LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 54, 25 August 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The new Franklin electorate is, looked upon by the Auckland members as one of the safest Opposition seats in New Zealand for Mr. Massey. Should he decide to stand for that seat he would be able to devote nearly the whole of his time to the campaign in other parts of the Dominion, "The plaintiff had to travel secondclass because she had to lie down all the time, and she could not do that in the first-class carriage; and, moreover, as a rule second-class passengers are more considerate of their fellow-passengvrs than the first-class people are."—Remark by counsel in the Auckland Supreme Court. The Government Insurance Department reports an increase of business for the year ended December last. The total business now in force is 48,501 policies, assuring £1,1,360,71)0. There was a continuance of favorable mortality during the year. In the accident insurance branch there was a decrease of premiums. Since commencing business in June, 1001, the sum of £108,031 has been paid in compensation for accidents, Commissioner Richardson reports. The radical alterations in some of the electoral boundaries (says the Parliamentary correspondent of the. Manawatu Standard) may lead to interesting developments at a later stage, and some members of the present House will, in all probability, be found opposing each other at the next goner.al election. Another very important phase is that of the licensing question. In addition to the certain closing of certain hotels that have been put into "dTy" districts, the "Trade" recognise that the alteration in boundaries is going to result in the carrying of prohibition in several electorates in the. Auckland district. The "Trade" fear that at least three electorates may go "dry" mainly as the result of the new boundaries.

As a result of the social held on Wednesday night, the Western Park funds will benefit to the extent of £8 13s. Mr. F. J. Easther has been absent from New Plymouth for many months, but "Friday" has still remained, and will be heard singing "I was a black savage" at the Operetta on the 29th and 30th.

"Rillc" writes to the editor requesting any of our readers who have the knowledge to give a correct reply to the following question:—"Which volunteer company was- last under fire in Xew Zealand, and in what locality?" Owing to the inclement weather last week there was only a meagre attendance at the young people's entertainment in the Whiteley Hall. The few who were present so thoroughly enjoyed the evening that they requested the repetition of the programme. This has been agreed on, and this evening at 8 o'clock the infants will give some of their most eti'ective items, followed by the well-staged' cantata, "The Festival of Flowers." The second half of the programme will be supplied by Mr. G. H. Saunders, who has kindly consented to show some of his best picture films. The usual charges will be made for admission.

Numerous complaints are being made of the despicable action of some persona in stealing flowers, etc., from the graves in the Masterton cemetery. On one afternoon recently several large bunches of flowers—many of the 'blooms having been secured from nurseries in the district—were placed on the graves of a relative by local residents, and in less than an hour the whole lot, including the vases, had been stolen. Speaking on the subject to a Daily Ti:neg reporter, two residents of the town stated that they each had procured expensive trees from Wellington and had planted these on the graves of relatives in the cemetery. As soon as the trees commenced to bloom, they were dug out and carried away .by some persons. There was not a very large attendance at the meeting convened last night for; the purpose of, considering the steps to | be taken in New Plymouth to augment the fund now being raised throughout the Dominion for the benefit of those dependent on the late Mr. T. E. Taylor. The Mayor presided. It was resolved that a subscription list be .placed in the Borough Council offices so as to give those who desire an opportunity of subscribing. It was furUier resolved that a committee, consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. 0. Ahier, W. Am-! bury. A. J. Catran, G. 11. Maunder, H. Goodacre, Putt- and Misses Ahier and Ambury with power to add to their number, be appointed to take such steps as they may deem desirable to further the proposal. • < The safety and the future development of aviation were subjects on which Mr. Grahame White gave enlightening opinions to the Women's Aerial League in London recently. "An aeroplane," he said, "if it is of good construction, made on recent principles, and driven by a capable man, is as safe as a taxi-cab, or safer. I believe that very few accident! are attributed to faulty construction; of course, you can never tell exactly what happened. The dead aviator cannot reveal much to you. But it is probable that the majority of accidents are caused by something similar to the breaking of an axle in a motor car. Machines are not by any means perfect yet. In the matter of future construction we shall not follow Nature—there is much that Nature leaves entirely imperfect, and, in my opinion, if we can't improve an animal flight, there is a- poor future before the art of aviation." The Auckland Herald's London correspondent, writing on July 14, says: "Though it was understood that Sir Joseph Ward would endeavor to deal definitely while in London with the question of a new site for the New Zealand office, he has not, been able, to come to any decision in the matter. Many sug--1 gestions were put forward, and sites were offered but, us stated some weeks ago, Sir Joseph early came to the conclusion that the matter was one for Parliament. And there the thing remains. Questioned on the subject just before he sailed on Tuesday, Sir Joseph said that he had left instructions for a general and comprehensive report to be drawn up, going fully into the whole question, and reporting on the sites which were understood to be available for acquisition. '1 think,' he said, 'that the proper thing is for us to have our own offices.'" The young ladies who conduct the arrangements for the Park Lawn Tennis Club's socials are becoming quite adepts, and the functions are. becoming very popular. Despite the.fact that there have been dances every night this wee:;, the second club social of the season, held last night in the Brougham str%t ball, was well attended. The social was very enjoyaMe. Mrs. George (piano) and Mr. Wyllie (cornet) provided excellent imi?ic, and Messrs. Tril>e, Carter .irnl Staples were M.C.'s. Misses Ainsworth and Blanchett, the secretaries, and their colj leagues are to be complimented on the general excellence of the arrangements. !The hall was decorated with tennis racquets and nets, prettily dectort with wattle iind red camellias, and wattle and narcissi were used in the very effective table decorations. The supper was of the "sit-down" order, and. provided by the Hygienic Bakery, and served by the club members to their guests, wps a j dainty collation. Extras were played by Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. Jlayden, and Miss. Smith. It is probable that the club will hold . a social on the night of the opening of the tennis ami croq'jet season.

