LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 64, 6 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Paradise ducks are said to be a positive nuisance in sonic districts in South Canterbury.

No fewer than COD Limbs have been added to one llalcoinbe flock so far this season, without the loss of one breeding

One or two Masterton citizens arc talking of erecting residences in ferro concrete. There is an iiniiien.se saving in wear and tear, repairs, insurance premiums, and other directions. During duly, in the four chief cities in the Dominion, phthisis and tuberculosis xttsrc responsible for twenty-six deaths, cancer for nineteen, heart-disease and heart-failure for forty -three/the deaths by violence numbered twenty-three diseases of the respiratory system caused forty-four deaths, measles live and diphtheria six.

Partly as <i result of Sir John Findlay's exposition in England of his new prison reforms, we have heard (writes the London correspondent of the Auckland Herald), a good deal about the New Zealand criminal and the way he is treated. The general conclusion seems to be that one might as well 'be a criminal in New Zealand as an honest man in England! Here, on the authority of the Daily Chronicle, is a case in point:—"ln one gaol, in tho north of the South Island, a prisoner actually kept a racehorse and transacted all the 'business concerning it. In the same gaol well-behaved prisoners are allowed an occasional afternoon out." "It we trended our rogues on the New Zealand basis," adds the Chronicle, "we should certainly have plenty of rogues." On 7th July, the Japanese Chronicle reports, Count Okuma, chairman of the association backing the Shirase Antarctic expedition, called a meeting at his residence of newspaper representatives in Tokio,"and spoke at some length about the experiences of the expedition. Tho Count said that the Japanese Government had decided not to grant any subsidy to the expedition, and the Kainanmaru, the cpedition ship, was now docked at Sydney, with twenty-seven members of the expedition camping out under canvas. It was a shame that the Japanese people should leave these men unaided. The Count asked the journalists to lend their influence in order to raise a public subscription to the amount of 70,(K)0 yen. Afterwards Captain Nomura of the Kainan-maru, addressed the journalists and related some of hias experiences on the voyage to the Antarctic.

In the S.M. Court yesterday morning judgment was entered by default in tho | following cases: Hallenstein Bros. (Mr. H'utchen) v. Watkin Kldridge Lewis (Haiwera), claim £2 15s, and costs 10s; A. 11. Herbert (.Mr. F. E. Wilson) v. Harold Taylor, claim £2 3s, and costs £1 5-s; same v. Michael O'Dnnnell, claim £1 lis, and costs 15s; Henry linker v. (icorge Bass, claim £5, and costs 10s. In t!'* Mijnicnt summons case John Hoskin. v". Henry AutriuV, there was no appearance of the judgment debtor, "ft C. H. Weston appeared for the judgment creditor, and an order was made for payment of the balance of the claim (14s Oil) within seven days, in default seven days' imprisonment. Mr. Statidish appeared for the judgment creditor in tho case Butcher v. Alexander I'oss. a debt of £2 2s, and in the absence of the. debtor an order was made for payment of the full amount in seven days, jn default seven days' imprisonment.

.Indgment was given in a debt case yesterday without the names of the parties being called. Visions of a "secret ease" loomed up. and there was a suggestion that there was a "dodge" on the part of somebody to escape the publicity which is generally given to matters' of this kind. Enquiries made of Mr. Terry, the clerk of the court, elicit- j cd the information that the Magistrate's Court rules contained one designed to save the time of the counsel engaged in an undefended-case, A plaintiff, upon finding that the defendant has filed no notice of defence, and thus knowing that judgment Will be given by default, may make, an application on the day of and prior to the hearing applying to have judgment entered by default for the claim and costs. Tn such a case it is not necessary that the names of the parties shall be called into court. There was no suggestion in this case of making fish of one and flesh of another, as might easily have been inferred from the manner of entering up the judgment. The creditor was a tailor and the debtor a hotel employee who had grit more out of his wearing apparel than be had paid for.

Strange and conllieting evidence was given at an inquest in Sydney concerning the death of a child named Thclma Nellie Lillie, seven months old. who died at Balmain Cottage Hospital on August 15. from meningitis, following on injuries to face and head through being pecked 'by a game rooster at the residence of a Mrs Cohen. Mis Colven in her evidence stated that she had been to see the child hincn the fowl pecked it, and Mrs Lillie told her that the child bad fallen out of a. go-eart. and added. "T am afraid that

the child will never have a natural .leal.li." Mrs Lillie had also stated that she had been to the doctors three times w'iih he child, and it had cost 15s. Witness said, "My husband wants to see the bill in black and -white, or he. won't pay it." Wis Lillie informed the Court that the story about the child's falling out ot a go-cart was a fabrication on Mrs Colven's part. The Coroner, in returning a verdict of death from meningitis, following on injuries sustained through 'being pecked hy the bird, said it was a mysterious affair. Nineteen hundred years ago Pilate sate, "What is truth?"' In this Court he was very oft em tempted to say "Where, is truth?" Although the ease was a very simple one. there was no doubt that perjury had been committed.

