LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 306, 20 May 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first piles in connection with the widening of the wharf proper wertj driven yesterday, the dredge having dredged to the required depth. The superintendent (Mr. Henderson) expects to encounter some obstacles the first section, but after that widening should proceed apace. Frank William Hetherington, arrested on a charge of being drunk while in charge of a horse and trap, and ad so charged with the breach of a prohibition order recently made against him, was before the court yesterday morning, and was remanded till Monday. Mr. J. S. S. Medley, J.P., was on the bench. In connection with the rate charged by the Government for haulage of hard wood timber, the Stratford County Council at its last meeting decided to circularise county councils in the Dominian asking them to pass resolutions requesting that the rate be reduced and to forward their resolutions direct to the Minister for Railways. In Pukekura Park the sound of the saw and the axe is daily heard. The board is felling many of the pines which have performed the -valuable service for which they were planted, that of protecting the smaller imported and native trees planted long years since. They have now outlived their usefulness and their beauty, and are shown no mercy. At Hawera on Wednesday a resident stated that he had never seen Mount Egmont so clear of snow in May. It was brought to his recollection, however, that in June two years ago no snow on the mountain was visible from the railway. To-day the discussion would hardly be justified, for during Thursday there was a heavy fall of snow, which was seen yesterday to extend well down the slopes into the lower gorge. It has been generally understood throughout New Zealand that the milking machine people had decided not to place an exhibit before the public this year, but it is pleasing to note that applications far space at the Taranaki Agricultural Society's winter show to be held in June are coming forward, This is an indication that the winter show iB going to be one of the greatest educational exhibition ever placed before the public of the Dominion. The nuisance caused by cowsheds and pig styes being erected in too close proximity to the roads was the subject ol some discussion at the Stratford County Council meeting on Wednesday. Cr. Marfell moved that the attention of the Health Officer be drawn to the matter, Cr. Walters, however, took up the cudgles on behalf of the cowsheds, tine state of which, ho considered, was a credit to the district, and the majority of them caused absolutely no nuisance, He moved that reference to cowsheds be deleted. The amendment found no seconder, the chairman remarking that if there was no nuisance, there would be no action taken, and the motion was carried. At the Stratford County Council meeting on Wednesday, the chairman remarked that riding members would have to exercise more backbone in dealing with complaints made against the council's employees, otherwise captious and fault-finding people could worry foremen and drive them out of the service although they were excellent workmen. Therefore it behoved riding members to enquire carefully into the merits of all complaints and to protect foremen from the attacks of people who knew nothing about the work the foremen did, and probably worried the foremen for private reasons. Cr. Porritt said that in some cases the agitation of the fault-finders could be traced to the fact that they themselves wanted work on the roads. Many of the local business firms are beginning to realise the value of the commercial classes established at the technical schools, and by way of show ing their appreciation of the work done thereat have offered to raise the salaries of certain of their assistants on condition that they attend these classes and become proficient in shorthand, type writing, etc. It is a very common thing nowadays to see an advertisement for o clerk with knowledge of both subjects, but few of the applicants have the combined qualifications. It is satisfactory to notice, though, that some of the assistants themselves are taking advantage of the classes, thus qualifying foi the higher salaries. Those who have not done so would be consulting theii own interests by enrolling themselves for the second term of the technical [ classes, opening on June 26th. A matter that is giving tho Railway i Department some concern is the inability I of the Harbor Board to cope with the i drift sand that comes up with the ; south-easterly winds and blocks the line . at the entrance to the wharf. During ; the late gale the Department had men i continually employed .in clearing awaj , the sand to keep the line open .lVir J traffic. On Wednesday men were employed all day and night up to the time i the mail train left in the evening. Yes- > terday there was -a tremendous accumus lation, three men being employed tc i clear it away, and it is probable that > the sand will be as thick as ever this . morning. Practically natural reclama s lion is going on close up to the break , water. A suggestion has been made that a sea wall should be erected by s prison labor and the portion reclaimed j and utilised by the Railway Department for goods sheds, the need for which will r , probably become acute as the trade oi the port increases. , Race-goers