LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 289, 15 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sir. Justice Edwards will preside over the New Plymouth Supreme Court sittings winch open at the local court-house on Tuesday next. An Adelaide cablegram states that there is a steady soaking rain over the whole State. It is the most beneficial rain the State has received for years. There was a tremendous crowd at the recruiting rally held at ITawera last evening, the Opera House being full. Patriotic addresses were given by Dr K. MeXab and Mr. Veitch, M.'sP of v' anganui.

In every classroom at the Central School there, is a collecting box i„ aid of the Belgian Fund, to which the children contribute coppers. The headmaster states that very few children fail to contribute at least once a week

The anonymous letter writer generally receives short shrift at the hands of local bodies, ami the Egmont County Conned proved no exception to the rule At yesterday's meeting there was anion" the correspondence a letter written un" dor a nom do plume, complaining of the straying cattle nuisance. It was laid on the table unread.

At a meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society last night, stewards ioi the Winter Show were appointed, and a sub-committee was set up to appoint judges. The question of providing further accommodation was discussed, and was left to the Space Committee to deal with. There are indications that this year's show will be more successful than ever.

1 he following figures show the quantities of butter in cool store at various ports of the Dominion on May 14 Auckland 13,084, Xew Plymouth 5700, Patea IMS, Wanganui 3412 Ciisborne 2»»' Wellington IO.SSH, Lyttelton OS-IS. Timaru 38-2, lbincdin '20(1!); total .11 !147 Total for May 15, 11)14, 00-V4 Total for May I-:,, 1!)13, (W,814.--Vress Association.

The Egmont County Council's levy to the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board based on a valuation of .€1.87!),f)!)l will be £<)3fl 11, f or the ensuing year, payable at the rate of 178 5s Ud per month. Last year the ]<>- mont County on the same basis. Is per £IOO, paid .C.Vi per month, the increase being due to the new valuation of the county, winch had gone up by nearly £n>j,ooo.

It will he remembered that the children of the three town schools contributed a sum of money for the provision of a horse and accoutrements for Major Blunt. A letter was received from the major this week, stating that the animal had proved all that could be desired, being a- most excellent, serviceable animal. This letter was read in the different schools and gave the children much pleasure.

At the Stratford Stipendiary Magistrate's Court yesterday. Mr. Ken rick, • 01., gave judgment in the ease Anderson v Abbott, being a chii,,-, f Ol . . c .-io loss of crop of potatoes on defendant's property at Whangainomona. Plaintiff was allowed CUD on the claim, solicitors >eos £2 Us, court costs £1 17s witnesses' expenses £<) :;,,. totn] £;ii ■ir' ,' ■!;■ r]h '] m " nn "PPeared for plaintill and Mr. K. ,S. Kutlu-rford for dolendanl.

I lie monthly guild (~,s held by fbe members „f (.|„. W hit.«dy Memorial | l ""' rl1 w,, «' i-'' iil '»'«-'l yesterday, when tl'i-r.- was a large attendance. ' Kollowiiiy'the tea, a varied programme of music was rendered. At the subsequent lm<iuessmce(in?ofthe.,o,ihlitwasae;Tccd to receive with regret the resignation o had beld the position " secretary for about seven years, and lo send a Idler „f tlutnk K for !„.,• „.,.. vacs and sympathy in her impaired health. Mrs. .; ,r. White was dectod secie ary and Mrs. n. r !la( ,,. ilsSol , int „ ,\ eommilt,,., will, Mrs. C. ■'He-- as convenor, was appointed to ;'',"'„ '"'; " : ' ,, "; ,;,, •-<»" «l I'm comin'r halb show \ rs Ar . \,, i ■ . ; ""'■ annum rod convenor of a young people's comniittee in the same connection. ' _ Tl,e Men's I'.rotberhood begins its new isessmn (o-iiio, T ow afternoon at 3 o'clock iu he food Templar TTall. The speaker «.l he Mr. ,T. T. M Uornsbv M ]>■ his mihieetbein.: "Life's Kenlitiosand'irow

At the mooting of thft Egmont County Council yesterday, a resolution from the Southland County Council regarding taxing motor Iraflie liy levying a tax on tyres and apportioning this tax among local bodies was discussed. Members were of opinion that the collection of the tax would he easy enough, but the ililliculty of distribution would "ue. considerable. It was also pointed out that the matter had been before Parliament, which could do nothing to legislate ill tee matter, and consequently it was too tie>iny subject for the council to, handle. The resolution was therefore received.

In a letter received by Mrs. C. 11. Burgess, Surgeon-Major W.vliu informs lier that monetary donations will be very acceptable in .helping towards extra comforts for the wounded and sick in connection with the No. 1 stationary hospital. To this deserving object the Vie-' torin League has donated .CJO received from Truti soldiers' day, while .Mrs. Burgess also collected yesterday no less a sum than £IOO. Further donations will he most acceptable and should be gent m as soon as possible, in order that it may lie forwarded to Wellington earlynext week.

A combination of English composition and moral teaching is the happy idea of the headmaster of the Central School. l'"or instance, illustrations are placed on the blackboard of some mischievous lads stealing apples, the capture of one by the owner of the apples, and the thief's punishment. The children ar» then instructed to render the story in correct English. Such methods of' instruction have the advantage of proving more interesting to the youthful mind than the older, and perhaps more orthodox systems.

The practice of sending white feathers to men who will not volunteer for active servkv just about reached the limit of absurdity the other day, when a wellknown llasterton medico received two white feathers by post. The gentleman referred to will be 74 next birthday, and was one of the first doctors in X«w Zealand to give his services during the South African campaign, lie is even now prepared to go to the scene of action as an X-ray expert if the authorities will accept his services. And this is the class of loyal citizen to whom the white feather is being sent!

Having drawn the attciititm of the headmaster of the Central School, Mr. Dempsey, to the Australian suggestion to road Mr. Ashmoad Bartlott's'report of the firrhtiiifr on the Dardanelles to the children in the schools, a News representative asked if anv sn'cli procedure was adopted locally. Mr. Dempsey said lie had not brought this particnlav report before the children, hot from time to tune gave them an outline of the most important war news. "I do not content myself with reading the details," said Mr. Dcnipsey./'lmt explain them as far as T am able, for T consider that the children shouh! be enlightened regarding such important events."

At the '•'recruiting" service at Whiteley Memorial Church to-morrow evening the Kev. A. B. Chappell will preach There will be a parade of local military forces. The anthem will be Stainer's •' I am Alpha."