LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 12 February 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Our Lcpperlon correspondent writes that the Post Ollicc is again opened and letters bring received and delivered according to the original time-table. A large number of bathers desported themselves in the surf opposite the railway station about six o'clock on Sunday morning. On Saturday night, the volunteers ragamuffin hand serenaded Devonstreet, creating a iittlc diversion, hut

" originality " with the party was eve dentiv a lost art.

Owing to the prevalence of th south-easterly wind, the fishermen at Moturoa have been having somewhat of a slack time of late, and unless better luck attends them shortly, housewives may expect a rise in the price of lisli

The shark-fishing season commenced, and the Maoris are beginning to assemble at Moturoa in quest of this odoriferous daintv.

A'large auxiliary steam scow lay under the shelter of (he Lion Hock, olf Moturoa, on Saturday night, sailing South under easy steam at an early hour on Sunday morning.

Owing to the,warm weather prevailing, the patronage at the Municipal Baths has increased considerably during (lie past few days.

For some lime past there has been quite a house famine within the Borough area, and five and six roomed houses have been almost impossible to obtain.

The gale on Saturday was felt in all ils fierceness around Inglewood. Outbuildings were unroofed, haystacks blown down, and orchards stripped of their late friul.

A volunteer church parade of- the town companies, at present in camp, with Ihe Garrison Band, was held at St. Mary's on Sunday morning. There was a large attendance at the service, which was eonducted l>y Chaplain livans.

The " Fishing ltocks" arc very popular at present as a fishing and picnic resort. Kvery Sunday rcceutlv this spot, witli ils fine sweep of sandy beach, has been well patronised,

A novelty to be introduced af the Garden Party Swimming Sports on February 2tst will be a crocodile from the Ark. This antediluvian creature should provide no end of interest and amusement,

The cold weather of the lasl day or two has had the effect of bringing down the milk supply at the surrounding factories and creameries. In many instances the decrease has been from 10 lo 20 per cenl. On Sunday al'fernoon, large numbers of people visited Messrs .Newlun King's and C. W. Govctf's. beautiful grounds, which were generously thrown open to the public, and arc at present looking their wry best.

Attracted mi doubt by the Volunteer camp, and the Garrison Band, some hundreds of people visited the liccrcation Grounds on Sunday. A very enjoyable musical programme was given by Ihc band, and afternoon tea was dispensed by the volunteers.

A lull' mcnikcr of Ilit- DevonportAlbion loot bull team (lCiifjfltiml), 1 vinn, who plnys in (lie buck division is al present working on the Government survey in (Uc Xew Plymouth district, and is reported to have signified his intention of loining the Star Club. '

The lierrcatiou Sports Ground Committee have issued complimentary tickets for the garden party 011 February 21st, to all the Mayors and Members of Parliament in Taranaki. l'hry arc also making arrangements for delayed trains and excursion fares, in order that the country people may liavc an opportunity of a( tending I lie fete.

Any machinery user is able to up. preciate the fact that the slightest breakdown may eventuate in a serious mechanical accident, if proper experienced attention is not given at once. Xo matter how trilling or how complicated the trouble with your machinery may seem, write for advice anil assistance lo Okey and Hollo, (lie I'aranaki foundry, New Plymouth, Charges are very reasonable.—A dvt.

The block light is greatly improving the lighting in some of the shops of Xew Plymouth. Von need less burners and get more light. They also xive the Irving of your eyes to read by; a beautiful, clear, bright, white light; one light will light up alargej room.—Advt.

As shewing the attractiveness of >lcircs in llie Imputable liuildiug Soeiclv ol New Plymouth, successful drawers of appropriations at the last ballot in both tkc first and second groups have been able to dispose of same tit a profit of £SO, the owners Mill retaining original shares, which are eligible tor future ballots. The secretary of the Society has a lewshares for disposal, and intending purchasers wishing to secure same should make early application at the Secretary's oilice, Currie street,—Advt. '

Tlio Elthaiu Dairy Company's daily output of butter Las now fallen om lliij to 135 boxes.

Business was very brisk in (oh u on Saturday niglit. A marked promptness ill dismissing. assistants at Ihe statutory hour was observable, in consequence, 110 doubt, of tlio recent prosecutions,

The L'pperloii Wc.slcyau Sunday School picnic, held in 011 c of Mr Johnson's paddocks was a very enjoyable affair, games, dr., bein; kept up by moonlight till nearly 10 o'clock.

Within the past lew weeks the sea lias been making rapid encroachments into the cliffs along Woolconibc Terrace, ami from their unstable nature at present, some very heavy falls may be expected during the next heavy sea.

