from England, French turf prizes have been greatly increased. The 192] Grand Prix de Paris will be increased by one third, the Derby by one half, the Oaks by one third-, while the Prix de I'Are de Triomphe will be doubled.

The total sum received by the secretary of the Taihape Returned Soldiers' Association in connection with orders for surplus Defence stores, was £229 10s (id. The goods ordered will be forwarded, or those who ordered them will be notified, as soon as possible after their arrival.

Shearing is in progress in most parts of the district, but operations have not been comincncerl on all the bJg stations, some, of which will not bo. ready to start for a few weeks yet. The amount of labour offering- is less than in previous years. Operations arc likely to be delayed for a few days by the wet weather.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie, at the New Zealand Clum luncheon on Saturday, reiterated his statement that he had not made up his mind as to his future activies, but he would be pleased to give his services to the people of the Empire either here or abroatt. He stated positively that he would not re-enter politics.

At a meeting of the Dunedin Headmasters' Association, the following motion was carried: "That this association most emphatically protests against the new regulations in so Tar as they affect the present male fourth assistants in the large schools, and also against the want of confidence shown in taking away from the headmaster the right of placing his staij where he considers their services will be most beneficial to the school." -

A staTt has been made with the excavation work on the Oval Domain, in connection' with the laying down of

bowling gfreens, etc, j The annual eneral meeting of the j .Taihape Amateur Swimming Club will J be held in the Fire Brigade Hall 01-. j Wednesday evening next at 8 o'clock.. j

One hundred and thirty Indians arrived at Suva from India by the Ganges. It is reported that <they are proceeding to New Zealand, and are endeavouring to learn the education test.

At the inquest into the death of the Hindu, Jcram Govina, who was found dead in a house in Grey Street, Auckland, on Thursday afternoon, a verdict was returned that deceased committed sucide by cutting his throat.

Mrs Ellwood, the popular pianist of the Strand Theatre, Christ chlr eh, arrived in Taihape on Saturday nignt under contract with the local theatre. Mrs Ellwood is a pianist of rare ability and should be an, acquisition to musical cirlces in Taihape.

There seems to be a great deal or misunderstanding« regarding the amusement tax charged at the theatres. All tickets over the price of 6a are subject to Id tax and all over 2/9 to 2d tax. The manager of a theatre

is under a bond of £SO to see that this is carried out and the returns correctly certified and sent to the Commissioner of Taxes. A married man, Thomas Hill, aged about 50, member of a well-known local family, committed, suicide by hanging himself in a washhouse at his father's residence early on Saturday morning. Hill was a stockman in the employ of the New Zealand Loan anc Mercantile Agency Co., and about two years ago contracted influenza, since when he suffered from mental depression. Ho leaves a Wife and two children. In connection with the shop in ■•'arpe -f the Bennett'* Siding ladies, the following were the winners of the

■me'"--. ro'V'.'lione.ti: "ioos-\ Mrs. Phillips. Utiku, 39; Clothes Hojse, Mrs SG. Dunn, Mataroa, 45; Hat, Miss Hebbard, Bennett's Siding, 57; Cake No. 1, Mr W. F. Anderson, 75; Cake No. 2, Mrs E. A. Da vies. 34; Mrs Tomllnson/s Cakes, No. 1, Mrs Alpin, 16; No. 2, Mrs T. Harris, 75; No. 3, Mr Jack Craig 67.

Thames Fisheries, Ltd., had a very successful year according to the statement presented at the annual meeting of shareholders, declaring a dividend at the rate of 12| per cent. The turnover of fish sales was nearly

£30,000, 704 tons of fish having been handled at the works and caugut in nets and lines. The company now nas four shops of its own in different centres, and its plant is considered more up to date than anything soutn of the line.

There is considerable excitement amongst natives at Rataua, a Maori settlement near Turakina, where a

prominent, native, a man of means, claims to have performed marvellous

cures through faith healing. Natives come from all parts of the Island, a •'

return home discarding crutches, in valid chairs, etc., apparently quite re stored to health. The diseases claimed to have been cured include rheu

matic fever, blindness, paralysis, anc asthma. The native healer's work is

gratuitous, he accepts no money for his hospitality, and be says God is using him for the benefit of his people, and that a thousand Maoris have been sent back to their homes benefitted. His treatment consists of the reading of the Scripture and prayer. He says the power of God alone tias enabled him to accomplish what nas been done.