LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 7 June 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A day or two ago (says the Timaru Herald) a trail of nails covering nearly a mile was seen on the Wai-iti road, and one or two motors suffered in consequence. An adjournment was granted in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. J. S. S. Medley, j.P., in the case in which Albert Wadham was charged with drunkenness. In reference to the Borough Council Reserves Committee trouble over the dismissal of the sexton, the chairman (Mr. J. Buttimore) states that it is a counail matter, not a personal matter. That being the case, he will withhold comment until the matter is brought up at the Council table. Much excitement prevails in Eketahuna over the alleged discovery of oil in the vicinity (says the Woodville Examiner). Already there are stories of escaping gas, and of deep wells, and visions of a new Pennsylvania. There will be ax interesting race between the brokers and the experts, and w« may look for startling developments on the share market.

The magnificent display at the Winter Show by the Agricultural Department has been greatly admired by the crowds that have thronged the Coronation Hall, and yesterday the committee despatched the following telegram to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Prime Minister, and Minister of Agriculture: "The committee and the public generally are greatly pleased with the Department's splendid educational exhibit. Congratulations." The actual cash takings at the doors for admission to the Winter Show yesterday amounted to £IOB 4s 9d, and when to this is added the number that obtained admission by means of their season tickets, it can be seen that there was an immerse concourse in the building, which is so commodious that at no time was there any unseemly jostling or scrambling. To-day is children's day, when all school children will be admitted for threepence. The committee, in response to numerous requests, has decided to again issue season tickets, and tomorrow will sell tickets that entitle a person to admission to the show on four occasisns for the sum of three shillings.

There was an extra item on the programme of the football match that was not bargained for by spectators when they paid their shilling at the gate yesterday afternoon, hut which, nevertheless, was greatly appreciated, and quite put the match out of court while it lasted; in fact, about the only ones whom it did not interest were the referee and a few—a very few—of the players. The first spell had been in progress but a litle while, when Mr. H. Brooks' well-known whippet flushed a haro in the long grass near the sheds. Possibly it was the same hare that was seen -disappearing round the Melbourne corner a few nights ago. Puss streaked across the playing field with the whippet in full cry. The pursuer, however, was handicapped l>v a heavy rug, and though at the start lie gained on his quarry, he could not make good. The hare hounded up the bank, where another dog made chase, but the hunted animal, jumping a spectator's shoulder and narrowly escaping capture, got clear away among the long grass under the pine trees. When the chase was over the spectators settled down to the match and saw that Taranaki, who were defending when the chase began, had just scored a try. It is safe to say that very few couid descnbe_the_jlay actually leading up to

The Cabinet yesterday authorised the expenditure of £6OO at the Point Elizabeth State coal mine, to give the miners better road access to their place of work, and for the electric lighting of the mine. "The totalisator question," the Hon. G. W. Russell recently remarked, "is like the fretful porcupine. It has many quills, and it is a very difficult thing to take hold of." It is reported as a significant feature in connection with the Waihi strike that from twenty to twenty-five men recently employed at Waihi left for Sydney by the Maheno the other day. A very successful combined class in millinery and dressmaking has been running at Tariki, and is just closing. Those who wish to join the next, term should send in their names at once and so receive the full benefit of the class. The Federation of Labor executive waited on Mr. Colvin, Minister of Mines, last night, laying before him the resolutions passed by the conference with reference to mining. Mr. Colvin promised that their representations would receive careful attention. A large number of Maoris are expected to attend the tangi of Wiki Kemp at Wanganui. Big quantities of provisions are being secured. The relatives have received telegrams of sympathy from all parts of New Zealand, including one from the Prime Minister. An impetus will be given to the dairying industry in the Masterton district next season (says the Wairarapa Times), by the establishment of additional herds and the increasing of the number of cows at present on the dairy farms supplying factories in the district. In the Carterton district also several herds are to be substantially increased, while in the Forty Mile Bush a large number of cows are to be introduced into the majority of the herds. The value of cinematograph pictures as a means of advertising a country has induced Mr. J. Mackenzie, a London journalist and photographic expert, to visit New Zealand for the purpose of securing pictures, which will be shown in London theatres. Mr. Mackenzie told a reporter that scenic and industrial pictures were particularly popular with audiences at Home, and he anticipates that pictures of New Zealand scenery will arouse keen interest. Views will be obtained in the neighborhood of Rotorua, the Wanganui river will also be photographed, and at a later date pictures will probably be taken in the South Island.