LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 274, 12 November 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The letter-carriers' weekly liali-holi-day will be taken on Tuesday, 17th November (election clay), instead of Thursday, 19th November.

Mails for tbe United Kingdom and Continent of Europe despatched from the local ollice on Ist October arrived at London on Bth November.

In our report of Dr. llatherly's meeting it was stated that the consumption | per head of drink in New Zealand had gone up from 13 to 22 gallons per head. These figures relate to the United States.

A meeting of ratepayers in the Elliot road district was held on Tuesday night to consider the question of raising a) loan of £IOOO for the purpose of metal-j ling the road through to tbe Frankley Road school and also the formation of a footpath from the borough boundary to Soleville. Mr. R. Glcgg presided. Those ' present favored the project, and a poll of ratepayers will be taken on Saturday, 28lh November.

Mr. A. Truelove, proprietor of the Ngaire Gardens, writes:—"ln your issue I of to-day appears a local re picnic at Ngaire Gardens, terming it an opposition picnic. Will you kindly correct the error, as the picnic was not run counter to the demonstration of the No-License party, but simply as an opening advertisement for the gardens, and I desire to remove any false impression that your report may create."

Two fanners were the other day discussing the ciiinparative productivity of Canterbury and Taranaki. The Tar.inuki man came along with a really good yarn about rapid growth of grass. The Canterbury man was not to be beaten by a foot'or so of grass. He told of a melon that grew down near Rangior.i. And he told of a ewe that was lost. And of the ewe jumping out of the melon when it was cut open—and she had three lambs with her! The Taranaki man ''shouted."

The voting at the county elections yesterday was large ill view of the fact that the general election threatened 10 overshadow the poll. The result introduced new blood into the Council. In the Omata riding, Mr. G. A. Adlam, one of the oldest members, did not re-offer

himself, and Mr. A. George lias been retired by the vote of the electors. Their places are filled by Messrs. 0. Carter (who topped the poll) and J. J. Carpenter, of Tataraimaka. Mr. C. Andrews, of Okato, comes back with a strong vote. In the Wnitara riding, ■Messrs. George Tate and James Hill are returned to their places by a substantial majority. The new Council comprises— Moa riding, Messrs. J. Brown, R. Stevens, and M. Hopsoa; Omata, Messrs. C. Carter, C. Andrews, and J. J. Carpenter; Waitara, Messrs. G. V. Tate and J. R. Hill.

The invitation picnic organised by thb proprietor of the Xgaire Gardens for the celebration of King's Birthday was a huge success, and goes far to prove that the above resort is gaining in popularity and becoming a favorite resort for holi-day-makers. Over three thousand people | passed through the gates, coming from j iill points of the compass and by all 1 kinds of conveyances. 'Buses were run I from Stratford ami Eltliam. Special

trains conveyed large crowds from Xew Plymouth and Hawera, and the main Mountain. Kuad for a considerable distance each side, of the entrance gates presented the appearance of a large livery stable and garage combined. Inside the grounds was a most animated scene. The many and varied games provided by the proprietor were fully patronised hy the visitors, but the greatest sensations of the day were the water chute and maypole whirl, which were taxed to their utmost capacity. Two bands dispensed dance music on the lawn, and all were unanimous in pronouncing it a splendid day's outing.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., George Weir pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and was convicted and discharged. On a charge of having used indecent language in Curricsticet at a late hour the previous evening he was convicted and lined £5, m default fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labor. His Worship intimated that this was the minimum fine he intended to inllict in cases of this kind. Bad language was becoming too common. Had it not been that only the arresting constable was in the vicinity when accused committed this offence, he would probably have sent him to gaol without the option of a fine. On the | information of the Inspector of Factories. Hallenstcm Bros, were charged with having failed to close their shops at 0.30 p.m. on 10th October. Defendants failed to appear, and were convicted and fined His and costs 7s. Fife charges for failing to give a half-holiday to women employed in a factory ca l-ttli October were preferred against William Pellew. Defendant did not appear. On each charge he was convicted and fined 5s and costs 7s.

11l the course of aa interview with thi) Premier on Monday, a Daily News reporter was given some particulars of tlie increased post and telegraph business, which has been very marked. In 1807, 3,300,000 articles were posted and delivered, and the postal revenue was £IO,OOO. In 1907 the number of articles dealt with had risen to 7,308,011, c(|U.vl to Hamper cent., and the revenue to, £13,08?, equal to 35 per cent. Moneyorders issued ami paid in the former

year reached 14,300 in number and £40,010 in value. These in 1007 had increased to '20,055 ill number and £83,025 in value, being an increase of 47 per cent, in number and 08 per cent, in amount. The savings bank deposits in 1807 totalled 57% for £78,31)8, and the withdrawals 3881 for £71,540. In

I'JO7 the transactions were 14.331 deposits for £220,357, and 5370 withdrawals for £180.308. The number of postal notes sold and paid in the former year was 25,080 for £7OOI. la 1007 the number had risen to 07,05(1 and the value to £21,000. Nine years ago 240,520 telegrams were handled and the value of the forwarded messages was £3759. In 1008 the number of messages had increased bv 150 per cent, being 503,112, and the value of the forwarded messages was £OBOO, an increase of 83 per cent. The increase in the telephone business has also been satisfactory in the New Plymouth district, the total number of subscribers having risen in ten years from 137 to 472.