LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 278, 16 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Good Templar Ilall has been engaged at an early date for an address by Canon Garland on the Bible-in-State Schools movement. Professor Mills will deliver an address in the Borough Council Chambers this evening, when some interesting information on the progress of the new Political Federation will be given.

It was alleged against Wm. Hunt, alias Duncan, alias Kriwata, in the Magistrate's Court at New Plymouth yesterday that he had forged and uttered a cheque at Eltliani. The accused was remanded, on the application of the police, to appear at Eltham on April 21. The following figures show the. quantity of butter in cool store at the various ports throughout the Dominion on the loth April, 1013:—Auckland 21.100 boxes, New Plymouth 10,5511 boxes, Patea 000 boxes, Wellington 1(1,000 boxes, Lvttelton 5313 boxes, Dunedin 1)61 boxes, total 54,530 boxes; total at 15th April, 1012, 47,030 boxes.

The question of the first appearance of living things is of perennial interest. Professor G. Frederick Wright has now tiniateil that life has probably existed on the earth for 24.000,000 years, but that it cannot possibly have begun as long ago as 50,000,000 years. Man's antiquity cannot, he says. be. less than 10.000 years, while it need not be more than 15,000. The evidence that man appeared in Tertiary time is regarded bv our authority as very doubtful, and. the Post-Tertiary age has been a relatively short period, while the known facts of human development can be amply accounted for by 8.000 years of time before the historic record began.

New Zealand, with its second ballot, possesses one of the worst voting machines ever devised, is (says the "Australasian") the uncompromising statement made by Mr. J". 11. B. Fisher, the Dominion Minister for Customs, who is now on a visit to Australia. If 2000 people voted for A, 2000 for P. and 100 for C. the energies of all concerned in A and B were for seven days devoted to finding out who |he 100 persons were who voted for (', and to offering them inducements to vole for A or 1?. as the case might be. At the Inst election the whole result was in doubt, and leading politicians were living all over the country trying to tuvp waverers. He did not think that would be another second ballot held in Xew Zealand, as far as the present Government was concerned.

There will be no hot salt water baths available at the Municipal Baths until Friday morning, owing to repairs.—Advt. For influenza take Woods' Great

Peppermint Cure. Never fails. 1/0, 2/6,

The accounts of the Duchy of Corn* wall show that the income of the Princ«of Wales, who is also Duke of Cornwall, amounts to £81,350 from that soure® alone. .

The Municipal Baths will be closed to« day from !) a.m. to 12 p.m., the caretakers and his wife having to attend the inquest on the unfortunate fatality at the baths yesterday.

The number of telephone exchanges ill Taranaki has been increased by the addition of Okato, where a sub-exchange of the New Plymouth office has recently been opened, commencing with six subscribers.

A slight shock of earthquake was experienced in New Plymouth at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. A telegram from Westport report* a severe tremor at 11.30 last night, but no damage was recorded.

Mr. C. K. Wilson, M.P., has advised Mr F. S. Johns, President of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, that the Prime Minister will visit the Ohura next week, arriving at Matiere on Wednesday, the' 23rd inst.

The Tiinaru Borough Council last night accepted the offer of Mr. Woods, New Zealand representative of Afgylls,. Ltd., of a month's free trial of a 33-h.p. Chassis, the Council to supply the 'bus body and pay the running expenses and! take the earnings.—Press Association. A red disc with plainly printed white characters, warning motorists to proceed at a pace not exceeding four milesper hour lias been placed by the Taranaki County Council at a dangerous corner on the Main South Road, near the Oakura bridge. This, if observed, will be much appreciated bv travellers proceeding townwards. There are other places along the road that could do with similar attention.

The West End Foreshore Improvement Society will realise, it is anticipated, about £52 as tbe result of its recent carnival. The Society has decided to hold" a series of euchre parties and dances throughout the winter. There is still a vast amount of work to be done in connection with the improvement to the grounds, and the committee will welcome all those who have a spare Thursday or Saturday afternoon to eomo along and ioin the working bee. Afternoon tea will be provided by the ladies'" committee.