are proverbially fond ol e travelling home from the course in first !, class railway carriages whilst holding r only second-class tickets. It may be thai g the extra comfort and luxury are taker . as a salve to the heartache which se t frequently accompanies the cmptiec s purse. On Wednesday there were manj L of these "would-be"' folk, and no smal percentage were women and girls. Theii e 6ex was no protection, though, for the s guard was a stickier for duty, and in s sisted that only those who had paic: (1 first-class fares should travel in first class carriages. They declined to paj j the difference, and were relegated tr ,f the carriages to which they were en ,j titled. Very seldom is a conscientious , public official popular, and this was in exception. Those women called birr (behind his back) everything but n gentleman, and one worthy dame, witl fire in her eye and a vicious stampim of her umbrella, declared that she'd lilci J" to be his wife so that she could givi s him a thorough thrashing. And sucl r ' are the joys of the railway service. U YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND That ny using the Commercial Euealyji j. tus Oil. which is now bought up at fir I per lb weight and bottle, and, on account of the large profits, pushed, you are exposing yourself to all the dangers t( which the use of turpentine will o\-]n\s< you—irritation of kidneys, intestinal t,Tact and mucous membranes. Hv in si still" on the OENtHNE SAXPI'TI EUCALYPTI EXTRACT you not o-«!v avoid these pitfalls, but you have a " ulating, safe and effective medicament the result of a special and careful i-ci, u facture. i- Remember: PANDER'S EXTRAn am lC bodies the result of 50 years' ex|H-:-wr and of special study, and it does . hat is promised; it cures n.nd heals W»ut injuring the constitution, as the oils on u the market frequently do. TJi'-rofore .. protect yourself by rejecting other brsate.

A Melbourne meteorologist, investigating droughts, inclines to the opinion that the breaking of Bevere droughts is preceded by hurricanes. We understand that Mr. G. H. Saunders is about to erect a theatre in a central locality for the exhibition of his living pictures. This is another evidence of New Plymouth's awakening. The Government is prepared to assist with the protection works in the Waiwakaiho river at Mangorei, near "the meeting of the waters." The Lands Department has granted a subsidy of £2O. Mt, 0. Hammond, of Fcilding, has received a wire from his brother Joseph, the aviator, that he has completed his engagement in Australia, and before leaving for Europe will visit his relatives in New Zealand, leaving Australia in about ten days' time. "If I had. my way, I should make it compulsory for every candidate for Parliament to pasa an examination in English history before taking his seat in Parliament. Then he would know that many of the laws that we are worried with have been tried before, and have failed."—Remark by Mr. S. Perey-Kniith at the High School Hoard meeting last night. Mr. \V. H. Hawkins, well-known in political circles in the Forty-Mile Bush, is clever in gaining an advertisement. He was conducting an auction sale of furniture near Woodville the other day, when bids were received simultaneously from a lady and gentleman, both claiming the article. Like a flash an inspiration came to Mr. Hawkins. Addressing the gentleman he said: "Sir, in a few months I shall be contesting *.he Pahiatua seat and shall want this lady's vote. Would you see me deprived of it by insisting on the article being handed over to you?" The gentleman had some sense of humor for he instantly replied, "No, she can have it." Mr. Hawkins remarked afterwards "everyone was satisfied, and I hope to have that vote." Another of the series of cuchrc parties was held in the Westown Hall on Thursday night. The night was very rough outside, but pleasant inside; at least so the players at the eleven tables provided found. The following ladies annexed the prizes:—Misses Wills (first), N. Autridgo (second) and E. Grant ("booby"). Among the gentlemen Mr. A. Walker secured first prize and Mr. W. Walker second prize, after playing off with Mr. Marfell, whilst Mr. Fred. Sole secured the "booby." Supper was provided by the committee, after which dancing was indulged in for a few hours. Excellent music was provided by Miss Crozier, whilst Messrs Taylor and Marrett cbntributed extras. Mr. Grant, who had charge of the proceedings during the euchre games, and Mr. R. Ridland during the dance, carried out their duties well. The Education Board received telegraphic advice yesterday from the Department that a grant had been made for the erection of the new school on the Piko road. The application was made for the school in February, ana the board applied since to have the matter hurried on, so that the material could be got on the site before the wet season set in, but the usual pace could not be exceeded on that account. The board's overseer is going out to-day t» make an effort to have the timber carted in. The present school has ten pupils. There is no building. A couple of big poles and four uprights are used to stretch a tent-fly, and the youth and beauty of Piko road study their pot hooks and crooks, sums and spellingbooks beneath its shade. A photograph of the class at work, taught by Miss Seccombe, is one of the Education Board secretary's treasured possessions.