LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 187, 27 December 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On Tuesday morning a Clvdesdale colt was landed at the Breakwater from Scotland to the order of Mr. Alex. Alexander, of New Plymouth, who is at present on a tour of Great Britain. Mr. Alexander purchased the youngster from Mr. James Kilpatrick. Craigie Mains, Kilmarnock. Ho was bred by Mr. Martin, a well-known and successful stockbreeder, and i e by Oyama, from a Rozell mare. Oyama is one of the most successful Clydesdales in Britain, and has thrown stock which has scored some big prizes. The colt, which is named after 'his sire, is in charge of Mr. J. McNeil, who was engaged in Scotland by Mr. Alexander, and went south by Tuesday's train, and will be located at Mr. J. D. Mitchell's farm, Manaia, for some time.

A meeting of the Egmont National Park Board was held at Stratford last week, Mr. G. H. Bullard being in the chair. There were also present: Messrs W. A. Collis, W. Rogers, R. Dingle and R._ McK. Morison. Apologies were received from Messrs Goodson, S Percv Smith and J. R. Hill. Mr. S. Percy Smith, who is leaving shortly on a trip to England, was granted leave of absence. Accounts amounting to £I2C 14 s 4d were passed for payment. It was reported that an acetylene gas plant had been installed at the Dawson Falls bouse at a cost of £2l. The caretaker of the Stratford house wrote resigning bis position, and Mr. Morrison was empowered to fill the vacancy. It was resolved to vest a forest reserve on the Pembroke road in the National Park Board. The Government grant of £2OO was allocated as follows:—North Egmont Committee £65, Dawson Fal?s Committee £65, Stratford Committee £SO, and board £2O.

We are in receipt of the first number j of the Wavcrley Tribune, the latest adI dition to the large newspaper family of the Dominion. It is a well-got-up sheet, and is to be issued tri-weekly. It is gratifying to notice from its leading article that it has already "a numerous and wide circle of readers'," and that the conductors are not suffering from an excess of modesty is shown by the statement that "the proprietors are displaying considerable enterprise in producing the Tribune," an event which is of vital moment to Waverley, which, we read, "has a bright future if its inhabitants' are supported by a well-conducted journal." Elsewhere, this "old-established" and unprecoeious arrival shows its sturdiiiess and disregard of the conventions by alluding to one of the Wellington morning papers as "our young friend, the Wellington Dominion."' From the general tone of Waverley's new possession we gather that it will not be for hick of modesty or confidence in itself and its mission if it does not achieve success in an unmeasured degree.

The circulating branch of the local public library will be open from 10 a.m. to noon only. The usual hours will be observed to-morrow. The Government Veterinarian states that the reference in our issue of Tuesday regarding the spread of tuberculosis among dairy cattle in Taranaki is unfounded.

The Land Agents' Registration Act is not all joy. A member of the fraternity was told by Mr. Bishop. S.M., at Christchurch the other day that if he conld find security for £SOO for his land agent's license he could pay for the maintenance of his child.

One of the most enjoyable motor trips in the Dominion, probably in the world, is that to the Mokau and thence up the river by steam launch. The trip can be made easily in a day during fine weather. ' The other day'a party left Waitara at six a.m., "did" the river, and were home again at nine in the evening.

Writing to the Taumarunui Press, a correspondent at Piriaka says "there have been half-a-dozen deaths amongst the Maoris within a few weeks, from some malady of, in general opinion, a rather mysterious character. There are still several Maoris and Europeans suffering from it, and as yet no steps have been taken to ascertain the nature of the disease and means of checking it.'' Business was brisk in New Plymouth all day Tuesday, as well as in the evening. The takings of several of the principal traders constituted a record. The streets were full of people in the evening. Probably the crowd was a record. A gratifying feature was the large number of visitors. Accommodation for the latter was greatly taxed, and many had difficulty in securing beds.

■Settlers throughout the length and breadth of Taranaki have come to look upon the Star Almanac as a familiar and indispensable friend, so long has it been before them. It has now reached its thirtieth year, and we have to thank the proprietors of the Hawera Star for a copy. Not only does it contain a complete directory of the Coast, but a compendium of information on various matters of interest to farmers generally. It is a book that should be found in every home, and is sold at the extremely moderate price of one shilling.

