LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 273, 8 April 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Seagulls are to be seen in myriads just now on some of the hind fronting the North Tarauaki Bight. Owing to an epidemic of measles the Hawera District High School, Meremere, Manaia, Fraser Road, and Normanby schools have been closed until after Easter.

A boy was charged with mischief at the Stratford S.M. Court yesterday in that he started the engines of Dr. Paget's motor-car which was left standing outside the Town Hall reecntly. He was fined 40s and costs 435, and severely reprimanded.

An unusual incident occurred on a Tarnnaki river recently. A settler was canoeing, and just ahead he noticed a couple of pigs swimming across. When the canoe got closer, the boar stopped in the water, allowing the .sow to proceed in safety to the bank. The boar then followed, but kept a watchful eye on the canoe and its occupant.

The Clifton County Council decide* U endorse the resolution of the Taranaki County Council urging on the Hon. Minister for Agriculture the absolute necessity of continuing the services of an assistant inspector to assist the Inspector of Noxious Weeds, whose district extends from Rahotu to Mokau, to Matau and the Waipuku river, comprising an area of approximately 600,000 acres. The party that made the Mokau trip on Thursday were keenly interested in a yellow flowering rata tree that is to be found about seven miles-up. Tiiere used to be two trees, but one has disappeared. The remaining tree, which is now in full bloom, is thought to be the only one of its kind in the Dominion. Its botanical name is "metrosidorous ilorida aurata." The visitors secured specimens of the flowers, whicn are highly prized by botanists and florists.

A mother applied, for a maintenance order against her two sons at the Auckland Magistrate's Court a few days ago. One of the defendants explained that lie objected to pay because his mother could live with her married daughter if she chose. ''Why don't you go and live with your daughter?" asked Mr. Kettle. •'Because," answered witness, "I think mothers and married daughters are best apart." ''Yes," responded the magistrate, "they say it is better so."

Jamcs McNivcn who was, oh Thursday, fined 10s and costs for a breach of a prohibition order, paid his fine at 11.30 a.m., and was arrested threequarters of an hour later in a state of helpless insobriety. He accordingly appeared again before Mr. H. S. Fi'tzherbert, S.M., yesterday morning, when he was fine £2 for drunkenness and £3 and costs for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. The alternative was in each case fixed at forty-eight hours' imprisonment, cumulative. Two first offenders for drunkenness were convicted and discharged.

Westown Hall was crowded on Thursday night, on the occasion of the first of a series of euchre parties and dances organised by a committee to provide amusement during the winter evenings. About fourteen tables were requisitioned, and after several interesting games, it was found that the winners of the ladies' prizes, presented by Mrs. P. Langman, were Mrs. Joe Sole," first, and Mrs. Richard Sole, second. The gentlemen's prizes, presented by Mr. Grant, were won by Mr. McGimpsey and Mr. Marett. Supper provided by the ladies was then dispensed, after which the tables were removed and dancing commenced. This continued until about 2 a.m. Mr. R. Ridland made a capable M.C. Miss Crozier supplied the music, extras being played by Miss D. Lobb and Mr. W. Taylor. The chairman of the Clifton County Council intimated at yesterday's meeting that there appeared to be a certain amount of hostility evinced towards the Mokau foreman on the part of some settlers in the Uruti district. They appeared to be annoyed that an outsider had been appointed to the position. The chairman therefore asked councillors to take any yarns or complaints with a grain of salt until they had enquired more into them. One member stated that the trouble was that the foreman had interfered with some "pickings" they had had for years, and naturally they, did not like it. Cr. O'Sullivan stated that the Pukearuhe people were very well pleased with the man, who certainly appeared to know his work, and who, moreover, appeared to a thoroughly honest and reliable workman.

A gang of young hooligans has been making matters very unpleasant lately for the law-abiding and peaceable settlers of the Pukearuhe districts. Milking machine tubes have been cut, milkcans destroyed, and various other acts of wanton destruction performed. Settlers' properties have been invaded in the stillness of the night by members of the gang, armed with kerosene tins, which were hurled upon the roof and in some instances through windows, Last week a settler was disturbed by a fusilade of tin cans, some of which landed in a bedroom where his children were slumbering. Hurriedly rising, he seized a poker and rushed oiit. He managed to hit one of the invaders and was immediately set on, and severely assaulted. Later on the same night, another settler was assaulted in the same way. Some of the gang were caught red-handed, and were to have been prosecuted, but an apology was accepted, and the matter allowed to drop. Some of the other settlers, however, are very indignant that the |#osecution was not proceeded with, and such an example made of these larikins as would deter others. Mr. Taft has appointed a man with a remarkable history to represent the United States at the Coronation. vThis is Mr. John Hays Hammond, the famous mining engineer, Republican politician, and the reputed highest-salaried official in the world. But great as he is in America, Mr. Hammond's biggest exploits were performed in South Africa. There he was consulting engineer to Cecil Rhodes. As one of the four leaders of the Transvaal Reform Government, he joined the Jameson Raid, was taken prisoner, and sentenced to be hanged by the neck until lie was dead. The sentence was commuted to fifteen years' imprisonment, but he soon obtained his release on payment of £25,000. An account of his sufferings in Pretoria Prison, as given to the world by his wife, made amusing reading. According to Mrs. Hammond he showed such angelic patience that she became quite alarmed. "I longed to henr him cuss a cosy swear," she said; "it would have braced us both." On his release Mr. Hammond took himself and his reputation of being- able to "smell a gold mine a thousand miles away" to the United States, where the Gugsrenhcims, the celebrated copper kings, paid him a trifle of £IOO,OOO a year, the biggest salary on record, to control their colossal interests. A curious feature of his selection to represent the United States at the Coronation is that he is not a native American, but an English-born colonial.

If there is anthing in the theory of the Maoris that Nature provides for the winged irib« in anticipation of times of sties-, this coming winter will be an unusually severe one. Ail through the hush, and partculariy the heavy hash along the hanks ol Um Mokau river, tlie trees are laden wiw all manner of berries.

The Hon. T. Mackenzie and party left town in four large anoior-cars at fi.lu a.m. on Thursday lor Mokau, had a pleasant run to Tongaporutu, where a iirst-class breakfast was partaken of at Mrs. McKoy's, Mokau being reached at 10.15. A deputation was awaiting the Minister, and after their business was completed, the party embarked on an oil launch. The journey up to the coal mine, a distance of 22 miles, took three and a half hours, luncheon being served on board. A stay of about half an hour was made at the coal mines, several ot the party exploring some distance in the main drive. The return journey was commenced at 2.40 p.m., the ferry being reached a little after (1 p.m. The weather was ideal, and the unmatched beauties of the scenery were fully appreciated by all. A sharp shower of rain, however, fell just before reaching Mokau, and all decided to stay the night at the township, excepting Mr. New,ton King, who, with Mrs. King, Messrs.' E. Griffiths and Reakes, started "homewards, i The road over Mt. Messenger, not the best and safest even under the most favorable conditions, was very greasy owing to the rain, and the party had some exciting experiences on the hill, arriving home safely, however, at about 11 p.m. The rest spent an interesting night at Mokau. Next morning the Minister, his daughter and private secretary, and Mr. Jennings, M.P., went on to Te Kuiti, whilst the others in two cars started at 8.30 a.m. for home. They found Mt. Messenger sot easy to negotiate, even with the tires of the cars chained and roped to give the wheels n grip, and it was after one o'clock when Urenui was reached. Here a stay for luncheon was made, the party arriving in New Plymouth at 2.15 p.m.