LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8009, 21 December 1905, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-morrow is the longest day. Houses to let are rather a scarce commodity. in New Plymouth at present. The borough water-cart cannot successfully cope with the dust nuisance, because the (tust is right up-to-date and the water-cart antiquated,. Sir J. G. Ward informs Mr Jennings that instructions have been given for lighting the Inglewood railway station by electricity. " Real and False," au interesting short story, appears on our fourth page Other readable matter accompanies tho slory.

John Anderson, on a charge of burglary, was sentenced yesterday, in Wellington, to two years' imprisonment, with liard labour. The offence was committed at Blenheim. The proposal to borrow £SOOO, in addition to £IO,OOO already in hand, for improving the drainage system at Hokitikawas carried on Wednesday by a majority of 65 votes. Intonding passengers for America or United Kingdom are reminded of the Union Steam Ship Company's new turbine steamer's first trip to Vancouver from Sydney and Auckland in April next.

The funds in hand to dato for the work of making a good sports enclosure in the Recreation Gound amount to £192 7s od, ' There are several lists to come in. Mr R. C. Templer, Secretary of the Midhirst Dairy Company, received a cable yesterday morning stating that the "Paparoa" shipment of the factory's gutter realised 116s. The Ballance Dairy Company has just received a cablo advising that their first shipment of butter for this season, per Corinthic, has realised the splendid price of 118s per cwt on tho London market. The committee controlling the improvements to the Recreation Grounds intends 'laying a fine cricket pitch of " Bulli" earth, which will be iinportod from Australia. No better wicket can be obtained.

A member of the scholastic profession in the Wanganui district has just received word from Home that he has become possessed of a fortune of £20,00Q,n, year, through the death of an uncle.

A Canterbury visitor was in raptures last evening about our " lovely Recreation Ground." "By jove!" he said, " they're a treat. So wild, and yet so sweetly pretty, you Jnow. Those ferns would be worth a fortune down South."

Mr G. Vf. Browne, Chairman of the Western Park Board, met members of the Tukapa Club last night, and as a result of tile conference the Club will probably take some steps to raise funds for the construction of the playing lield on the park. The.town is assuming an aspect of Christmas bustle. The visitors from outside arc expected to run into big figures this year. More rooms are booked than at this season in 1901, despite the fact that there was a big Carnival as a " draw." ,

The Minstrel troupe gave another most successful concert in St. Mary's Hall last night. As on Tuesday, every item was thoroughly appreciated, and the performers have uo reason to complain of the manner of their reception.

The Waikare, on arrival at Dunedin on 3rd January, withdraws from the East Coast running to enable her to be fitted with extra cabins, boats, etc., for the Sounds trip, which leaves Dunedin on lifh prox. The success of the excursion is assured, but there is slill some accommodation available for late applicants. " I omitted the (is 'coach fare from Eltham to the school because I walked, being told that the coach would be overcrowded."—An extract from a letter received by the Education Board from a teacher claiming travelling expenses. The teacher is a girl, the distance about 21. miles, and the road execrable. Such is pluck.

Oil Tuesday night at about 0.30 Mr C. Potts, landlord of the Branch Hotel, was the victim of what appears to bo a gross and brutal assault, and was severly ill-treated. So far as we can learn, says the Eltham Argus, it appears that Mr Potts declined to serve a man with drink and the assault folfowed. The full particulars will be developed in the court case that is coming on,

He knew! A few days since an intelligent "managing" director of a creamery situated a little less than fifty miles from Oaonui, paid the creamery one of his usual visits of inspection. His counteuance displayed most perfect confidence in his mechanical knowledge of things generally. Going to the cream cooler he seized the thermometer, and stuck the wrong end into the cream. "How is it ?" asked the manager with a benign smile. "Oh, she shows 45; low as you can get it," was the answer, — " Opunake Times."

Even if tens of thousands of pounds hung In the balaneej tho ' Tiiranaki Education Board's business must stand still at limps. It is the decree, of the iron horse, which on approaching Devon street, sounds his siren in a loud prolonged shriek, which effectually prevents the members hearing one another in the Board's meeting-room above. Tho rumble of the train is just as conducive to the transmission of sound. The Board's officials and members will not be amongst the displeased when the railway deviation is completed. At the annual mpetiiig of (:1m New Plymouth Military (Town) Bund, Mr F, W, Richmond 'presiding, tho statement of acKOunts showed receipts to have been £ll.l 18s (id, and expenditure £'ll2 IDs 3d. Ten new members were elected. Offices for the ensuing year were appointed: Patron, His Worship (lie Mayor; President, Mr F. W. Richmond; Vice-Presidents, Messrs E. M. Smith, M.H.R., W. F. Gordon, J. C. George, .James Paul, and J. W. Wilson ; Bind Sergeant, Mr J. Sturmey; Librarians, Messrs R. N. Morey and H. Griffiths; Auditor, Mr H. A. Cholwill; Committee, Messrs Humphries, James, Saunders. Leecc, and Cartwrighl ; Secretary and Treas. urer, Mp 11, M. George.

