LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 6, 8 January 1902, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Smallpox deaths in London are threefold amongst unvaccinated people as compared with vaccinated. The Ophir takes the Prince of Wales to India for the proclamation of the King as Emperor. On January 2nd, a flax mill and machinery, the property of Messrs. Edwardß Bros., were destroyed by lire near Dargaville, the damage being about £2OO. There twere no insurances. In consequence of the calumnies of the German Press on the British Army in South Africa a pledge not to purchase articles made in Germany is freely signed by all classes at Oamaru. A lost horse is advertised for. The examination of candidates for the "D " and "K " certificates and iunior and senior Civil Service examinations (the latter under both old and new regulations) commenced at the Central School on Tuesday. There are in all about 40 candidates. Rev. A. M. Bradbury is conducting the examinations. The owner of a glove can obtain the same at the police station. Several of the teachers attending the Teachers' Conference left for the north by the Rotoiti last evening. Mr. Day, our respected stationmaster, who suffered a relapse through getting out too soon during the busy Christmas period/is now again, we are pleased to report, on the fair way to recovery. We have to acknowledge the recsipt of a useful office table calendar fiom Mr. J. B. Roy, loeal agent of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, and an exceedingly humourous pictorial wall calendar from Mr h. M. Taunton of tha Rudge Whitworth Cycle Dep6t, Devon-street Kast. A meeting of the Friendly Societies Picnic Committee will be held tlrs evening at the Forester?' Hall at 8 o'clock,—Advt, We understand that the executive of t''e New Zealand Farmers' Union has favourably considered a propaaitjon to form a Co-opera: tive Fire Insurance Society, owing to the heavy tariff in foroe in respect of risks on farm property. It is considered that if the project is supported by farmers generally ■there should be no difficulty in obtaining the BmhC capital.

The many Mends here of th» Rev James I Inga will be pleased to learn that he has not ] f orgoiten i hom in his travels, and that writing from Natal on December 2nd, he sent a kindly worded message of remembrance to them. He has been six weeks in South Africa, and evidently made good use of his exceptional opportunities of obser- | vation. On the eve of his departure for England, he forwarded us some interesting I notes of a visit to a Boer Concentration | Camp. These will be published to-morrow.

The Dairy Commissioner has detailed Mr D J Mc'jowxn, one of tha instructors stationed at New l'lvmouth, to visit all the factories in the Auckland provincial district on a mission of instruction and organisation. In the northern province the work of organisation is making big strides. It is expected that a number of new factories will be put up for next season. The qua'ity of the butter turned out at the factories established in the Auckland provincial district this season is described as good and fairly uniform, as the factories in nearly every case have efficient refrigerating plants. A serious drawback to the shareholders in these companies, however, is the difficulty experienced in landing the butter at Auckland in an unimpaired condition.

A reminder is given of the trial to be given to-night of Betts' Patent Kire Extinguisher, on the vacant land in Brougham-street adjoining the Commonwealth Hotel The local agents for the patent, which has been highly spoken of by many who have seen it in use, are Messrs. Okey, Son and arnold. We learn with much regret that Mr Buller, the travelling representative of the Nem Zealand Farmer, died at his residence at Papakura on Monday. A" familiar figure at all Agricultural f hows, well known and highly esteemed by nil the prominent members of farming industry, he will be greatly misied. His heart was in his work, and possessed not only of considerable ability, but keen insite «nd power of observation, he acquired and disseminated a vast amount ot useful information. Moreover, he was ot a most cheerful and sociable disposition, and ever leady to advance the interests of the producers in the colony.

During the last month the Royal Oak of Hauraki Gold Mining Company treated 41 tons of ore, and 584 lbs of picked stone for bullion valued at £1467.

A Gazette extraordinary ha* bean issued proroguing Parliament till 13th March.

Upward of 4000 men volunteered for the Eighth Contingent, 500 of whom had already been on active service.

Turing last year, 1841 males and 219 females were arrested f>r drunkenness in

Wellington, a* Mgain*t males and 24S femal s m I9o\. During the nana p riod 3481 plaint* were issued ia the B.M, Court, and 1748 cases tried. The aggregate amoant sued for was £45,065, of which £22 595 was recovered. A disease known as " blacking" has made

its appearance among sheep at Lovell'a Flat (Otago), and farmers ars much exeroised. The leg of the sheep becomes swollen and inflamed, turning black, and death invariably ensues. The Stock Department has been communicated with. The inter-provincial cricket matoh, Canterbury v. Hawke's Bay, was concluded on Tuesday, the visitors winning by six wickets. Shortly after midnight Constable Russell arrested two men at the rear of Messrs. Sole Bro».' shop, for being illegally on the premises, i'hey will appear at the Court this mcfroing. The Premier and Mrs Ssddon and party

left Greymouth for Christchuroh yesterday, travelling overland. Mr. Beddon met Mr. Bogue, American railway engineer, at Otira, and will confer with him regarding the route for the railway line.