LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 335, 23 June 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

With the object of testing the qualities of New Zealand meat after a long period of cool storage, Mr. W. D. Lysnnr, of Gisborne, had a sheep killed in November last and kept in the freezing chamber until the other day, when it was removed and the meat distributed amongst a few friends. The meat came out of the cool store after seven months' storage with the bloom still beautifully fresh upon it. and even after being kept hanging for three days it was still in splendid condition. When cooked' it proved excellently juicy and tender, and no ono without a prior knowledge would have been able to tell that it had been frozen. The test was made with the object of showing that it was quite possible to hold stocks of frozen mutton in store in New Zealand, with the object of regulating supplies to the Home market.

The epidemic of pneumonic plague in Manchuria has (according to the'Pckin correspondent of the Japan Times) died away in almost as miraculous a manner as it came. Its disappearance has been a surprise to medical men and to foreigners generally throughout China. It was feared tlvat every town would have to experience the awful tragedy of Fu-chi-v dien, the sister city of Harbin, 110 one town learning the lessop from another. To some extent this was the case, but the Chinese, even in remote villages, took the lesson quickly. Their conservatism did not long oppose the methods which their own Government approved and ordered. This is taken to mean that the advanced men of foreign education not only have the support of the Government, but are al-o making headway anion" the masses of the people.

VTSTTIXIt CARDS.—When you run But of cards, send your order for more to the Daily Xews Printery. 3/6 for 50, or 5/- for 100 (postage paid).

A shock of earthquake lasting several seconds was felt this morning.

A commission appointed by His Kxcellency the Governor under the Public Works Act, 1 !)OH, will hold an enquiry on Wednesday, .Inly 20, at the Courtnouse, Hawern, to consider the claim by the Waimate West. County Council that the toll gates which were established by the Hawera County Council in 1908 on the Main South road, near Manaia, and on the Normanby road, should be abolished, on the grounds that the toll gates are unnecessary and the tolls levied are excessive and unduly burdensome on the ratepayers of the Waimate West County. Messrs. Roy and Nicholson are acting as solicitors for the Waimate West County Council, and Messrs. Caplen, Welsh ami McCarthy for the Hawera County Council.

Very few persons probably who now' rush to a railway station and purchase a ticket a few seconds before their train leaves have any idea of what a serious undertaking procuring a ticket was in bygone years, for in the early railway era booking for a journey was a very elaborate affair. The intending passenger arrived at the station, generally a>companie.i In a number of his relative?, about a full hour before the advertised rit parture of the train, and then nad to wait patiently until it, was his turn to be interviewed bv the booking clerk. To the latter was imparted the intending passenger's name and address, and other particulars which lie wrote on a p.'intad form about as large as a census paper, and afterwards carefully copied into a book of the dimensions and appearance of a bank ledger. The passenger then paid the charge demanded, received his official passport, ami took his departure amidst tearful farewells.