One of the most- happily conceived and artistically executed Chris) 11ms cards that no have seen is that wl(ich Mr W.T. Jennings, 1 M.H.li., has had specially designed to serve the double purpose of returning thanks to his constituents for electing lilm by such a large majority,' and wishing them the compliments of the season. The card contains photographic views of Mount Eginont, Wnitnra, Inglewood and Mokau river, also a capital portrait of the member elect, the centre being occupied by the vote of thanks and greetings mentioned above. Messrs Hooker and Co. are to be congratulated 011 the excellence of their work, which is a credit- to the district.

When you think of the '! Arcadia " Oig:u' Stow, think of good smokes, courteous service, and every comfort of llii' club. You got (hem all here—at K. Van Dclden's, From 7 a,m, to 10 p.m. I'll get, you anything you need at lowest prifes—it's no trouble to please you. As an expert tobacco blender I guarantee to please and tinkle your palate with a mixture you'll like, and invite von to use (lie reading room, or (lie writing room, for a rest, chat, or quiet smoke. Call in here for your morning newspaper, or box of matches —and see ray sh«w of Xmas novcltjes, Telephone 16, opposite Coffee Palace. Advt.

Just landod our first, consignmentof Xmas jewellery and solid silver ware Now on view in our windows a lovely display of new engagement rings, new brooches, new bangles, now solid silver goqds, Quality the very best. Good ' value beyond dispute, Carefully rote the ; address,—J H. Parkeb, watchmaker Jeweller, and optician, next Railway Closing, Devon Street Central New Plymouth ' Advt. I

The amount of £1405 8s has been paid to the Taranaki Education Board's teaching staff this month. Mr T. A. Haigh, formerly resident in New Plymouth, has been spending a day or two in New Plymouth. It is sixteen years since he passed through here, and his astonishment at the growth of the town may well be imagined. He was utterly unable to locate the old business premises. The matter of collecting funds for the improvement of the Recreation Grounds proceeds apace. The latest and largest contribution is a timely one of £IOO from the Licensed Victuallers' Association, for which the committee desires to return thanks.

Mr Monkhouse stated at Wednesday's meeting of the Education Board that in England most new houses were being built with eight . and nine feet studs and the ton, twelve, and fourteen feet studs were going out. "Yes," said Mr Faull, " and people were a jolly, sight healthier when they had six feet studs than wo are with all our air." ,

A pat on the back! The Secretary for Education has forwarded a circular 1 letter to all Education Boards in colony suggesting that tho form ef " Information to accompany application for now school" such as is used -by tho Taranaki Education Board be adopted generally by Boards, in which easo the' Department would print and supply it. The New Zealand Alliance report that returns to hand show that the continuance vote at the Local Option poll was 182,433, while the No-license vote was 199,354. The returns are not yet complete, and it is expected the No-license vote will total 200,000. With regard to tho suggestion that the name of the Whanga nomona school should be changed to M'-rco tho committee of, that school considers that, the lower, as the newer, school should be subjected to this sooming indignity. A s there are proposals afoot to amalgamate the two, nothing will be done at present.

On Tuesday evening Mr Leo Humphries obtained a very successful flashlight photograph of a splendid spectacular tableau ■in the Theatre Royal. The subjects were the performers in the coming Floral Fete and Bazaar, which opens on Boxing Day. The pictures will be placed on view,'and will give a slight, idea of the grand programme to be submitted. On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs W. F. McAllum, of New Plymouth, were driving in a gig to Kaimata. After having travelled about a mile past Inglewood the shafts broko and Mr and Mrs McAllum were thrown out. Mrs McAllum sustained severe cuts about the head and face and concussion of the brain, but Mr McAllum escaped with a severe shaking.

A country member of the. Taranaki Education Board can • fairly claim to be a past master at splitting straws, and most of his straws when split mean a considerable waste, of time. His best came off about rioon on Wednesday. The secretary of the Education Board stated that several teachers had been paid up to December 31st. He considered that this was too risky—one of the teachers might die, and what then ?