There was an attendance of over one thousand at the grand picture entertainment held in the Recreation Ground last night in aid of the Garrison Band and Sports Ground Committee. A splendid programme of pictures was submitted, and variety was lent to the scene by selections from the Garrison Band. A. distinctly popular feature with the children was the visit of Santa Ciaus, who certainly advances with the times, as he came in a smart motor car, and each youngster was made glad with a toy. The committee wish to tender thanks to Father Christmas and also to the public for generous support. It is not often that a specimen or tlie red deer is seen in Taranaki. In fact, beyond one or two tame animals, the species is considered to be practically non-existent in the province. Not loni; ago, however, a particularly fine tenpointer stag was seen by several persons in the Matapu district on the Hastings road. Mr. F. Grayling, of New Plymouth, was amongst those who had a glimpse of the stag. He came upon the animal while riding down the Hastings road. The stag, a fine full-grown specimen, took fright, and with a single bound cleared a high boxthorn hedge and streaked away across .country. School children who saw the deer described it as a ''Jersey heifer with a tree on its head!" Mr. Grayling considers the animal had wandered through from the Rangitikei. Writes a New Plymouth gentleman at present on a trip to Auckland to the chairman of the local Expansion and Tourist League:—' ; l met two Sydney ladies yesterday at a friend's. They could not get accommodation at Rotorua so my friend advised them to do the Wanganui river and Mt. Egmont. They had never heard of the latter, and wanted to know why it was not advertised. They leave to-day. . . Ido hope the motor and stable people of New Plymouth will wake up and realise what they and others will lose if arrangements are not made whereby visitors and others can get to the Mountain House at moderate cost. This town is full of tourists and pleasure-seekers. There are 100 staying where I am, and nearly every other place is full, whilst there is no room at Eotorua, and yet some people will not help in attracting visitors to their town. Every visitor spends money and helps.'to advertise the place." The population of New Zealand was increased by 544 persons on Wednesday, that being the number of third-class passengers brought by the Shaw-Savill liner Mamari to Dunedin. They are described as being a specially desirable lot, and, with the exception of eight young people who are down with measles, they all arrived in good health. Early yesterday morning over 400 left by special train for Lyttelton to join the Mararoa, en route for various northern destinations. The new arrivals are being distributed throughout New Zealand as follows:—Port Chalmers 50, Bluff 18, Timaru 10, Lyttelton 84, Wellington 124, Wanganui 49, Napier 18, Picton 5, Nelson 1. New Plymouth 11, Gisborne 23, Auckland 14G, Greymouth 15, Westport 21. The Mamari made the passage from London, via Capetown, in 42 days, remarkably fine weather being experienced throughout the voyage until reaching the vicinity of The Snares on Monday, when the weather became thick and speed had to be reduced for several hours. About 30 case? of measles occurred during the voyage, but 22 of the victims were granted pratique on arrival.

[ A viaitor from New Plymouth who I was in Wanganui recently informed the ! Chronicle that an experiment of interest to the whole Dominion is being made by Messrs. Collett and Co., of New Plymouth. For some time men interested in "boosting" our dairying business have had their eyes on Germany, but up to the present the New Zealand butter box has been frowned on by the dealers in that country, who prefer to get their butter in keils (Danish casks). In the ease of importations from Denmark and Siberia this method of packing is practicable, because the comparatively short distance over which the produce has to be transported does not entail the handicap of crippling freight charges. To send butter from New Zealand in casks is, however, quite a different matter, for the space taken up hy casks in comparison with that occupied by square boxes represents probably a 30 per cent, increase in freight. Messrs. Collett and Co., feeling assured that once our butter gets in, the Germans will cease to scruple as to the method of its conveyance, determined to send over a couple of consignments suited to the German taste. To that end they imported a hundred keils, fifty of which, filled Avifch prime butter, were consigned back to Germany per s.s. Ruapchu on her present trip,' leaving the remaining fifty to be forwarded early in the New Year. The result of the experiment will certainly be awaited with interest. The connoisseur calls for CAMKOC As a refresher wiv.'.i your midday meal, or as a pleasing drink alone, there is nothing so appetising, so agreeable or ■•■;•> healthful as CAMKOC DRY GINGER &'•■'£■ Guaranteed made from the finest gini;■■■: :;::'X and purified water only. All hotels ;'<::. stores. 10 J

A large number of federations ts; with their wives and families, left Waihi last week ty the early train in order to catch the Maheno at Auckland for Sydney. One of the departing leaders informed a Mail representative that most of the loyal federationists were leavin™ Waihi, as the mines were now in the hands of avbitrationists. A number of Waihi miners intend going in search of work to Newcastle, Cobar, and other New South Wales labor centres.

