LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 13 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A whale 50ft. in length was cast up on the Castlepoint beach oil Tuesday night.

The National Reserve movement is reported to have "'caught on'' in Auckland in. a truly astonishing manner.

The dry season lias been responsible for a large number of sheep being sent out of thi! fiawke's Bay district to hotter pastures. How many have gone by the road (stales the Telegraph) it is impossible to say, but the Union Com pi-nv boat-; have alnadv carried about i-C.OOO.

Married men in Canada, savs Mis; Lcfr'ov, lion, secretary of the' British Women's Bni'gration Association,' are not allowed to join the expeditionary ctntin.e-r.t without the 'written consent of their wives. Or the married men who wish to volunteer 4!) pe r cent, had received that permission.

Tn reply to an ■ enquiry by Mr E. Crifliths, the National Dairy' Association wired yesterday that vessels would be leaving for England us follows this month, all taking dairy . produce: Athcuie. 14th February; Waimea. 17th; Orn.ri. 20th; Kaikonra. 2."ith. This will re'ieye. if it does not do entirely away -with, the "ontrestion that exists in the different dairy produce stoves.

, the Kngli.-.h word which has most impressed the Byigians, writes '•JO," is "swank,' and they use it friquentiy ami very enthusiastically. Verliaeron' him-' sell has been heard to speak of "swankers,' and the other evening whi-u 1 dined at a liuuse where a Belgian lady was a gnesl, I. beard iter use'".swank'' and ■•Mwaiilcei" at Ua.t iialf-a-do/.eu tinus, laagiung very gaily as «h<: did so. There is, it appears/ a'Curman word '.somewhat similar to '•swank' wjth something of (lie same meaning.

''New Zealand is fortunate in possessing in Mr. Bates a horn forecaster" (writes the editor of -Svinous' Meteorological Magazine). Dr. jr. u.. Hill. Director of JJritish Rainfall Organisation the writer, explains that although Mr.' Bah'; "works ■!>./ rule, he has a. natural i;:d:nct for the interpret:! lion of the phenomena with which he deals, and lie certainly deserves the extraordinary popularity which he enjoys on sea and land in every part of the Dominion. - '

the Xew Plymouth IV ience liiile Club are reminded of the parade called for !) a.m. to-morrow. The club will march on I to meet tli-iiicm-bors of the Waitara National Defence Force and aceompirnv them to New Plymouth. 'I he combined eomeani:-! v-ill attend a church parade a* S Mm;*. ■■(■l,a-.1 i1 : 1 ,.ai( l j„ 1 . the Vem Archdeacon Kviins will preach the scmoii. The Waitara, ril!e,„en will' be shown around various beauty spots in New Plymouth, and thev Viil <nb-'-oui ntly march back to Waitara.

A correspondent o, ! the Mornim- Post writes:—■'■ The UritUi public, may he interested to hear of another instance of that spirit, of comradeship and fricudsmp that exists between officers and men of the Royal Xavv. Olficers in various, vessels of the firaiid Fleet have arranged to send Christmas presents to th,, children of tile men, ami with that object m view each officer has undertaken to look-after so many children and has sent cheques to his relatives at Home, asking them to .purcliase suitable -rifts ami forward them to Urn children whose names and addresses hgives. Such thoiifi-htfuhiess will meet with its reward on the day of the great fight."

The usual monthly nieecting of the, Council of the Chamber of Commerce' which was to have been hold vestcrtfnv' was postponed for a week. An alleged breach of the Boroimh bylaws was brought before the S.M yesterday, but was adjourned at defendant's request until March 4. Mr K H. Quilliam appeared for the Poronn-h At the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. A. Crooke, R.M.', Francis Montague Mills was charged with bein" drunk in a public street. .Sub-Tnspccfor' Fouliy said defendant had br{n drinking very heavily for some time, and it would be a very good thing to remand him in custody for a week for medical treatment, and the Magistrate made an order accordingly.

An elderly woman had a rather thrilling experience in Queen street, Auckland, on Saturday afternoon (savs the Star). She was engaged in cleaning out offices in Palmerston Buildings, on' the corner of Queen and Customs streets. In some way she became locked in one of the rooms, and as there was no prospect of beiii" released, she decided to attempt an escape first by the window, and then along a narrow ledge, to an adjoining window. "I've seen the office boys do it before," declared the old dame subsequently, "and I thought I could do it, too." Once on the ledge outside she probably lost her nerve and her balance. At any rate, she fell. Fortunately, beneath her was a shop verandah, and between her and the verandah half-a-dozen telephone wires. She fell amongst the wires, and broke them, but they saved her to some extent, and she landed on the verandah without broken limbs, much to the astonishment of those who witnessed the accident. For ji, while she appeared n . good deal shaken, but later she was able to go on with her work.

