NEWS OF THE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 241, 10 November 1903, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Borough Council meets this evening. (

The National Antliem was sung at tho conclusion of tho service of the Wesleyan Church on Sunday evening, Mr Harold White presiding at the organ.

Mr D O'Brien's Grenade again failed to catch the judge's eye at the Auckland races yesterday, and Mr O' Brien left during the afternoon for New Plymouth. The Salvation Army officers and soldiers of New Plymouth had arranged to hold a Fidld Pay at the waterworks yesterday, but, of course, the rain put a stop to all arrangements. Vehicles had been secured, and everything done to provide a pleasant day's outing, visitors being expected frqm Waitara. Not to be. outdone, Adjutant Parsons had the Barracks cleared, and with ;;mnes and music an enjoyable time was spent in the building, seniors and juniors alike participating in the fun.

On Saturday Messrs Grant (Inglewood), Tyrer (Stratford) and Evans (Ngaire), on behalf, of the Taranaki branch of tho Teachers" Institute, interviewed \Mr Allsworth (Chairman jof the Education Board, and asked Ithat the pupil teachers' examinations bo postponed, on the grounds that the candidates were unprepared. In tho absence of Mr Spencer, the Inspector, Mr Allsworth could not give a definite reply, and promised to confer with the Inspector on tho matter. Last evening Mr Allsworth and Mr Spencer 'discussed the mutter, and have decided Lo accede to the request. This referred to practical- work only.

Next Sunday, Rev. J. A. Lochore, of Stratford, will occupy tho pulpit at the Whiteley Memorial Church, and Rev. Buttle »vill officiate at the Wesley Sunday School Anniversary services at Stratford.

There was quite a large influx of Stratford and Eltham people to New Plymouth yesterday. , Local sportsmen were much exercised yesterday on account of the rumour that Canteen and his rider had been disqualified for interference in the New Zealand Cup race at Christchurch on Saturday. The waterworks should have been the scene or enjoyment yesterdaj—but they were not. The Salvation Army, several members and adherents of the Wesleyan Church, and other parties had arranged for holding picnics there, but Jupiter Pluvius said nay. Others had planned outdoor holidays at the Breakwater, but that also was deserted. Great disappointment was felt, especially as the weather has been exceirtionally bright for some weeks past. The Government has prohibited the importation into the colony of the substance known as "flock," as likely to convey infectious diseases.

An Auckland auctioneer,, who has l>een visiting the North Auckland district, states that the stone fruit crop, more particularly English plums and peaches, will bo short of requirements. We call our readers' attention to the advertisement of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society re their spring show. Judging from j the prizes offered in the different classes wo should say there would be some brisk competition. Schedules I may be obtained from any member of the committee, and will be posted free to any part of the district on application to the secretary, Mr Archie Hooker.

The committee appointed to consider the question of increased facilities for tourist traflic to the Mokau River will meet in the Council Chambers, King-street, on Friday evening next. At the conclusion of the service at St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday night the congregation joined in singing a verse of the National Anthem.

Tho work of repairing the damug'e ut the mouth of the Huatoki stream in the Now Plymouth railway yard is proceeding apace. There is a gang of men who have removed many *oi the large blocks of broken concrete from the bed o'f tho stream and are now preparing to lay new foundations, for strong concrete walls. The work i.s laborious, and also lias to be made very substantial in order to repel the attacks of ani future flood such as was eiiperie'iiced during tlie past winter.

Quite a large number of people arrived in town from the inland distuits on Foday and Kai.iir.lay hi spend the King's liirlhday vacation at the seaside. Unfoitun'alely for them, the weather was wretchedly disappointing, and the holiday was not as enjoyable as it might * have, been at home. The Ktenic attractions in and around New Plymouth are becoming more popularly known, and the number of visitors' should largely increase in the near fiilnre The Recreation (!rounds are now looking better than ever, and with our esplanade and sea-batns now Hearing completion N', iW Plymouth olfers many ultructioms (o holiduvniakers.

Sharks seem to be becoming more mid'more plentiful on this coast. | Passengers by the Rarawa, which ar-1 rived at Moturoa on Monday mom-, ing, state that two of these man-' eaters were in the surf at the Manu- ■ kau bar on Sunday evening. | At St. Mary's Church on Sunday : evening Rev. F. G. Evans announsed that owing to the inclement weather experienced during the day in the : parish the collections in aid of the Country Clergy Fund would not be taken up until next Sunday. He ask.d members of the congregation to do their best in assisting 1 this fund, which was for the purpose of helping the country clergymen who received small, and, in some cases, miserable salaries. He further exhorted his hearers to assist to the best of their power in carrying the Gospel to the isolated portions of the Diocese. Mr Arrowsmith, of tho Metropolitan Colleo Palace, has rceeU'oJ word that tho Palace is now on tho list of places to which tourists are recommended, and that Cook's coupons may be accepted by him.

