LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 244, 21 February 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AMD GENERAL.

Owing to the late arrival of the Sydney steamer at Auckland, the inward. English mail will not reach New Plymouth till to-night's express. In the poll to be taken to-day on the borough loan proposals for street ana sewage works only ratepayers and owners of property have a vote. No less than 87 nominations have been received for the five events to be run at, the Re-union Picnic on Frankley road on March 2. The running promises to be of a very interesting order. It is stated that for tho expenditure of £3150 (the Marine Department's estimate), Whakatane would possess a harbor capable of being developed into the chief shipping centre of tho Bay of Plenty. A Now Plymouth gentleman who has been in the Waikato and Auckland districts for the past four weeks, writing to a friend, says that he has not seen a green blade of grass since leaving Taranaki.

The local Maoris prophesy a severe winter, basing it upon the unusual quantity of wild berries about. Their prophecy about a dry summer because oi the unusual flowering of the flax in spring is evidently going to be not far astray.

The Patea Co-operative Freezing Works are exceptionally busy just now, and everything and everybody connected therewith are working at high pressure. At the present time an average of 220 head of cattle and nearly 1000 sheep and lambs are being put through. A Jew bootblack, who claimed to be the Messiah, has been sent to prison for 12 months for duping a German widow. On the pretext that he would marry her when he came to his kingdom he became possessed of her savings, omitting to mention that in his earth's private life he had already a wife and five children. Hawke's Bay farmers are complaining bitterly of the damage caused to roads by traction engines. It is pointed out that not only are, the roads badly cut up, but serious grass fires are caused by sparks from the engines. A resident of the Puketitiri road states that he saw one engine start no less than eight fires in this way. The secretary of the Taranaki Rifle Association has received the following letter from Mr. G. Tisch:—"With a view of encouraging rifle shooting, I shall have much 'pleasure in presenting a challenge trophy to your association. I will give it for the teams' match, No. 10 on your programme, to be competed for annually." The Taranaki Rifle Association desire to acknowledge tho receipt of donations to the prize list:—Messrs. R. Cock, Buchanan, Collett and Co., Brash, Hasell, McDiarmid, Legg.Kurta, Nolan, Waugh, Stewart, Hayden, Goodwin, Banks, West and Attrell, 5s each; Mr. Gardner and "Well-Wisher," 2s Cd each.

The Taranaki County Council has been notified that tho New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Office has provisionally approved of the application for a loan of £IOOO for the purpose of constructing the road from Carrington road to Frankley road. The term of the loan will be 36% years, and the interest -P/n per cent. The loan will be secured by a, special rate of V.d in the £.

The North Otago Times tells of a man who went to the courthouse to take out a summons. When there he thought he would register his child. Being a daylate, he was fined ss. When he came out of the courthouse he found his horse and trap in charge of the inspector, and for leaving his wheel unlocked he had to submit to the second indignity of partin" with ss. He then went straight homo ■.•si a worse thing should befall him.

Yesterday's rain was a splendid one for the country. The veriest ofrico boy m town expressed his appreciation of the gift of the gods, and echoed the opinions of his superiors. But only the man on the land knew the real value of the rain, «nd of them surely the most appreciative was the man who had lost his grass in the recent bush fires. So great was the joy of some of them that, it is said, they stood out in the rain coatless and bare of head—their quaint symbol of a glorious Tc Deum.

"What struck me most forcibly during my trip through the islands," said Mr. W. S. 'fait, when interviewed by a Svdney reporter, '-is the wonderful' forward movement in Fiji. I visited the main towns, Levuka, Suva and Liutoka, and was truly astonished at the way in which they have recovered after the hurricane experienced in the islands about twelve months ago. while in common with everything else the banana trade is beginning to divert hack, to its old standard again" The colony is also deriving much benefit from tfie trocas shell industry, which is practically a new development in Fiji. Wet seasons have been granted to the Islanders for the past few years, but during my visit there was a little scare with regard to the probability of (here being another hurricane, but 'fortunately this did not eventuate." In conclusion, Mr. Tait said that in his opinion the future of Fiji promises to be a very bright one.

I It is reported that two voum* men, fine of them, Mr. T. Kirkby, of New Plymouth, met with an exciting adventure on Friday night. On returning from Douglas to Puniwhakau on horseback at about 10.45 p.m., just as they worn passing Mr. hedge's farm, they were startled by the report of a gun, fired apparently from just inside the fence. Kirkby received shots in his thigh and ankle, and both the horses were alss hit. Kirkby's wounds necessitated his coming in to .Stratford next .morning for treatment. Dr. Paget succeeded in extracting some of the shots, but there are others embedded in the ankle, which give some trouble. Kirkby came on to his home in New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, and is now in Dr. Fookes' care. Though causing some lameness, the wounds arc not very serious, but it might easily have been a serious matter. The Stratford Post states that Detective Boddam and Constable Mackintosh proceeded yesterday to Douglas and arrested a settler named George fledge on a charge of discharging a firearm at Kirkby, and doin'sr actual bodilv harm, fledge was brought to Stratford, and appeared before the Court in the afternoon, a remand till Friday being granted.

Whangamomona is agitating for a resident policeman and doctor. The first meeting of the new Fitzroy Town Board will be held to-night. A shoal of kahuwai, acres in extent, was seen near the wharves on Sunday. A bicycle race will take place to-night, commencing at (5.30, between the Red House and Bell Block, /or a prize presented by Mr. Arnold George.

Two men had more intoxicants than they could conveniently do with last evening, and will answer to charges of drunkenness at the Police Court this morning.

