LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 229, 2 November 1909, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr. .1. ,M. ]!ell, I'.R.Ci.S., ilinvtn ol'lhe Ccological Survey lirnui-li of tin .\lines Department. wh>' !: , f.. • n„, | MS lew lliivs been 1)1] :1 geo!:i;>,c.l] illspei'tio; lII' till' district. Willi tile object (if re porting to the (■'overnnient, on it,' petro leimi- bearing anil producing possibility iiit't Mir directors of mid others interest cd ill tin' local pn>spccliiig eompamc last cvi'iiino-, j,„d chatted to them abuu geological matters generally, and tin geological features of the local oil lieli particularly. The meeting which \va presided oyer h.v Mr. U K. Jlellrinj.'ci (acting-chairman of Taranaki l'ctroleun Co.) was not open to the press, hut it ma he stated that Dr. Bell (who necessarii was not at liberty, before reporting | the fiovernmcnf, to .speak definitelv i, Ireely of the results of his work 'am observations) is evidently much impress ed with what he has seen in Ihe ilis Iricl. an.i its oil producing possibilities and views with no small degree of con fidcuce the results that will follow lb making of a detailed geological -urve' of Tarnnaki, a task Unit will take hi' assistant (Mr. R Clark, whom he intni iliiccd to lIIP meeting) and another abom twelve months to complete. The fac: that such an important work is to In undertaken forthwith mav be taken a< an index of Dr. Bell's'faith in am "pinion of the possibilities of the dis tncl. At the conclusion of his remarks which were extremely lucid and inter estnig, be answered several i|iiestionnnd on the motion of \|r. T". 1' Corkil (cliairman of the Oil and FrcclioM Com •puny), seconded by Mr. T. Kurlom (chairman of Ihe Tnglewooil Oil n. Prospecting Companv) Dr. Hell wis ac corded a vote of thanks. Tbo.,- p'.-esen afterwards adjourned to Ihe Cu11',.,, I'a bice where supper was parlaken'of an. n "free and easy'' hour or so spent

Swaggers are no linconinioii on ;)!(! southern country ro/i,K ],„( || l(1 other dav one passing thrnii»li Winches, tf-r attracted unusual attention. ne was a Chinaman, and lie carried n regulation swag, as if to Hi, manner born? The Tlope of l',V[ti(iii( .ftUTiiile Temple y». 2.">. r.0.G.T.. met at St. Mary's Hall' ''"'""'K- The temple was presided over In- j| le C.T. a Sis. T. Connett, an] there was a good attendance of memj bers. The officers' <|nar(erly reports were adopted. The lodge concluded with games. The banner «as wOII by filc titters. •

The following unclaimed letters revived from places beyond the Dominion are lyinsr at the Chief Post Dllice, Xew Plymouth ■—■ S. H. Anstis. Win. Hrereton, K A. Christie, Dr. A. Campbell. Miss Hladys Hook, Hiss .lean -101111x1011, Master Stanley Martin. .fame* Payne, lleurv I enver, ,1. P. Stephenson, W. If. J Ste- | vens, Ceo. Swain. ' 1 STOP IT! .A neglected cough or cold may lead to | serious bronchial or hum troubles. Don't I lillie diftnww. for Dr. Sheldon's New Bis corery for Cough* and Colds affords perfect security from serious effects of a cold. Small dose. Pleasant to take l'.\ery jrtyc guaranteed. Obtainable everywhere.

The Tnranaki Agricultural Society's i schedule for the spring show is now I issued. I

So fur as can be ascertained the lambing ill llawera's back country averages | about OD per cent. Where sheep are kept on the Hal country nearer town percentages are fully 100 per cent. The winter proved particularly favorable for the lambing season, less mortality being reported than for many years past.— I Star.

While playing near the Pctone rail- | way station the other day a small child, | observing the approach of a train, ran to the line and placed a nail on one of the railways for the purpose of enjoying the childish glee of seeing the big engine pass over the object. A man who witnessed the child's folly rushed' to the spot and snatched the child off tiic line just as the locomotive steamed past.

Tho Mayor has reason for keen disappointment at the poor response made to his generous offer to provide £5 in ! prizes for the cottage garden compe.tit'cin. There are scores of people here who take a pride in their gardens, and. moreover, who institute comparisons with their neighbors' plots, generally to their own advantage. The neatly-kept cottage srardon is a feature, and a delightful feature, of the place, and it was expected that there wouUl have been large entries for tiiis competition, instead of only eight.

ill'. Pearce asked the Minister for | Luids whether he is taking the neeessteps' to open up the road to the Rangatatau Block of 10,000 acres at Waitotara, where the unemployed have been bush-felling; and, if so, when will the block be open for selection, and on what tenure? Reply: The necessary road works will be proceeded with as soon us the public works appropriations have been passed. It is hoped that the land will bo opened for public selection some time, in .March next, probably under the optional system; but this is a matter which rests with the Wellington Land Board.

During his chat to the petroleum dieetors last, evening, Dr. Bell, in apologisV,g Tor the dryness" of his' remarks whii'li was unnecessary, us they were imisually clear and interesting), recalled ■he first geological lecture he had atlendi'd. It was given in Canada, and mi its termination he ciime to the con-

elusion it was the driest thing he had ever listened to. When he returned home he decided to look up some geological books and get an insight into the subject, with the result that—he became a geologist himself! He facetiously remarked that he hoped those present that uiglit would also follow in his steps and I become geologists!

