LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 95, 7 September 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Sydney cable states that bran has adanced 10s per ton. We understand that the Pukearuhe Co-operative Dairy Company have sold their output of cheese for the ensuing geason at 0y 3 d. . , , • The Wykeham-Nable Musical Farcfi Comedy Coy. are shortly to appear in New Plymouth. They are playing to crowded houses in the south. The service for men only to be held I in St. Mary's Church on Sunday next, will be the last monthy one. During the summer months a quarterly men's ser< vice will be held. The Wanganui municipal gas-works makes a gross p-ofit of 13Vis per cent. The Sydney company pays 15 per cent, as well sis hiding as much more profit in special funds, reserves, etc. The Melbourne Gas Co., having 1 a capital of £2,000.000, last year earned no less than £314,007. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a very handsome brochure issued by Messrs A. and T. Burt. Ltd., in celebration of the jubilee of the firm, which gives an interesting review of the steady growth of the business. The company now employs no less than 820 hands, the yearly wages running into £90,000. It is forty-four years ago to-day since the gallant Von Tempsky, Captains Buck and Palmer, Lieutenants Hunter and Hastings, Sergeants Russell and others were killed at Te Ngutu-o-te-lnanu. It is rather a coincidence that the annual meeting of the Taranaki Veterans' Association is being held this afternoon. A very definite result has followed an announcement made by the Christchurch municipal authorities that proceedings would be taken against persons wasting water from the municipal supply. The announcement was made a few days ago, and since it was published the daily consumption has decreased from 1,500 - 000 gallons to 1,000,000 gallons. The following is from the London correspondent of Truth:—Xew Zealand is getting a good advertisement just now through the film maker. London swarms with continuous moving picture shows, and quite a number of tlicm have been lately putting on Xew Zealand scenery pictures—one of the best being the Wanganui River. These pictures always get a warm round of applause. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night passed the following motion, on Mr. A. IT. Johnstone's initiative: '"That this Chamber considers that it is desirable to form a railway league for the purpose of promoting the construction of the proposed Western Taranaki railway." Further to the matter, Mr. C. W. Govett moved, and it was decided, "that the question as to the best way of furthering the formation of a railway league be referred to the Council, and that Mr. Johnstone be invited to attend at all Council meetings on the subject and act with the Council." There was a very large attendance of buyers at Mr. Newton King's first annual clearing sale of his pedigree IM-stein-Friesians cattle, which was held yesterday afternoon at his Waiwakaiho yards. Bidding' for the stock, which comprised 14 pedigree cows, 3 pedigree heifers (2 years), 9 pedigree /bulls (yearlings), and 2 pedigree bulls (2 years), was very spirited, and the prices obtained for the herd as a whole were a record for New Zealand. There was no reservi_ placed on any of the stock, which, if the two grade Holsteiiis also sold are included, fetched an average price of £l2l 10s. Luncheon was provided, and conveyances l were placed at the disposal of those attending the sale. Most of the stock was knocked down to coastal fanners. The Assistant Inspector of Post Offices, Mr. Norton, had a very exciting experience on a recent trip from Awakino to Waitara by coach when crossing Mount Messenger. In the course of a report to the Chief Postmaster' (Mr. A. P. Drydcn) lie remarked that just after leaving the top of Mount Messenger, part of the road gave way under the near side leader, and the horse rolled down a ■ precipice and steep bank (SO feet, bringing up in the scrub on a narrow ledge. After an hour s delay the animal was got up uninjured. Had it gone over the narrow ledge it would have fallen several hundred feet. The drivers' presence of mind in putting the brake ,on hard saved the other four horses, the coach and passengers from going over. It was indeed a marvellous escape. This and several other dangerous places on ■ Mount Messenger he considered should | he fenced. Ho therefore asked if the : Postmaster would communicate with . those responsible. Mr. A. P. Drydcn, by : direction of the secretary of the Postal Department, Wellington, accordingly for- ! warded the report to the Clifton County i Council, and asked that any necessary , repairs