LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 27 June 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The police desire to hear of an owner [or a military overcoat found in the possession of an offender.

The new time-table for the StratfordWhangamomona railway service is published in our advertising columns. It commences on Wednesday next (July 1).

Probate of the will of the late William Pryor Burclay, 'of Tikorangi, was, on the 20th inst., on the motion of Mr Stead, granted by M r Justice Cooper to the executors named in the will and codicil, Mr 0. R. Stead and the widow of tihe deceased.

The will of the late William Henrv Leech, of New Plymouth and Awakino, has been proved, and probate was granted on the '2sth inst by Mr Justice S*ringer to his widow, Blanche Rosalin Leech, and lis brother, Charles Leech, on the application of Mr (Hughes..

A lady aspirant for the North Sydney Federal seat told a meeting the other day that if it elected her as a candidate they could depend upon her "putting some ginger into the fight." In the voting for a suitable candidate the "lady with the ginger" ran into second place.

Tlie Taranaki Agricultural Society is organising a trip to the Moumahaki State Farm on Wednesday, leaving and .returning by the mail train, which will stop at Moumahaki for the occasion. Already some thirty have signified their intention of making the trip, and tibe secretary, Mr A. L. Humphries', will be pleased to receive communications from any other farmers who wish to make the trip. At the Waitara S.M. Court on Wednesday Neils A. Christiansen sued John Harrington for £56 7s 6d, for damages on account of injuries received through being run over by defendant's motor-car. The defence .maintained that the mishap wais caused by the tyres bursting and not negligence. The magistrate, after hearing the evidence of witnesses, upheld the contention, and non-suited plaintiff.

A very pleasant evening was spent in tlhe Whiteley Had last night, at a tea meeting held under the auspices of the Ladies' Guild. There was a very good att ndance of the congregation. The Rev. A. B. Chappell took the chair at the after meeting, when an enjoyable musical and vocal programme was discussed. Items were contributed by the Rev. A. B. aid Mrs Chappell, Rev. C. H. and .Mrs Olds, Mr and Mrs G. H. Whiite, Mrs Duncan, Miss K. Collk, Miss White, Miss Edna White, and Mr A. Gray. The chairman and Mr Carter (circuit steward) gave brief addTesses. The annual election of officers of the Guild resulted as follows President. Mrs A. B. Chappell; vice-presidents Mesdames W. Canneli, C. Carter and, Andrews; secretary, Miss Veale; assistant secretary, Mrs G. H. White; treasurer, Mrs W. Ambury.

People who attended Mr. Wilkinson's political meeting at Kaponga on Friday evening will long remember "the light that failed," says the Hawera Star. The hall was fitted up with an acetyLne gas service, but half way through the meeting the illuminations began to grow dim, and gradually fading away, finally going right out, leaving the hall in absolute dakrness. The scene which followed was certainly unique. There was the chairman of the meeting keeping up an illumination as best as he could with a succession of matches, and the speaker doing likewise and vainly trying to read his notes and references; scattered (here and there throughout the audience were little streaks of light emanating from the very useful match. It was truly a dim religioua light,, o.ud seemed a much more fitting condition for the spiritualistic seance than a matter-of-fact political address. This state of affairs continued for some minutes, until two oil lamps were movided; and the gas service in the meantime receiving attention, the ordinary lijjht wa* finally restored. J

The W.C.T.U. held a "White Ribbon" day on Thursday. A resolution to the Premier of New Zealand praying "that the present unfair three-fifths majority be remwed" was passed. The president. (Mrs Douglas) read extracts from the official paper on the brave work of the Maori organiser who travelled through roadless country often swimming her horse over flooded rivers to teach the Maoris the G'ospcl and tern-, perancc. She was often successful in forming unions in these way-back places and the men were as keen as the women about them; The collection taken up was towards payingi this W.C.T.U. organiser to the Maoris. Miss GaustVd gave an address on the subject of "Inli nonce," especially directing, her remarks to Sunday Sdiiool teachers and their opportunities of influencing for good the scholars in «ieir care. A number of good siuggesticns were thrown out to mothers and teachers as to the best methods to l.e msed to keep children out of the of impurity. Mrs Jamison read a 'beautiful poem on the open door for women's service in the Master's vineyard in the present day. The song, "Thou°!lits of Home," sung by a young ladv." was .much appreciated.

