LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 27 February 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During last year over 22,001) tons of butter arrived in Melbourne from country stations, anil over 12$ million rabbits. The Mew South Wales Government has authorised the expenditure of L'l'JO,000 in the construction of rolling stock, for the railways. The Victorian police authorities state 1 hat the New South Wales Act for dealing with habitual criminals has 'caused a large number of Sydney thieves and confidence tricksters to migrate to Melbourne. Tn the year 1805 a box marked "West India Committee" was deposited at the Bank of England. It has just been opened, and found to contain a full record of arrangements which were made by the West India Committee, 111 co-operation with the Bank of England, for advances for carrying on sugar cultivation in the West" Indies. The books and documents, which date back to 1"!)'J, are in a remarkable stale of preservation.

Complaints are being made that ragwort is not being eradicated from farms in Southern Taranaki, and a similar state of affairs exists in some of the northern districts A farmer recently informed one of our representatives that on same holdings near lnglewood not the slightest attempt was being made lo check (he spread of the weed, which is one of the worst (hat farmers have lo deal with, In"lewood farmers ought to know bv This lime what a curse ragworf is, and Ihe necessity for taking energetic steps to rid their farms of its presence, for its spread is more rapid than that of (he blackberry. Many setllers have managed to clear it from their places, but if their neighbours are allowed to continue growing luxuriant crops of the ragwort, the efforts of the conscientious section of the community will be rendered useless.

The story of a pathene tragedy lias been received by the secretary ]of the Moravian Mission in London. A young missionary, who had been stationed with grcal success at a small village called Nain, on the coast of Labrador, for some years, was granted permission to marry, and his lianrce was sent out lo the desolale station in the missionary ship Harmony. The lady wrole to him that slic was leaving her home in Germany to meet him, and afterwards sailed from London. "When she arrived ill Labrador sho found that her letter had so overjoyed her lover thai he had become insane. She was not allowed to see him, and he was sent back to Hamburg, where lie'has been placed in an asylum. The distracted girl has returned home.

Entries for the Trinity College theory examination close to-day with Mr A. E. Fletcher, local secretary. It is reported that a new butchery business is to be opened in New Plymouth in a few days, and that the new Vendor of meat hails from Inglewood, Passengers for England by the Orient Company's Orontes may leave Wellington on March 17th, the Otolites not leaving Sydney till 4 p.m. on 21st, to eusuro connection. I A final reminder is given of the annual meeting of the Tarauaki Agricultural Society, which takes place tonight (Tuesday) in the Town Hall, at 7.30. All members are requested to be present, As an outcome of the conference of insurance managers at Wellington, it is understood reductions will lie made ou certain classes of risks, but this does not include domestic, dwellings, which are cous.derert to be as low as possible.

" I move the adoption of this report. With respect to clause 2 " and so on, spoke Cr. Collis at the last Borough Council meeting. What '• clause 2" contained was an absolute secret to the Press representatives present, who were not furnished with a copy, but were nevertheless expected to give a fair and intelligent report. Captain Young informs us that out of 408 calves inoculated by StockInspector i'oung, at Mrs Judge's farm, on the corner of the Main South and Warca-roads, not one death has been reported, nor has he been able to learn of one by making careful enquiry. He also points out that Mr J. Itothery lost only live calves, not ten as reported yesterday.

A practice is to be held on Tuesday evening in the Whiteley Schoolroom at 8 p.m., for those taking part in the choruses to be given at tkc Theatre Royal ou Good Friday, aud the committee hope to sec all those who sing in choirs, and other ladies aud gentlemen willing to assist, present. The concert is being arranged to raise funds for the Recreation Sports Ground Fund, and the object being a worthy one, there should be a large muster of •singers present to-night. Probably the most popular functions held in New Plymouth last winter were the euchre parties, organised by the members of St. Joseph's choir, and held in the schoolroom. The executive intend running them again at intervals during the coming season, and announce the lirst of the series, with the usual dance, for March Bth next. In all probability there will be just as big a success as on the previous occasion, as the management is in the name hamls, At St. Mary's Hall, the members ot St. Mary's Choir will entertain the public, at an "At Home " from 3 to 5

o'clock tliis afternoon, and from 7.30 to 10 p.m. this evening. A good musical programme has been arranged, and further entertainment will be afforded by guessing competitions. In the evening there will be music and a " book litle " guessing competition. Afternoon tea and supper will be provided free. A small charge is to be made for admission, the proceeds being devoted to augmenting the organ fund. The hall had been yery tastefully transformed into a large drawing room for the occasion.

