LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 169, 23 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We aro in receipt of an attractive wall calendar from Messrs W. Rowe and Co., seed merchants, New-Plymouth. Titer* will be no issue of the Taranaki Daily News on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or New Year's Day. Up till Saturday there had been a want of briskness in the Christmas trade in sume lines of business, but a great improvement has now become noticeable,

The Canterbury Petroleum il'Tospecting Company's well at Chertsey is now j down to 2W.it willi pipes, and there is 10ft of water in the well. It is expected (says the Ashburton Guardian) that the 230 ft of ISftin. pij'es will be put down by the end of the month, and that the driving of the 000 ft. of lGin. pipes will then be commenced. At a committee meeting of the West End Foreshore Improvement Society last night, M'r G. Tabor presiding, it was announced that a piano had been donated, and the meeting decided to offer it -is a prize; in a number-guessing competition at a shilling a ticket. The vacancy caused on the committee by the resignation of Mr E. Beale was filled by the appointment of Mr P. Allen. An interesting billiard match was played in New Plymouth last night, between Mr Graham Gonier, of liawcra, and Mr M. White, of Sydney, Mr Gomer conceding Mr White 150 points in 500. There were some splendid breaks made during the game, and some particularly fine shots came from the cue of Mr Gomer. Mr White w.m an exciting cont test by the narrow margin of 37 points.

During- January and February vhere will be large areas of land available in Auckland, Westlaiul, Nelson and Southland provinces (says the Ohristchurch Press). In Westland there will be no fewer than 44 licenses of pastoral runs to be offered at auction. Tile areas range from 3250 acres to 35,500 acres, and tile upset, rentals from 3<Js to £lO ihalf-yearly. These runs are located along the coast and inland along the mountain range from iiokitika to as far south as Big Bay, a short distance north of iMilford S'ound.

.Many people who have relatives and friends amongst the New Zealand Force in Egypt will be interested in the statement that tile atmosphere in the Laud of the Pharaohs is exceedingly clear and diy, tile temperature regular and exceedingly hot, though the heat is temlired during the daytime for nine months of the year by title strong wind which Mows from the north, and which niables vessels to ascend the River Nile against the stream. The winter months are the most delightful part of the year, the air being cool and balmy, and the gionnd covered with verdure. In fchi middle of the year, especially in May, the ground becomes parched and drv, and the suffocating simoon begins to I-low into the valley from the desert plains upon either side of it. A good story is going the rounds of the police and tile legal fraternity concerning a well-known Auckland member of the bar. Last week some seven or eight prisoners were being tailcen by train lo Hamilton under police escort, to stand their trial at the .Supreme Court there. The legal 1 gentleman had obtained permission to travel in the carriage with tlieni, so as to be able to center with one of the prisoners for whom lie had been retained. At one of tlie towns at which tile train stopped, the local police brought two resident to the railway station to see if they could identify a couple of criminal's from whoso attentions tliey 'had suffered, and who might perchance be among thj select company in the reserve carriage. Cnc resident pointed out his man without hesitation; but the other, a lady, leoked timidly round the carriage, turning from one occupant to another. Finally her gaze nested on the legal luminary, and after a moment's thought, ishe told a constable, "I'm not quite sure that that man there is the one, lut he's very like him!"

It is sad, but none the less too-true, that shop-lifting is ibccoming more prevalent each year in Auckland (says the Star), and the losses sustained by retailers have assumed such large proiportions that it has been decided* to take strong measures to try and check this system of thieving. In at leasi three establishments last week in Auckland there were cases of shop-lifting reported, and, sad to rolate, "lovely woman" was the thief in each instance, Ais far as appearances went, each of the women looked thoroughly respectable, and there was nothing that would seem to indicate that want had caused them to become thieves. In view of tlio great leases sustained by retailers from this ipactice of shop-lifting, tradesmen have r.ow decided to take extra precautions during thj busy season. "We have ao--I'ointcd three iprivate detectives," said tie manager of a big Queen street emporium, "and the establishment! next door two. The same thing is going on in other large establishments ir. the city. We have also agreed amongst ourselve.i rot to let anyone who is discovered shop-lifting in the future escape punislilv.cnt. They will be prosecuted irrespective of what may be their station in life. Tlio fact is, we are certain tl at past leniency and acceptance of excuses has only tended to develop the < vi| practice. For tha 1 ; reason we have determined to make an example of anybody caught."

