LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 224, 27 January 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There was a vivid lightning display in the eastern sky this morning about two o'clock. The wind was then rising, and the weather was most threatening. Thunder became frequent in the next hour, and heavy rain and hail were exneiicnccd.

The Taranaki war veterans have unanimously come to the decision that His Excellency Lord Islington is the finest .Governor New Zealand has possessed. Yesterday, Lord Islington -fraternised with the old chaps, and when the photograph of the group came to be taken, intimated his desire to oe included since he was their president Hence the veterans' decision.

The number of persons who arrived in the Dominion during the last month was 4,635, and the number of persons who departed 2,022, says a Wellington Press message. For December, 1909, the figures were: Arrivals, 5030; departures, 2302. The total number of arrivals for the last year was 35,709, and of departures 32,301, compared with 38,630 arrivals and 33,931 departures in 1909.

-annevirke at the present time (says Monday's News) is literally hemmed in with fires. The heavy wind on Saturday afternoon fanned the flames into fresh activity, and the. lire at Tiratu sprang up afresh. The bush from Rua Roa to Te Rehunga was passed through by fire yesterday, and a fresh blaze in the direction of the old Totara mill sprang up. The Manawatu Gorge was also on' fire yesterday. According to the Times, a constable on duty in Dunedin caught a hedgehog early the'other morning in Princess-street, and there is a good deal of speculation as to whether it is an escaped pet or a wild one bent on exploring the city. A year or two ago a family residing in the suburbs had a pair given to them by friends in Christchurch, and after keeping them for some time they both escaped, since when there has hecn a good deal of speculation concerning their future. Escaped pets, such as parrots, canaries, etc., give rise to the. question, "Why have they not become acclimatised and multiplied in their wild state?"

Some people imagine that sharks will not come close in shore to attack a man, but the experiences of a party at Hampden, near Oamaru, proves the contrary. Three men were trawling for llounders, and were wading up to their armpits in water, when one of the party named Webb was fiercely attacked by a shark, which cut the clothes clean off his back, and had it not been for the courageous manner in which his chum, J. Culling, beat off the shark with a pole until the party got out of the water, it is pretty certain that Webb would have been killed. The shark was about Bft or 10ft in length. Campers on the Dargaville coast were interested last week in finding a stranded porpoise, eight feet long, in proximity to their camp. It had evidently been engaged in warfare with a shark, as a large cavity existed in its back. It is not unusual for porpoises to become stranded on the fifty-mile stretch of beach fronijvaipara Heads to Maunganui Bluff, and the resident natives are quick, to seize upon the blubber. Twenty-five years ago stranded whales were not unusual, but these marine monsters seem to have altered their route of travel. Sharks are reported to be unusually plentiful, and coasting masters report that very large ones are frequently seen.

The gold and silver medals offered tc candidates at the 1910 local centre examinations, R.A.M. and A.C.M., London, have been awarded as stated below: Advanced grade, gold medal, Mary Ingerton, ,singing, 138 marks, pupil of St. Mary's Convent, Wellington; silver medal, Queenie F. Foster, pianoforte, 135 marks, pupil of Mrs. Blanche Levi, A.R.A.M and L.R.A.M., Dunedin. Intermediate grade: Gold medal, Alison Mary Tucker, pianoforte, 140 marks, pupil of Miss Yorston, Dunedin; silver medal, John Hadden Barr, pianoforte, 135 marks, pupil of Miss Yorston, Dunedin. Victor Harris meminwni gold medal: Maud Eleanor Malcolm, advanced grade violin, 134 marks, pupil of Miss May Donaldson, Wellington.

Being' a soldier himself, Lord Isling ton was much attracted by the ancient warriors on Marsland Hill yesterday, and spent a good deal of time chatting with the veterans and examining their medals. It gave one fine old gentleman a chance to talk Wiltshire to His Excellency, who evinced the keenest interest in the old gentleman's reminiscences of that fair county. Botli the Governor and his aide, Captain Shannon, carefully examined the medals of Mr. Quiim, of Hawera, whose lighting career began in the middle of last century, and who yet carries himself and his breastful of medals gallantly earned in the Crimea, the Mutiny and Taranaki. Even the last "bit of a dust" happened more than forty years ago, and a lot of the ancient warriors are still feeling fit. The following tenders were received by the Okato Road Board for earthwork and metalling on the Hampton mid Perth roads: Hampton road.—J. C. Montefiore, earthwork £355, new metal fis (id per yard; T. and R. Parkin, earthwork £255, old metal £1 los per'chain, new metal 5s lid per yard; Vickery and Hiekev, £325 15s, 12s, and fis 2d; A. C. Vincent, £470 lfis 4d. lfis 4d, and 5s lid: Caddy ami Hurlstone, £4OO, £3, and 9s 9d; Julian and Dav, lump sum, £llOB 2s Bd. The tender of Messrs. T. and R. Parkin was accepted. —Perth road. —J. C. Montefiore, earthwork £173 lfis, metal fis fid per yard; T. and R. Parkin, CIU and fis (id; Vickerv and Hiekev, £l3O and fis 7d; W. A.'Thomas. £l3O and. fis 9d; A. C. Vincent, £2BO 13s 4d and fis 7d; Julian and Day, lump sum, £9lO 18s. Messrs. Vickery and Rickey's tender was accepted, T. and R. .Parkin- not bei'ng able to complete both contracts in the time specified. ATTACKED WHILE WORKING. "While at my work one morning, I was attacked with severe griping pains in the stomach," writes Mr. David Howard. Rale, Victoria. "T tried Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, and am pleased to say that it cured me in a few minutes. Since then I have had sey-, eral attacks, and have alwavs. riaed Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea, Remedv with good results." Sold by all chemists and storekeepers. I '<-.;,.'<,-Hit-^ti-ia&*&