Tho Rarawa was anchored off ihe Breakwater for some little time yesterday morning before coming in to the wharf. Those pa>.s;uge:',-i who had intended going on to Wuvcrluy races were disappointed, tho Breakwater train missing the special by about lifteen minutes.

Old cricketers are Jaking a groat interest in the formation of a vote-r----un team, and judging r.y tho enUniiiasm at present displayed the icve Club players will have some trouble when they meet these oid knig'.hts of thu willow.

The Taranaki Rifle Volunteers' parade, originally notified for yesterday evening, will bo .'ield to-night. On Nov. 21 the corps will,march out to Bell Block bjy'lhc : each, and Divine service will be hold on in rival at the latter place. A good muster is requested. There was a collision in Devonstreet on Monday morning, when an express which was being driven down tho main thoroughfare ran into a spring cart which essayed to cross from Currie-strcet. Fortunately, the drivers retained their presence of mind, and there were no serious consequences.

Trains leave New Plymouth for the Breakwater to-day, connecting with steamers mentioned below : 10 a.m., Rotoiti from South ; 11.20 a.m., Takapuna, for South ; 8.20 p.m., Rotoiti, for North. As a mining field the Groat Barrier is looking up. An assay at the Thames School of Mines of ore from the now reef cut in the Sunbeam mine gives the value of tho ore at £9 17s 8d per ton.

The New Zealand Farmers' Union is asking the Government to huvo the Bradford wool -quotations included in the weekly reports cabled from England by the Agent-General. According to a Parliamentary "return, the unimproved value of the Cheviot estate at date of purchase by the Government, 84,222 acres,, was £250,526 ; unimproved value of the estate according to tho last valuation, 83,430 acres, £338,650.

A special meeting of the Taranaki Guurds will be hold this evening for the purpose of electing a I lieutenant. Fines will be inflicted foi non-attendance.

Mr Newton- King's spring cattle fair at Whangumomona will be held to-morrow (Wednesday). There are I very large entries, and some excellent lines will come under the hammer.

In tho re-arrangement of this paper wc have been obliged to take lib. erties with some of tho advertisements. Wo trust, however, that advertisers will excuse this, as they will be waited upon shortly and proper arrangements entered into.

Thi) staff of this paper supped royally not once, but twice last night. Early in the evening a young man arrived at the News* Office heavily freighted with two baskets which he promptly "planked down" with a sigh of relief, and a moment after presented tho new proprietor with a card inscribed :—" With Mr and Mrs E. W. Watts' compliments and best wishes for sucoss." Investigation of the hampers proved that they contained a massive pile of sandwiches, a selection of tho famous

'•' Paul Products," and other things of which the " Imperial "is known to possess a choice and goodly store. An hour or so afterwards two menibers of the Firo Brigade arrived with a steaming jug of hot coffee und a basket of delicacies. The result is tilwflS o-ur has unanimously decided that they " like New Plymouth." Later on wo expect to hear that they are sorry they were I not born here.

Tho Floral Fete, which was abandoned yesterday owin);' to the heavy, but welcome, rain will be carried out in a revised aind modified scale on Thursday afternoon next, particulars of which will lio duly announced.

A man was arrested last evening about half-past seven o'clock for drunkenness and .refusing to quit licensed promises.

We are informed that the contract I for the daily mail service from New Plymouth to Opunake und Opuuake to New Plymouth has been signed and will take effect ut an early date.

A resident of Manaia, writing to a Pahiatua friend, says the gi'ass is so rich and strong in his district t'hat ( it is virtually pushing the cattle over. Next.

At Dannevirke a sawmiller has l|een fined for allowing sa'wdust to pollute streams and destroy iish. The Railway Department wants sleepers to be delivered in lots between Wang'anui and Ekotahuna. They do not> advertise this in the .Pahiatua Herald, a Conrorvative paper, and the editor, in giving the information gratis, makes the following remarks under the heading of

" Boycott Advertisement" :—This information would, of course, have been advertised by the Railway Department in the usual way if this paper's silence could be purchased.' We, however, refuse to sell ourselves or to crawl to the great Tammany Patriot of Bro-I!rewer lame. We know that our readers want the truth published and Mr Seddon and his professional satelities want to drive us into the fold where it is grovel and greed first and the truth nowhere. In the meantime we shall see to it that all matters of interest to our district will be duly chro|nii'lied.|