LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 297, 8 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Yesterday the New Plymouth borough inspector laid an information against a local resident for alleged theft of timber belonging to the Council. The case will be heard to-day. With regard to the legacy of four millions recently reported to have been left to a farmer at Rewa, Oroua County (says the Wanganui Herald), we are informed that there will be several, others participating in a share of the fortune, one of whom, Mr. A. Jacques, is now a resident of Wanganui. Mr. Arthur Cliff has resigned the secretaryship of the Taranaki Agricultural Society as from Thursday. Mr. A. L. Humphries has been appointed temporary secretary, and all entries for the Winter Show, correspondence, etc., will be received by him at the office of Messrs. Webster and M'Kellar, Currie Street.

There was a large attendance at the Picture Palace in Stratford last night, when Madame Bernard, with the characteristic enthusiasm that she displays in all matters of local interest, gave a benefit performance in aid of the fund for the improvement of the mountain track. The fund should be considerably augumented as a result of the benefit.

An unenviable experience befel Mr. Edward Lancaster, second son of Mr. S. R. Lancaster, of Aokautere (Manawatu), on Saturday, when he was attacked by a bull. The animal knocked him over and gored him in one of the legs, the flesh of which was rather badly torn. Yr. Lancaster suffered a good deal from and loss of blood, and has had to lie up.

The West Coast Times states that an vufortunate incident occurred at the Awatnua annual meeting of householders at Awatuna, in Westland, It appears that Mr, Hogan, who has been a member of the Awatuna School Committee for upwards of 13 years, was discussing matters with another member when he suddenly expired. Dr. Monson was immediately sent for, but it was found that the old gentleman had succumbed to heart failure.

"New Zealand had a great opportunity of establishing its trade with Argentina on a sound footing last vear," re- [ marked Mr. V. I. Tegncr, of Buenos ( Ayres, to an Auckland Herald representative. "Owing to foot-rot and mouth disease Ibreaking out among English stock, its importation into Argentina was prohibited, and New Zealand had a chance to show what it could do. A number of sheep, pedigree Romneys and Lincolns were shipped to Monte Video, but unfortunately a number of the Lincolns were found to be of poor quality. The impression created was not, therefore, altogether satisfactory, but should the prohibition against English stock remain this year New Zealand may have another good chance." Two little girls, named Doris Anslow. 15 years of age, and Elsie Pomfrey. l(i years, both residing at Koro-Koro, had an unpleasant experience on Monday evening (says the Petone correspondent of tlie Dominion). They had come from town by the 6 o'clock train, and alighted at Petone ; . ' As a short route to their homes, they went along the Domain track, which is overhung by bush, ami in places very dark. After proceeding some distance, a man sprang out and caught hold of one of the girls. She screamed, hut her friend pluckily rushed to her assistance, and struck'the assailant over the head with ft tin of treacle which she was carrying. The onslaught was too much for the man and he made off. The matter has been reported to the police. Leaving Auckland on Sunday night, the Prime Minister reached Ohakune at 7 a.m. on the following day, and after receiving a number of deputations, went on to Raetihi. between which town and Olmkune it is proposed to build a railway. The line lias been authorised, and a certain amount of money for the prosecution of the work was voted 1 by Parliament last session. Men are at present engaged •in clearing the bush away from the line, which the track will follow, but the detailed survey, has not yet been quite completed. For some years to come the principal work of the railway will lie the carriage of rimu and matai timber from the forests which are still standing in the district. Eventunllv the line will bo carried from Rae 1 - tihi to Wanganui, but this is a work for the more or less distant future. At Raetihi the Prime Minister wis entertained by the chairman and members nf the Town Board at luncheon. A verv large gathering of settlers attended. In the evening, Mr. Massey was entertained at a banquet by the Mayor and citizens of Ohakune.

