LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 31 May 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Prime Minister (the Hon. T Mackenz.e member for Egmout) del ve ed an important policy speech at Opunak last on page 7 of tlus issue.

niJl t "?l ete nn VTanSemCntS made *>*t 0n,,,l J f"- T,lOm P S0 »' Postmaster at Opunake for copmg with the inrush of telegraphic work due to the Prime Minister s policy speech, were much appreciated by pressmen.

fcven fine weather, the concert and dance to be held this evening in the VVestown Hall, in aid of the piano fund, should be largely patronised. -The entertainment will conclude with a nio-ger burlesque, entitled -Bruised and Cured "

It is the intention of the Government to repeal the Second Ballot Act and substitute a system of electoral preferences under an adaptation of the methods that obtain in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. The system is simple and effective. This announcement was made by the Prime Minister at Opunake last evening. The cinematograph production of the New Plymouth Recreation Grounds has been completed by the Empire Theatre Company, and is now ready for showing. A splendid picture has been secured, running into just on 1000 ft. The film is toned and colored throughout, most artistic effects being obtained. It will he shown at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday next, commencing at the matinee.

A sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held Yesterday, before Mr. Hickman Russell. J.P. On the information of the Inspector of Noxious Weeds, J. Pullar, who made no appearance, was fined £5 and costs 7s for failing to destroy blackberries on his property. Charged with having cycled at night in Devon street without a light, Erie Drake was fined ss, with costs 7s. The borough inspector (Mr. B. Tippins) prosecuted. Another of the popular series of euchre parties and dance combined, under the auspices of the Taranaki Garrison Band, was held in the Good Templar Hall last evening. There were 30 tables at euchre, the prizes being won as follows: Ladie3, Mrs. J. Harvey, 12 out of a possible 13 games, 1; Miss Russell, 11 games. 2: Mrs. Yates, 10 games 3. Gentlemen: Mr. V: G'root, 13 games, 1; M(r. W. Wylie, 12 games, 2; Mr. L. Nippert, 1.1 games, 3. The floor was crowded for dancing, and the evening was rounded off with an excellent supper. The music was supplied by Mrs. George's orchestra. With regard to concessions to parents who are educating and maintaining a family, the 'Hon. T. Mackenzie, in his speech atOpunake last night, said: "This principle has been adopted in various Continental income tax systems and also in England and New South Wales. The allowance varies in different countries. In England 1 the. allowance is £lO in respect of each child living and under the age of il(i years, but taxpayers whose incomes icxceed £SOO are not entitled to such allowance. In New South Wales an allowance of £3O is made for each child who is wholly maintained by the taxpayer and who is under the age of 18 years. I think in New Zealand an allowance of £SO might bo made in respect of each child wholly dependent on the taxpayer for support." Much has been said regarding our extravagant borrowing in the past. It must, however, be remembered that in a developing community it is essential that borrowing should take place, and after all the success or otherwise, of borrowing is contingent on the manner in which the money is used. Touching on this matter a,t Opunake last evening, the Prime Minister said: "The result of our public expenditure shows on the whole a satisfactory return. Tt is, of course, for the public to say whether or not borrowing is to take place; but if the country is to develop we must borrow considerable sums because it is impossible to consider the raising of moneys necessary for deTelopment by means of taxation alone. It is, however, doubtful if our loans can be obtained during the next few years on anything like as favorable terms as they have been for the past ten years, and it therefore behoves us to be cautious in our borrowing policy." It was expected that members of the W.C.T.U. would remember the last Wednesday in the month as' the usual meeting day, and that a larger number would have, been present on Wednesday, the 20th inst. Mrs. Lewis occupied the chair. The jumble fair held last week was favorably reported upon, the cash takings being over £l7. with goods still to sell of over £4 in value. The expenses were £ll. Heartv votes of thanks were passed to all who had contributed to stalls, stall-holders, and the young people who assisted in the "Portrait' Album," the 1.0. G.T. Bazaar Commitce for large parcel of goods, and the young men of the T.O.G.T. for help given. Members of the Union will fiirplv refreshments at the No-License League social on June 20. when important toiii"<* regarding future work will be discussed. The New Zealand Women's Christim Temperance Union Convention bavin? placed "White Ribbon Dav" in June, it was resolved to observe it on the iisn.il monthly meeting day. June 2(5. by having a social afternoon in aid of Maori work,

