LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 237, 25 February 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A mass meeting of workers will be held in the Town Hall to-night to consider several matters of vital importance to workers, especially in connection with the solidarity of labor. The Board of Education has sanctioned the closing on Thursday of any schools in the district whose pupils, are desirous of attending People's Day at the autumn show to be held in New Plymouth. On the motion of Mr. Roy (Roy and Nicholson) Mr. Justice Cooper, on February 20th, granted probate of the will of the late Mr. Nicholas Knuckey, of Waitara, to Mr. 0. J. Knuckey, the sole executor named.

We notice by a circular issued by the Railway Department that the railway concessions are issued for the Winter Show. This should read for the. Autumn Show, and with the record entries to hand in live stock we trust that the Department will be well taxed in providing for the enormous crowd that arc contemplating a visit to the New Plymouth Show next Wednesday and Thursday. The solidified petroleum which shipowners propose using as a substitute for coal on steamships, is claimed to give two and a half times as much heat as the same weight of coal. It is burned (says Popular Science Sittings) like any solid fuel, is dustless, leaves no ash: and in squared blocks it packs very closely—a fact that, with the high heating power, greatly increases the vessel's range. The crude oil is solidified by boiling, and adding stearic acid and alcoholic solution of soda.

In this issue is published a synopsis of the Technical College prospectus for the current year. The full prospectus is available for intending .students. All pupils should immediately notify the "Director of the classes they propose to take, so that the necessary arrangements can be made. It is anticipated that this year will see a large increase in numbers, and parents should see to it that their children take full advantage of the splendid facilities provided for a continuous education.

At a meeting of the East Etui Reserves Committee last night, it was reported that arrangements are well in train for »the gathering to be held at the East End beach on Easter Monday. The tug-of-vvar appears to be taking on well, and several teams have signified their intention of entering. It is expected that outside teams will be competing, as well as several.representing local clubs, etc. The committee intend to be generous in the matter of prize money if the entries warrant it. The poi dances, too, should prove an additional attraction. A meeting of ladies will be held to arrange for the afternoon tea. As the New Plymouth Carrison Band will be playing at the West End, the committee are endeavouring to secure the Stratford Brass Band. Tn the evening a picture entertainment will be given.

The usual weekly session of the Kgmont Lodge. No. 112, of Good Templavs, was held last night, and presided over by the C.T., Bro. G. W. Hartnell. There was a fair muster of members. A visit from the Juvenile branch, which was being looked forward to bv the lodge, was inadvertently postponed on account of the Superintendent being indisposed. A progress report was delivered by the secretary of the Grand Lodge, Reception Committee. A grand concert is to be held on March <i to raise funds for the entertainment of delegates at Easter. Some of the best local talent is assisting and a good concert is assured. Bro. G. A. ITayden was elected to represent the lodge at the coming session. The Juveniles, under the assistant-super-intendent, are making excellent progress with the dialogues and part songs in preparation for the G.L. session.

This week promises to he a particularly busy week in Xew Plymouth, and the number of visitors should prove a record, as every day there is some outside attraction. Yesterday the Lepperton School held their annual picnic at the East End Bathing "Reserve, and needless to say the children had a good time. Today the same beach will he the rendezvous of the children from out east, and a day at the seaside will mark an epoch of their lives, as they lire far away from the sound, even on the stormiest (lav of the roar of the breakers on a rockv shore. The Toko, Mabahu. Dong-las. TTuiahama and Pohokoura schools will supply a sroodly contingent of hapny children. Wednesday and Thursday the Kcw Plymouth Show will attract visitors from all parts of Taranaki and beyond. Friday the whole of Waitara will disport; itself at the East End on the occasion of the annual picnic of the Wailira Public School, and in addition there is a huge sale of pedigree cattle to interest, the farming community.

RTTSSETTA CIDER is the best antidote for fatigue, whether caused bv work ot social activities. Its sparkle and brightness make it an exhilarating drink, and its tonic effect is bracing. Tf you are weary and worn, trv RUSSETTA CTDER, non-alcoholic. All hotels and stores. 11

Notice is gazetted that an allowance at tlie rate to lie determined from time to time by the Minister (not exceeding 4a a <ltiy) shall be payable to married post and telegraph linemen while in camp and away from home, except that when travelling they shall be paid the usual travelling-allowance only.

ft is the intention of the Duncdin Expansion League to appoint honorary agents in the Commonwealth, and probably in more remote countries, for the purpose of distributing on vessels hound for New Zealand information as to the seenie wonders of Otago and the indus trial conditions of the province. A five-year-old hoy, living at Kakahu, was badly stung by bees last week (says an Ashburton paper). His father, who was protected by a veil, was in the act of taking a swarm of bees -when the boy came on the scene bare-headed, and the bees savagely attacked him, stinging him on the head. As a result of the stings the boy took convulsions and had to be taken to Ceraldine for medical attention.

