LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 212, 1 September 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. Newton King lias received the following cable from his Sydney agent:— "Hides very firm."

Factory butter is down twopence per pound this morning, and is now beiug retailed at Is 3d. His Honor 11 r. Justice Edwards on Thursday, upon the application of

Messrs Roy and Xicholson, granted probate of "the will of the la.e Mr. John Uodgers of Patea (formerly of Omata) to Mrs. A. Oliver, the executrix named in the will. We are in receipt ot the September number of Good Cheer, published in Wanganui. This New Zealand home

journal, which is all that its title typi tie.-, is a really creditable production in everyway, and we are not surprised that it has proved very popular, lit, is certainly good value for half-a-crown per annum, including a free cut pattern with each issue.

Mr. Laurenson's Cruelty to Animals Bill provides for tllie stoppage ol enclosed coursing and live pigeon shooting, two alleged sports which have long disgraced our country. The practice of shooung at live pigeons is even more callously cruel than coursing. Numbers of the birds escape maimed, to die somewhere in the solitudes in silent pain. The community would rise horrified at Che suggestion that we should revive the honored entertainment of bull-baiting, or spend our Sundays at the cock-pit watching infuriated birds leach each other to ribbons, but neither of these sports is as cruel as either coursing or pigeon shooting. Successful Anniversary Services were held on Sunday, i,i connection with Hie Queen Street Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Sermons appropriate to the occasion were preached 'by Rev. .1. tiny, minister ol the Cmux-h, ami Rev. 11. j. Lewis. In the afternoon- Rev. Hedley White con ducted the Special service ior the

young people. Tie scholars sang! special hymns throughout the day. assisted by the choir, and an efl'cirat orchestra at the evening service. Mr. I)ran ' < lucteil, Mr. Guiding presiding at the organ and Mrs. Moverlcv at the piano. The rongrcgations were good, the church being filled at night. It has frequenlly been contended that the Uaxmilling industry distributes more wealth among the workers of the Dominion than any other rural industry, and .Mr. 1-1. Greig, president of the Flaxmillers' Association, supplies some interesting figures in support of this view. He declared that on a block of SOO acios at Tokomaru the average wages paid by him during the past two years has been at the rate of between ,t>4 and £5 per acre per annum. During the present season he expects owing to running two mills on the property—to have to pay at the rate of .18 'an acre. No other industry in the Dominion, declares Mr. Greig, can in any way compare with (his for the money circulated among ihe workers, even 'taking the intensive industry of fruit culture. The Egmont Lodge, No. 112, 1.0. G.T., held its weekly session on Monday evening. Bro, .1. C. Legg, C.T., presided over a good attendance of members. After the opening ceremony, the lodge held a social evening, and "admitted a goodly number of friends, the following programme being presented: Pianoforte duet, Misses Bishop and Brewer; song, Sis. Thome; auto-harp selection, Bro. 11. Ricketts; recitation, Sis. B. Legg; song, Sis. O. Cock; reading, Sis, (.'. White; song. Miss M. Guy; reading, Bro. 1!. A. Stokes; short address, Bro. (!. W. llartnell; duet, Misses Guy; song, Bro. 11. Siebert, Refreshments were then handed round by the lodge, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to

a close with the usual closing eercmonv, Mr. John F. Sheridan writes to the editor as Sir,—We are book ed to appear to-morrow (Wednesday) niglil, when 1 will present once inor< "The Earl and the Girl." The entire pantomime company will -appear in the cast, thus enabling us to give a particularly strong performance. The. Northern Shipping Company has kindly consented to delay the liarawa for us till 11.00 p.m., ami as our curtain risen punctually at 7.-55, the performance will finish at 10.50, giving us ample' time to get ou board. The scenery and effects of "The Earl anil the Girl'" will be sent on by Ihe following steamer, as we will not require them lor onr opening performance in lliic North, where the season opens with "Cinderella."' I ask you to kindly insert this Ictier in your paper, as an intimation has reached me Hint our performance will be curtailed, which I as.-uire von is not the cn>c. As a mallei of 'fact, "The Karl and the Gill"' will be stronger than before, as Messrs Morris and

