LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 244, 15 April 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The EHham County Council is going in for a pneumatic spraying machine for tarring the roads. A parcel of Taranaki petroleum sharps sold in New Plymouth on Saturday for 235. There is an unsatisfied demand for the shares at this figure. There is every prospect of eggs reaching a higher level than usual this winter. Already they are very scarce, and are realising up to 2s p'ir dozen in some parts, as compared with Is 8d this time last year. Added attraction was lent to Pukekura Park yesterday afternoon by the presence of the Garrison Band, which played a number of tuneful airs. The programme of music was well selected, and the only pity was that the weather was not more favorable. An inquiry is to be held at the Magistrate's Court on Friday morning intothe circumstances surrounding the fire in Devon Street recently, resulting in. the destruction of a shop and dwelling occupied by J. Burke and owned by Wm. Brown, of Lepperton. The Coroner (Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.) will preside. A discussion took place at the meeting of the Waimate County Council on Thursday regarding the Opunake railway commission. It was agreed that either a central railway system, with feeders north and south, or a comprehensive tramway system with feeders, was absolutely essential to serve the whole of the district; and that a central railway without feeders would not answer the district's requirements. Territorials are apparently exempt from the demand of the toll-gate. The officer commanding the 11th Regiment, Taranaki Rifles, has written to the Taranaki County Council to the following effect: "On the 17th instant we will be conveying a number of troops from Warea to New Plymouth, per motor-wag-gon. According to the regulations troops are exempt from toll charges, and we would be pleased if you would instruct the gate-keeper to that effect." Notwithstanding the bad weather there was a large congregation in the White-ley Church last night, on the occasion of the Sunday school anniversary. A feature of the service was the singing of the children, under the baton of Mr Herbert White. The rain kept many people away from the earlier services, and in consequence the music will he repeated next Sunday. The Rev. J. Burton preached appropriate sermons. Tonight the children's annual tea will be held, commencing at 6.15. It will be followed by the presentation of prizes. Regardißg the proposed South Taranaki railway, the Prime Minister ban written to the Taranaki County Coun-* cil as follows: "I am in receipt of your letter of March 28th, in which you' ask that the commission proposed "to take evidence on the question of a railway to Opunake should also consider the advisability of constructing an electric tramway or light railway from New Plymouth to Opunake. In reply I desire sa L t . hat y ' our representations are noted. This matter was before the Cabinet some httle time ago, but as it was considered that it opened np a very wide question as regards other parts of New Zealand, it cannot be easily undertaken." In differing with Mr. Grenfell, representative of the Employers' Association, at the Conciliation Council on Saturday morning, the Commissioner (Mr. T. Harle Giles) said that what would be satisfactory to one district might not, as a matter of necessity, be satisfactory to another district where circumstances were very different, and that was the very reason why these sittings of the Conciliation Councils were held in different parts of the Dominion. This was the first time he had presided over a council! where counter proposals had been put in under the amendeed Act, and if the intention of employers was always to be that their counter proposals were bedrock he was afraid it would he detrimental to the working of the Act. At Friday's meeting of the Waitara Harbor Board, the harbormaster (Captain Thompson) furnished an interesting report of the wool trade at the port this season, as compared with last. The present season was a very short one. Wool began to come in very late, but when it did it came in with a rush, taxing the facilities at the river iport to their utmost capacity; in fact it was found impossible to deal with it as expeditiously as was necessary. The report showed that last season wool began to come in in appreciable quantities as early as October, whereas this season it was very scarce until January 4. Thp following will show how the wool came forward this season, with the previous year's figures in parentheses:—Up to December 21, 727 (1334): from December 21 to January 15, 2304 (1786): from January 15 to February 7. 2347 (130(1); from February 7 to March 1.1708 (1240). The total shipped for the season so far, up to March 1, was fißlß bales, as against f>3fio last season up to June 14. The greatest quantity received in any month was 3752 (240fi) bales, and in any week 1145 (722) halles. Tn the huiest sixweeks 4-500 bales were received, as against 3900 hales.

The game of golf is becoming very popular in the districts surrounding Auckland, and quite a number of new clubs have been formed. No fewer than nine conferences are at present in progress in Wellington. Tire Empire City is evidently desirous of regaining its reputation for "wind." "Poison laid on this farm for milkingBiachine sellers." Such is the notice posted upon the main entrance gate at a dairy farm in the Temuka district. Fish appear to be fairly plentiful around bere at present, some of the launches that came in yesterday laving particularly large loads. Schnapper was the predominant variety. Tha B Company of the Xlth Regiment, Taranaki Mounted Rifles, will parade this evening instead of Tuesday. New miformß will be issued. On Wed•esday the troops leave for the annual eamp at Hawera. The progress that Ims been made with the wharf improvements lately is very satisfactory. The piling is practically completed, while the bracing work is well ahead. It is understood that another month will see the completion of the work.

An unusual sight was to be seen on the beach near tlte freezing works yesterday. Along the beach for several chains were large quantities of petroleum, which could have been collected in buckctfuls. Oil was also to be observed coming down the adjacent stream. Advices from Home go to show that the prices for butter are likely to rule high right through the year, as there is considerable shortage of 3toeks beld, and Continental countries, instead of being large exporters, are commencing to buy large quantities of colonial butters, •egotiations being already in progress for next year's output.

A correspondent sends us a clipping from the Collingwood paper regarding the local territorials, who are in camp at .Tapawera. On Friday night most of the young men were assembled and addressed briefly by .Messrs G. H. Allan, H. B. Riley and C. Bra.lshaw, who all impressed upon them the importance of the great military movement of which /this initial training camp was the first outward and visible sign, and encouraged the young men to take a serious view of the matter and conduct themselves in a manner creditable to young Britishers. Our correspondent, in his covering note, makes the following interesting observations:— "Thess gentlemen have set an excellent example, and it is to be wished that other citizens and settlers would follow it in various parts of the Dominion. The camps seem all to have been an increased success, so far. This must be gall and wormwood to the young ruffians at the Hutt, and to mollycoddles, of all ages, at Christehurch, the chosen home of imposters in New Zealand. Taking it at its lowest, th? educational value of our military system U alone sufficient to recommend it to thinking people in this country. Great praise is certainly due to General Godley and his brilliant and hard-working staff, and to the many zealous and capable colonial officers who are taking part in the good work." Further particulars have been received locally regarding the projected visit of £0 New Zealand senior cadets to the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, in August next. An officer accustomed to senior cadets, preferably from one of the high schools or colleges, mil be ■elect:d to take charge of the contingent. Although during their absence from their homes a part of each day will be devoted to some school work similar to that which they would be engaged in if attending a school or college" this does not mean that the selection is to be confixed to schools and colleges. Uniforms for parades an 1 exercises will be provided as follows:—One complete uniform for dress parades, one complete working uniform, and one jersey, boots, shirts and underclothing. Plain clothes will not be permitted; the cadets must Wear uniform during the whole period they are absent Irom their homes. Pocket money provided by parents or guardians will be administered or issued by the officer in charge. There arc four groups in each of the four military districts. Each group will provide one cadet and each city group select an additional cadeft. Twenty will be selected, being five from each military district.' Officers commanding districts will select the five cadets considered most suitable to represent the district, and will be required, on •'May 30 next, to forward to headquarters the names, addresses and description of the cadets selected. The consent of parent or guardian must be given in writing before any lad will be accepted into the contingent.