LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Magistrate's Cimrt yesterday a young woman, Phillis Snow, of Whangamomona, appeared before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., to answer a serious charge. Sub-Inspector Fouliy said the alleged offence was committed at Auckland on April 1, and, on his application, the woman was remanded to appear at Auckland to-morrow. The extraordinary popularity of swearing amongst the New Zealand troops was alluded to by Major Purchas in the course of a lecture in Auckland, and was illustrated by an amusing story. Dr. Purchas observed he was not surprised to find swearing prevalent amongst the Australians, but he was amazed at the way in which it caught on amongst our men. The example was not set by the officers, except in one case. This officer used such dreadfu'i language that the Officer-Commanding had occasion strongly to object. Under the heading "Some Business," tlie Auckland Star reports that the profits of the carnival, whitih lias just been brought to a conclusion in the north, amounted to about £*215,000, while the ! expenses were- only about £<Boo. Giving the approximate figures, which only can be quoted until such time as the official balance-sheet is struck, it is computed by the executive that the most usurious profit ever exacted by a trading undertaking has been won by the carnival. Of the profits, over £200,000 has already been handed over to the parent body, I while the difference between the addition and the £2s*,ooo represented by the final poll, a sum of £40,000 odd, are moneys contributed directly but \itilised for Voting purposes. It is emphasised that C6OO represents the fabulous cost of making Queen street for carnival week, the salary of the organiser and other paid members of the staff, the hire of coronation garments and staging effects, and the whole administrative expenses over the period of ten weeks. There was an unusual incident at a recent sitting of the Supreme Court at Christchurch. A long and rather dreary trial was dragging on through its third day when a diversion was tausci by the sudden invasion of the usually-un-occupied gallery by about thirty boys and girls. His Honor explained to the wondering counsel and jury that lie had given permission for the pupils of a school to visit the court and See it at work. The present trial, lie thought, was a good example of the procedure of the court. Although the evidence called while the young students were present was not particularly thrilling, they maintained a kind of stoic interest, which brightened into something like quiet enthusiasm when a witness produced a number of loaves, cut them up, and solemnly smelt them, and ate a little, in which interesting occupation he was joined by a very staid foreman of the jury. There is nothing particularly undignified in eating, but a man does not look his best while lie stands before a smiling gathering, slowly masticating a piece of bread with his eyes fixed on the ceiling in a determined attempt to find any possible trace of mnstincss. So far as the children were concerned, this was the best part of the morning's entertainment.

GIGANTIC CONSPIRACY. 'Tia a gigantic conspiracy of Coughs and Colds against you. Foil it with Dr. Sheldon's New Discovery for Coughs and Colds. Price, Is 6d and 3a. Obtainable everywhere. Johnson Bros., New Plymouth, and HftßSOck, phemUt, Elthana,"

A great, fete will be held at Hawera ou Saturday, December 18, for the purpose of bringing the funds for No. 1 Base Hospital up to £3OO, Mr. 12. T. Wilson has again received the top price at the Wellington wool sales, having now been at the head for fine crossbred wool for twenty-eight years. At the meeting of the High School Board last night a lengthy discussion took plaee on Hie building scheme. Our report is unfortuantely crowded out this morning. Private Denis Patrick Bourke, of D Squadron, Bth Reinforcements, died at Wellington Hospital on Thursday last. His death was notified in camp routine orders on Saturday. At Hawera yesterday, a share-milker named Samuel Brown, of Kaupokonui, was charged with threatening to commit suicide. Accused was bound over in the sum of £SO to unsure his good behaviour.—Star. Owing to the prevalence of diphtheria it has been decided to close tlie schools in the Stratford district as from yesterday. In consequence of this, the concert and sports under the auspices of the Stratford School have been postponed until after the school resumes in the New Year.