The Opunako Times says that the Rev. Father Menard had a strange experience whilst on bis way to attend the obsequies of the late Father Costello, Palmerston North. Somewhere between Kakaramea and Patea the motor cycle got out of control, and the rider was thrown heavily on the road, cutting his face, and injuring bis 'hands. On goin" to a house near by he was surprised to find the inmates were in great need of a priest to officiate in his sacred office.

A gentleman, qualified to speak with some degree of authority on the matter, told a Southland News reporter that there were abundant evidences of a great wheat shortage in New Zealand this year. He was forcibly struck with the small quantity being handled on the railways and gave it as his opinion that millers were stocking very heavily against the poor prospects of next season's supply. The Canterbury crops were a very thin and weather-beaten lot and their productions would fall a long way behind the usual. There was every indication that flour would go up to a Very advanced price before many months had passed.

One of the amusing stories we have read_ about the, famous humorist, Mark Twain, is contained in an article in the January issue of Life, just to hand. It , is one of a series of personal reminiscences of the great fun-maker being contributed by Mr. Carlyle Smythe, who was Mark Twain's manager during his lecturing tour of Australasia and South Africa, and it tells how Mark Twain and the writer went to visit Colonel Rhodes and his fellow political prisoners after the raid, and what befel them there. This article of Mr. .Smythe's is one of a number of excellent contributions of the January issue of this fine Australasian magazine. A dozen subjects of vital and world-wide interest are treated under the heading of "What the World is Thinking," most space, of course, being devoted to a discussion of the war in the Balkans. Dr. Fitchett touches, with his customary incisiveness, the chief topics of interest'in Australasia and on the other side of the world that have cropped up during the month, and ends his series of exploration articles with a brilliant account of the tragic expedition of Burke and Wills. Life's success as a magazine has been great, and it is due chiefly to the way in which it enters for ]»-:sy, intelligent people. The January issue, now before us, is an excellent sixpenn'orth. From January 1 next week-end messages will be exchanged between- the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The telegrams must be written in plain language, and are subject to the same regulations as those applicable to deferred ordinary cable telegrams. Senders desirous of not incurring the inland transmission rate of a half-penny per word may post their telegrams to the cable stations at Auckland or Wakapuaka. Postage must be prepaid and letters containing such telegrams must reach the cable office not later than S p.m. on a Saturday. Week-end telegrams are accepted subject to despatch at the convenience of the cable authorities between midnight on Saturday and Monday morning. Delivery of weekend telegrams will be by posting from the terminal cable stations by night mail on Mondays unless the sender has paid the inland telegram rate, in which case messages will be telegraphed to office of destination, and delivery made from there on Mondays at the hour fixed for outgoing general night mails. The inland rate in the United Kingdom is one half-penny per word. The cable charge for veek end telegrams is nine penee per word, subject to a minimum charge of eighteen shillings. The New Zealand inland rate is one-half-penny per word. Science, as 0. Henrv once lamented, may have killed adventure, but it has I its compensations. For one thing, it has certainly bestowed a boon on mankind, in the more prosaic realms of cookery. This is typified in the results achieved in this connection by the "Perfection" oil cooker, demonstrations of the cooking capacities of which were given in the J.P. Hardware Co., Ltd.'s premises in Devon street last week. All Friday and -Saturday the establishment was crowded with a bevy'of interested ladies, who were quite fascinated by the ease and comparative quickness with which raw material was converted into the finished article, "all nicely browned on top," to quote from one of the several remarks of admiration. It was brought home conclusively to those present, by means of both 'inspection and tasting, that the contrivance will cook anything capable of being cooked at least as well, if not better than, the more orthodox iron stove and other forms of cooking ranges. Its heat can be instantly adjusted to a nicety, and here it has a big pull over, the ordinary range. It can cook anything—at the demonstration all manner of things were turned out—from a joint to pastry, and the labor and discomfort of cooking are reduced to a minimum. It should be especially appreciated during the hot summer months. Tn order to popularise the "Perfection," the J.P. Companv announce that they have reduced it's price, considerably below that usually charged.