'"ln starting a n oil engine on his farm on Thursday, Mr Foy, of Katapiko, had his liands and face seriously burnt by the flaring up of the benzine!

A Sydney cable states that Judge Edmunds has defined newspapers as a necessary commodity. The Commission is continuing its enquiry into the newsvendors' strike.

Motorists are viewing with increasing favor the trip from Auckland to Wellington, via Whaugauioniona and 'he Hast and dow n the Main Trunk. For some time the number of motor cars taking this route in preference to. Wanganui way has been a matter of comment. At the present time the road is in good order all the way with the exception of a small .slip near the Papa-, rata Saddle, but this, it is understood can bo repaired with slight expenditure. From a tourist point of view the resources of the route are far too little known, but it is quite certain the time is not distant when the scenic beauties of Tangarakau Gorge and the route •generally will be duly appreciated.Post.

The shortage of steamers to convey New Zealand produce to the Old Country is reported to be having its effect on the Gisbornc district. There are about 6000 bales of wool awaiting shipment, whilst the limited refrigerated space that is available has caused a curtailment in killing operations. The shortage of feed caused farmers to rush their stock to the works, with the result that so far this season the numbers killed show a large increase on previous years. Killing operations have now been greatly reduced, and there is likely to be a further curtailment shortly. Farmers are thus having to hold on to their fat stock, and it is fortunate that the drought has broken and the pastures coining away nicely.

"I would not think of living in a city that has a big volcano in the middle of it," said an elderly lady on a passenger steamer that was rounding North Head for Auckland. She seemed to be extremely perturbed about the matter, and freely gave vent to her opinions about Aueklanders,' who deceived southern pcopl c by saying that all the volcanic hills around the city were "dead." (When the agitated lady bad said a good deal to this effect, a fellow-passenger explained to her that what she thought was a dangerous volcano was merely Mount JOden. The malignant volcanic effect was given by the smoke rising from burning grass, a careful Borough Council having thought it wise to preserve ornamental trees,and shrubs from possible danger by burning oil' the long dry grass.

_''Jt seems but a few mouths ago that 'New Zealand decided on national military training,'' writes vne lionise;, Journal. "While we in J'.ngland. were tuilang and philosophising ami denouncing 'militarism,' S ome ot our younger toques, with a Keener polit'eal outlook, decided to take wider measures for seii-protcction. .Now when the heart of th,. jOmpire n in danger, ,I,'reat Britain is forming its army, New Zealand, which i a far mm the' seat of war, :s aiready so well prepared that our <Joverniuent have been iuloruicd that the little colony will, if necessary, send over aU,(K>U trained men, m addition to the IJOUl) who have alre.ul,- be .-a dispatched. -And yet, when the .".Iru-igle is over, the Little JOngiandciv, will be jumping up again and laying down the law for tint JOmpire, and pronouncing their own omniscience as bra/.eiiiy as though thev had not proved themselves tile mosL foolish and most dan"ero:: ■ «r its !■'"'"■ bers."

Two 'well-known Talmersteii North residents are not likd;,- to soon forget a recent visit to t'oxtou (says the •Manawatii Times). Owing to it being a bank holiday one of them took hi,; busiiuss receipts, some ill), with him. lie. came home without them. It.was not because of rash speculation on the totalisator that he did so. When' the train [lulled up at the course rain, was steadily failing, and in assisting some young folk and women to make' the rather steep ascent to the carriages, there being no' siding, the tradesman was relieved of his cash by one of the light-lingered gentry who have been operating in various parts of the Dominion. Another 'Palmer-ton North res i d.uit, who accompanied him. was also gone through for a, smaller amount. It wm the latter who first discovered his less, and on making it known to the ■former was chaffed somewhat... "Well, I'll he blowed; they've got mine too!'' scon after came the remark