Owing to tlio term of appointment of Mr. William McLaughlin Kennedy having expired, a. viveancy has occurred on the Taranaki Land Board, nominations for filling which will be received at the District Landte and Surveys Office, New Plymouth, up to Thursday. June 27. If necessary, u poll will be held on July 29. The Postniastcr-Cciieral stated in Auckland that tile •'twopence-in-thc-slot" telephones already installed in Auckland have proved very sucecs.vful and exceedingly welcome, and he had made arrangements for several more to be provided as soon as possible. He had also ordered a, comprehensive report dealing with the whole of Auckland and other suburbs to suggest sites for the installation of more public telephones of the same type. The threepenny bit, the smallest silver coin in circulation, goes a long way in Sydney. A returned business man of Timaru nays "you tan live for 3d a day .in Sydney." Beer is 3d a pint, and while drinking it the best of counter lunches can be had. These lunches are substantial, and include everything but pastry. Cigarettes are 3d ' a packet. Men buy them in hotel bars, partake of the counter lunch at the same time, then go out and sell the cigarettes for 3d. When again hungry, they repeat the performance, and men are' pointed out to j visitors who by this system of buying and selling live for weeks on end for the small sum of threepence. ■ A resilient of Waihi, writing to a member of the Wellington J' os t staff, states:—•'Hundreds of miners are sacrificing a lot over the strike. One party of men working on the co-operative system has been earning for a good many ■weeks .£IOO each man per month, anil several other parties at the rate of £3O. £4O, and similar sums per man per month. Now the contracts are all cancelled, and the deposits forfeited, and all are inspectors of buildings without pay and with no possible hope of getting such contracts again. The whole thing is- a silly business, as will be seen before long, when the men want to get back and the companies dictate terms." The local land boom continues (writes the Wavcrley correspondent of the Pa tea Press), the latest sale being that of iMr. 8. Hislop's property of 203 acres, at Kohi, to Mr. Russell, of Christchurch, at ■£33 per acre. This is at least tne fifth farm to change hands within a few weeks. Mr. E. Kxley's property was bought by Messrs Mitcalfe Bros, for £s(l, Mr. R. Bremer's 700-aci'e Kohi farm changed hands at £4O, while Mr. Morri- { son, of Ha'wera. purchased 300 acres from j the Lupton estate for £SO. Mr. o'Meara | has also sold his Kohi farm at a high : figures. The high figures given mean | dairying instead of grazing, with a corresponding increase in the value of the land, and also an increase in population. 1 The report of the fnglewood Public Library, which is to bo presented at the annual meeting of subscribers to-night, mentions that during the year 359 volumes were added to the library, and a fourth .supplement to the catalogue was in coursw of preparation. The number 1 of books taken out by sutecrihers duri ing the year ending December 31, 1911, I 'was 0130, of which" about 80 per cent. j .would be fiction . Mr. W. Hood was appointed to fill the vacancy on the coin- • Tiiittee caused by the death of Mr. Gow. I A juvenile section had been established, j to which children attending the State j fschool in fnglewood were admitted withI out payment, conditionally on their parj fills becoming responsible' for the safety of the book* issued. The receipts dur- ) ing the year amounted to £332 6s 2d, j and the expenditure to £lOl 14s.

j Recent figures show Taranaki to hold ithe premier position in export* of dairy produce, and in view of tin's a particularly interesting display of butter, cheese, etc., may be anticipated at the Winter Show, which will he held in New Plymouth next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. During the next few days, farmers and their sons will be busy in the field paying their (final attentions to the crops which are |to represent' their abilities, while the housewife and her daughters will he preparing for exhibition in the home industries section at the show . Already the interior of the King George Coronation Agricultural Hall, where the show is to be held, presents an animated scene, for exhibitors of trade displays are busy arranging their exhibitions." The Governor. Lord Islington, will open the show, and [as His Excellency has a practical knowledge of farming, and is greatly interiested in the industry, some interesting remarks may be expected. Special train arrangements are advertised.