Deer are at present very plentiful on the hills overlooking the YVanganui river between Waiwhaiki and Parakino, and are occasionally seen practically on the water's edge. Settlers are not feeling very well disposed towards them, finding them a decided nuisance at times, especially when I.hey find themselves handy to a vegetable patch. One settler recently counted as many as 23 deer in close proximity to his house. Mr. L. 0. Reid. S.M., stated at the Masterton S.M. Court that the speed at Avhich motor cars were going was often deceptive. He had had experience of motor speed, and recently had a practical test. He had driven in a ear with a solicitor, the vehicle being fitted witii a speed meter. They had gone along at the rate of 2(1 miles, 15 and 10 miles.'and he was astonished that the latter speed was so slow.

Nothing is being done bv the Government at present to meet the demand of the Federation of Labor for an investigation into the action of the police during the Waihi strike. Whether the Government is favorable or otherwise, it would not be considered proper to set up any such tribunal while the ordinary courts are still concerned with events arising out of the struggle. It is understood, however, that at the proper time the Government is quite prepared to grant an investigation if specific charges are made as a basis for enquiry. On apple trees in the orchard at Ruakura Farm tins season results point to Bordeaux being better for spraying in the winter than the lime-sulphur solution. Trees sprayed with the winter formula of the lime-sulphur solution required the addition of the summer solution to the first application of arsenate of lead for codlin moth. Trees, on the other hand, sprayed with 10-10-40 Bordeaux mixture did not require the addition of the. summer formula to the arsenate spray. Some speculation was indulged in on the Bluff wharf on Tuesday last (says the Southland News) concerning the quantity of liquor consumed in Southland. The cause of the debate was the discharging from the Maunganui of an unusually large weekly consignment, which, if accepted as a criterion, would give Southland prominence in liquor consumption. The shipment consisted of 621 cases and 11 quarter cases of whisky, 15 cases of champagne, and a quantity of ale. It may be mentioned that each case of "Old Scotch" contained 12 hot ; ties, thus making a total of 7452 bottles of whiskv.

When the Hon. W. Eraser (Minister of I'ublii! Works) returns from the south the Government will call for tenders for constructing the first portion of the new Parliament Building, comprising the House of Representatives and Legislative Council Chambers, a number of committee, rooms, all the Ministerial suites, and the main lobby. Tins will practically be three-fifths of the complete building as designed by Mr. Campbell, the Government architect. The Prime Minister states that the time in lie given for preparation of tenders will be three months, and that the successful tenderer will have two years in which to complete the work.

Gisborne is actively pushing im tlui work in connection with its tramways scheme. The first of the two Edison storage-buttery cars that are to initiate the scheme is now practically completed. The second car is in an advanced stage, and should he ready for the painters shortly. Track construction is now proceeding in Upper Gladstone road, and one-half of the thoroughfare lias been reconstructed and tarred. A big stretch of metal on the tram route is being operated on with the steam roller. Both ears and track have to he submitted to departmental inspection before the authorities will sanction the inauguration of the service.'

One .thing which struck a Wellington resident who re-visited the Thames the other day was the great change which has taken place of late years in the appearance of the country lying between Kopu and Paeroa. Thousands of acres of land, at one time covered with raupo, ti-tree and fern, have been cleared and brought into cultivation, and some of the finest farms in the Auckland provincial district are now to be found in the Thames Valley. The other day one of these properties changed hands, at a price which is probably a record for the district. The farm consisted of 450 acres, and the price realised was £33,000. or at the rate of £73 6s 8d per acre.

•"Has your Honor noticed the number of divorces before U\e Court of marriages before the Registrar?" asked Mr. T. M. Wilford of Mr. Justice Chapman at the Divorce Court sessions in Wellington. "T can't say that 1 have," replied his Honor. "1 believe the groat majority of marriages in New Zealand are before the 'Registrar. There are statistics on the point.'' 'Che petitioner in the case then before the Court stated that there were no children by the marriage. "Now, that is a very common thing; in suits for divorce." said his Honor, "four out of seven eases to-day are cases where there is no issue of the marriage." "That goes to show, your Honor," said Mr. Wilford. "what a tie children are—a tie. 1 mean, in a good sense, not a bad one."

So far about KOO licenses under the Land Agents' Registration Act of last session have been registered by the Department of Internal Affairs. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, licenses granted to agents who applied up to January lo will be gazetted shortly. The Act 'directs that the Gazette list which is to be published in February of each year, shall include all licenses granted up in January 15 preceding. This year some 400 licenses had been granted up to January 15. The initial compilation of the Register has imposed a considerable amount of work upon the staff of the Department of Internal Affairs, but the task is now well in hand, although the time allowed for publication of the register does not expire for about a fortnight. It is hoped that next year the register will be ready for publication dining the first week in February. Each license carries a fee of £5. Out of (he sum realised from fees, the expenses of administering the Act will first be met. and the balance will be banded over to (he hospital boards in the various districts in which the licenses have been granted. j