In "Ratepayer's" letter in yesterday's issue tin' transposition of a couple of figures made it appear that the arch alone of the Powdeiham street culvert cost .01200. It should have rcad£i!oo.

There will be no play on the Park Lawn Tennis Club's'courts this afternoon. It is considered likely, too, that the tennis lawns will be closed on both Thursday and Saturday afternoons, in which Cit.se the men are request*] to attend on the courts with a view of getting the full value from yesterday's heavy rain. Twenty of the members can be kept busy, and afternoon tea will be provided. Mr. Plowden, the well-known London magistrate, interviewed by a Daily Telegraph representative, said: "I hate Hog.r," as much as any man could do, but 1 believe it is the strongest deterrent in the code of punishment when used as a corrective for certain crimes. My experience has shown me that people who commit crimes of violence are, as often as not, cowards, and there is nothing they are more afraid of than physical pain."

Before leaving London for the Continent last month, Kubelik, the famous violinist, completed (says the Daily Telegraph) the purchase of the famous "Kmperor" Stradvarius violin, which has for a number of years been hi the possession if a Leeds instrument collector. It has not been played on in public for over a hundred years, and it is expected that Kubelik will perform upon it at the Queen's Hall next June.

A Press telegram states that Wellington citizens welcomed their two victorious bands back from Palmerston very heartily at the Town Hall last night, when, in spite of bad weather, about 1000 people assembled. The Mayor, Mr. T. W. Wilford, on behalf of the citizens, extended a hearty welcome to the conductors and men of the Garrison and Tramway bands, and said he felt sure that next October the bands would be provided by the public with money to viist Australia.

The Taranaki Oarrison Band wag fourtli in the 1? grade at the contest at Palmerston North. Bandmaster Cummins must be congratulated on this, although the place is not a high one, for ho took the band over when it was "all at sixes and sevens," and when it had lost the services of such players as Messrs. Stunney, Henrichs, Saunders, Allen, and others, who were amongst its most brilliant and reliable instrumentalists. The band contains a very large percentage of young players, who will doubtless profit from last week's contest experience, and make a more prominent showing next year.

A lady cyclist had a rather distressing experience in Christchurch a few nights ago (says the Press) but luckily, owing to her sharpness, she was able to circumvent her tormentor. The lady was cycling to her home in the suburbs in the twilight, when she was unexpectedly accosted by an unknown man on a bicycle, who, despite the fact that absolutely no encouragement was given him, persisted in addressing the lady. She found it impossible to get rid of his obnoxious presence, and consequently hit on the idea of cycling to the nearest police station. When the cad on the cycle became aware of the close proximity of the police staion he scorched off, and the lady was able to go on her way unmolested.

A whale was stranded on Stewart Island recently. It was observed by a mill hand named Lee on the beach near the sawmill at Xorth Arm, in Patcrson's Inlet at half-tide, and it was left high and dry at low water. Its length wiis 53ft, but the species is still in doubt, opinions differing as to whether it is a "fin back" or "right" whale. The ownners, Messrs Lee ( - 2), Greenwood and sharp, were offered .CIOO for the carcase, but would not accept, as if it proves to be a "right" whale the value should be in the neighborhood of £3OO. A number of launch parties from Halfmoon Bay visited the Xorth Arm to view the whale, it being possible to walk round at low water.

''"he latest news from Canada indicates that there is a great shortage of hay over the prairie provinces, a fact which is very likely to have led (as this usually does lead) to a great sacrifice of stock before winter sets in in earnest, and a consequent shorter supply of cattle for export next year. So great is the shortage that dealers in Winnipeg have gone as far east as Quebec for supplies, and .shipments from that province, as well as Ontario, were being made extensively when the last mail left. In addition to i, British Columbia—which nsuallv

ows potatoes sufficient to spare largo quantities for export—has had such small crops this year that it is importing supplies from Quebec and the maritime provinces.

Writing of "The Marys of the Empire," "Zealandia.' in the Xew Zealand Times, says:—The variations of the sacred and beautiful name of "Mary" are to include May, Marion, Maria, and Marie, so that the merest trifle from every woman and girl enrolled under each of these names would mean a gift of which we women of Xew Zealand might I* proud. The Mayoress of "Wellington, "Mrs. Wilfnrd. much as she longs to scud Home something worthy of "the Queen's Marys" of the Dominion, confesses that at the present time prospects of so doing are not llourshing. In fact, unless the Marys, Marions, Mays, and Maries, bestir themselves or their "responsible advisers" do so for them, a fivepound note i.s likely to lie the limit of their enthusiastic oll'cring to Coronation loyalty!

On the arrival of the Japanese Antarctic expedition in Wellington it was stated ihat. none of the officers or men could speak English. A writer in the Xew Zealand Times records (he followiug statement made by a bookseller: 'i have been amused," he said, "to hear that none of the ollicers of the Kaiuan Maru speak English. Here's what 1 know. Several of (llem, including Shirase and the secretary Tada, came to me to buy English novels. Shirase speaks as good English as vou do. Tada l>iekc!_up a book by Mr. VY. W. Jacobs. He .said, 'This man's books are verv good -- sea stories about the Emrlish eoasl. How many have vou got?' Thev bought every book of Jacobs 1 had in slock. They stood and talked to me in English about English books nnd authors, and I know enough about books to know (hat they knew what Ihey were talking about. The sesniid ofticer is said to be only a sca-noing man, with ins! a. word or two of English. 1 spoke to him about the ship's engines. He '■.poki Eiieji-h and used technical terms Durin"- (he talk about hooks. 1 heard one • ■' ; hem ma.kc a casual reference to a (','.:•;> he knew at Harvard. They talked English all rL'hl. take it from me. One went off with ten novels."