LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 274, 13 November 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mails for America, Canada, and the United Kingdom (via Vancouver) despatched from here on -'Sth September arrived at London on 7th November. The Pukekura Park Hoard desire to thank the owners of the motor-cars, Messrs. liccston (of the Criterion

Garage) and Eraser (chemist) for the free use of their cars at the children's I'ienic held last Monday in' the Recreation Sport.- Ground. Owing to the generosity of these gentlemen the funds were increased by about .CO.

A New Plymouth rough-coated collie, owned by iirs. Grayson, won two firsts, a special, and the New Zealand championship at Wangaaui on Wednesday. Tliis youngster, which carries the mime , of -Dick Sedilun," was bred by Mr. L, 11. Little from the well-known dam

"Vallie. " He is a handsome specimen, largely proportioned without coarseness.

Owing In pressure of work consequent on tlie election campaign, it is only Willi considerable difficulty that all the principal meetings can be reported, and on Wednesday evening we were unable to spare a reporter for Mr. Malone's meeting at Bell Block. For the report of the meeting, which appeal's in another part of this paper, we arc indebted to our evening contemporary, whose assistance we desire to acknowledge, .with thanks. The Carringtou Road Hoard having received intimation that the settlers' contribution to the cost of forming and grading the Mill road has been raised, on Wednesday night decided to prepare plans and specifications and call tenders for the work. The Board has also received notice of JJ2OO having been paid by the Government to the Board's credit for the Upper Carringtou road metalling. The llrooklamU road contractor is to be nolilied that he must at once commence work.

Tilt county electious were not allowed to pass off without a little excitement. Nor were they expected to when it became known that Mr. W. Stanley was attempting to secure the seat occupied by his neighbor, Mr. J. R. Hill. On Tuesday night, after Mr. 11. Okey's meeting at Tarurutangi, Mr. Stanley addressed the ratepayers. His opponent happened along just at the conclusion of his peroration, and he promptly to 0'; the stump. A lively few minutes followed.

On Monday morning deputations,] friends, and admirers clustered round Sir Joseph Ward's sitting-room thick as bees around a honey-pot. Just as the Prime Minister and party had started on tieir way to the Town Hall to meet the farmers' deputation, in came, up rushed, none other than Mr. J. Carey, of Ok-ato. 'Twas in vain that Sir Joseph's protectors assured him that the Premier was very busy. "Look here, Sir Joseph," and lie smiled at the Leader o'f the Government in appealing fashion, "I only want two minutes, and I'll have to see you now, because 1 have to get home to milk." The fort was carried by storm, and Mr. Jack Carey got his interview,

It has been stated in one or two newspapers, on the strength of some undefined information alleged to have been received by last mail from England, that Mr. Reeves laid been practically forced to retire from the High Commissionership to make way for Mr. Hall-Jones. In his speech at Pahiatua the other night Sir Joseph "Ward said that the statement was utterly untrue. The first suggestion that Mr. Reeves should relinquish the High Commissionership was made by himself in a letter which was of the most kindly and friendly character. Mr. Reeves had been a most valuable officer -and an ornament to his position, and lie liud retired much to the regret of the .Ministry.

opening of the North Island Main Trunk line very nearly ended in catastrophe. While the first (rain was speeding on its return two or three miles the other side of Ungarue, suddenly there was a shock (says' the Auckland Stai'), and after a short rasping interval the train pulled up with a jerk. At first many of those on board thought a cow had been captured, as several of these female bevines were seen grazing beside the track, but a look forward sent a «"ld thrill down several spines at what might have been but fur the providential "if." While travelling at about 25 miles an hour, the great driving-wheels of No. 349 jumped the rails, and for about a hundred yards the wheel flanges, revolving beside the rails, stripped every bolt-head from the fishplates. Had the bogie wheels not loyally stuck to the track, the big 70-ton engine would almost certainly have gone plunging down the bank, carrying scleral, ii not all, of the carriages with it. Locomotive-inspector G. Bowls, Driver E. Warner, and Guard R. llankin, with the assistance of the other train officials, lost no time, however, and with the lnechanical aid of nothing but the engine's own power and what blocks of wood for steering purposes they couldgather, hail their heavy charge on the rails again in a little over half an hour. It was a .smart and workmanlike performance, and a hearty cheer from the lay onlookers testified to their appreciation of it.