Wilson, Ulio eccentric acrobats, will introduce a new act, "The Crazy Hal-

tet'S,'' and the pantomime, children, 25 in number, also appear in a choice selection i>f dances and sonirs. It is understood a company has been formed to fit out a parly for the purpose of wilialmg at Campbell island, the party to proceed south hi the Hiiiemo., oa her next visit to the Southern Inlands (says tho Bind' Press). The right or black whale is to be found in the vicinity of Campbell Island, in great numbers during the summer mont£, so should the parly be. favored with good weather a handsome profit, to those in- ! forested should be (],,. resull. Almost ja. score, of years have passed since a whale vessel visited Bluff or .Stewart Island. Prior t„ thai li, m , U w ., s nnt "'" m "'\ '<> so< ' « s many as llnve or lour whaling vessels anchored in Port William or "Half-moon Bay ] t j s ~ ])itv lo see whaling dying out so completely, for in a few years' time it will be al-

most impossible io «et men who arc versed iu the an of 'catching the sperm whale. An erroneous idea prevails that it is owing, to the scarcity ol the sperm whale that there are 'so feuvessels employe! lishiiig i„ U,e South''in Hemisphere, but it is eliicllv on aceoii.il of the low market, for oil-being only about one-third of the value com pared wilh (hat of pliiriy v , alV|(r „ ,„ Hie viciniiy of the Solandcrs. (lie' old favonle hunting gr„ m ,d f O ,. tl „. mon . situs of the deep. S p orm „.j m | (l , , I|v still lo he found in abundance rid if %l"'"l"'''! v <-V"mA "learner, 'capable " earrymg four boals. was (Hied out loi whale fishing she would lie kept employed during the best part of the year.

fhe Melbourne'; reports record •low.ls of shoppers for (heir special fit Icen days' sale of boots and shoes which commenced on the 2!>l h -\ncv usr . \ fecial feature of (he sale is " |lmt „'„ I heir well-known lines of men's high, grade glace kid. box calf, and bovine kid balmorals, which were formerly priced at 18s lid, 10s fid, up to 22s fld.l have been reduced to the one sale price, namely, Ids fid. These lines nre sellin" fast.-AtM, 0|

Hie Hon. R. JlcNab stated that the measures recommended by the Agricultural Department for coping with the potato disease are quite efficient, and it is not considered necessary to offer a bonus for a remedy.

The Bluff correspondent of the Dunedin Star reports that never at any time within the memory of the oldest fisherman has the iiah draught off Toby Koek anil Waipapa banks been so boun-

teous as it is at present. Within the last few clays Bluff alone must have netted (it) tons of large-sized hluo cod. The theory is that they are coming Hocking in from the deep waters for spawning purposes. '

A Maori's indiscretion resulted in a serious monetary loss at the beginning of last week in Wellington. He spent a night in a restaurant, placing a purse containing X-iO under his pillow. In the morning, forgetful of his wealth, lie went for a walk. Suddenly he r'eniciubercd having left his purse, and Hod hack to where lie had placed it the previous evening. T'hc purse had vanished.

Where is t he best English spoken? This question is put in the "Academy,"' which contains a letter from a number of Englishmen in the Transvaal, who wish the editor, as an authority on the English language, to tell them where the best English is spoken in the British Isles, The editor replies that the best English is spoken on the west coast ol .Scotland and in part of Ireland. It sounds paradoxical; but everyone knows that the best French is spoken, not in Paris, but in certain remote and oldfashioned provincial towns.

There is a disappointed speculator somewhere in the Dominion. Recentlj a certain public- department decided to remove its oilices and buildings to one end of a new township, and the speculator accidentally caught a glimpse of the plans. Perceiving that the removal would advance the value of land near the. new site, lie lost no time in securing all the sections obtainable, and then I jv a brief period enjoyed the pleasures of anticipation. His joy was short-lived, because he discovered that he had mistaken the north end of the plan for the south.

A cat saved an old man's life at Tinwald (Canterbury) last week. The ancient, Seymour by name, was the occupant of"a house which was burned down. He had given some attention to his lire about midnight, after which 'ue retired, but he was awakened about an hour later by his cat brushing agaiusl his face and acting in a strange and unusual manner. This he took no notice of at iirst, hut as the eat continued its conduct after being pushed aside he aroused himself and discovered that the house was on lire. There was just time to make a hasty escape, and the hut was soon in ashes. The old man, who is I very frail and in bad health, has hceu I taken to the hospital.