An electrical spanking machine, invented by Professor Dennis, is being tested in the school at East Penna, Illinois. The mode of operation is to place a recalcitrant pupil over a chair near the spanking machine, press the button, and the flow of electricity starts a series of paddles in operation, which play upon the anatomy of the victim. The residents of the village have protested, and declare that tlie.v will take their children from the school if the use of the machine is not stopped. The inventor claims that the strength and frequency of the " spank " can be regulated to a nicety by the new machine, which he hopes will supplant the c.ine in all modern schools.

The " Bulletin " on our recent weather "The gales which have pervaded Maorilaud lately arc attributed to sunspots mostly. At any rate, the islands appear to be 011 a very exposed section of the globe. In Southern Wairurapa they tether the children to the back door of the infant schools, and much skill has to be exercised iu grain-'O vin.s. ft is broadcast about two paddocks lo windward of the plough section, such precaution being necessary to prevent the next-door neighbour reaping a dishonest bar. vest. Most crops grow lying down, and will iind it hard to change the habit when things resuue the normalit they ever do."

One of tlic assistant city attorneys of San Francisco is a woman—Miss Claribel David. The appointment was made by City Attorney Burke in naming his .stair lor liis term of olliee, commencing with January 1. This is the first time the city has availed itself of the services of a Portia. Miss David * duties will be to give legal opinions in matters in which tke city is concerned, or, if necessary, to defend the city's interests in civil courts. She has appeared professionally in the police courts of San Frauciseo, and says she would have 110 hesilatiou in pleading ill the criminal courts, the only reason that she has not heretofore done so being that 110 case has been offered her. Miss David is young, pretty, unusually talented, and well versed in legal knowledge.

Mine. Coruelic Briclle, now eighty years old, and once a star of the Hungarian National Theatre, was nurricd the other day to a man named Kolonian Itoznyay, aged thirty-four. Tills is the conclusion of an all'air that Iris made a great deal of noise in Budapest society. When Mine. Brielle, who is very wealthy, became engaged to M. Roznyay, about a year ago, her relalives attempted to prevent the marriage, and finally had her confined in a lunatic asylum. Mine. Brielle, however, regained her liberty by proving her sanity to il commission of doctors, and she then declared her intention of adopting ker fiance as her son. She suddeuly reverted- however, to her original decision to marry hiui. Owing to her great age, Mine. Brielle was unable to go to church, and the ceremony was performed in her own house before two witnesses. The bride was dressed in nliite satin and la-e, and carried a bjuiiiiet of myrtle (lowers.

A ulioinical compound which molls steel hits lieen used -sneccssfully by American safe.robbers. It consists of n mixture of very finely powdered aluminium and oxide o{ iron. Tlie alurainiuin has a much greater allinity for oxygen than the iron, and, consequently, if mixed with oxide of iron at such a tenipcraliirc that the aluminium begins to combine with oxygen, all the latter is taken up from the iron, forming oxide of aluminium and metallic iron. The heat developed by this action is very intense, and the mixture can not only mcll any thickness of steel in a few minutes, but is used extensive, iv tor welding together large pieces of fractured inctal. The wall of any safe can be melted by a cartridge made of this compound ignited by a piece of magnesium used as a fuse. The electrical burglar depends on the supply on the premises for success. Taking two w ires he connects them with the supply. He lixes one on the safe and the other at the end of his carbon pole, which is safely insulated, With a protective plate and dark spectacles to ward off the heat and light, he produces an are of great power between Iho point of the pole and the metal of llie safe, llius easily melting the lat.er.

'HIE SYMPTOMS OF KHUI'MATISM. The symptoms of rheumatism usually leave no doubt as to what is the niiiltct wiili Ihe suU'crcr, Sharp pains are felt in ilie wrist, knee, elbow, anlile, or other joints, which are usually hot, red, and swollen. The pain often shifts from one joint to another one day it may be the hand, the next perhaps, the foot is scizo l with lance-like pains —while the part liest all'eeted may he much easier. No in liter how .severe tlie symptoms of rheaiiia'isui, Jilieumo will completely banish them. Hundreds of well known peo le testify its wonderful power of conquering rheumatism. Price 2s 6d and 4s (Id, from all chemists and stores.