hi is convenient, often practically imperative, that local bodies should transnet some of their businc-s in committee. This means that the discussion is not reported in the press, but it. also enjoins silence on the part of the members of the local body. 100. This latter phase of "in committee" 'business does not seem to be too well known, and needs to .be emphasised. Councillors ought, .to keep such a Hairs to themselves, of course, for in divulging them they are not only breaking their trust, but also bringing under suspicion their colleagues, their officers, and the nress representatives when it. is found that such matters have "leaked out." On Monday Mr. D. McAlltvm. a member of the Comity Council, asked the chairman if he were not correct in stating that committee business wa.s strictly private, and that members should not discuss it outside. The chairman -aid thai was so. Cv. McAlluni then stated that the other evening ho had heard people diiscussimr one of the Council's committee transactions, and, tracing to its source the information on whi(d) the conversation was based, found that it came from one of the foremen, who in turn had obtained it from a member of the Council. As this particular piece of business concerned the integrity of an individual it should never have been discussed outside. A Xews reporter was surprised on the day after the meeting when asked if certain things (the matter ventilated in committee) were true. On explaining that it was a breach of trust for a reporter to divulge committee business, he was informed that: "T knew all about it ten minutes after the. Council meeting was over." The members who spread the news abroad should be taken severely to task.

I According to late-t advices all is now quiet as regards the differences with the men at work on the Whnngamomona tunned. A special train is being arranged for to ettibule llawera and Stratford residents to witness tlic football match ait 1 New Plymouth between Auckland ami Tarana-ki.

The New Plymouth Beautifying Association acknowledge* donations of a guinea from Mr. U. C. Hughes; 10s from -Mr. W. U. Webster; £1 from Mr. R. 1/avies; and 5* from Mr. Clarke.

Tile Central and Oonrtcnay Street Schools will not be rc-opened until September 18, and will not receive the'fortnight's holiday which is due about that time.

On the application of Mr. Austin Bewley, probate of the will of John Middlemiss, late of New Plymouth, settler, was, on the 28th ult., granted by His Honor, Mr. Justice Edward?, to "Mrs. (Sarah Middlemiss, the executrix.

A shooting party in the Waimnte district -bagged 32 wallabies on Sunday, la-t. These mar=upiuls are now fairly numerous in that district. It is not likely, however, that they will .Income a pest; as they are easily thinned out with gun and dugs. The .fur of tliose secured by the party mentioned was in excellent <xmdition. Opossums are also said to be making headway in various parts of the Dominion.

fn reference to the suspension of one of the Tara'naki county surfacemen, we are asked to evphiin that the information that the man was working for the Railway Department was given to the Council at the August meeting. The letter from the Department read at Monday's meeting was in answer to a letter from the county clerk seeking confirmation of the report received by the Council, which, by the way, was taken in committee.

During the past season four herdtesting associations were in operation in the Dominion. The Dalefield Association was continued for a second season under Departmental auspices. The Stratford Association comprised 27 members, testing 772 cows; 29 members of the Kaupokonui Association tested 1880 cows; 25 members of the Cambridge Association tested 1010 cows. In the four associations these arc 102 members testing 4317 cows. ,i . -^

A protest against the liberation of the white owls imported to den) with the small bird pest in Ha\vl<e f s Bay is made by a correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald, who says:—"Does auvonc suppose that Mic vwjs will take .the trouble to hunt dou'ii llini.-dies and sparrows while tho fan tail and warbler would prove such easy prey? We all know how wary are the English birds, while the native birds Hit about boldly and confidently, expecting no, danger and suspecting no aaumy. When all the lovely native birds are exterminated the white owls will begin on the sparrow, but not until then. Which is it to be in Maorilaird—birds of prey ur native songsters?"

The 'New riymniilh Defencfl Rifle Club held its first euchre party aud dance in the Brougham Street Hall last ni»ht. There was a very large attendance. Tho euchre prwes. were won by Misses MatheftOH ft'ttu Reid, first and second respectively, and Messrs. ft. Dickson and, E. Lithbcrg. The prizes were va.luoJ. J , C) and were handed to the Winners by Mr. A. L. Humphries. The lady supporters oi the club provided" a good njul abundant supper, after which came a very enjoyable dance, at which Mr. Humphries was M.C., and Miss K. Bennett provided capital music. Mr. F. J. Hill was secretary to the committee which arranged the social, and was assisted by an energetic committee, „,h|»; m——'.-*,„.,

An interesting aivlmeo'ogieal diacoVeTJ j of what is believed to be Horace's Sa-1 bine valla has been made in the neighborhood of Percilc, in the Sabine Hills. Somo peasants, while, 'digging, came across mosaic pavements, and Count Xegri was sent by the Government to inspect the discovery. Count Xegri has come to the conclusion that the remains are those of a itoman villa of the early Augustan period. The ruins are situated on tho banks of the little river License,, and the "fons Bnmlusiae," to which one of Horace's odes is dedicated. Count Xegri believes he has discovered Horace's "Sabine farm." the situation of which has always, been in doubt, anion" archaeologists. Further excavations are being carried on.