Two soldiers invited their sweethearts, two sisters, to spend the day with them at Sainghin Fort, near Lille (France), on July 5. After picnicking on the grassy slopes, tlid parte went into the guardroom, where on? of the men named Ledoux showed his sweetheart Caroline Lehel a cartridge. He then loaded his rifle for fun, and aimed it at the two girls., wdio clung together terror-stricken. "T)on't touch the rifle;" screamed Car- j oline, but suddenly there was a flash, followed by a sharp report, and th* two sisters fell dead. The same bullet had passed through both their heads The two soldiers were arrested, and Ledoux, who was mad with grief, tried several times 'to commit suicide. There are five American naval wives in Sydney, adding their quota to the welcome to the licet. They, with some half-dozen others, went to Suva to be with their husbands during the festivities there, and ventured further to Australia. The other six, less daring, went back to America. The quintette were met on arrival at Sydney, but, although in high spirits, had little to say about themselves. Asked what they thought of the harbor, there was a general burst of laughter. "There you are," said one, "I knew we should be asked that. Well, you can say from all of us it's just splendid, and we're just dying to see the licet come into it. My, won't it be a lovely sight!" Mrs. Hinds, who is the wife o'f Lieutenant-Commander Hinds, of the Virginia, has her little son with her.

The oyster season, which closes at the. end of next month, is in a state' of boom just now (says the Southland News), and the glorious weather of last week has resulted in the fishing licet bringing in unusually large supplies. Three truck loads (140 bags) of oysters were despatched per the Maitai for Melbourne yesterday and a similar quantity went North per the Talunc. On the other hand, however, an accident to the beds under the wharf almost resulted in Ihe loss of some (iflOO dozen (between £3O and £lO worth), due to too heavy a load being placed on the staging, which tipped. The trouble was noticed, however, and hard shovelling eventually put (he matter right—once off" the •boards the bivalves would have gone for ever.

A horseman had an exciting experii enee the other evening on the road to Stirling. When rounding a curve on the road (says the Clutha Leader) his horse was suddenly charged by a crazy cow, which started from the darkness with a bellow and struck his stirrup, without, however, unseating him. Tile traveller did not stop to remonstrate, but, putting heels to his steed, dasbea for safety. On his arrival at Stirling he found two more victims of this "bull of Bashan," the occupants of a buggy, which had also been charged by the animal, and although she missed the horse also in this instance, she struck the wheel a heavy blow. On his return trip the traveller was minded to take, the hill to avoid further bovine attentions, but, thinking by uow the road might be clear, he returned the same way, and in due course was greeted by a roar, and saw his ancient foe once more preparing to renew, the attack. This proved too much for his nerves, and he refused the combat, whereupon the disgusted animal promptly ran down a steep place into the river. Hearing the splash, and concluding the danger was over, the horseman took heart of grace and continued his trip in safety.

Tlie through railway connection between Auckland and Wellington will have siu important bearing upon the Auckland agricultural shows, as stud stock from I'aranaki and Wellington province may be expected to compete with the Auckland stock. Probably, also, Ilawkcs Bay may enter the field. In the past (Says the Herald) the Auckland show has been practically a provincial affair, owing to tlie difiieulty of bringing -valuable animals by sea, but in another year or so uhe Auckland show may be expected to 'become very much larger, and, in fact, by a long way the greatest show in the .North Island. Already preparations are being made. The Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association lias postponed its show dates from November -1 and 5, to November 11 and 12, in order to allow stock breeders to bring on lli'dr animals from Manawatu, and as the Auckland show will follow later there will be a big inducement for Wellington and Taranaki breeders. The Auckland association, io encourage keen competition in stud classes, has decided to offer, three 20 guinea cups, one for the best draught stallion, one for the champion Shorthorn bull, and one for the most points in the stud sheep classes, the cups to be won two years in succession, or three years in all. As there is a cup in the hunter classes the big Weddel cup in the butter conipetii" ions, and (he Freezimr Company's challenge shield in the district bay competition, (ho Auckland shows arc well provided with trophies.