It is stated that the New York banker who was declared to have smuggled £4OO, 000 worth of goods is really the head ot an informal organisation of rich society people whicli hag been constantly smuggling Paris gowns, laces, and jewels for personal use. The regular fee paid to Customs inspectors to pass each trunk without examination was £2O. It is also asserted that the stewards of the transAtlantic liners were bribed to assist in the smuggling of the goods. The smugglers have apparently been relying on their social prominence and political influence to prevent disclosures. Secretary Loeb declares that he intends to push the matter ''to a finish." and to endeavor to send the culprits to prison. One unexpected aspect of this intricate case is the possibility that the woman who, through a desire for revenge, gave the Government the first information about the conspiracy, may be compelled herself to stand trial for smuggling jewels given to her ibv admirers.

COAXING AN APPETITE. AN IDEAL AIXTHE-YEAR-HOTJND FAMILY MEDICINE. Dr. Ensor's Tamer Juice —a concentrated extract of highly medicinal vegetable juice—is an ideal all-the-year-rounil family medicine. It causes an appetite when nothing else can. Tt purifies the blood of the, whole body, giving richness and tone throughout. Tt helps the stomach digest the food. Tt removes that full feeling, the headaches, the dizziness, and the nausea that are caused by indigestion. It completely removes and cures constipation—that fearful stumbling-block cold feet, chilblains, neuralgia, and to good health. For rheumatism, backache, faceache, other muscular pains, nothing can equal WITCH'S OIL (registered).

The total number of shops in the Dominion, according to the last annua) report of the Labor Department, is 14,844 —an increase of 1620 ou the figures for 1009-10. The employees engaged number 38,387, which- figures represent an increase of 4218 on the previous year. There was also substantial increase of the aggregate wages, the total amount for thovyear just concluded being £1,972,375 —eq.Uivale.nt to an improvement of £l6O- - on th* previous year's totals. Auckland again has the largest number of shops, the totals for the four chief centres being: Auckland 1778, Wellington 1571', Christchurch 1448, and Dunedin 1258. If the districts attached to the various centres be added, the order of wages paid is as follows: Wellington £535,385, Auckland! £475,061, Christchurch £3BB- - and Dunedin £372,440. The increase in the Wellington district is accounted for apparently by the presence of towns of such a size as Napier, Palmerston North, Wanganui, and Masterton. The total unmber of male employees in shops is 15.428, and of females 7177 —significant proportion if analysed. Employers actually engaged in working in shops total 13,031 males and 1851 females. A theft of an extremely mean nature was perpetrated on a recent Sunday morning at St. Paul's Cathedral, gays the Melbourne Argus. Bishop Mercer had -been preaching to a large congregation, and among the worshippers who subsequently went up from their seats to tho altar rails to partake of communion was a visiting lady from the country. On returning presently to her place in the body of the cathedral she found, with surprise and dismay, that a handbag which she had left for convenience in the pew, and which contained her entire stock of available cash, as well as Mr railway ticket, had disappeared'. She instantly made thorough seaTch and anxions inquiries, but no trace of the missing property was to be found. She then recalled to mind that she had left two closelyveiled persons sitting immediately behind her when proceeding to partake of the sacrament, and that these two mysterious individuals were gone when she got back. A gentleman to whom she told her story gave her sufficient money to enable her to return to the distant suburb at which she was staying. In the absence of all corroborative evidence she had naturally some difficulty in making herself believed. However, the lady seized the opportunity of a first return visit to Melbourne to seek out, repay, and thank those who had helped ber in a most perplexing situation.