'"Patriotism with .Tustice," writes to a Wellington paper, complaining of the injustice suffered by a number of retail dealers in toys. .After reference to the fact that the popular craze for cheapness. regardless of the country of manufacture. gave Germany a grip of the toy trade, the writer remarks:—"A great many people now . taboo the articles stamper! 'Made in Germany,' without considering in the least that stocks of these toys were bought and paid for with British money long before the war broke out. Very little thought will prove that this form of boycotting cannot harm the enemy, but it means a serious loss to the. retailers, especially at the Christinas season, wlik'ti is Die only harvest time of the trade. It would display a truer patriotic spirit to assist the shopkeepers to quit their stocks, and thus help them to get some return for thi! money they have invested. Then, in the future, if the. Diiblic will only make their patriotism practical by paying a little more for better value, the importers and retailers will not be found lacking in their patriotism in assisting the British toy manufacturers to build up a vigorous and unassailable trade throughout the whole Empire." CANNOT GET HIS BREATH. "My little son Sydney occasionally gets so bad with croup that he cannot get his breath." writes Mr N. P. Lewis. Mile End, Adelaide, Sj\. "I follow the directions en the battle of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy and he is quickly relieved. I never go <!o bed without a bottle of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy on hand for I never know when Sydney will be atacked with croup." All chemists and •tores. 'Tis BONNIE DOON, so fraith and fair, 'll mebbe soothe her hairt gin sair, Man, gie me, a draw o' ver pipe eft sun>\ Gin her be fillt wi' BONNIE DOON 50

Pieiura loYexa' attention is drawn io the picture theatres' advertisements on the first page.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday inorning, it first offending inebriate was convicted and discharged. Another first offender, who failed to appear, was fined 08.

The Magistrate's Court will 1 b« closed from the 22nd of December until the 4th of January, 1915. The first sitting of the Court 'in the new year for the transaction of civil business will be on the li);h January.

The Empire Picture Co. are giving a picture entertainment on Christmas night in aid of the poor in Great Britain and Belgium. The programme will c< nsist of a special selection of suitable pictures, embracing dramatic, topical, ■scenic and industrial films. Throughout the duration of the war the Empire Pictures will donate one night in each month for the .purpose of raising funds 'o assist the same cause.

At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday, before Mr A, Crooke, S.M., judgment by default was given in the following undefended cases: —Geo. Home (Mr A. 11. Je'hnsl one) v. Malcolm North, £lO 18s (costs £1 19s Gd); J. S. Fox (Mr Johnstone) v. William Cokcr, £135 10s (costs £1 15s); William Rowe (Mr A. 11. Stanc.ish) v. G-. W. Williams. £l3 3s 7d (costs £1 Us (id); A. Hooker v. C. W. Williams. £3 (costs Us); Newton King (Mr T. King) v. 11. Malcolm North, £72 14s 7d (eosts £4 15s); Bank of New South Wales (Mr A. R. Standish) v. W. M. Jesse Cokei and Richard Joseoh Coker, £45 Gs (costs £4 13a bd). An order for lossession of tl'e premises in Devon street, at present occupied by defendant as an office, and 'payment of the sum of £2 9s 4d, was made in the case of Emma Douglas (Mr J. B. Roy) v. Charles Thomas -Mills, the order to take effect befo.-e fith January, 1915, Costs \ ere assessed at £1 4s.

A little bit of ancient history was quoted at tin; Hospital Board meeting in Wangunui on Thursday. The chairman. ■Mr W. G. Bassett, reported that the secretary had unearthed a bequest made to the Hoard sixteen years ago and forgotten. It. was a bequest of £IOO made by a .Mr Sheriff, who had intended the interest from this £IOO should lie used in assisting convalescent patients when they leave the hospital. This money wai pluml in the 'Post Office Savings Bank in the name of the then secretary, Mr I .Ritchie, and Mr Lill'iton, awl bad now

accumulated to between £IOO and £l7O. Evidently the bequest had been forgotten, although the object of tlu; bequest had not been so, as convalescent patients who desire it are assisted by the Charitable Aid Committee.