Tlic Borough Council is unnblo at present to furnish an estimate for electric lighting nt the New Plymouth harbor.

The New Plymouth Borough Council has adopted the recommendations of its Electric Lighting Committee o orect new street ligliis: Two incandescent lamps in Eginoni slrec! ; one at corner of Brougham and Vivian streets; one al corner of Young anil Moreley j-ireels; and one al corner of King and Brougham streets. Mr Hulehen "sprang a mine" on the Borough Council List night, when he showed that a street mentioned in an ollieial report did not exist, hut was really a portion of a piece of land reserved by the Maoris when they ceded hind to the Nr\v Plymouth Company. This came up with the report of the Streets' Committee re encroachments 011 streets,consideration of which was deferred.

The Mayor stales that al present there are more applications for electric light installation than the borough electrical staff can cope with, priucipally because material is short. Every user so far had assured him that the electric light was most satisfactory, aud much cheaper than gas consumption.

Mr G. W. Browne, chairman of the Western Park Board, volunteered to the Borough Council last night the information that if an Act of Parliament were required before it would be possible to effect the exchange necessary for the enlargement of the Western Park sports ground, the Board would pay the expenses. Knowing tho state of the borough finances, the Mayor seemed quite justified in ejaculating, " I'm afraid you'll have to, Cr. Brown." Borough Councillor Brooking's notice of motion for consideration at next meeting of the Council.—"As the works aud improvements under tho recent loan expenditure arc now completed, tlic Council at once consider the reorganisation of the office aud engineering staff of the borough, to meet the more normal conditions and absolute necessity for a rigid economical cxpendidnre for the next few years, and in order to the better aud fuller consideration of the whole subject, three .months notice as from the 31st March next bo given to all officers of tho Borough, whose conditions require notice being given them of the termination of their several engagements with the Council." Owners of dogs, in order to escape the payment of the Borough tax, have lately been giving the poor brutes the " happy despatch." This is a summary method of ridding the borough of the stray dog nuisance. But of the dead

(log discussion name a neat legal pint at the Borough Council meeting on Monday night. A Councillor wanted to know if the collector could sue For fees for dogs which he could prove were alive after the fee became payable. The Mayor thought the Magistrate would want full paitculars us to colour and so forth, and he did'nt " think the Magistrate would order " then ciimc Cr Brooking's turn—" the dog to be resuscitated " he chipped-iii.

Mr P. Stohr moved at last night's Borough Council meeting to rescind a resolution instructing the poundkeeper to sue for trespass the owner of any (rattle impounded for trespass on streets. He pointed out that the poundage fees wero sufficient infliction on the owner, and the Magistrate held the same view. The fact that Cr Stohr recently appeared in Court because his diminutive steed had been impounded lent point to the argument, the Mayor stating that " someone bad lifted Cr Stohr's horse over the fence." Cr Brooking considered that the summons was a good deterrent as the streets were now fairly clean ol'_ wandering animals. Cr Webster said lie had sympathy for Cr Stohr, lor he was anothor offender, and he considered it "jolly hard lines." It wouldn't be so bad it' onlv Frequent offenders were sued. There were, he said, some people who sysmtematic.illy grazed horses 011 the streets, but got up too early in the morning for the pound-keeper. Cr, Collis drew the Council's attention to the Fact that all prosecutions were authorised by the Works Committee. The Mayor grew reminiscent. Iwelve years ago "it was not safe to " inootch " about at night, lest you fell across a rope attached to a horse at large. Cr. Stohr rose to point out he didn't want the sympathy either of Cr. Co!lis or Cr. Webster, but wanted his motion carried 011 its merits. It was Cr. Ewiug who first left the personal side of the motion, and pointed to the great damage done by stray stock to public and private property, urging that the suing system was a good one. Most of the Councillors, ignoring the rules of debate (which by the way are rarely enforced), spoke a second time, one or two of them ten or eleven limes, before the motion was put and lost, only Crs. Stohr, Browne, and Wcb.ster voting i'or it,