LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

That it is possible to successfully grow j bananas in the open air in Auckland has [been demonstrated by Mr. Clement [Wragge, the well-known meteorologist. In Mr Wragge'a garden at Birkenhead he i has growing several different varieties of j the banana tree. Mr. Wraggo is able to I secure large quantities of fruit each year from the trees, which appear to be thriving exceptionally well. •' There is a vacancy on the New Plymouth Borough Council, Mr. A. E. Sykes having resigned his seat. Mr. Sykes stated yesterday that his reason for retiring was that pressure of private business prevented him from devoting the required itime to borough affairs. Practically every member of Mr. Sykes' staff has been accepted for military service, and may be called up any day. Nominations for the vacancy close at noon on January 7, ami the election will be held on January 14. Anthony Wilding's memory ia to be kept green by the tennis players of the Dominion. At the meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association last week the secretary stated that there was in hand the sum of .1120, not including'a largo amount collected by the Canterbury Association, It was decided to close the lists in February and to advise all associations (other than Canterbury) that an early call should be made for subscriptions to this very laudable object. The form the memorial is to take will be largely governed by the lesponsc made :|o the appeal. The matter will bo referred to at the February meeting of the council.

It is understood that an Anti-German League is about to bo formed in Wellington. Two of the planks in the league's platform, it is stated, will be a movement to discourage the employment of Germanit or people of German extraction in any Government position, particularly military positions, as it is said to be a part of the German creed to seek enlistment, and even commissions in the Defence Forces wherever it is possible to attain ends not conducive to the success of our arms. Another plank will be the 'discouragement of trade with the enemy, and with firms established in neutral countries that are known or suspected to be German firms or firms with a German backing. It is said that sufficient funds *vill be available to appoint a paid secretary, who will make the fullest investigation into any suasect cases.

Starting from last nigKt, mixed bath* big will be held at the Municipal Baths every tuesday and Friday evening from 7i30 to :i o'clock. The following were farewelled at the social held at VV'estown Hall on Monday evening:—Messrs S. Tancred (at present in camp), L. Goodacre and F. Sole (home on teave), H. Lobb, Erie Allen (Frankjlcigh Park), S. llawke and K. CaVsidj 1 (Frsmkley lioad), who leave on January 1 10 th j Mis. Coradinc (Mayoress of Master;ton) has telegraphed to Mrs. Burgess i (Mayoress of New Plymouth) acknowi ledging receipt of six cases of gifts for J the entertainment of troops at Tauherenikau at Christmas and wishes to thank all those who contributed. In addition to the six cases mentioned, eight other cases were subsequently forwarded by Mrs. Burgess.

Two prominent citizens of Christchurch, Mr. W. 11. Clark and Mr. K. E. McDougall, called on the Mayor of that city on Wednesday last, and each handed a cheque for £IOOO for the Patriotic Fund, According to local papers they informed Mr. Holland they did not think those who could afford to make big contributions to the fund had so far done what might be expected of them, and they hoped that a better result would follow.

Sergeant Cain, 7th East Surreys, who was struck dumb whilst in action in France, recovered his speech in a remarkable manner. He went for a walk on the cliffs at Budleigh Salterton, England, and during the night he dreamt that he was falling over the cliff at the place he had visited. The fright made him scream, and the noise attracted the attention of the night nurse, to whom lie was able to tell with complete di|* tinctiveness of his experience. The Konini cheese factory mlghl aptly be termed "the factory of the big suppliers," for, from a list of 13 suppliers, the daily intake of milk is close on 1400 gallons, or an average of over 100 gallons each (says the Pahiatua Herald). The biggest supply delivered In one day this season was 1400 gallons. Six suppliers each have a load of 20001b of milk daily, while one delivers approximately a ton of milk. Considering the large supplies, the tests are very satisfactory, and range from 3.2 to 4.3, tl|e averagtt being a shade over 3.6. On Friday Miss M. L. Renwick (Auckland) and the guide reached tho summit of Mt. Egniont at 9 a.m. After lunch tt start was made for Dawson's Tails, down over the Panitahi (Fantham's Peak, 6438 ft.), the party cutting their way down over about 100 ft. of ice, the home being reached at 1 p.m. A visit was made to the different water scenes, and a start was made on the homeward journey (6J miles), passing over the little valleys north of the Tahuna a Tutawa (Warwick Castle). Half-past six found the party once more home again,

In a sermon at Christchurch on Sunday Bishop Julius referred to the subject of conscription. He said the voluntary system had failed utterly. The way of conscription lay through a thorny path, but it would have to be trodden. God's hand was upon us, and we would have to have it. Speaking of the effects of the war already apparent In the nation, Bishop Julius touched upon tb» gradual obliteration of class distinction. "Have you ever' thought," he said, "of what is going on in the Old Country: Have you seen Socialism in Its better and wider sense triumphant?" Class distinction was breaking down because, men were recognising that the welfare of all depended on personal sacrifice.

The Stratford Gun Club held a clay bird shoot for members on the property of Messrs Nelson and Green, Regan, Street East, on the afternoon of the 25th. There was a good attendance, and an enjoyable outing resulted. The principal sweepstake was won by Mr, G. A. Harris, off 15yds., with a score of 14 out of 16 birds. There were nine sliootisU, and the other places were filled by Mr. F. Whittle (18yds), with 13 birds to his credit, and Mr. W. Clouston (UydK), who won the shoot-off with "Mr. H. tburison (17yds), 12 birds each, for third. Other matches resulted as follows:—Ten Birds, ten competitor*—Mr. F. Whittle (17yds), 10 birds 1; Mr. J. .Taction (10yds 9 birds 2; Messrs H. Harrison (17yds), J. R. Wheller (16yds) CI. A. Harris (15yds), Baker-Green (lOydat. and W. Clouston (14yds), tied for third money. Freeze out, 24 yards—Mr. .T. R. Wheller got four successive birdi, Mr. hj! Harrison three. Freeze out, 80yd* —Mr. F. Whittle won with three, Mr. H. Campbell filling second place. Mr. J. M. Sliotter made a capable referee, while Mr. A. Nelson efficiently worked the , trap.—Post. , The Daily NeY« has the biggest circulation of any paper between Wellington and Auckland. It covers the whole of the prosperous and closely-settled province of Taranaki, and as an advertising medium cannot be equalled. Adv«rti«inj| charges on application.