A story of "Love's Young Dream" thaibad become interrupted was unfolded in .a civil ease that came before a Wellington Magistrate on Wednesday. William Wallace Liptvott, of Adelaide road, proceeded against Grace Halcoinbe, married .woman, for the sum of £2O, being balance aleged to be due by her to him in respect to moneys which plaintiff said he had lent to her in 1!)12. Plaintiff said 'he had become engaged to defendant, and had lont her the money for the purpose of furnishing a liousi. The engagement had since been broken ,cff. The defence denied that any amoun' I was owing. All the money had been repaid. After considerable argument had teen taken, plaintiff was non-suited. At the annual meeting of Court Pride •of New Plymouth this week, District ' Chief Banger Bro. A. J. Way, District. Secretary Bro. C. Tunbridgc, and District Treasurer Bro. 11. R. Cattlev visited the Court, and installed the following newlv-elected officers; —C.R., Sister C. J. Lee; S.C.R., Sister M. O. Oliver; treasurer, Sister E. Russell (reelected) ; secretary, Sister A. M. Furlcng (re-elected); S.W., Sister C. Old; J.W., Sister M. -Lee.; 5.8., Sister C. Kivell; J. 8., Sister A. M. Lee; delegate. Sister E. P. Riollv; auditors, Sisters L. Tunhridge and A. R. (ileeson. The district officers complimented the Court .on the satisfactory financial position, there being a membership of 131, with funds amounting to over £OSO. One new member was initiated, and other martors connected with the Court were dealt with. Taranaki is accustomed to boast itself as a progressive district, but it must own up to the possession of some curiously out-of.date institutions (says the Lytteltou Times). One of these is the toll-gate. It is reported from Manaia that the toll-gate charge on the Man-aia-ll'awera road for passenger motor 'buses is 3s Ud for every time the 'bus goes through t-iie gate. In the northern 'part of the province, the Urcnui motor '-bus pays the Clifton County Council is each day for the AVaihi toll-gate. The toll-gate is ft convenient method of collecting revenue for road maintenance, but. it is as barbariously behind the times as public stocks and whipping posts would be. Taranaki is the only provincial district of ifew Zealand that suffers tills anachronism, but even the casv-going people of those parts are beginning to kick against- the .annoyance, and there are signs that the County Councils and road boards will ibe compelled to devise other means of raising the wind for their road metal.

An amusing incident connected with the departure of the Botorua detachment of the Maori Hxpediitonary Force was related by the Rev. F, A, Bennett, at the Auckland Town Hall on Tuesday niglit, and which occasioned a hearty hi ugh amongst the audience. An old rangitira was farewelling the young warriors, explained Mr Bennetti, and in doing so said that he heard that the Germans were in sore straits for food. "1 hear thaii they are even reduced to tating grass. Xow let it not he said that von evei' ate grass," exhorted the old warrior to the departing tau. ''lt you have nothing (better than grass to eat, follow tlie footsteps of your noble ancestors." The grim allusion to the practice followed iliy llliose ancestors of eating their enemies on occasion w.is no doubt made in all seriousness by the fierce old rangitira, but the pakeha audience in the hall enjoyed the joke immensely. Later on, Mr Te Kiwi Amohau was speaking, and in reference to ancestral habits, he gravely informed his Jiciirers that his own father bad told him that human flesh was really good eating—much better, in fact, to anv other kind of flesh. The audience again renrd with merriment. During the visit of Mr D. C. Bates, the weather prophet, to New Ply mouth, arrangements were made for a supply of fine weather for the West End beach picnic on Boxing Day.