The duties of the average Borough Councillor are as multifarious almost as those of Koko, of Mikado fame, and time docs not seem to stale nor custom wither their infinite variety. A, ease occurred in New Plymouth last week, when one of our Councillors was called out of bed late at night by a breathless lady, who informed him frantically that "all her lights were out." Hut this particular Councillor was equal to the occasion. Throwing his overcoat over his pyjamas he adjorned to the victim's house, to find that all the lights had fused. He put in a new fuse for the lady and quickly remedied the defect. Probably, next we shall hear of a Councillor being hauled out to remedy a defect in the water* supply or attend to the sanitary service, and if our Councillors are prepared to undertake these emergency duties they certainly all deserve re-election. It is hoped that this year's Park Saturday collection will be "equal to that of last year. The maintenance and improvement of the Park is a matter which appeals to everv citizen and call# for a little help. Most' people will ho satisfied to give money, mjt those who give their services are often the greater benefactors., The Foard appreciates especially the services of those who spend the day in canvassing the town. It was hoped that the work of canvassers would this year be more systemntic and complete, but there is n lack of assistants. Rome who took part last year are away and some are utinhle to help. It is, hoped, however,, that th" required number of lady canvassers will he forthcoming. The universal admiration expressed for the Park ought to stimulate some of the local vounsr Indies to offer their ' services, so that the Park mav he maintained m a condition worthy of its great reputation. A well-known resident of Gonvllle, Wanganui, whose orchard has suffered a great deal from the depredations of garden thieves, the other day captured a youth helping himself to the choice fruit, and administered a fright to the culprit that he will not soon forget. The youngster had his overall jacket full of apples when caught hv the irate orchard owner, and left his trail of fallen apples as the owner took him towards a well, where he said he intcHed to put I'"? for stealing the apples, The cries of the youii*ter brousrht tin the seep<> n littie daughter of the house, who added her protests against such dire punishment being meted out to the offender. But the father kept a stern face, saying that anyone who stole apples would have to be punished bv beintt put down the well. The small bov. thinking his time had come, sai,d. "Please, sir, will you let me go home and sav good-bve to my mother, before vou put me in the well." Needless to'say. the threat to 1 put him in the well was not carried out. but it is hoped that the frisjht administered to the young eulnrit will act as a deterrent in future.—Chronicle. Sitting in his civil jurisdiction nt the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Mr. A. Crooke. S.JL, gave judgment for plaintiff by default in the following undefend- 1 cd cases:—Webster Bros, v. A. E. Tunnieliffe, claim £l3 17s 2d, costs £1 10s «d ; Bullock and Johnston v. William Thomson. claim £!) 7s 8d (£1 & 6d). Two judgment summons cases were brought on. P. ,T; Sheehy, juur.. was ordered to pav £3 Is 8d to Henry Weston, for whom Mr. H. R. Billing appeared, on or before April 18, or in default undergo four days' imprisonment. W. Te Whiti Was ordered to pay tbe sum of £27 4s to W. G. Emeny (Mr. Billing) on or before April 20, with the option of three weeks imprisonment. Mr. A. S. Hasell, tent manufacturer, gave evidence on behalf of Messrs Dustins, Ltd., of Palmers- ™ .* lor J ; h. Witness sold a marquee to \\irihania Hunia and others, the value of which was £7O. The marquee had >een returned to him in a damaged and hi thy state, the damage from these jofin" 1 h j" ? stimation amounting to f , , He ,ln<l offered the marquee for sale at £ a o, but could find no purchaser at that figure. The case is set down for hearing at Palmerston North '

Gentlemen, this is of interest to vou. should you not studv what you'eat and drink? Tf your particular choice of drinks is whisky, let is be of the best, imminent authorities have awarded the pa m amongst Scotland's products to Mc Callum's "PERFECTION:." MEN'S WINTER WEARABLES AT THE MELBOURNE, LTD. . With the passing of Easter, one's thoughts naturally turn to consideration of cold weather requirements. Men's clothing winter needs are specially catered for at the Melbourne, as the following items will testify:—Men's merino shirts and pants, 1/11, 2/0, 2/11; natural shirts and pants, 3/6, 3/11, 4/11; men's fleecy singlets and pants, American make, 2/11; men's knitted pants, colonlal make, 4/0 pair (grand value); men's splendid quality all-wool Crimean shirts, 0/11 (special value); men's Moseiot knitted socks, three pairs for 2/0; men's warm Roslvn all-wool socks, black or plain grey. 1/- pair; men's warm saddletweed suits. 39/0; men's heavy saddle trousers, 8/0; famous Oamaru saddle, trousers, 13/0; new Hydrotite overcoats, 37/0; mens' superior raincoats. 39/9 (very dressy); men's riding oilskins, U/J; mens new oiled canvas coats, guaranteed waterproof, 37/6. Hundreds of other good values.