LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 13 February 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There are still a thousand pick and shovel men required for the Xorlh*lsland Main Trunk railway works.

Some choice bargains in farm properties, near the coast, are advertised by Messrs (iilmour and l'allie on the (irst page of this issue.

A number of settlers in the Whangarei district have given lip dairyfarming, and are going in for sheep grazing and raising, which industry at the present lime promises better returns for the next two or three years on account of the high price offered for wool and the dearth of sheep for slaughtering during the past year.

An amusing incident was witnessed in Whnngare? one morning last week. A very staunch Opposition supporter was served with a distress warrant, and certain property belonging to him was seized. He strongly protested ogainsl the warrant being executed, on Ihe grounds that he was an out mid nut Seddonitc.

We have received a copy of the prospectus of the New Zealand Matriculation and Civil Service Correspondence College, the aim of which institution is to bring within reach of students in any part of the colony the assistance of the most highly qualified tutors. The directors of Hie College are men well known in New Zealand educational world, and the ten men and women composing the tutorial staff possess the highest literary attainmeuls and teaching ability. An advertisement appears in another column.

Mdlle. A. Burcli. of Obwald. in the Canton of I'clerwalil, has become one of Ihe richest heiresses in Switzerland, owing lo the generosity of an Knglishiiiiiu. Mdlle. liiirch was wailing in a large crowd before Buckingham i'alaec to sec the (juccn, when an old gentleman, overcome by Ihe heat, fainted near her and fell on the footpath. The Swiss girl tended him, and accompanied him home in a. cab. He thanked her for her attentions, and asked her for her card before she went away. Some months later she relumed lo Switzerland, and apparently the incident was forgotten. She has received a Idler from a London solicitor informing her that the old gentleman whom she aided has died, leaving her a fortune of CSU.OUiI.

A meeting of (In' t'oloniiil executive of (lio New Zealand Farmers' Union «us held in "Wellingtonon Friday. The Ihuuii'iiil position warranted (lie i-olo-niul levy being lixed al the same rule as that for I lie lust two years. A series of Funnel's' Union hnllelius was authorised lo be published. Three of these were already in type--" Feeding of Children," by Dr. Truby King; "Soundness in Horses," by Mr Maleolm Brodie, M.R.C.Y.S., Farmers' Union veterinury ; " Bookkeeping for Farmers," by Mr H. K. Niven. A resolution was passed calling upon excciiI lives and branches lo take special measures lo extend the circulation of the Union's paper, "The Farmers' Union Advocate." The colonial President's painphlel, "Further Notes for Farmers," 211,000 copies of which are now being circulated, was reported upon by delegates us meeting with high commendation.

, For reliable boots and shoes of all su.-ls at bedrock prices go lo Dockrill's, Devon Street Central, who has earned (he reputation for the lust 25 vein's of selling the above class of boot's at the lowest prices. Postal orders always receive extra attention, as I guarantee lo give every satisfaction in li and slyle.-Ai.vr.

As sllcwillU I lie nlll';0'llvclle-s ui >hnre* in I In-' F..|uitable Ihiildlng So. eiclv of New Plymouth, successful drawers of appropriations at the last ballot in both the first and second groups have been able to dispose of same at a profit of £SO, the owners still retaining original shares, which are eligible 'for future ballots, The Wrctiiry of the Society bus a IVw shares for disposal, and intending purchasers wishing to secure same should make early application at the Secrc- i lary's oflitc, Curriu street,—Advt,

Newton King reports tko sule of Mr Hankie's property of 15 acres, ill Ngrirc, to Mr Greene, of Wellington.

The Elthatu Caledonian Society's sports arc to bo liekl on March 2Uth. A. (programme of the. value of close on £6O has been adopted. A telegraph office will be opened at tho gates at the Hawera racecourse on Wednesday and Thursday. 1 llh and loth February. Hours, 11 a.m. to i! p.m.

There is'grcat scarcity of farmhands at Oaiuaru, large numbers having been drafted to co-operative, works. It is feared that there will be a loss at harvest time, unless arraugeuicuts made to bring men into the district. The annual picnic of the Inglewood public school is to be held at tho seaside, New Plymouth, on Thursday. The Borougli Council, following its usual custom, has granted free use of tie municipal baths to the children.

The young man, William Henderson, who was remanded last week on a charge of burglary at Stratford, was again before the Court at New Plymouth on Monday on a further charge of breaking into the premises of Sydney George Porter, at Stratford, and stealing £8 iu cash and a clienue for £l. He was remanded lo appear at Stratford on Friday.

A man named Lawrence Pay, about 08 years of age, was found dead in bed in a room occupied by him in Mynott's buildings, Cnrrie-strcef, on Monday morning. Deceased was in indifferent health, and had been attended by Dr Walker, who has given a certificate of death. An inquest is, therefore, not considered necessary. The old man was a colonist of some II years standing, and had been resident iu and about New Plymouth for many years, engaged in labouring work. A lire at Hawera in a dwelling house occupied by Mr BcltclifTe (manager of the New Zealand Clothing Factory's brunch) was proniine illy suppressed by the lire brigade at :! o'clock on Sunday meruing. Every room was visited by the flames, the ceilings and walls being mu :li damaged, and the furniture which win insured for £3OO being practically ruined. The house was insured for £250 in the Plnenix Office. Mr Beltclifl'e was alone in the house at the time and had a very narrow escape from suffocation.

The Taranaki County Council have framed a new set of conditions for the county cnginecrship, principally amongst which is Ihat the originally proposed retaining fee of JC2O is dispensed with. Also applications mu.sl he accompanied by a statement- showthe rate of charges for all engineering and surveying work undertaken, and applicants are required to deposit plain of road and bridge construction work carried out by them. The engineer will also be required, under terms of appointment, to carry out a I n cessary arrangements, on behalf of ill' Council, ii| coniicdi'in with Iraise;s of laud in cases of road deviation.

Defaulting ratepayers have of laic been causing the Taranaki County Council s 'in.' concern, and a vigorous policy of prosecution is about to be iiudertiik'U. It has been found that a number of ratepayers have been escaping payment of the 10 per cent, additional on their overdue rates, hy paying the ucll amount owing into the Council's banking account. On Monday the Council resolved to put a stop to the practice, and instructed their bankors mt to receive any amounts, except through the County ollice or the Treasury.

Mr A. AViirburton. proprietor ot the '• Waiinate Witness,,' Mauaia, has in his possession a most interesting and valuable collection of Moa bones, which he dug out of the soft sandi cliffs of Cromwell, Otago, some time ago. The. bones arc a most unique set inasmuch that their dimensions are bulge. One of the largest Moa skeletons known is that in the Cliristchiirch Museum, which stands lllft high. The thigh hone owned hy Mr Warbiirton is longer Ihaii llie above by several inches, and it is considered by autlionlies that the bird must have stood at least IS feel high when alive. The bones are in an excellent stale of preservation, and arc sialed lo be of considerable value. There is a " house of cull" in Egniont- .street, quite of the Continental plan. At the Arcadia Cigar Store, aiutan can enjoy his ;igarcttc or pipe n a cosy sitting-room, write a letter or two, play his game of chess or draughts, and I hen continue his business. Here, the morning paper, the " Daily News," and the Wellington "Times" can be purchased with the early morning smoke, E. Van Delden, the proprietor, has a smoke to suit anybody. Call m.—Advt.