LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 17 March 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There will be family bathing at the municipal baths to-night from seven o'clock. Dunedin reports that welcome rain fell on Wednesday night, breaking up the three months' drought. The dog poisoning liend is at work in Fitzroy again. Mr. Parker lost u valuable collie dog, which was poisoned while chained up on his own premises. The matter is in the hands of the police. Every available local motor-car ha* been hired for the 40-mile journey down the coast to the Opunake Races at Pihama to-day, in addition to a number of private cars. A number of race-goers were endeavoring to secure cars yesterday, but were unsuccessful in their quest. Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., gave his reserved judgment on Monday in the case in which the Palmerston Borough Council was charged with a breach of the Factories Act in not registering the Opera House as a factory because electricity was generated there for picture shows, etc. The magistrate convicted the council, and imposed a fine of Is and costs. A local boot seller on Wednesday placed two pairs of boots outside his shop marked at sale prices, thinking, as he said, to give someone an. opportunity of picking up cheap boots. Someone took the opportunity—and the boots—as when he went outside some time later, all that was left was tht price ticket. It may, however, yet prove an expensive bargain, as the police have the matter in hand. Th vicar of St. John's, Newcastle (the Rev. Cyril Hepher), who was one of the New Zealand niissioners, on his return to England, said it was delightful to see the way in which the missioners were received and accepted by their country-men. "Nowhere," he said, "have I received more kindness or hospitality. The New Zealander is unconventional, cultivated, and keenly interested-in all manner of intellectual thigs, and, above all, is loyal through and through." He • has a great opinion of New Zealand scenery, but refers to one eyesore:— "This was the burnt bush. When a settler arrives at his homestead the first thing he does is to set fire to the bush, to ena-ble him to sow English grass on the land. The effect of the fire is to leave dotted about charred and part-ly-burned trees, which are left to rot, and as can be readily understood, they become monotonous, and mar an otherwise glorious outlook." A group of prominent farmers in Manaia a few days ago were hoard to give expression to some very strong opinions on the question of co-operative dairy production (says the Witness). The name of a co-operative factory having been mentioned, one of the speakers asserted that under cover of co-opera-tion the farmers of the district were robbing each other. In point of fact, there was no co-operation at all. As much as from 12 to 15 per cent, of water was put into the milk of the suppliers. The milk went to the bottom and passed undetected. A test should be made every day and the results posted up outside and a fine of £IOO imposed. That might have the of curing dishonesty of that kind. Other opinions equally outspoken and entirely in sympathy with the preceding remarks were expressed, one gentlman quoting the testimony of a Government cxperr confirmatory of the statement that drastic measures were required to correct the present state of things. The promptitude and presence of mind of a young lady named Miss Richmond prevented a drowning accident at Moturoa yesterday afternoon. Two young lads, aged about seven or eight years,' were bathing near the rocks, when one of them, named Inch, got out of his depth and was at once in difficulties. Miss Richmond and another young lady who were bathing near by rushed to his assistance. The former secured the lad, and held him up until three young men, including Mr.'Frank Poland, who were near by, responded to their cries for help. One of them at once took the lad. As soon as she knew the lad was safe, the re-action after the excitement was evidently too much for Miss Richmond, who fainted, and had to he carried out of the water, but she soon revived. The lad was unconscious for about a quarter of an hour, but the resuscitation methods applied by Mr. Poland and others were fortunately successful, and the lad is now none the worse for his mishap. A short sitting of the Police Court was held yesterday before Mr. J. W. Boon, J.P., when two borough bylaw cases were dealt with. Geo. M. Arrowsmith was charged on the information of Inspector Tippins with driving a motor-car on the footpath in St. Aubyn street. He pleaded guilty, but stated that new metal had been laid right across the road, and he went on th« footpath not thinking he was breaking the by-laws. He was fined 10s and costs 7s. Dr. Wylic was also charged with driving a motor-car without lights. He was unable to be present, but was represented by Mr. Nicholson, who admitted, the charge, and explained that Dr. Wylie had driven from the Red Post corner to his residence in Liardet street, and allowed the ear to remain outside while he went in to get matches. Inspector Tippins stated that the. ear remained standing without lights for l.'i minutes. The Bench said it'"was a serious matter to drive a motor-ear, without lights, and particularly for a doctor, who Mas of necessity compelled to travel quickly. A fine'of 10s and costs 7s would be imposed, but a second of--1 fence would not be treated so leniently., A correspondent of the Wnnganiiii Chronicle sees in the ' improvement of the New Plymouth harbor a source of danger to the Wangamii nort. Hear him:—"The idea of New Plymouth being the transhipment port for Wamjanni must not be tolerated. Without doubt, New Plymouth has gained a point on Wanganui in the way of possessing accommodation for liners, if only of the tramp kind. At the present rate of progress here, how long will it be before we have sufficient water to accommodate even the tramp liners? And what is it that has given New Plymouth this advantage? Tt appears to be nothing more or less than a result of the work done by their splendid new dredge. Of course, previous to obtaining it, there was plentv of berthage for the vessels plying between Oneliuiiga and Wellington, which, though small, are of too great draught to eiiler our port. It is very micstionable as fo whelher (here is. hiking i( for granted we obtain (he I same facilities as \"cw I'tvimnMi has. room for (wo large ports ~,, • :■■ ...,, , I I- l ; K!e doi'l'l i! W'H oar \: : a, r '• , . I well (o llsa \>w Plymouth as •• : 'hi .hi', ! pin- porl. as ;v':iin-l ushig W-Hi.ag' ~ until, at any raie, it, po--esses e.-ot"! iV eililies of its own, if the river will ever admit of their being provided. DR. SHELDON'S DIGESTIVE TARULES are a positive cure for indigestion, flatulence, heartburn, acidity of stomach, and all stomach troubles, Prices 2s Od per tin of 80 tabules. Obtainable everywhere. I

