LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8147, 3 July 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At New Plymouth yesterday, Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., gave judgment for £32 3s 8d for plaintiff in the case FiudlayJohn McLean v. Harry Savage, a claim for £SO 3s Bd, salary as manager of the Mokau Sawmill. The Taranaki County Council's overdraft stood yesterday at £3416 7s lid. The accounts passed at the July meeting amounted to £522 Is 'ld, m addition to the grants made to the various local bodies. An alarm of fire was given shortly before eight o'clock last night, and the Brigade promptly turned out. Their services, |however, were not required, the alarm having been a prsmature one respecting a supposed fire at the Coffee Palace. A dangerous piece of road at the Tapuae deviation is to be fenced. It seems that there is nothing to prevent a stranger driving at night on to the uncompleted filling, instead of keeping to the main road. Such a mistake was narrowly averted the other evening. There is another portion at the top of the new cutting that may laud the County Council in a suit for damages if it is not fenced, aud the riding members will attend to it.

Cr Browu wanted to know yesterday how the County Council was situated with respect to ils contribution to the Education Board for the .New Plymouth Technical school. The clerk said there was no chance of the council's £2O contribution being "tagged" by the auditor, as the money had been voted for " increasing the efficiency of the classes." If it were applied to any other purpose, the Board, aud not tho Council, would be responsible. The members expressed gratification at having assisled the technical cducat'O'i movement in a manner that would not necessitate resorting to the council's policy of rescinding.

Several of tlie exhibitors at tho Poultry Sli'Uv, hi'lil here on Friday and -Saturday last, have asked us to congratulate tlie Taranaki Poultry, Pigeon, mid Canary Society on tlie manner in which all birds were (rented • luring (Ik l time they were on exhibition. In this department a vast improvement was noted on the shows of previous years, and it should have a bencticial efVi et m inducing entries for future shows under the Society's auspices.

Whilst Ml' Charles Turner, of the ■ Frankhy road, was engaged in groom- ' nig a horse 011 Saturday, the animal In-'hcd out, kicking Mr Turner in the lower ablonieu, and the upper part of 1 he right side. ih' litm> was summoned, and seeing im uediately that tin l injuries were of a very serious nature, ordered the victim to be removed to (lie hospital. This was done. A consultation was held, and 011 Saturday night an operation was performed by Jlr Walker, tlie medical superintendent. From the lirst it was seen 1 that the c,a«e was hopeless, but all was done that could be done to alleviate Mill'eriiig. I'iie injuries were found to include a complete rupture of the bowels, ami death ensued 011 Monday about mid-day. The deceased, whose home is 011 I he Frauldcy road, leaves a widow and one child, and was only 35 years ol age. An inquest will be held this morning at !l.;lo. A little 0. T. I'UXCH, In a little water hot; A sound refreshing sleep, Yes, that is what I got. Sing tlie song of the live-starred cross Hung low o'er the Southern Seas, 'Then tell about our frightful loss From coughs and colds and sneeze; Again, again let voices ring In one great, grand bravure, To pra ; se the magic healing kingWee .Is Great Peppermint Cure, ,

The Taranaki County Council ir.tends sueing for over-due dog-taxes. The New Plymouth Muniaipal saltwater baths will bo closed until 31st August. The Venlura, witli S.in Francisco mails, left Honolu'u at H ii.ni. on the Mb ult., and is expected in Auckland on the 11th inst. " I've never pai I a dog-lax, and I'll lie hanged if I ever will," is a little remark that is going to cause a wellknown county ratepayer to appea' in Court. Morey anil Sou ai'e evidently giing !o make buyers snide a win this in mill. Their advertise limit re dress skirl < is one calculated to saifi the gwds quickly. People who iiis type vriters ivry often type their signal r ; s, i a s gnaturc, of course, ii jot rocogniseil in law. This matter oropped up at the Taranaki County Council on Monday. The dog-tax collector in the Mo;i riding of the Taranaki County secured 588 fees. Last year 636 were collected. TUo County Council is not altogether satisfied witli the manner in which the contract has been carried out, but the chairman considers the Council is to blame. "We always take the lowest tenderer, and he just takes what he can get easily." " Backblocks," a correspondent who responsible for a letter to the editor in connection with the proposal to vote a monetary grant to the wife of the late Premier, wishes us to explain that he is not against recognition being made of Mr Seddon's services to : the country, but believes that it should not take the form of a monetary vote. A painful accident happened at Midhirst at 5.40 on Saturday evening to Mr P. Steckles, writes our correspond--1 ent. He was loading a truck of sawn timber when a large piece of timber | fell on his hand, almost taking the i thumb and several fingers off. Mr ! Hodge dressed the hand as well as • possible, and Mr Steckles was driven i to Stratford to obtain medical treatment.

We remind our readers that the New Plymouth Military Band's annual social will take place at the Theatrp Royal on the 12tli inst. In connection with the affair it has been decided to hold a bridge and euchre party in Miss Buxton's tea rooms, which have been gratuitously offered for the purpose. Prizes will be offered to the lady aud gentleman scoring the highest number of points in both bridge and euchre. Mrs Dockrill, at the head of an energetic committee, is working with a will to provide amusement and pleasure for all, and we trust to see their efforts crowned with success,

Probate of the will of the late Premier has been granted by the Chief Justice to the widow and eldest daughter (Mrs Bean). The will directs that Mrs Seddon shall have a life interest in the property, which on her death is to be placed in trust for all the children in equal shares. The distribution of illuminated addresses and jewellery is left to the widow's discretion. The will, which was drawn up by the the late Premier himself, was signed on December 26th, 1900, in the presence of Sir Joseph Ward and Mr T. H. Harner. It is staled on good authority tlut the value of the property which passes under the will is between £BOOO and £IO,OOO.

