LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is reported that .Messrs Johnston and Co., Ltd, general merchants at Wellington and at Wangiinui, have, decided to open u branch in New Plymouth. The Chief Postmaster advises that the mails despatched from Wellington via Sura on June ()th arrived in London on the 22nd hist. A Pahiatua message says that a petition to Parliament is being signed, praying that hotels be closed during- the continuance of the war, at (I p.m. In connection with the patriotic social at Bell Block to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, a 'bus will leave Auiburv'.s corner at half-past seven, for the convenience of persons going from town, and will return after the gathering. In the New Plymouth Police Court on Saturday, before Mr. J; 8. S. Medley. •LP., a first offender, who had been' arrested for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged, and ovdered to pay motor car hire, 7s (id;

A telephone box has now been placed at the taxi-stand, at the corner of Currie and Devon Streets. Five car-owners are subscribers to the telephone. If a car is required the first man, as a rule, goes to fulfil the order, but if anyone requires a particular car the public is at liberty to ask for it. The number is 581.

Tlve Pahiatua musical and elocutionary competitions have been concluded. Results:—Patriotic recitations (gentlemen):—J. A. Walsh 1, J. A. Gibbons 2: ladies: Miss McDavitt 1, Mis Morton 2. Five comediettas were staged. "Medusa Quackenboss" being placed first. "The Confidential Clerk," second. Both were played by Pahiatua companies, who gave splendid performances. Auckland has the largest number of members of the Educational Institute, 75.-1, Wellington is next with -112, Otugo 352, North Canterbury 288, South' Canterbury 141), Southland 274, Hawke's Bay 230, Taranaki 145, "Nelson 108, Marlborough lii), (irey 3!), and Westland .>, maki.g a total of 3018. The cup that is to be presented by the Taranaki Jockey Cliib to the winner of the Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase at the Hunt Club races on Thursday is now on view in Mr. J. Bennett's 'window. It is a massive silver cup of chaste design, and on Saturday evening attracted general admiration. A professional deer-stalker has been engaged by the Hawke's Bay Acclimatisation Society to go through tiie Hawke's Bay herds on a weeding out tour. It is proposed to do away with all stags with malformed heads and undesirable hinds. Operations will be started at the end of the month at Kereru, and the stalker will gradually work his way through the deer country up to the herds of Virginia deer at Tariuvera. At the New Plymouth Brotherhood meeting yesterday afternoon there was a good attendance, presided over by Mr. H. Dempsey, headmaster of the Central School. The address was given by ilie Rev. A. B. Chappell, M.A. Under the title of "From One Generation to Another," the speaker dealt with the rise and development of history, and stressed its value in the mental equipment and moral growth of good, citizens. The Heads beach (says the Pa tea Press) presents it very busy scene at the present time, between twenty and thirty men being employed in getting things in ordev for the harbor improvement works, which are to be started practically immediately. A large and commodious worskshop has been erected with an engine and lathe duly fitted up. At the end of the road, Justus one ip|>rottck'& tine- beach tot, are the foundations for a tower 80 feet high, which is to be erected. On the opposite side »f the- river is to be a similar tower, find between the two will be fixed a cable, which will' be used in transporting material across the river as it is required. A wharf is in course of construction some chains up the river from the guide pier, and a traek has been laid from the wharf bead to the breakwater bo that material can be landed and conveyed on a tramline to the breakwater lind the variotis sheds without any trouble. One of the first works to h*. carried out will be the raising of the present western wall in concrete. When this has been completed the extension of the walls will be proceeded with. At the present time the river is in high Rood. Thre has been a remarkable Bcouring out of the river with the floo-l, the effect, as one authority put it, being equal to about six months' dredging on the part of the board. The whole of a vast bank of sand near the guide pier has been washed away and a deep channel left in its place. The navigation portion of the river is now almost exactly Straight from the guide pier to the railway bridge. Mr. 1\ A. Hadley 'will arrive by this evening's express, and his address) business 'people are requested to note, will •be the Criterion Hotel. The Melbourne Ltd. notify the arrival of another lot of their popular flannelette pyjama combinations for children. These comfortable night garments are cut on a very good pattern, giving plenty of freedom, and are priced at an exceptionally low figure, viz., 2s lid.