That Sir lan Hamilton i 8 not devoid of a sense of humor is shown by the following extract from his report:—"As experienced fishers of men, the clergy of all denominations have been quick to realise the unrivalled opportunities for soul-catching afforded by a camp. There the devil, deprived of his favorite vtapons for drink and flirtation is comparatively at a discount. So it happened that one night, intending to go to a boxing match, I fell into the midst of a prayer meeting. The boys were praying with a great deal of fervour, and yet I dare say, at home many of them rarely enter a church. Certainly the clergv in eamp are a security to parents that military training is a school of morality as well as defence. As for the reverend gentlemen themselves, I hope I may be permitted to report that secularly, speaking, they set a good example tc everyone in treating everything that turned up with good humof and bonhomie."

At Whiteley Memorial Church to-mor-row morning the Rev. A. B. Cliappeli will begin a serie?, of sermons on "Th« Apostles 'of Our Lord," the introductory theme being "Tho-Twelve: A Study iii Diversity." In the evening lie 'will preach on "The Force of Habit."

•my brand is GOLDEN EAGLE—prefer, the plug, thanks—like to slice it up and pack it in my 'ole Briar—know that I hare got the genuine GOLDEN EAGLE." Also in tins.

In' the course of his address at Eltham on Monday evening, Mr ,C. A. Wilkinson said Taranaki was one of the most progressive provinces in New Zealand. In ten years it has increased its exports by no less tfian 115 per cent Auckland was next with 85 per cent.; Nelson showing only 10 per cent. The Raetihi paper says:—On Thursday morning, Mr G. Bolton, on making his usual rounds, discovered that one of his pasture paddocks had, during the night, 'been converted into a Shamblej. Fifty valuable breeding ewes, which had been taken off the turnips, were lying about dead or in extremis, and the owner's feelings may be better imagined than described.

A San Francisco wire states that seven pearls, worth over £4OO, were found in a bag hanging round the neck of Cap? Thomas Harris, master of the South Seas trading schooner Vaite, when he was arrested by a CuMf-jms inspector as he stepped f om the gangplank of the Willochra. Harris admitted that he intended to escape the Customs duty, and he has signified his intention of pleading guil.y. He lias been released on a heavy b.-<ai The thieves who prowl about Petone in the silent hours uf th! annexing council and private property, are extending their operai'mm in the suburban town. For some time past the sewerage engineer has been reporting periodical thefts of timber, and although the police have kept a keen look-out, the. tJbieves have so far escaped detection. It is now reported that private property, ma'.n'.y firewood, has been pilfered, while clothes have also disappeared from lines.

Says the Masterton Age:—The proper eourse to adopt is to reduce the majority for local no-license as well as national prohibition, and to permit restoration on the reduced property. It is to be feared, however, that Parliament will make a botch of the whole thing by pandering to sectional interests. At this stage we do not give the Licensing Bill, in whatever form it is introduced, much chance of getting beyond the committee stages. Amendments will 'be proposed in committee which will he almost certain to kill the Bill.

A Melbourne cable to the Sydney Sun says:—Clara Sriell, the Gippsland giantess, died on June -13 at Bunylp, at the age of 40. She weighed 38 stone. Clara Sncll toured the world twenty years ago with her sister Anna, who weighed 36 stone, and her brother Thomas, whose weight was S3 stone. For some time the two exhibited at the Melbourne waxworks. Their parents weighed 36 stone, and her brother Thomas, who weigpit was 53 stone. For at Nar Nar Goon, his weight having been reduced to 16 stone. The sisters have conducted the Kobin Hood Hotel on the old Gippsland road. The Snell's father kept a baker's Bhop. An ex-Feildingite, who has settled 40 miles north of Auckland, writes to the Star enthusiastically. He says: "In the first place, land is cheap. Comparatively, land is very cheap. Then tha nlimatc is not surpassed in New Zealand. The district produced principally meat, wool, 'butter, arid fruit. As a fruit district, it is Unexcelled,-and as you can get land cheaper .than in any j other fruit district, i\ offers a special good chance to the fruit farmer. The district is picturesque. There are. opportunities for pleasant recreation, Bport and pastime. The distance from Auckland is just under forty miles t» the nearest part of our territory by a delightful steamer or train trip. Passage by boat is almost always smooth." Oysters are finding a ready sale at the Government depots in Auckland, and the season's results have so far been satisfactory. A particularly good class of oyster is being picked "at present both at ,Waihe.ke and the Russell beds, those coming from the former locality being large and of excellent quality. Waiheka oysters are looked upon as the finest oysters in the gulf. Supplies are coming to hand twice a week from these sources, and retailers are able to obtain their requirements. A good retail trade tf.so is being done at the depot, where many people buy five dozen lots for ! ls, or a kerosene tin full for 3s. To cope with the full season's demand, extra pickers have 'been employed. Twenty men are now engaged on tho Waiheke beds, and 24 at Russell.