The Egmont Lodge, No. 112, 1.0. G.T., held its usual meeting in St, Mary's Hall last evening. The C.T., Bro. G. W. Hartnell, presided over a good Attendance of members. One member was aj w'tted 'by clearance card. The officers handed in their quarterly reports, which were adopted. The following office) s sv.to installed:—C.T., Bro. G. W. Harinell; V.T., Sis. Legg; Sec., Bro. 11. Smith; Treas., Bro. F. H. Pepperill; Fin. See., Bro. (J. llayden-, P.C.T., Bro. ■I- 11 iggs: Chap., Bro. J. <j. Legg; Ma*., !<jo. \V. Bransgrovc; Dep. Mar., Sis. (.'.'son; Atvs. Sec., Sis. C. White; pianist, .Sis, L. White; Registrar, Sis. E. White; Guard, Bro. W. Tind'le; Sent., Bro. J. A. 1 TJcknerj Reporter, Bro. J. Roch. The most popular topic in Napier at the present time is the question of whether the tea-rooms at the municipal baths' should be open 011 Sunday (says the Napier correspondent of the Dannevirke News). The question has quite gripped public attention, ami the newspapers are Hooded with correspondence 011 the matter. The morning paper has published a long interview with the proprietor of the tea-rooms. This gentleman states that when he put in his tender the terms of the proposed lease contained a clause prohibiting Sunday opening, but several of the comuillor* led him to believe that the clause would l.e deleted, otherwise he would not hive tendered so high a figure as £IOO a \oar. The Borough Council has since decided thiU the rooms shall be closed during churcli hours.

The police of New York found upin a burglar, arrested by them, a treatise on safe-cracking that is said to lie the most remarkable document that has ever fallen into their hands. The conen Is are so weN-rompiled that the polar unhesitatingly declare the author a just grand muster in his profession, and. according to Popular .Mechanics, are ■somewhat anxious to fnul out just bow many copies are in circulation throughout the couutrv. . For the most part the manuttript is in the yegg code, a ling.) freely used by thieves the country over. 11 describes the two kinds of safes recognised by the profession, iiiimely. the fireproof and the burglarproof, asserting, however, that there is no genuine burglar-proof safe, and the kind that are drill-proof are only called s<i by courtes'v. Minute directions for cracking a safe are given, together with diagrams to illustrate the treatise. The Employers' Association and the Vi>rlh lvjmont Mountain House Committee will hold a conference this evening upon matters connected with the Accommodation provided on the mountain, and the necessity for improving it. The subject is not an unimportant One, and it is distinctly satisfactory to not-? that the Employers* Association—the accredited mouthpiece of New ply. riouth's business fraternity—is interesting itself in the matter. New building?, enlargement or improvement of the preM'nt admittedly inadequate structure, will cost money. Perhaps the Employers' Association is going to show the Mountain House Committee how to get tliei money. They may even have intentions of guaranteeing the necessary accommodation. If they are, then the con ference is fully warranted, and should farm the starting-point of a large increase of tourist traffic.

A terrible tragedy occurred at Chatswrtli, four miles from ftvmpie (Queensiiiul), l:ist week. 11. C. lVreival, a dairy .inner, and his wife attended a charity arnival and remained in town to tea. lieir son, Artlmr William Percival, aged 11. and daughter Edith, aged IS years 'cmaincd at home. Ahout, 7.30 o'eloel lie two latter were startled by a fusil ade of stones and sticks rattling 0 . lie roof of the house, wliieh is situate [A or 12 yards from the road, and agai rom inside the fence. The brother ail <ister closed and locked tbe doors an •xtingiiishcd the lights, further stone Hid sticks wore thrown. Then the pei iwtrators commenced to molest 111 fowls, which were roosting in the tree: "id als'o struck matches to find lb fowls. Young Percival unlocked Hi Iran- a,id vent outside with a double linrrel g.m loaded. lie look m> n posi lio» underneath the house and nniW 'vi nis. Meanwhile William t'l itz. age, -■!. of a neighboring farmer, hear a noise made by the stones. He wa engaged to Kilith Percival. lie wa walking uti the footpath, when he wa shot at short range. lie received Hi rlnrge full in the stomach. Fritz wa taken to the hospital, where he diet He was asked if it. was' an accident, an replied, "Yes, a pure accident." Tlie prospects of the London niarlte 'or the new season's butter are partien larlv bright at, the moment, and it wonl appear that factories which have con -ijned are likely jo do well with bulte arriving up tn Christ mas. Knquirie (savs the Wellington Post) have bee ir.aile here for butter and cheese stdo;, it in%d rind 5%d f.0.b., hut holders wil not look- at these figures. Offers of lli ('ess 2oer cent,) have also been do billed. The position for footli buttc "id cheese from the factories' point 0 vew is. fo,. (he moment, a very stron line. It is confidently expected itliat les will be heard of excessive moisture con tint this rear 'than last; but shipper I'-e at present in a quandary ns to wha tr ile about it. Under the present Tai ll'ii. and nol (he makers, are liahl' T'licir position was recently minted ou ir. a private interview with the Minister "i"l ' f wis shown how difficult il wa for the si inner to earn- the onus. ivhe 'c' frecpientl'- bouehf hundreds of hove "■■flout wine a nound of the niaki Iniving solelv on the graders' cortifleali As the law now slnnds butter eanno be stopned from shiomcnt on acconn n' its excessive moisture. Tn order t leeel the ease, a 5 far as it can b" mel Afr. 01; ev "M.P., has written to <"i e> pfrrtlnsr firm .ai Resting that the Ooverc niont mijjlit be approached lo si on bill i'-r ivifh moislure from leavin Ihe eoiiutrv if i( were indemnified h i'-iimfaelurer and fihioner combine flionld the butter be held becaii' of canlaining over l(i per cent, of moi; lure—the legal limit. IVhni sln'nnc leally want is legislation empowerin Ihe Agricultural Denartment to prohiV from export any butter containing ove "i per cent, of moisture.