Australian mails, ex Ulimaroa *i Wellington, will arrivo here this (Thur«I (lay) afternoon. Messrs (}. \V. Hartnell and Co. write: J During the last seven days we have sold four houses and one section, one or tw» of which wo can directly trace to th» medium of our advertisement iu vour esteemed publication." Notice is given by the secretary 0 f the laranaki Agricultural Society that schedules for the forthcoming Winter Show are now available on application. 3 will be pleased to hear from all intending exhibitors who have not yet received a schedule. The Xaranaki Agricultural Society is advertising that applications wiil be received by the secretary for space for the forthcoming Winter Show. As numerous applications have already been received, and there is only a limited space available, intending exhibitors should apply at once. In the course of an interview by an Auckland Herald representative at the beginning of the week, the Prime Minister said he had seen reported a remark by Sir Arthur Guinness, whom he must regard as a quite impartial critic, as follows,—"All the Ministers had entered i arlianient since he had, and he was convinced that they were conscientious, and determined to do their duty without fear or favor." One of the greatest picture productions ever presented in any part of the world is the Cine Roma masterpiece,. Quo Vadis." Mr. Spencer paid £4OOO tor the Australasian rights of this film which will shortly be shown in New Zealand under the control of the New Zealand Picture Supplies Company, Ltd. in England the sole rights were put up to auction, and the hammer fell oa a bid of close upon £BOOO. Mr. Sydney Stidolph, of Wellington, is m receipt of the following communication from Field-Marshall Lord Roberts:—"Please accept my best thank* for your letter of January 11 and the verses Hise, Britons, rise,' which yoit have been so good as to send me. lam glad to know that the Universal • Military Training Act is working well in the Dominion, and I only hope the Mother Country will soon follow the fine example set by New Zealand." A rumor has been in circulation that there had been a serious outbreak of ioul fcver among the inmates of the j Wellington Children's Hospital. Questioned on the subject, the Acting-Medical iSuperintendant said that the outbreak was not typhoid. Some children had been affected by a peculiar form of infection; the exact germ that caused it; could not be determined, but there was no evidence of any typhoid. Further, the majority of those affected have now recovered. &&&&* thousands of lovers of Dickens and hi. mmorw »„ k ,, «,1 Will derive untold pleasure ■ from thfd hung, moving embodiment of their favourite author's creative work, and r Twl , st ' are certain to ask "for more." When Dr. Wilson entered the White House as President of the United States, entitled'to an annual salary of £lo,ooo or just three times as much as the pecuniary compensation" voted' by Congress to the first President, Washington. For eighty-four years £SOOO remained the Presidential salary, but on the re-election of General Grant for a second time in 1873, Congress doubled" his salary, and granted him £IO,OOO. brant s seven successors each received a sunilar annual remuneration, including Mr. Roosevelt duriijg his first Presidency, but on ins election us President in 1905, £SOOO was added, and at £15.000 it now stands. In addition, the White Houseis maintained, travelling expenses met, and other incidentals of the office financeel by Congress, which altogether meets abill every year on account of the President of over £50,000. A traveller by the Opunalie coach had' his feelings considerably ruffled the other morning. Ou the arrival of the coachin town his sporting bags-lie had beenout shooting—were searched; for henpheasants by the Acclimatisation Society's ranger. The bags were turned' out in the presence of quite a number of curious bystanders; The search revealed no protected game, however, and the sportsman departed, vowing vengeance on the ranger, Society and everyone concerned. It appears that wor<T reached the ranger that someone answering to this particular sportsman's description had been shooting hen pheasants; hence the search. It is understood tliat a good deal of indiscriminate shooting is going on, both by holders of licenses and poachers, and the Society is making a special effort this vear to put ■ it down, and the examination of sporting bags may not be an uncommon occurrence during the ensuing winter months. In the opinion of many of the old residents (says our Wanganui correspondent) the gale which vented its full fury on Waverley on Friday .last was the heaviest experienced for the past twenty years. Much damage was done. A large pane of glass from the front window of Mr. W. Davis's shop was blown in through the front portion against the workroom door, scattering broken glass in every direction. Large branches from trees crashed down at intervals, while one large pinus insignis snapped off short at the roots, damaging several other trees as it fell.. The rain completely wrecked the gardens and vegetable beds; At Ngamatapoun the river Hooded and rendered the ford dangerous, and several workmen who attempted to get across narrowly missed being swept £\vny. Members of the 2nd Regiment, who were endeavouring to obey ordeft'in connection with the forthcoming camp, were unable to force their way through by Sunday morning to the rendezvous at Waverley. Mr. David Lindsay, the well-known explorer, who is a member of the Northern Territory Commission, which was in Sydney recently, has a good word for the blackfellow. Speaking of the native inhabitants of Central Australia, he said to a Sydney Morning Herald representative that the tribes were »ot very numerous, but were of a fine type, splendidly developed, and with a considerable amount of intelligence. "In the coastar country of the Territory," he remarked, "there are supposed to be about 2ti,ooo' aborigines. I believe that, with proper control, they can be turned into a big asset on thq agricultural areas for light work, such as cotton-picking and tending pigs and goats: They are simple, trustful people, and when well treated are faithful and loyal; if ill-treated, they become treacherous. They are well worth saving, but they can't be saved by the ordinary mission methods, though I recognise and appreciate the efforts of the missionaries." Mr. Lindsay mentioned that he had submitted a scheme to the External Affairs Department some time ago for dealing with the problem of the aborigines, but he did not feel at liberty to disclose th» recommendations he had made.