Kvery session (says the Wellington I'os-t) Taran.iki lias to -faiul a bombardment about allege.! child labor in tin' dairies. Last week .Mr. Laurenson was the artillerist. Ho..sketched a picture of the retired Taranaki farmers lollingatease in Auckland's pretty submib of Hemuera. Tlie advance in the price of butter had lifted the value of the land up £4O or £SO an acre. What was the result? The man who rented the land had to send his children to the cow-byre at 4 or .1 o'clock in the morning. Later on the little ones fell asleep over their lessons at school. Mr. Laurenson was. interrupted by the loud laughter of a country member, and Lvttelton's representative retorted that "he could prove his words with the evidence of school teachers.

Mr. Ward took exception at the meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board yesterday morning to the practice of certain settlers who are sent to New Ilymouth Hospital through the Stratford Hoard, the matter being brought »l> by an account from the Xew Plymouth Hoard for the upkeep of a resident of the Stratford district. Jt was explained that the gentleman in question had expressed a desire to go to New Plymouth as he had previously been treated by a Xew Plymouth doctor. Mr. Ward said it wis a reflection on the local medical superintendent to send people to Xew Plvmonth. He moved that .in future no admissions to outside hospitals be granted without the express sanction of the medical superintendent. Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion. Air. Marfell said that in the case m question and in a similar case of recent date it was advisable that the men should go up to Xew Plymouth. He thought it should not be made impossible. The motion wfls carried—Post. It was the horse's fault, of course, that the trace-chains on one of our licensed omnibuses dropped to the ground tost evening, just, before dusk. Anvhow. the horse 1,,,,] to su fr er . T]u , , llon]1)er of the human race who w-.is responsible or getting the 'bus into town in time tor the six o'clock load of passengers must have known it was the horse who hooked the trace up badly, and who '-nosed it to fall oil'. He pulled up the team. ; ,nd. a% the horses didn't offer to volw up the 'bus again he got down. ■ he mar horse was standing in such it position as to make it awkward for the lord of creation to pick up the trace. A gentle -gee up" would probably have sufficed, but the lord of creation" hadn't time to say ••gee up." He gave the horse a vigorous kick in die i, 0 ]iv, flie horse moved an inch. Another kick, and 'mother in a,bout the same place, and the very angry man was able to pickup .the trace, hitch it on to the vehicle and .resume hN journey. There's room in New Plymouth, it, would seem, for a braiHi of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and room ought to be found at the back of Marsland Hill for a man who so far forgets his manhod as to illtreat a dumb animal in this way.

The man who was round with u gush, in his throat at Mar.sland Hill on Sunday night died in the hospital yesterday. According to the chairman, the Kaupokonui Dairy Company, .by erecting its new factory iby (hiy laihor instead of by contract has ell'ected a saving of £2OOO. A.u organiser has been appointed by the "Trade." in the Musterton electorate, and it is reported that u determined effort is to be made to secure the restoration of licenses.

The Department of Agriculture liavo accepted the oll'er of an aero of land from a Marton settler for experimental purposes. The land is to Jie put under! cultivation immediately, ami the trees will he planted early next autumn. Following are the amounts paid <to suppliers by some of the South Tarajuiki dairy companies for last season's butter-fat:— Mamituhi, 12 5-lOd; Riverdale, lil.l)5d; Joll's. 11.5] d; Hawwa, 11.75(1; and Kaupokonui, about 13d v

The question of whey butter dropped up at the Kiverdalc meeting. It was shown that 451)21b. were made in the season, one month being responsible for over a ton. The secretary said it was a payable proposition after January 1.

A return of some interest was presented by the secretary of the Riverdale Company at the annual meeting on Monday. It consisted of a record of tho return of butter-fat per acre off eaclk supplier's farm. The-secretary said it induced a healthy spirit of rivalry amongst suppliers. One hundred and sixty-live pounds to the acre was the best return; others ranged from 159 and 154 down to 97. For the previous year the best was 177. The drop wasdue, said the secretary, to the comparatively dry season.—Star.

Speaking of cow-testing, the chairman; of a SonUi Taranaki dairy company said he had recently listened to an address in Auckland, in which it was stated that test* had been made with poor cows ami good cows. The former yielded an average of 133'/ 8 1.1>. of .bntterfat, and the latter an overage af 3011b. There was a net profit from the former of £2l 10s, and from the latter of £OOO.. , Twenty-five of the best cows were equivalent to 102 of the poor ones. Thesefigures opened their eyes and made them-, think of the value of testing. By testing they might .he able to counteract the effects of the increase in the priceof land.

At the anmnl meeting of the Stratford branch of the Jersey Breeders' Association the annual report stated: it wasi pleasant to note that the price of Jerseys was still being' well inaintaiiipu",. Willi every prospect of high price* irs the future, especially for animals »C known ability for butter-fat production l .. During the year there bad been imported from Jersey several animals from tho best families .in the island, almost all of which came to Taranaki. ft is anticipated that during (he coming season the importations will be mow than doubled, as negotiations are now proceeding for the importation of about, twenty head—lnosljy female-,