The party of O'mira residents .who are paying a visit to the district were met at the Slraford railway station .in Thursday by representative ~ citizens, beaded l)v His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirk'wood). Afterwards, at a gathering in the CcnM'V Hotel. the Mayor welcomed tile visitors. He expressed the pleasure of citizens at the presence of visitors from the Oliura district and promised them such hospitality as lay in (lie power of Stratford to h-Kt.'>w--i! compliment wliieli was their due as a return feu- the enjoyable tiun accorded those who liad aroiie opt to the Ohura. some twelve months ;i'>'o 4 programme had bee,, mapped out. whicl, wrm d enable the visitors to see as i.urt nt the country as was possible in the time at their disposal, and would give rhem some idea of the aims and objects "f the people in these parts in regard to the future rehitmns of the Oliura and 11* district. His desire, was that on this trip ihoy would lieartily enioy them-"-'lves and take hack to their homes Pleasant memories of Stratford and ,\U "c. Mr J. U. Richards, as president <>f ..he Chamber „! Commerce, also wclcoinuo the vmtors. and Messrs Loveday j ' n evenson , Illtabl , k>d ; '■'i.t ol the visitors.—Post.

Many new purchases give the Melbourne's great midsummer sale new'impetus These new opportunities await jou a„ the popular corner store. Men's merino ~K i its, with spliced seats o s lidmen's fifirurod tussore tennis and neglige shirts. 4s lid: men's cashmere socks. Igl grade Is rair . mcn , s natm . a] slnrts very fine value, 3s fid. Not often, even here, do men have a chance of netting such good values.

■r ■'"'•;'• TT - ? a, ""J< , '-s, the well-known ish terrier breeder, writes: ('Please Withdraw my for sale advertisement. I ye sold all the puppies, having got applications from all over the province as a. result of advertising in your paper." i.e .News is a valuable advertising medinm, because it reaches every part of Taranaki. lt,s read in towns 'as far south as Patoa and as far west is Auroa and. Ivapuni before breakfast

The Xew Zealand Loan and Mercantile ofT V , <°- ™l V d""v ">" Attention ?110, o ,",?' t,,r I y ,, " rat *'" '■«*. which the> are holding m their Kohnratahi .aids o„ Wednesday. 17 th inst. Full liariieulars will be found in our advertising columns on page S.

Mr. F. P. Gorkill, New Plymouth, has a, client who wishes to exchange a farm near Ohristcliurch for, a, j>ood dairyfarm in Taranaki. - I

Considerable interest is being taken ji at Okato in the visit of the Citizens' Band to-morrow, and, given fine wcatlic there is certain to ue u -big attendance.

Jn consequence oi the falling off in ,rade following on the raising of prices or lunches m Wellington, the increase ha 3 now been .practically abandoncd.rress Association.

Tlie New .Plymouth Surfing, and LifeSaying Club will make its postponed visit to (Jpunake to-morrow -to give a demonstration on the beach. The (party leaves by the Taranaki Transport Co."8 new cliar-a-bane at 7.30 am:

The timber for the municipal tram-. way car-silied and.fjlie r.ew electric light sub-station is coming from the West Coast of the South Island, and 49.000 feet of.it is due to arrive by the Karamu to-day. Much of it is in vew long pieces, the lengths running to 38 feet.

Carpenters are evidently in short sup--ply. Messrs Shay and Paine, the contractors for the tramway buildings, need the services of thirty or forty men. They prefer to employ local men\ of course, but if they are not forthcoming carpenters will have to be im-ported-a policy .the firm is loth to adopt.

Mr. J Gibson, of Ilawera, met witli a serious accident on Thursday at firmont Village. Ho was motoring to New llyiimuta for t!.e races, and the car skidded on some wet blinding at a; bend ill the road, and Tan over the bank. Mr Cribsou suffered concussion of the brain and severe bruises. He is at present an inmate of a private hospital in New llymouth, and enquiries from Mr. Wylic last night elicited that he wa« improving slightly. _

A Daily News reporter, chatting to Messrs Shaw and Paine, the contractors for tlie tramway car-shed at Fitzroy and the new electric light sub-station at Liardet street, gathered that some 1300 yds of concrete will be used on these two works. The concrete is mixed in 'a Eureka mixer, capable of turning out lc<> yards a day. With , the present staff the average output is IS yards an' hour, with thirteen men employed in feeding, wheeling away, emptying, ana so on. Under toe old' System" of handmixing 18 yards a day'would be considered good work for ten men. Yesterday this oil-driven mixer kept six men sliovolling • in shingle and sand, one man emptying in the 'cement, tight men wheeling away the. concrete, and the same, number tipping into flic iron clios . A start will probably be'made with the heavy concrete work at Fit,;,roy on Tuesday.