No fewer than 1000 people visited the oil wells at Moturoa between September sth and yesterday. The date of opening of the Xew Plymouth Technical School has not been definitely fixed, but it will be early in March, we understand.

When the water was turned on yesterday at the fountain unveiling ceremony, ami some of the veterans got a sprinkling, one of them made the remark, "Well, we can stand lire, but noi water."

Close on eight hundred people from Inglewood visited New Plymouth on the occasion of the annual picnic yesterday, the rendezvous being the Breakwater. On the beach and in the vicinity picnic parties spent a pleasant day, the weather lor the occasion being all that could be desired.

''How would you like me to shoot you at a distance of 000 yards?" This was the rather startling observation made to His Excellency the Governor at the Park yesterday by a veteran of 82 years. "But, surely," replied Lord Islington, "you would not shoot me." "No, youi Excellency," replied the veteran, "but I would quick and lively if you were an enemy!" His Excellency was highl) amused.

One of the veterans, being questioned by His Excellency the Governor at Marsland Hill yesterday as to his services, stated that he had served through the Maori war but had not distinguished himself except on one occasion while on sentry duty one dark night in the gully below the hill they were now standing on. He had, he said, put his bayonet into a horse in mistake for a Maori. His Excellency smiled a smile.

After his official attendance at the reception in Pukekura Park yesterday afternoon His Excellency the Governor went on a walking tour through the picturesque llecreation Grounds, and afterwards through Mr. Newton KingS and Mr. C. W. Govett's grounds. Afterwards His Excellency was driven to the White Hart Hotel, where he dined with His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. D. Henry and a few other prominent citizens. ''Driven by Taranaki oil," was the text of a placard on the back of one of the motor-cars in use on the Sports Ground yesterday. Those who have used the hpcal oil state that it possesses greater driving power than any other oil in use. The benzine used in this instance was supplied in the presence of witnesses by Mr. Keith, manager of the Taranaki Petroleum Co., to Mr. E. Gilmour, who had emptied his other oil from his petrol tank. There were six pints of it in all, and with this the car was kept running for a good part of the afternoon.

Yesterday, when the Governor waß called upon to unveil the soldiers' memorial on Marsland Hill, he graspec the cord and pulled energetically. The cord came away in his hand, and somebody suggested that it would be all right to let it go at that. But His Excellency mentioned quietly that the people might be disappointed at the incomplete effect. "Somebody ought to climb across the water-basin," piped a veteran. "Is that part of my duty?" quizzically asked the Governor, smiling, and seemed about to climb across. A gentleman however, rushed to the rescue with a ladder, and became deputy unveiler.

The following letter .has been addressed to Mr. T. Ronaync, General Manager of Railways, by the secretary of the New Plymouth High School Board:—Dear Sir, In support of the deputation from the Chamber of Commerce which recently waited on you with regard to the running of an early train to arrive in New Plymouth about D o'clock, I desire to bring under yonr notice the very grave disadvantage which this school labors under through there not being any train arriving before 11 o'clock. There is a very considerable number of children who are entitled to attend the New Plymouth High School residing at Waitara, Bell Block, Sentry Hill, Leppcrton, Inglewood, etc., who are debarred from attendance, to the detriment of themselves and the school, and the governors have long felt the injury to the school on this account. I have therefore to request that you will give the matter your favorable consideration.

