LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8067, 24 March 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hon. Charles Louisson has retired from the contest for the Christchurch Mayoralty in favor of Sir John Hall, —Press wire,

Mr and Mrs J. Eobcrtson, of Kaponga, drovo through to New Plymouth a couple of days ago, and aro spending a short holiday here. "Although New Plymouth is a solid Government town, I think we ought to show the Premier that we can't support all his actions or the actions of his servants."—Mr Goodacrc at Friday night's meeting.

The committee of the Tarauaki Poultry Society met on Thursday evening, and revised the schedule. A big art union was arranged, nud other preliminary mutters fixed for the annual show in Now Plymouth in June next.

" I allowed my tenant £2l a year off his rent, because I wanted him to be able to live," remarked Mr Handy at the valuation meeting last night, " and then the Government bumped up my valuation. I am willing to sell at their price, and allow 20 per cent, discount, too." 'j|Thcre are too many inspectors and investigators under our present Government, said Mr M. Frazcr at the public meeting last nighl. "We have to tell to some of these inspectors secrets that we don't tell to our families or our trusted men." He wont on to state that the Government Buildings in New Plymouth were only keeping " a lot of Government drones " Mr M. Fraser stated at last night's meeting that the valuation of properties iu New Plymouth had been raised because ot forced sales at fancy prices, adding that in many cases the purchasers had been unable to complete at the figure. Was it fair, he asked, to penalise the whole town for that ? Some visitors to the Recreation Grounds on Tuesday afternoon were surprised to notice that the main lake had a bubbling, boiling appearance during the earth tremors. It was not suflicient to be alarming, and was probably caused by the escape of gases from the decayed vegetable matter at the bottom of the pond.

Tuerc was a targe attendance at the South Road Methodist Church on Friday evening, when an entertainment termed a " hymn service," was given by the Whitley Church Choir, to introduce the new hymn book. Mr P. White rend au appreciation of the new hymnal. Mr G. H. White was organist, and Mr H. Okcy conducted the choir, whilst Mr Liwu contributed two cornet solos. ■

The following arrangements have be.'n made in connection with the Garrison [Baul's torchlight procession, which takes place next Wednesday night:—The Fire Brigade and Friendly Societies will muster in Quceu-street at 7.15, and the Volunteer Companies and Cadets at the Drill Hall at 7. The Volunteers, Cadets, and Baud will march to Queen-street, where the procession will start.

" It this tlung is to be taken in open Council, I won't speak, that's all " remarks of a Borough Councillor on Thursday evening at the Works Committee meeting. The '■ thing " was the question of staff re-organisation. The sentiment was endorsed by one or two other representatives of the burgesses of New Plymouth. The Mayor was heard to say that he was prepared to fight the matter out in public, but, as he had no wish to baulk discussion, would attend n private caucus of Councillors if necessary. A Councillor twitted him with wanting a private meeting, and the next 'few minutes seemed full of lively altercations between Hie various Councillors. The Mayor reiterated his willingness to discuss the staff reorganisation scheme in open Council, but, ,to meet the wishes of the majority, agreed to the holding of a meeting in camera. Hence last "ig s gathering In tae nearl ot the business pari of New Plymouth there is one plot of ground, a .sixteenth of an acre, which has nn iinimDi'oved value of £l-681), euuiil to £71.880 an acre. An acre at this figure, then, will pay the sanir taxes as :)7 farms of 200 acres each, with an unimproved value of £lO per acre. Adjoining is a part section 1-2lth of an acre iu extent, which is allotted an unimproved value of £1370, or about £105,000 per acre. ■ An acre of this represents the value of 52 favnis of 200 acres each, at an unimproved value of £lO an acre. It is suggested that very soon the business people in New Plymouth will have tt> devote the whole of their takings to the payment of rates and taxes, leaving the wholesale houses to go to the Government for payment of retailers' hills. There is a hope, however, that the Government will allow the present tradespeople to carry on their businesses, receiving a commission on cash takings, say 2i per cent., as rciuuucration.

_Whitcley Church, Sunday March 25th. Preachers, morning, Rev. R. F. Williams; evening, Rev. J. N. Buttle. Strangers cordially invited.—Advt. Mr Newton King's Stony River cattle sale will bo held as usual on Wednesday ucxt. Good entries arc advertised iu another column. We wish to remind our readers of the large sale of dairy stock that Messrs Bcwley and Griffiths will hold on Wednesday next at Sentry Hill. The cows are a first-class lot, and there are some specially choice animals amongst them. We would particularly draw attention to the first-class dairy plant, which is practically as good as new.

e About three weeks ago the Mels bourne Clothing Company advertised 0 in the Daily News concerning a e special line of gents' umbrellas. Tester--5 day's showers brought scores of cus- ,, tomcrs, who asked for the line as " advertised. There are more left yet.* Very large numbers of ladies are '. desirous of wearing the very best millinery as a fitting accompaniment to' their new winter costumes at the races J next week, have placed their orders , with Mrs Follow, at Mr W. Pel lew's ! well kuown establishment in Devon 1 street, with the result that (he milh'nerv , department has been very busy of late. j Besides these bespoken orders, there have been sold many other prettily > trimmed hats and toques. Mr Pellew } is at present selling a very special line ■ of childrens hats and bonnets, from i 2s lid each, besides fur coats for baby, ' together with tho latest in dress materials. An opening announcement ' appears in this issue. ' In connection with Mr H. Gray's 1 clearing sale at Peucarrow Farm, ; Sentry Hill, on Tuesday, a brake : will leave Messrs Bewlcy ami Griffiths 1 auction mart at 10 a.m. on the day of 1 the sale. A brake will also meet the southern train at Sentry Hill.