The annual breaking-up ceremony in connection with the New Plymouth Girls' High School will take place at the Good Tejnplar Hall to-morrow afternoon at 2.30. The school will resume on Thursday, February 3, 1910. The Wellington Commercial Travellers Club's efforts in connection with the recent carnival resulted in a sum of £14,546 being handed to the Wellington branch of tho Patriotic Society.—Press Association. The first section of the GisborneNapier railway was informally opened yesterday at Gisborne. The Public Works Department has commenced running trains to Ngatapa, 15 miles from Gisborne. A large representative gathering of citizens journeyed on the first train, and congratulatory speeches were made.—Press Association. An impression has gained ground amongst a number of people here that the sox sent to the Countess of Liverpool Fund had not been Bent to the Dardanelles, but to France. This is entirely erroneous, and letters received by a New Plymouth lady from some of the boys at the front convey warm expressions of gratitude for the splendid footwear, which had been duly received and were most welcome. The usual weekly meeting of the Egmont Lodge, No. 112, was opened last evening at 7.30. The programme was newspaper cuttiiigs, and the following members contributed readings towards it: Bro, G. Maunder, Bro. W. Hooker, Sister Miss Taunt, Sister D. Blanehard, Sister L. White, Sister M. Thompstone, Sister Mrs. Legg. Next week the lodge is to be favored with a visit from kindred societies. The session was closed at 9.30 p.m. by the Acting-Chief Templar, Sister Mrs. Legg. The question of issuing family tickets t for the municipal baths came up at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, when Cr. A. E. Watkins moved that family tickets should bo issued at 30s for the season. He. stated that it had been the custom to provide these tickets in tho past, but they were not available this season. Cr. J. S. S. Medley seconded. Cr. L. M. Monteath moved an amendment that the matter should be referred to the Baths Committee. Cr. W. F. Short seconded. The amendment was put first and lost, and subsequently the motion was lost. Mr, Atkinson suggested at the meeting of the High School Board last night that the Board should consider the advisability of leasing a small farm, which could be run in conjunction with the schools. He believed (fliat a farm could be made to pay good interest, whilst at the same time giving the lads practical experience of farming. Other members considered that it was a step in the right direction and the idea will probably be brought to fruition later. The Sunday School Anniversary in connection with the Salvation Army took place on Sunday last, and the Good Templar Hall was taken for the occasion. A number of the elder scholars were arranged upon the platform, 'which had been nicely decorated by willing workers, and during the afternoon and evening services they rendered a number of special songs* in * most creditable way. Major Toomer, from Palmerston North, was in charge of the services, and although on his first visit to New Plymouth was soon at home with his congregations, and his interesting addresses were listened to with close attention by young and old. Last night, a special gathering took plaee in the same hall when a splendid programme was rendered by the scholars, and apparently enjoyed by all During the evening, Major Toomer presented close on fifty prizes to the young people. The proceedings closed by all singing the National Anthem. The large cargo steamer Themis, which arrived at Wellington on Sunday from New York, via Durban, is' probably the first neutral vessel to visit these waters with her namo showing conspicuously on her sides. When the Themis anchored in the stream, it was seen from a distance that she had what appeared to be two large white squares painted on her sides. On closer examination, it was seen that her name is painted in large white letters on each side of her hull amidships. In the white squares the Norwegian flag is painted, one forward and one aft on each side, of sufficient size to be easily discerned at a considerable distance. The ship's name and "the flags have been painted there so that tho vessel's nationality would be obvious if she encountered a submarine during her journeyings round the world.

At a recent meeting of the Pa tea Harbor Board Messrs Laurenson and Hesket waited on the Board and stated that they had been carrying out work in connection with the manufacture of iron from ironsand at New Plymouth during the last twelve months, and were now desirous of erecting works somewhere. So far as they had gone they could state that they had gone beyond the experimental stage, and were satisfied that they could produce pig iron of a marketable quality which Mr. Laurenson had used with good results. They required about 20 acres and would be prepared to erect buildings at once and proceed with the manufacture of iron. Mr. Heskett said if their proposed works were established they would probably bring in a revenue of £2OOO a year to the Board by way of harbor duties anil royalty 011 pig iron. In reply to a question, Mr. Laurenson s'aid they were not looking elsewhere for a site, but would be pre" pared to start in Patea straight away, After further discussion a committee was set up to meet Messrs Heskett and Laurenson. On Saturday, at the Mart, Webster Bros., will sell a Ford Five-seater Car in good running order. The ear can be inspected at any time on application tn the auctioneers and good reasons can be given fsr Belling,

A sequel to a disturbance which oe* curred in Brougham street on Saturday, night was the appearance of Nell Wilson at the Magistrate's Court yesterday; morning, charged with being disorderly, wliiie drunk, and with smashing a pan® of glass, valued at £2, in the Royal Hotel. The accused pleaded guilty to both charges. Sub-Inspector Fouhw said Wilson was under the influence of liquor when he smashed the window, The Magistrate (Mr. A. Crooke) inflictt ed a line of 10s for drunkenness, and for the second charge imposed a line of 10* and costs £'.' 3s. An Auckland telegram states that thq Southern Cross, from Norfolk reports a severe epidemic of dysentery at Solomon Island and Santa Cruz. At the latter place three thousand natives have died, and many others are in a, bad condition. At the Solomons tho disease is not so marked, but four bun* dred natives are affected. Two men landed from the French steamer Pork Vauche reported that the latter had lotf her propeller on the voyage to the Her brides with twelve men on board, The Government steamer searched for four days unsuccessfully. At Reef Island it was reported that one of the deacons had bben murdered, but the crew from the Southern Cross found him on a reef exhausted, but not seriously injured, and returned him to the island.

A case that was described as the first of it 3 kind to be brought before « court in the Dominion was presented in tho Magistrate's Court at Wellington on Friday by the Inspector of Awards. It was one in which A, Dimdoi'e was charged with selling boots after the shop was closed. According to the Act, occupiers of boot and shoe shops may fix the time of closing in Wellington in this way, and a person, even although he does not carry on the business of a boot and shoe dealer, is liable to a penalty if he sells boots after the prescribed hours. Defendant is :i draper, who sells boots as a side-line, and he sold a pair at 8 o'clock on the evening of November 25. The Labor Department did not press for a heavy penalty in the present case, as it had been brought to let tradesmen know their liability, A fine of 10s, with costs 7s, was imposed. Will the lady who purchased at out gift sale a pair of men's boots No. 156, amount 15/(1 about 5.30 on Saturday evening, call at the A.B.C. Boot Company, for the amount of cash, as she bought one of the 25th pairs. Owing to our checking clerk being away at tea this number was not detected' at the time of sale* Men desirous of having suits made to measure at the Melbourne, Ltd., are advised that the last day for taking orders so that the suits can be delivered in time for Christmas is Thursday, 16th fast. The-e to-measure suits are priced at 49s fid, 59s 6d, 69s 6d and 75s—tbsoi lutelv the finest values ever offered.