should be effected as soon as possible. Councillors, when the report was lead, remarked that this was not a county road, but was under the contiol of the Public Works Department, and it was resolved to refer the Postmaster to the Public Works Department. At the last meeting of the Clifton County Council it will be remembered that the Mokau Land Syndicate, through its solicitors, approached the Council and asked if they would agree to a road district being formed, in the event of a petition to that eftect being received from the settlers residing there. Mr. Quilliam at the time pointed out that the Act was mandatory on the Council to acquiesce. The matter was held over, and at yesterday's meeting was again brought up. A letter was received from the Council's solicitor to the effect that Jn the event of a petition being received m proper form the Council must agree to the Toad district. A letter from Mr. J. Brown, chairman of the Taranaki County Council, pointed out that if a road distnet was formed in the county the Council would lose half its subsidy. a f. vise(l the Council to sit tight. Cr. Obullivan then moved: 'That this Council cannot sec its wav to pass a resolution to the effect that, upon a petition in conformity with the Road Board Districts Act being presented, the Council will declare the area mentioned m such petition a road district." This was seconded by Cr. Sander. C'r. Kennington objected strongly. He thought wiat the real _ reason underlying the C ouncil s objections to raising a loan on that property was because it was owned by land speculators. The resolution was carried, only Crs. Kennington and Bower reconling their votes against it.

A NEW HAT FOR MEN. . A n . ew st . vle of men's head gear is being shown hy the Melbourne Clothin" Company and brandies. The new hat il made of fur felt, with rough hairy beaver finish, and looks extremely smart. t , . shat es » rc greens and browns. Judging by the way the new style has taken on jn Australia, the hat 'is -sure to have a. sensational run in New Zealand. Just now, owing to its popularity ami the delay in getting shipments fiom the Old Country, supplies are extremely short, and Taranaki residents are very fortunate in being able to purchase from a good selection at the Melbourne. Purchasers are advised' to make an par])' call, as the stock in hand s limited. .Special window displavs of tliese goods are being made at the film's four stores—New Plymouth, luglewood. (Stratford and Eltham.— Advt. It) the most quickly-prepared and economical. J.h e most wholesome and best tasting of all coffees is "Camp."

"Equality" writes: Permit me, through the columns of your paper, to ask why the performances of the motor cycles were not even mentioned at last evening's prize distribution. Usually, when a local rider "gives promise," as yesterday's winner did, some encouragement is given him. I write merely to keep the competitors, other than those of the road race, from thinking that tilieir performances were not worthy of notice. An election campaign is full of incident. On Thursday the Government candidate realised the shortcomings of the motor car, for lie had many tyre troubles, and for a short while both he and his opponent might have been seen near Pungarehu in an earnest debate while the latter's chauffeur effected certain rcj pairs to the "Blue and White" car. . All parties seemed in earnest, and passersby were much amused at the truce declared.—Eltham Argus. Arthur Towcs, who was found guilty last week of a charge of indecent exposure, and who was remanded for sentence, was brought before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., yesterday morning. Mr. G. Grey asked that the prisoner be admitted to probation. According to his Worship, the probation officer recommended this course. Towcs, who was ordered to pay costs amounting to ISs, was accordingly placed on probation for six months, during which time he must report nimself to the probation officer at intervals of one month. Owing to the unavoidable absence from town to-morrow, Rev. 11, J. Lewis will not speak at +lie Brotherhood meeting as announced. Ilis place will be taken bv Rev. Frank Hales, who has established himself as a capable and attractive speaker to the Brotherhood audiences. ■Mr. James Clarke will occupy the chair, and the singing, as usual, will be under the direction of Mr. W. M. Perry. The services in the Whitelcy Memorial Church to-morrow will be conducted in the morning by Mr. 11. T. Peat, ami in the evening by the Rev. J. W. Burton. The evening sermon will be one of the series of special addresses, and the subject will 'be, "Is Evolution the Method of Creation?"