A mild rush for farming land around Rotorua as a result of the releii.-e of about 250,000 acres is reported.

There are some "wideawake" men on some of the Tnranaki local bodies. At a recent meeting of one of these a member dozed oil' just after the meeting commenced and only awakened wlua his confreres got up from the table!

The clerk of the llawke's Bay/ County Council has decided that in future ;ill reports of committees will be type-writ-ten for the convenience of the Pic.-s, giving each one a copy. It is to be hoped that some of the other local bodies will follow suit in this respect. From the Westminster Gazette (London) : Hon. Joan Dickson-Poyuder, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Lord and Lady Islington, has written an historical play on the subject of Marie Antoinette, It will probably be produced at Government House, Wellington, ami the authoress has cast herself for the lending part.

Tho Admiralty is seeking for stokers, and seamen for the Australasian naval forces. Applicants must have resided in Australasia for at least three years. Applications have to be made to the commander of the Pioneer at Auckland, or to the Royal Naval Registrar, Wellington, on or after March ij.

An old lady named Mrs. Sch'ultz left Rcrekepa for Uruti, a distance c' 18, miles, last Friday on foot (says the Waitara Mail). She arrived at Uruti all right, had a meal, and was put on the road home again. It was reported she was lost, but Constable Lapouple, who was out that way on Monday, Was informed that the wandcrei had turned up all right. A continuous walk of 18 miles is not bad for a person of 80 years of age, which is the number of summers Mrs. Sehultz has seen.

A meeting of those interested in the acquirement of the Banks Meat Company's premises at Ngahauranga was held yesterday, says a Press telegram from Wellington. Resolutions were carried approving of the purchase, and authorising the formation of a company to erect frozen meat works, to be ready for operation at the beginning of next season. A provisional directorate was formed, and a prospectus will be issued at an early date. Mr. Jas. Macintosh was appointed chairman of the provisional directors, and Mr. W. Nicholson secretary pro tern, Though there is a good deal of money in the banks, trade here is not improving much and, though the Dominion generally is supposed to be very prosperous, trade here is decidedly dull the Wellington Post). The Mayor has not only many applications for work, but also many calls upon his private purse. "Jt is really astonishing the number of people who make application to me for employment," he said, "especially men who are incapacitated, crippled in some manner, from doing manual labor." Of the latter class, Mr. Wilford has had as many as four wait on him in one day. ''They are scarcely fit to do anything but wave a flag," said Mr. Wilford, "and what can I do'/"

A seven-year-old youth named McCoy met with an accident last evening on Marsland Hill. He was running down the hill, and, being apparently unaware of the steep declivity near tlie bottom, ran over the path and fell, breaking his leg. He was attended to by Dr. Blackley, who ordered his removal to the hospital. This accident draws pointed attention to the danger to children at this spot, and it is a wonder that no accident has been reported before. No doubt the Beautifying Association, which i has done such excellent work in the' improvement of Marsland Hill recently, or the Domain Board which has charge of it, will see that some method of protection is adopted. ]

