LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 310, 23 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

English and American mails, ex Aorangi at Wellington, will arrive in Taranaki to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon - -'*.»a£atilil

The bore at the Mangaone oil wells is down to a depth of about 1845 feet, and the indications are said to be excellent. The experts who are employed at the well consider that the prospects of striking oil are very bright. According to Mr. Okey, M.P., at Waitara yesterday, the approaching session is going to be a particularly busy one. He has just returned from Wellington, where he found all the Ministers up to their eyes in preliminary work for the session.

The Petone Chronicle learns on what it .considers to be good authority that the Cabinet is not a happy family, and that there is every probability of a serious split if matters are not arranged before Parliament meets. What is wrong? Is Mr. Fisher kicking over the traces? What is believed to be a record price for fat cattle in Taranaki was received by Mr. W. Birdling, of Waitara, who has just sold a line of show fat stock to a Christchurch buyer. The line consisted of seven heifers and five bullocks, and tli' price realised was £ls 7s 6d per head. The Kawhia Settler states that the party of sportsmen who exploited Taharoa Lake at the opening of the season appear to have had a very successful expedition in that quarter. In the "bag" are 237 duck, besides other game, which have been deposited in the Fisheries' freezer for the time being. Te Rawhiti, a well-known and impressive figure (metaphorically and materially) in Maori politics was in Kawhia last week. The local paper states that Mahuta's one-time secretary and adviser still maintains Ins "weight" in both respects, his influence heing still considerable, while he pulls the scales at 24st 71bs.

A Dunedin correspondent says it has been reported from official circles that at the present time there are 62 general laborers out of work at Dunedin. Some of the men, and especially the married ones, are absolutely in need, and, with the winter now at hand, prospects of employment are not very bright. A meeting will probably be called shortly, to consider the situation.

"Councilloress" Melville, the first member of her sex to win municipal honors in any of the centres of New Zealand (says the Auckland Star), is a clever woman, of smart appearance, and a University graduate who has won her Bachelor of Laws degree. . She has also been admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor, has her own legal practice in Auckland, and has pleaded in court. The type of literature read by the Auckland public is indicated by the figures published in the annual report of the Leys Institute. The number of books issued by the lending library last year was 21,330. This number'included: 4650 magazines, 14?»'02 volumes of fiction, 1243 of general literature, and 720 volumes of juvenile fiction. The report adds that, the percentage of fiction, although high. is not greater than that in other colonial subscription libraries. The late Mr. J. T. Stewart, of Wanganui, has left a house and grounds at Wanganui, valued at £3OOO, for the purposes of the Plunkct nurses and children's home, subject to his wife's life interest. In making the bequest Mr. Stewart says: "I regard the saving and well-being of our children in the early years, under five years of age, as one of the important problems of the age, and I leave and bequeath this property for the use and advancement of such purpose." The Prime Minister told a Press reporter that he had had another phase of the scheme for giving dwellings to country workers brought before him. The law provided that these should be grouped, but he had had it pointed out to him that in the country districts this was not an advantage either to employer or employee. Tie had talked the matter over carefully with a number of those who are in a position to know, and would see that it received the attention of the Legislature.

OILSKINS AND OVERCOATS CHEAP AT THE MELBOURNE. Our climate demands—nay. insists upon every inhabitant providing himself with adequate waterproof clothing. Whether your fancy turns to oilskin, mackintosh, rubber coat or just plain topcoat, the Melbourne is better able to fill your requirements than any other store in the province. Bead these prices: American oilcoats, "Challenge" brand. 12/9 and 17/fi; famous "Fish" brand slickers. 19/(1; boys' walking oilskins, sizes 34 to 48 inches, 8/11; riding ditto, 10/0; men's fawn rubber coats, 25/-; men's warm Cheviot coats, 35/-, 30/6; men's blanket coats, 39/6, 49/6, 59/6; men's rain coats, popular dark grey eravenettes, 32/6 and 39/6; men's famous Hydrotites. very fashionable, 37/6 and 49/6; boys' and youths' dark prey vaincoats, 19/6 to 24/6; boys' Hvdrotite coats, 22/6; splendid line of ladies' hvdrotite raincoats, very latest cut, only 22/6; little boys' overcoats, 5/11 to 10/6.

At Timaru yeestcrday, in the presence of a large gathering, the life-size marble statue of Sir Robert Burns, presented to the town by Jas. Gragie, M.P., exMayor, was unveiled by Sir Robert Stout. 1

Nathaniel Eccles, member of a firm ol wealthy cotton manufacturers in Oarwen, Lancashire, has married a pretty operative who used to work in one of his mills.

The Norwegian Parliament has unanimously voted Captain Amundsen a life annuity of X.'Mi in recognition of his great achievement in attaining the South Pole.

The Nelson Harbor Board has adopted Mr. Leslie Reynolds' recommendation for further improvement to the harbor at. a cost of ,C42,()00, and purposes placing the matter before the ratepayers immediately.

Even the anti-militarists are compelled to admit that the smart, mannerly men from the New Zealand and the Pyramus, who are helping the community to enjoy itself, are a very excellent advertisement for the wholesome discipline of the Navy, —Lyttelton Times.

'"This Commission is in the position of a man who eighty years ago was asked to forecast what the world would.be like in 1013." This is how Dr. Cockayne sums up the task of the Forestry Commission. "In eighty years," he said recently, "the world has completely changed, and in another hundred years—who knows?" "Well," said the chairman (Mr. H. D. M. Haszard), "who can say that in one hundred years' time we will not be able to convert ordinary straw into hard timber by a three months' process?" "Nothing is impossible," said Dr. Cockayne, "judging from our rate of progress during the past few years."

Tim New Plymouth Rifle Club held a most successful euchre party and> dance in the Brougham Street Hall, last night. Some twenty tables wereoccupied by the euchre players, and after fifteen games had been played, the count up was taken and showed that Mesdames Sadler and Francis, and Miss Eva had tied for the ladies' prizes with eleven games each. T he play-off resulted in Mrs. Sadler securing the first prize, a ease of E.P. spoons, and Miss Eva, the second, a fancy cake dish. Among the gentlemen, Messrs Gunson, Hawkes, Monro, and Marett tied with ten games each. The play-oft* resulted: Mr. Gunson Ist, an umbrella, and Mr. Marett 2, silk handerkerehiefs. After supper a few hours' dancing was held. Mrs. George providing the music, whilst Mr. Nicholls played some extras. Mr. W. Winslade was M.C.