Quality is the silent salesman that talks loudest and persists in recommending "AlfaLaval" Separators. When you put your money into an "AlfaLaval" you can rest'assured you will get the very best possible value. Toe best evidence of their superiority comes from the story of success in actual working. Mr. W. T. Mav, Rangiuru. writes under date Bth Juno:--"l" have done some good work with this Utile machine, skimming .01 with temperalure of milk SStlcg, which I consider cannot be beaten. This trial was made in the presence of several persons, including the manager of the Bay of Plenty Co-operative Dairy Association, and two samples of (he skim milk were taken and tested then and there. Thve was over 100 gallons put through. J consider the machine an ideal tine " R o ;> New Zealand agents, Mason, Strainers and Co., Ltd., Main-street, Palinerstou North. E. firilliths and Co., New pi v . mouth, local agents.

influenza is always more or less prevalent at this season of the year. This disease is very similar to a severe cold and if allowed to take its course is liable to cause serious results. The I best treatment for infleunza is ts avoid exposure and take Chamberlain's Cong Remedy. This medicine y'ves immediate relief, and if used as' directed will ward off all dangerous consequences It reaves the System in a natural end healthy condition. It always cures and cures quickly. For sale by' all chemists I and storek'eoporg, '

Somebody is going to dominate lliis great ocean. If the United States doesn't do it—if s'fie foolisilily throws away her chance—then Japan will do it.—Argonaut, San Francisco. What is described as the "largest windmill in the world" is in course of construction at Balhirat, for the ucelong Harbour Trust. It will work throe 14-ineh double action pumps, lifting 72,000 gallons of water per hour. It is stated that Hi.', biggest windmill in the world at present in work is lifting only 12,000 gallons per hour.

"I am against tlie establishment ot a hostel in any European centre for tho accommodation of natives," remarked the Hon. James Carroll in thy House of Representatives the other evening. As one who had the interests of the Maori race at heart, ho did not wish to do anything that would attract 'them to large centres lof population.

The most forgetful man in tire world has been found. He fell ill recentl)' with symptons indicating appendicitis, and submitted to an operation. To their great surprise and. embarrassment, the surgeons found that the appendix had already been removed. The patient afforded the necessary explanation wihen lie recovered from the ether by stating that he remembered, when lie "came to think of it," that lip had been through a similar operation two years earlier.

One of the first indications of spring has arrived in Centv-.il Otago in the shape of the dottrels, which have, during the past few days, distributed themselves all over the high lands (says the Otago Daily Times). This little grey bird is of migratory habits, and leaves these latitudes for Northern Asia every

(milium, returning regularly at the ap- . pioach of summer. One gentleman, who ,' mil closely observed them during the >ast few 'days, remarked that they ran i( bout on the frozen snow as if puzzled; e 'wondered if they thought tlu-y had ' oinehow got hack into Siberia again. The leading ministers of religion, the najority of the Judges, almost all uayors and chairmen of local authoriies, the Press of the Dominion with idd exceptions, and an overwhelming nijority of what are termed 'Tepreseuative men," are in favor of the general riueiplc of military training.' Whether he, age is nineteen or twenty-one is a nere detail. The point is that every nan in the State ought to be so trained n his youth that he will be able in after ife. to fall into line for the defence of lis country if called upon to do so.— Uickland JXeiald. l'rofessor Or. 'X. Ladd, who has been ecturing for a third time through Jaiiui, writes to the Century on the busiiesi morals of Japan. He confesses luit the Japanese commercial classes lave not the same high standard of iiisiness honor which characterises the ame classes in the United States or >ortnem Europe, or even in the treaty ions of China. But the men of honor rtio formerly despised commerce arc low entering tire ranks of trade, and. a the. direction in which the nation is low moving, he says:—"Never before a the history of the country, and at' he present time in th« history of no ither country, do we find the same inelligent, deliberate and widely prevacut purpose to do away with the IW. ion's reproach and to rise in the scale if national business morality." The irofeSsOr concludes by asking his own onntrymen if they would not do with , little improvement in the same direcion.