At Wednesday's meeting of the Stratford County Council the question of making a .small giant towards improving the Upper Pembroke, road, the route to the Stratford Mountain House, was under discussion. The amount involved was very small, only £3 Os Bd, which, with an amount voted at the previous meeting, would bring the Council's quota to £lO, the Borough Council and the public each contributing £lO as well. One councillor, who admitted that he had not been to Wellington since 1870, protested most vigorously against this expenditure, as it" was merely to provide a luxury for a few tourists, and was of no use to settlers. The chairman was of a contrary opinion. Only last weekend, he said, over a hundred local people, many of them county ratepayers, used that particular road. The item passed. The officials and congregation of the Xew Plymouth Methodist Church are very much concerned at the recent Conference appointing licv. J. fi. Chapman to the charge of Taranaki Street, Wellington. Mr. Chapman has done splendid work during his two years' residence in Xew Plymouth, and the Methodist Church there is in a highly flourishing condition—iliolh in the matter of membership and finances. Mr. Chapman and his congregation had hoped that he could continue there for some years longer. A strong protest was made against his removal, but the Conference ruled otherwise. They wanted a strong man to revive interest in what was some years ago the strongest, Methodist' Church in Xew Zealand, and it is a distinct compliment to Mr. Chapman—though he will hardly relish the hard work in trying to revive a dead cause—that lie should be selected for the task. Taranaki Street, Wellington, may be quoted as one of many examples of the blunders of the Methodist Conference, annually repeated, in keeping the "plums" for ministers who have .seen their host days, and depriving younir and talented men of the opportunities they unquestionably should be afforded in the larger centres, ■where their undoubted abilities would receive larger scope.—Wanganui Herald.

, Mr. Mark Saunders, well known as the t - inventor and proprietor of the contrivanco on tlie north mole at Timnru for gaining power from the sea, is still work- • ing late and early with an energy and enthusiasm wliieh certainly deserve sue- ' cess. Mr. Saunders (says the Timnru IFeiiiltl) has spent half a lifetime in an , endeavor to perfect his scheme, and is confident that the goal is now in sight. ~ The only thing which has kept him hack ~ so long.'he says, has been the lack of the . necessary funds to prosecute the work as ? it should have been prosecuted: and he 1 linds scant consolation in the knowledge ; that it is the lot of the poor inventor to J. be trodden upon, while others reap the , harvest of his inventive genius. With , the aid of a trio of loiii; iron tubes with ] funnel-shaped end to catch the waves, i Mr. Saunders is now leading the water . up from the eastern side of the mole [ into a long limning on lop of the rocks, ; from which it i- intended to run down and diiiv a lnrbiii.. on (he otiier -dde. "'. > !! '* '' : - :: '■'■''■ '■ < \ ;'i>r ro.i.iire^-ing <-i I l ' nil'-. am! dial at a ...... which , would mark a very big saving on pre.-enl methods. The scheme may be seen in operation on a small scale. What Mr. Saunders has done with his crude appliances, lie maintains, is quite sullieicnt to show that with a proper plant there is not only gold but also diamonds in sight for whoever reaps the reward of I I his labors.

It lias boon truly said that the proper management of a dairy iierd may be well summed up in feeding'and weeding.

The Southland News says that tho mutton-birders will be leaving about the end of the month for the Titi Islands. v Birds, are reported to be plentiful just now, but some trouble is being experienced in arranging for the necessary craft to convey the various parties. A development of the telephone which has been of great benelit to busincs* people is the long-distance "wire. The New Zealand Post Olliee authorities have incurred considerable capital expense in putting up heavy copper wires for the purpose, one set having been installed between Wellington and Mastcrton. The result of providing a metallic circuit so complete' as heavy copper is that conversation between Masterton. and Wellington, a distance of over sixty miles, can be usually carried on without the slightest dilliculty. It is a cheap _way of rapidly communicating on business affairs, and for that reason the Post Office, while keeping abreast of the modern development, looks with a somewhat unfavorable eye upon it. The officials calculate that a three-minute conversation costing ninepence over a distance of seventy-five miles results in communicatiing a message which, reduced to concise telegraphic English, would be not less than 150 words, while a fortvword reply would be sent during tlie same period. They believe the Post Office loses heavily on long-distance telephoning, and that no amount of popu* larity will make it pay, because so few conversations can be crammed into the day's work. A double wire for telephoning is being providcd.between Wellington and Auckland, along the route of the Main Trunk railway. This will also be available for telegraphy at certain periods of the day. Construction work is progressing at several points.—Times.