LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 23 May 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A telegraph office and telephone bureau was opened at "Te Arakeri" (Vogeltown) as from yesterday. The office is located at the residence of Mr. F. Pepperill. Sydney is to have a skyscraper 105 ft. high. It will be erected for the Marks Estate at the top of King street, and will command "the most extensive panoramic view south of the line."

Rockets were seen on Friday night off the Oeo Point from seawards. The cause and the parties firing them are unknown. Many persons residing near Oeo were on the look out, but failed to discover why the rockets were being discharged. London papers to hand contain reports of a heavy snowfall in the city in the beginning of April. An illustration in the Daily Chronicle shows the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral and the roofs of buildings in the neighborhood covered with snow. When closer settlement is mentioned in connection with New Zealand u comparison with Japan is interesting and suggestive. In Japan there is an average of 2277 persons to the square mile of cultivated land, an area of a little over 21,000 square miles, the total population being well on fifty millions. A resident of Tauranga district lost a horse in a singular and unexpected way the other day. He was driving a cow along the main road when he had occasion to ride off the thoroughfare, where the horse came in violent contact with a standing and sharpened stake, which pierced the heart, causing the animal's death in a few minutes.

A correspondent points out that under the Animals Protection Act of last year all native birds are protected unless specially exempted by Order-in-Council. Sportsmen who have'been in the habit of knocking over any thing with wings on that they come across should therefore exercise great care unless they desire to bring themselves within the law's clutches.

New Zealand beef does evidently not sufi'er by comparison with that of Australia. A resident of Masterton, who has recently returned from Australia, states that the bullock that was taken over to the Sydney Show by Mr. Fairey, of Nelson, was an exceedingly fine antma], and took second prize after a very rough trip. At a subsequent sale this animal topped the market, and realised the sum of £2O.

In connection with the local in Saturday's paper relating to the drift sand blocking the railway line at the foot of the breakwater, .Mr. W. A. Coilis tells us that that drift could be obviated by simply laying down a perforated pipe on the outside edge of the wharf and cattle pens and connecting it with the water When the water was turned on. he says, the sand would be kept back, as sand never crosses running water.

During the hearing of the bush fire case at Opunake on Thursday last the Magistrate (Mr. Kitzherbert) pointed out that a farmer was liable once he lit a fire, for whatever damage it might do by spreading, however careful he may be to keep it in bounds. "And," said Mr. Spence, "there is the other aspect, that where a fire originates accidentally the owner of the land is under no legal duty to put it out or prevent it from spreading." It appears from these statements that the farmer who wants his bush or rubbish burned should pray for some meddling stranger to do the lighting unasked.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbcrt, S.M., Henry Fynes Callaghan was charged with drunkenness and breach of his prohibition order. Sergt. Dart prosecuted, and asked for a substantial penalty, as the accused seemed not to benefit from the warnings accompanied by lenient treatment of the Bench. Mr. Grey, for the accused, entered a plea for the infliction of a tine, rather than that tile accused should be committed to an inebriates' home or to prison. To have the man placed in confinement, counsel explained, would entail suffering on the part of the wife and family, who were at this time peculiarly in need of the parental presence and support. The Magistrate, addressing the accused, referred to his previous warnings and threats to have him placed under restraint unless he mended his ways, but, taking into consideration the fact that accused had a wife and family dependent upon him, and the particular circumstance quoted by counsel, he would deal leniently. A fine of 20s and costs was imposed. Frank William Hetherington, for drunkenness while in charge of a horse, pleaded not guilty, but subsequently altered the plea to one of guilty, and was committed to the inebriates' home at P.otorua. Mr. A. 11. Johnstone appeared for the accused. A OXK-NIGIIT COUGH AND COLD CUKE. Mo-t cough* and colds are very trou-ble-ome durinsr the sleeping hours. The tickling in the throat, which nearly always aecompanic- a bad cold, and which prevents the sufferer getting restful sleep. is quickly cured by that great, throat and lung remedy, "Tussicura." The-first dose of Tussicura w ; ll always stop the tickle and remove the membranous inflammation—Tusicura is a throat tonic as well as a tic! ' --topper. Persons suffering from broie-' ; - : *. asthma, influenza, coimhs loss of v ■' ■ anil all other throat and lung ailmer 1 -:. will be quickly and positively bencliv ' !,.■ f a l. : ing two fea-qxionfuls'of Tin ' .>•/"■. two or three hours. A n - "• . ■!•) not contain any harmful in- ' , ~ ;: can be given to children v '■• perfect safoly-and it always does n-oed. Soli 1 by chemists and grocers in two si-/e-; 2s Cd and 4s fid per boltle.—Thc, Tussicura Manufacturing Co., Dmi" Jin, sole proprietors.

