LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 325, 26 February 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd.. have received the following cablegram from their London ! louse under date 23rd inst,: Tallow: The market has advanced fid per cwt. On the 22nd inst., in the Supreme Court, on the motion of Mr. C. M. Townsend, Mr. Justice Edwards granted probate of the will of Thomas Jury, late of Waitara, deceased, to Thomas Leonard Jury and John Andrews, the executors named in the will. In his speech at the annual meeting of the Christehurch Meat Company the chairman of directors (Mr. F. de C. Malet) said: "The bacon business of the company, although moderately profitable in Ifioa, has, I may say, only at rare intervals been of any real value to the company. Various developments which have lately taken place in regard to the position of the bacon trade have caused tne directors 1 to seriously conj siiler as to whether it was advisable to ! continue 'this branch of the business. After carefully reviewing the whole position, the directors unanimously decided tliat it would be in the best interests of the company that this branch should be discontinued. Stops have already been taken, therefore, to liquidate our bacon interests, and I am pleased ti state that in a few months we will be entirety clear. A very considerable loeking-up of capital has in the past been required for this trade, which will shortly be free for other purposes, and T am sure you will share the opinion of myself and my,colleagues that it can be much better utilised in strengthening our finances."

The number of' persons who arrived in New Zealand during January was 4130, ahd of those who departed 2002. In January, 1900, the arrivals numbered 582 and the departures 2233. At Waitara on Thursday two croquet matches were played against members of the lnglewood Croquet Club. The visitors were beaten by the Waitara Tennis Club by f.O points to 22, but bent the Waitara Bowling Club by 2G points to 24 One of the veterans who has not made the trip to see Lord Kitchener at Wellington was asked yesterday why he had stayed at home. The old gentlereply was that he was one of :'. picked body who Had been left in New Plymouth to defend the people against possible invasion!

The Egmont Village correspondent of the lnglewood Record forwards the following tit-bit:—"The concert did not commence till late as the chairman could not be ionnd. Abont eight o'clock someone found out that the chairman had not been asked to come. Mr. Dewhirst very kindly ailed the vacancy •caused through Mr. Morton's absence"

About 130 members oi the Royal Veterans' Association foregathered in Wellington on Thursday evening. Of those 53 were members of the "Taranaki contingent," and Colonel Ellis proposed one of the principal toasts at the gathering. Mr. Charles Albert, as "Lord Clay" in the "Betfe "ST Cuba" last night, scored a neat hit at the expense of the Taranaki cricket "fifteen." The Whiteley flower show committee was decidedly unfortunate in the matter of weather during the two days of their autumn flower show. They had spared no pains te ensure its success', and all that was needed was a crowded attendance. This there was every prospect of, as considerable interest bad been evinced in the proceedings for some time past, but unfortunately, just prior to the opening, rain fell and continued on both days. Yesterday's attendance was considerably larger than on the previous day, and much better business was done by the ladies' at the refreshment rooms, whilst a considerable quantity of fruit and vegetables, etc., was disposed of. Tne committee had expected to net about £2O as the result of the show, but will little more than clear expenses.