"I'M GLAD I EMPLOYED THE N.Z. EXPRESS COMPANY. to more my furniture. Look at it now! You \vo\ilil never think it 'nail been out of this room. It makes all the difference when the work is done carefully The men sent knew their work. I'rt delighted." Hundreds of clients write to us this way—The N.Z. Express Compjn. No ooffeeless morning, no misa»3 trains, no delay y .iei Camp Jo flee :» i>t hani Aid biilin- aif' ri 'av* i dilw.ouj col'ee is a jecczL •

The Alasterton Ago hag th« a,sauranc« of Sir Walter Buchanan that, in the event of another appeal being made to trie country, he will again bo a candifor the Wairarapa seat.

In ton v'-'-ars the investments on the] tute at South Australian TattersallV. nice mitiUiijp, bare just doubled. The amount passed through tile malchine j ;n llHto was £1,472. At the meeting on' November 215!., it was £8,4-80, I Ti. ■ I

til' rapid development of the main indus;rics of JSew Zealand is well demonstrated by contrasting the value of the exportation twent.v-live years a»o and that of last jrar. 'l'lie wool -jlijiijied abroad increased from 0,115.008 to £8,(157,0:20, frozen meat from 1:1128,800 to £-1,-14!);.):.;!, and dairy produce from £11)7,18U to £3, y!U,!)JS, the total increase under the three headings being from £3,940,088 to £l(i,:i3:>,ool, or just over IjUO per cent.

Olio of tin; milk suppliers of the Jiallanco dairy factory re«uired a cheque for i)ol7 for his last month's milk supply. 1-his is the top iijnu'e for one individual, but there were ot'ncr eliei|iies amongst tho»u distributed, supplier in question h:is over halt a dozen dairy farms in dill'erent parts of the settlement, and they are let to on tiie share system, tin; owner drawing half tiie (proceeds for Imt'.er-fat and the whole of the bonus or surplus.

The reappearance of mullet in the' upper reaches of the .Northern Wairoa river is reported by u correspondent of the Auohaml UeraM. During recent >ears the entire absence of mullet in tbese waters lias been commented upon. A decade ago, audi lish were abundant, while for the last live years hardly a member of tiliut tribe lias been seen. A few months ago an inspector of the fisheries .Department visited the Wairoa and interviewel many residents who gave ifc as their opinion that mullet had been altogether lost to the Wairoa. Xow, however, and jumping fish are once again in evidence, and appear as fully plentiful as of yore. Their passage in the upper reaches of the river and in the Jlangakahia river is being watched with interest.

A Hawera boy, who was leaving England for ;'lie front reeeiitlv states tlnit Wfiii'iwit, the Soots Uuirds, was inspected by Ocncral Lord Methuen, who in a moving speech, wished every man i . safe return. Speaking with deep emotion, the veteran, general said he hoped Cod wou'J .spare them and aWSlim so that, he might be the first to welcome (.'icli out: home again. It 'lie was alive, ho would he at the gangway to shake each by tile hand. His final wprds were: •yen. .you have upheld tile faitll I iiave always had in his Majesty's subjects., and may God bless every one of you. . o'"' iv I- ' s l' r ««d of you, and this is one of the proudest momen's of m" life. <iood luck to you all.'

During the season of sounds of merriment and festive joy, the Ngamotu foreshore committee, in catering for the children on New Year's Day at the Breakwater Picnic, have not forgotten the little children of our Allies across the sea. Half tile net proceeds will be devoted to the Belgian Distress Fund, so that every person and child having a good time on the Ngamotu Foreshore on »e\v Year's Day will be conscious of the fact that they arc contributing towards this most worthy cause.

The strawberry crop in the Auckland district, it is anticipated, will not be jeneiitel by the recent heavy downpours of rain. Speaking to a Herald representative on Thursday, a well-known fruit, dealer stated that the rfants had hardened off" before the rain tame, ■■lid therefore the crop was not likely to be increased. The berries at present on the plants might benefit slightly in appearance as a result of tJic rain," but fiont all other aspects the rain was too late. He remarked incidentally that the prices on Wednesday had been w caker than at any previous time in ih e season, boxes selling at from o'/,d to MM each. On Thursday, however the prices had hardened and had ranged from 9d to Is 3d per box. The deader expressed the view that the stone fruits vou d show a decided improvement as a t'osult of the rain.