A London writer states that the baa time for butter has yet to come.. A severe lull is likely. "No i'iiil of harm is done.to colonial by the great amount of bad Australian knocking about market," he stale-*. "Much of it is disgraceful stuli, and practically quite, unsaleable."

The Stratford Post appeared yesterday in an enlarged and improved form, and now consists of eigh't pages, printed on an up-to-date perfecting press We extend to the Post our congratulations, and hope its forward step will be followed by the miww it deserves.

The newly-founded Socialist Party of China has just issued its tir»t manifesto to the people, urging them to light for the ideals of Socialism and formulating the following demands: Abolition of tin. Monarchy and substitution of a Republic founded on general, equal, direct, and secret suffrage for both sexes, popular election of all the officials of the provincial and central (iovernment, including the President of the State. The manifesto is signed by the leader of the Chinese Social Democratic Party —Sun Wen.

Several pitiful stories of wife desertion were told to Mr. Justice Edwards by applicants for divorce at the Auckland Supreme Court, and when the list of cases ready was completed, His Honor remarked that the men who deserted their wives were not sufficiently dealt with by the legislation of the country. There was plenty of law to deal with them, but they could not get what was wanted. His Honor considered one ol the most criminal offences a man could commit was to marry a woman, get u. lot of children, and then leave the woman and children to shift for themselves.

At the Tnglcvvood S.M. Court on Thursday, before Mr. W. <». Kenrick, S.M., the following cases were heard:— A. Leech v. Mrs. A. Rogudski, claim £6 10s; judgment by default with costs Ifis. Matthews and Bennett v. ,1. H. nemehy, claim £22 19s 3d; judgment by default for amount, costs .-CI 2s, solicitor's fee £1 Us Cd. Edward Vickers v. J. H. Demchy, claim £22 7s; judgment for amount and costs £1 3s. solicitor's fee £1 lis. Mrs. E. Miller v. J. Dombroski, claim £8 2s 3d; non suited, with costs 14s. expenses £2 12s, defendant's expenses 12s, and counsel's fee 21s.

To win a sweepstake prize of .€3OO, and in be debarred by the rubs of his employers from accepting it, was the fortune of a clerk in the Hank of Liverpool. No gambling on any ;acing event is allowed by the directors 01. this institution. The directors and officials, having satisfied themselves that the rule was not known to the lucky clerk, determined, like good sportsmen, that he .should not lose. The) therefore told him that he must return the £3OO to the sweepstake committee, and then they put their hands into their pockets and made up a similar sum. and presented it to the clerk.

The Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova will go into dock at Lyttelton today. Since her return from the Antarctic the vessel has been subjected to a complete overhaul, while attention has also been given to her rigging. It is intended (says the Times) to commence caulking operations to the vessel's hull below the water-line at once, in order that she may be ready for sea on July 3rd. the proposed date of her departure from Lyttelton for Three Kings. The cruise will occupy about three months, during which time it is anticipated that some valuable information will be obtained In regard to the New Zealand coast.

It is stated on most reliable authority (reports the Huntly correspondent of the Auckland Herald) that Wellington merchants are about to make a big bid for the trade of the Waikato. and that overtures have been made to at least one of the owners of steamers that do the carrying trade on the river. Instead of erecting a wharf and the necessary storage accommodation at the Waikato Heads, the proposal is to station a large hulk there, and thence distribute supplies to the various places between the Heads and Cambridge (on the Waikato) and Pirongia (on the Waipu), water carriage being employed to convey merchandise and other commodities foi Wellington. Local merchants have long complained of the high freights ruling, and the scheme has in it the elements of success.