While a number of men were fishing on the rocks below I'aritiitu on Sunday one of them received a nasty blow on the abdomen from a " sinker," which became detached from a line while being swung round by one of the party prior to hurling seaward. One of the party was badly hurt by being struck on the head in a similar manner a couple of years ago. Mr Donald, Inspector of factories at New Plymouth, paid a surprise visit to Stratford Inst Friday evening, and warned several shopkeepers against hreachis of the Shops and Offices Act. In eases where shops were found open after the houj llxed for closing, prosecutions will probably follow.—" Post."

The following ultimatum was received by the Ciiairman of the Mandcvillc and iiangiora Itoad Board, Canterbury. "Dear Sir,—The birdnesting boys of Woodeud refuse to gather any more eggs unless the money is liigliercd to Oil per dozen for heads and 3d per dozen for eggs. From bovs of Woodend."

Speaking at the banquet ou the occasion of the ollicial opening of the Municipal Electric Works, Sir Hues, manager of the Brush Company, awarded high praise to Messrs Smart Brothers for the excellent manner in which they carried out the work ou behalf of the company, niul added that there was no necessity for anyone to go outside the town to have any electrical work carried out. The linn is now prepared to undertake installations of electric light and power, and everyone contemplating making installations should procure estimates from Smart Brothers, instead of going further afield.

It has been suggested that the pop - larity of New Plymouth's sea frontage would he greatly enhanced were a carriage drive made from the present Esplanade through Kawaroa Park. The idea is a good one, and no better drive could be wished than one along this at present favorite walk. Such a drive, were it built right to the Breakwater, and planted with puriri, pohukutawa, cabbage palms, and other native trees, would greatly add to the town's attractiveness as a sea-side resort. Should the deviated railway route be along the dill's, it might even be possibc to continue the drive to the seaward of the railway, thus giving a beach road from the llcuui river right to the Breakwater.

"For the information of those who are in the habit of sending a dog For their cows, I wish to report a little experience which I had along this line," (says a correspondent of tlicHawcra "Star.") "I tested the milk from a cow after she was brought up by a stable dog, the dog in turn being in charge of n small hoy. She was considerably excited and quite warm. Her milk tested 2.3. The next morning her test was 1.1, and a week later, when she was brought in by a mau and perfectly cool, her milk" tested t'j.l >*ow you can figure out whether or not it pays to use a dog around the dairy herd. 1 should state that the pasture ami feed were exactly the same in each instance,

Mr Fred Page accompanied by the Misses 1!. and L. Page recently cycled from Kltham to Whanganwmorn!, and if will be of interest lo votaries of the wheel lo know that right up to this oulpdst settlement, the road is in excellent condition. The Misses Page had the distinct ion of being the first lady cyclists who accomplished the long ride from Kltham. The distance is considerable. Measuring from Stratford, the ride is forty miles. The party left Kltham early on a l'eceut _ Saturday morning and reached Whangamomona on the evening of the same day. They are loud in praise of tin! magnificent, asphalt-like surface of that portiou of the road where burnt papa has been used. They pushed on to the famous Tongariinu (.Jorge, 15 miles beyond Whangamomona and reached the eoaliields on the Black Biver, enjoying, cn route, scenery of matchless beauty.— " Argus."

A correspondent writes lo the Wei. lington " Post" to point out that while the Navy League is " busting its weskit" in itwmxicty to entertain tlie quarter deck when the Australian squadron comes lo port, it is doing nothing whatever for the common or garden bluejacket " The League is a trifle too toney for that," asserts tins captious critic. Whereupon the editor of the Wellington paper solemnly lakes the League io task and points out, that in the event of a

"scrap" the gentleman oil the quarter deck would not be the only ones concerned, and [further asserts that the hard practicality of our national existence cannot better be impressed on Ihc public mind than by extending to I lie rank and file of the naval service a public honour not inferior, in ex pres. sion and meaning, to the homage paid lo their officers "

The bacon curing companies 111 Tarannki have had a bad year. The Eltliam Co-operative Factory is reported lo have lost close on ;C10l)l) as the result of the years operations, and the .Stratford Company's losses are estimated at over .CIiUII. Inglewood is little bell or off, awl Hawera is iu even a worse position. The reason is not far (o [ seek. Competition, from outside sources principally, has been too keen, in a business which al any time is somewhat hazardous, ami the prices that have been paid for pigs lias been lar 100 high. The present condition of affairs cannot last much longer, and either the undue competition for pigs must eease, or many of the concerns throughout tlie Island will goto (lie null. Stratford, evidently, has had enough, the following motion being carried al a general meeting of the company last week: "This meeting of shareholders feeling increasingly dissatistied with the result of continuing the business, strongly recommends that the directors take immediate steps to realise to best advantage the whole of the assets ol the Company, and wind the company up voluntarily.