Mr C. P. Lord, who has been toreman in the Moa riding for many years, and is now leaving tho Council's service, asked for a testimonial. At Monday's meeting of the Council, Cr. Stevens moved that the chairman be authorised to frame a testimonial, and referred to Mr Lord's qualities as a workman. "He is a conscientious man, and one who works with his head as well as his hands," was the text of his remarks. Cr. Brown fully endorsed this opinion, remarking that Mr Lord was not one of those men who arc always hoping for " knock-off" time ; in fact, he was generally to be found at work before starting-time, and was not particular about a few minutes at night. lam very sorry we arc losing lum," he coacluded. The Napier Hospital Trustees, through Mr Shrimpton, have received the offer of a handsome contribution towards tho erection of a hospital for the treatment of cases of chronic disease. The anonymous donor offered £IOOO. According to the Board's architect a suitable hospital, to contain "24 beds, would cost about £'2020. With the subsidy of the Goyernment, a sum of £2OOO will bo available, which would provide the home, and partly furnish it. A business man got into a train at Freidrich Strasscs (Berlin) and found himself in a compartment with a particularly well-dressed man, who began conversation, in the course of which he offered the business man a cigarette, the quality of which he praised highly. The smoke was unsuspectingly accepted, but after a few whiffs the smoker felt drowsy, and directly afterwards fell back asleep. Whereupon the other person cut liis trousers pocket with a pair of scissors, removed his purse, containing £ls, and left the train at the nest station. At the terminus the porters discovered tlie still sleeping traveller, and with difiiculty restored him to consciousness. It was ascertained that the cigaretto was strongly dosed with morphia.

County Foreman Moore, in the southern portion of the Omata riding, wrote to the County Council for a new wheelbarrow the other day, alleging the old one had either been stolen or thrown into some gulcli. At any rate, lie could not fiudit. When the letter came before Monday's meeting, Cr. Adlam said the barrow had since been found in a gully. Or. Andrews said "it was no wonder. Tho barrow is left just alongside the metal, on the grass, and people on horseback are likely to have a spill," Out of sixteen applicants, Mr A. 0 Brien, for several years in the service of the Stratford County Council in the East riding, has been appointed foreman in the Inglewood-Waipukti section of the Moa riding of the Tarauaki county, Mr O'Brien has very high testimonials from the present Stratford county engineer, Mr E. C. Robinson; from Mr H. W. Climie, till recently the holder of that position ; from the East riding (Stratford) foreman ; and from Mr 11. H. Cameron, the well-known road contractor. Mr E. C. Robinson says : "In the matter of supervising metalling and re.me.alling contracts, I know of no better tuau."

A tew weelt.s ago some hall linoleum was .stolen from the vacant residence of Mr A. P. O'Leary, 011 Standish's 11 il l. A man named Evans, a new arrival who has been living on the Eolith road, was seen to take a roll of linoleum to his house, and on the place heint! searched by the police the identical linoleum was found hidden there. Kvans was arrested by Detective Boddam and brought before 31r T. Hutchison, S.M. Sergeant Haddrell said the accused had a long rec'i'ird of convictions, his sentences in the past having langed from two months to two or three years. Evans pleaded guilty, and made the excuse th.it he thought the iinoleum had been left behind by some tenant, Tlie case will be remitted to the Supreme Court, and the depositions will be taken on Friday.

It was reported 111 town to-day (says yesterday's Xapier Telegraph) that owing to tin- activity of pick-pockets the robbery of 17(1 in cash had been effected, the thieves having so far escape I detection. A dainty little lunch, With a glass ol' 0. T, PUNCH, • tlie acme of perfection, No fear of contradiction. For Bronchial Coughs and Colds, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s (id per bottle. This bit est decree i'l Men's Fashions tho "Neglige Shirt," is a common sense one, since it combines both style, comfort, and economy. Ask to see the latest in these goods at the Melbourne, lou'll soon stive their cost in lessened laundry bill's. Prices is (id, 4i 111, and 5s tkl,—AM, '

So much has appeared in the news- ,) ipers concerning the intention of orming now Labor Parlies that a considerable number of the country nembers of Parliament liave banded hciuselvcs together, called a meeting md formed an executive committee. \Vc understand that one of the objectif the combination is to urge upon Si" loseph Ward that if lie should form n •econsl.ructcd ministry lie should coniidcr the inclusion in that Ministry of i country representalive. All the Paranaki representatives have joined the party and Mr Major, the member for Hiwera, is on the executive. — " Argus." The Grosvonor Hotel (late Hotel Commonwealth), New PiymoutU, has dunged hands, Mr T. Nicholas being lie new pnprictor. Mr Nicholas i< I veil and fayorably known on this Coist as a host, haying at different times had some of the besthoisos under his management, including Hastie's Commercial Hotel, Feilding, and the Kgmont Hotol, Hawera. The Gros venor Hotel has just been thoroughly renovated msida and out, is lighted throughout with eleotrioity and has superior sanitary conveniences. The proprietor intends to leaye nothing undone that will ensure the best of accommodation and homely comfort. Peing situated near the railway station, the house will be found especially convenient for the travelling public. Only the finest brands of spirits are kept, and the bar accommodation is splendidly fitted. A special feature of the house will be the dining room, Messrs Ambitry Bros., drapers aud •dothiers, of New Plymouth, have very heavy stocks of comforts for winter wear in their commodious premises just now. A visit to the establishment will satisfy.