Extravagant as the statement may appear—yet it is nevertheless substantially correct—a farmer in one of the upper districts of Ashbnrton computes his loss as a result of the destruction wrought by grass grubs this season at over .€IOOO. The pests have aetuallj devoured close oil 1000 acres of newlylaid down grass pasture, whieh was sdwn at considerable expense. In consequence of this, the farmer in question has been obliged to dispose of a comparatively large number of breeding ewes, as the 1000 acres of land referred to will be absolutely worthless for feeding purposes until the spring, and in the meantime it will doubtlessly have to be rc-sown. Quite a .urge number ef farmers in various parts of the county have suffered in a lesser degree.— Guardian.

Tim opossums introduced to this country by a soft-hearted Acclimatisation Society threaten to become a serious nuisance in the Catlins bush (says the Free Press). These animals have multiplied exceedingly during the pa-t few years, and We are reliably informed that hundreds are being killed b v the railway workers along the line. The "possums are attracted to the men's camps by the refuse lying around, and the men'vetaliate l«>r loss of sleep suffered from the pranks of these nocturnal creatures bv organising „ i,„ nt occasionally and continual sniping. Settlers at' llouipapa, J uketiro and other settlements complain of apple and other fruit trees beiV "tripped, and the 'possums arc not coi" ent with the fruit, but men shin the "irk ,I'ron, the trees. H uould seem to be time for (be Acclimatisation So . ciety to remove the prohibit lon nsfrinst killing these animals, otherwise the festive Australian 'possum j* }ik.>lv to become another Frankenstein like the rabbit.

DKUCfors CAKKS. Raisin fake.—Cream together one and 0 Ill ' l ' tablespoon* of lard or butter and three tablespoons of Mi-ar. Then add one egg, one cup sweet" milk, one quarter teaspoon salt, two cups flour, three teaspoons baking powder, one-half cup small raisins: put in good-dzed pan, pour melted butter over the top, sprinkle with sngu and cinnamon and bake in a moderate oven. (linger Cake.—Sift throe-quarters of a pound of Hour into a basin; add one cupful of chopped walnuts, one-half teaspoonful of salt, one-half tea-poonful of soda, one tablespoonful of ground ginwr. one toßspoonful of einamon, and a little grated, nutmeg. Melt together in a saucepan one cupful of molasses, four tablespoonfuls of butter, one-half eunful of milk. Let eoid and add the dry ingredients with two well-beaten eggs. ■Mix well, then pour into a buttered and' floured cake tin; bake in a moderate oven three-quarters of an hour. And serve Dragon Brand tea. the be-t tea that was ever put into a teapot ie Now Zealand. It is a tea of unusual excellence, pleasing to the palate, and has an aroma all its own. It is sold at ?« Rd per 11,. ntul almost all storekeepers in the district have it in stock.

Mr. Eugene Sandow has received the Royal Warrant appointing him Professor of Scientific Culture to the King; and in this connection the London Times says: "This is the first appointment of its kind that has ever been made. The King has long shown keen interest in physical culture, and has derived considerable benefit from the prescribed treatment. When Trince of Wales Hit paid more than one visit to the 'Sandow Institute in St. James street, and appliances for physical culture were fitted up in the Ophir when she made her historic voyage to the colonies. The King is physically a powerful man, and in the training of his children he hat paid particular attention to rational recreation and healthful development." An English visitor to the King Conntry has been recounting some of hit impressions in the Ohura Advocate: "The New Zcalander gave me the impression (in the Ohura at least) that he was a man of many parts; he can fell bush, muster sheep, drive cattle milk cows, ride horses, boil a billy or bake bread with equal facility, and' is a good judge of a horse, or a man into the bargain. All are embrowned by the sun, and there is a look about the women or Xew Zealand which I cannot well describe, but it renders them less attractive than they deserve to be, and is rather, I suspect due partly to the sun and partly to the excessive tea-drinking. On this matter, however, I speak ject to correction, and with all due reserve. In many respects New Zealand has set a good example to England, but T do think you all drink too.much tea and eat too much new bread;- I have suffered from your customs in thi* respect, and speak feelingly."