A dinner of old and present Nelsonians resident in New Plymouth was held at the Robe street hall last night, when there were some forty Nelsonians present. The chairman (Mr. J. B. Roy) read apologies from a number of old Collegians who were unable to bo present. The toast of the evening, "The School," was proposed by Mr. Roy. Mr. R. H. Quilliam, in responding, laid stress on the even combination of study and athletics. Referring to shooting, he noted that in shooting the school had, in the last four years, been twice first in New Zealand and twice second. The following toast list, interspersed, with songs and recitations, was gone through: "Absent Friends, Old Boys and Masters," proposed by Mr. L. S. Jennings, responded to by Mr. Joseph Mackay; "Sports," proposed by Mr. K. Munro, responded to by Messrs. E. F. Blundell and F. Watson; "The Nelsonian," proposed by Mr. T. R. Saywcll, responded to by Mr. 11. D. Skinner.

There was a proud man among the | yeterans on parade in the Park yesterday. He was private John 0 - Donnell, i late of the Fifty-fifth Regiment, whose j breast sported several medals for services rendered to his Queen and country in the Crimean war. When the Governor reached him. he enquired of John as to his experiences and particularly concerning an uncommon looking medal that he wore. "That, You*- Excellency," he proudly replied, "is a medal given me for being the best shot in the British Army." The veteran then related the circumstances. It was after peace had been proclaimed and the armies were in quarters in Sebastapol. A shooting match was got up between the British and Russian armies, the ranges being from 300 to 000 yards. Private John O'Donncll came out on top on the British side and then he fired a match for supremacy with the best shot in the Russian army. They were practicallv equal in the shorter ranges, but when it came to the 000 vnrds range, Private O'Donnell put on three bulls-eves and four inners, the Russian responding with two bulls-eyes and five inners, and victory vested with John. Private O'Donnell had been awarded five good conduct badges, hut he had not hcen able to obtain a good conduct medal. He told the Governor this, and the latter advised him to make his reouest through the proper quarters and he would be very glad indeed to give the application his support. The veteran expressed his thanks by clapping the Governor nn the shoulder and telling him what a good fellow he was. It may be added that Private O'Donnell is now 82 years of age. has lived under three Kimrs and one Queen, and saw service at Alma, Selinstopol and Balaclava. He is still hale and hearty, and can shoot almost as straight now as he used to do in his younger days. At least, he says he can. ANXIOUS MOMENTS.

One of the most anxious times of .a mother's life is when lier little ones have nroun. Thero is no other medWno do »f----fretive in this terrible malady as Dr. SlieMon's New Discovery. It can be safelv >riven and be dcpoti'ded upon. No mother should pver he without a hot He in the bouse. Is <Jd and 3s. Obtainable everywhere.

The application of ex-Captain Knyvett for a new trial is still hung up. MajorOnera! (iodley. Commandant of the New Zealand forces, states that he is "giving the matter the fullest consideration.''

The illuminated address presented to His Excellency the Governor yesterday, was a remarkably line piece of work, designed and executed by Mr. Alf. Lee, of the stall' of Messrs. Hooker and C 0.,. and it would be more than a credit to any firm in any city in the Dominion. As an example of what can be done by local industry, the fountain unveiled on Marsland Hill yesterday stands well in the front rank. This very handsome and \ery substantial-looking memorial was the work of Mr. W. F. Short at his monumental works in Powderha'm street.

Several local business people, we are> told, were the victims of a mild hoax yesterday. They received messages purporting to Come from the vice-regal visitor, asking that certain goods be sent to the White Hart Hotel for him "on. appro." There's a bad time in store for the practical joker if lie is discovered soon. There was a crowded attendance at the social held in the Okato Hall on Tuesday evening, got up for the purpose of raising funds for renovating the local Presbyterian Church. The programing was of a very interesting character, and the various items were rendered with credit by the several performers.—Own correspondent;

It is stated that someone broke open the shed in which the Central School cadets' uniforms were stored, and tha* the uniforms were issued to cadets for yesterday's function, contrary to the expressed instructions of the chairman of the committee, whose arbitrary action ia preventing the boys from participating in the festivities was a subject of adverse comment throughout the day and a source of deep disappointment to the boys themselves.

An incident in connection with the ballot held in Dunedin last week for the small grazing runs on Ormaglade and Morven Hills stations is worth relating, as it is probably unique in the annalft of the ballot. A well-known family in the -.oxburgh district, with four applications for each of the six blocks offered, were unsuccessful in the first three balloted for of Ormaglade and for the fourth section there were 16 left in. As the Morven Hills blocks were to come after, evidently the representative of the family just as the ballot box was going to be opened as'ked for permission to withdraw their applications, but the Com- , missioncr, to save time, said they need not complete if they drew the lucky marble, but to the surprise and amuse-; ment of the large crowd present the family drew it twice, and on the tl|ird" draw, Mrs. Gray, of Hyde, was successful. In the ballot for Morven Hills the four applications were left in for each, but were not successful, the general opinion of many present being that they had lost their luck for all time.