LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8044, 3 February 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The caterpillar lias got into some of the barley crops on the Waimatc Plains, and as a consequence the crops have had to be cut before ripening. The imports through Patea last year were 8,079] tons ordinary ami 1,153 I tons of coal, tlie previous year' B figures being 8,871 and 2,83'J respectively.

The death occurred at an early hour I his (Saturday) morning, of Mr William McLean, of New Plymouth, at the age of 7o years. Deceased was an evangelist, and liatl been in New I'lynioti'h for the pasl three years. The total ordinary expenditure of the Patea Harbor Board for the year ending December lasl (including interest on all loans) was £2,300; aud the revenue £3,021, leaving a prolil of £721. During the year £3,155 was expended oil the breakwater. The action commenced by Mr F. M. B. Fisher, M.M.R., against the " New Zealand Times Company," claiming £ 1000 damages for libel in respect lo an article which appeared in one of the election journals, "The Sentinel," printed by the defendant company just prior to the general election, has been set down for trial before a jury at the sittings beginning on the 12th February

Judgment was given by default in the following eases at a civil sitting of the S.M. Court, New Plymouth, on Friday: Thomas Garner (Mr Crump of Eltham for plaintiff) v. Frank Williamson, claim £ t 7s 2d and costs lis; Edward Dmgle (Mr W. Fitahcrbert) v. Wm. Hughes, claim £3 l'Js 8d and costs 10s; Caroline Clow (Mr G. Grey) v. P. ti. Joiner, claim £2 and costs 10s.

An extraordinary freak is reported

from Auckland. Andrew Henucssy, a sailor, climbed up a lire escape and entered a man's be Iroom at the Sailors' Home at 10 o'clock at. night. The lights were up, and there was no suggestion that the accused intended to commit a robbery. Itcnncssy explained that lie climbed the lire escape to win a wager, sunt the Bench, acccptug his statement, dismissed the charge.

The Salvation Army is a very live institution in Ellham. A number of the local members last year oll'ercd

themselves for service iu the Army, and were admitted to the Training College at Melbourne. The "Argus" reports that the corps is ahofit to lose the services of another seven members —all young Tarauu'cis—who leave for Melbourne this mouth. The corps is ordering a new set of music,tl instruments at a cost of A'loO. In his annual report the Chairman of the I'atca Marbn' B;>anl says: respecting the iron-sand industry : " I have not much to add to my lyof report. The Farmer King Company pay their rents regularly and, without wishing to mislead the public, I am very hopeful that im]xirlant developments may take place during the present year. The public have very little idea of the difficulties to be surmounted befjre the ironsaud industry can be established iu the colony."

The New Plymouth Tradesmen's Association has unanimously decided to observe the weekly half-holiday on Wednesday, 2tst iust., instead of Thursday, 22nd, on the occasion of the visit of His Excellency the Governor to the town.

The sections :it Pitzroy, advertised fur sale by Newton King, have been withdrawn.

The West liud U.c. will play K iiiout Village C,C , instead of the Fire Brigade, this afternoon, at tbc West End ground. The service iu (Jueen-street Cluireh f>-moiTov will lie conducted by the Rev. John Nixon—morning at 11, evening atj. The liev. ii. Daniel will be at Fitzroy at 7 i>.m.—Advl. Whitclcy Church, Sunday, February llh.—Preacher, Rev. J. N. Buttle, morning and evening. Holy Com-' nmnion after evening service. Si,ran. gers arc heartily welcomed---Anvt. What a great fund of amusement, interest and service a good sewing machine provides! Anyone who has visited the classes for teaching art needle work at the Singer Sewing Machine would appreciate this. Thirty years seems long lite indeed for a machine, but this is t lie life of a Singer, Kvery day the cost is being repaid by the service and use a careful housewife can put if too. General and useful sewing, dainty articles for draping and ornamentation, or the most beautiful aud elegant works of art, are equally simple on this workl-famcd Singer Sewing Machine. Ah open invitation is given to Singer users aud ladies who sew to take instruction in the useful art of machine sewing, Readers have Imt to see the pleasing work done on the Singer to at mice feel the desire to attain the knowledge necessary to do work such as this.* Big risks are run by cyclists who ride willi no bell or lamp. The local authorities are watching fov "law breakers. Don't nm any more risks, when you can got good ontllt, or any separate article t complete your cycling kit at J. Hu l ie's opposite the Post Olliee, anil at prices low enough to touch the ground. Itepairs ot all classes are a special delight here, and we aie only satisfied when our customers are with our war';,— Ydvt