LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

touring the year ending September 30 the sum of i' 2354 was collected from the two Elthain County toll-gates. Of this amount £sll 15s 3d was collected at the Riverba toll-gate, which is near the Egmont County boundary. 9fn complaining about the state of a road to his property a ratepayer wrote to a Taranaki local body stating that, owing to the state of the road, "people coming to see me in motor-cars did not come!" The Wnitara water supply Was- cut off yesterday, a big leak having developed in the main under the bridge. The repair work was completed and the supply turned on again. A returned soldier appeared before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., on Saturday, charged with attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within three months. The-November quota of the 23rd Reinforcements will leave Now Plymouth by the mail train this morning for Trcntham. Other recruits for the quota from the Taranaki district will join the train at the various stations down the line. Considering the size of the flood, there was very little damage caused in the Eltham County, remarked Air. Basham. county engineer, on Saturday. In the Omona Hiding there were four slip-,, only one of which was serious. This latter would take a fortnight to repair for motor waggon traffic. At present there was just room for a car to pass. Representatives of four shipping companies in a letter to the Dominion state that Sir James Wilson's statement relative to the intention of shipping companies to fix New Zealand wool rates at the same level as Australian, wa? made tinder a misapprehension. Such a course was. never contemplated, nor had a 3d rate been considered. The district defence headquarters at Hawera report that recruiting has boon very satisfactory lately. More men, however, are required to make up shortages in the 23rd Rcinforcemente, and in order to give eligible men a further opportunity of enlisting voluntarily the Defence offices at New Plymouth and Hawera will remain open until 3 p.m. to-day. An old identity of New Plymouth, Miss Julia Coad, a dressmaker, wa3 found dead in bed at her residence, Devon Street East, on Saturday afternoon. "* The deceased lived alone, and neighbors missed her on Saturday. A post-mortem examination was made yesterday, and an inquest will be made before the Coroner, Mr. A. Crooke, today. At 3 p.m. on Thursday operations were commenced in connection with the construction of the temporary span across the gap in the Waiwakaiho bridge, and at 3 am. on Saturday the work was completed. The expedition with which the work was done was due to the efforts of Mr. F. M. Grayling and his staff of »ridge-buiklers. The bridge is now opdn for light traffic. In a publie announcement made, the Taranaki County Council prohibits the transportation of any vehicle and load weighing three tons or mora across the span. The county inspector has been appointed to strictly enforce this provision. The war naturally-affected the pic-ture-producing companies on the Continent, and Pathe Freres removed their up-to-date equipment to America, where they have erected one of the largest anil best studios in that country. They still retain their well-known sign, the crowing rooster, but on their masterpieces they have what is known as the "gold rooster," such pictures being acknowledged among the best of the world's output. The feature film to be screened at the Empire for the first time this evening and repeated to-morrow night, is the first of the Pathe Gold Rooster films to be shown, and in 'At Bay," as it is called, ti'ere are all the elements that make for a successful picture; a powerful story, full of rapid action, perfect photography, and production, while careful attention has Lccn given to the choice of artists. SAD ACCIDENT, to automobile resulted in painful injuries to occupants, but Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment quickly healed all wounds. Price, 1/0 and 3/-. Obtainable everywhere.

The estimated population of New Zealand and its dependencies on September 30, I>jl6, was 1,154,1144. But for the absence of more than 50,000 men on active scrviee .the total would have exceeded 1,200,000.

The Xga-Motu .Seaside Committee expect to have the kiosk and ten cottages, for which contracts 'have already been let, completed by the end of the year. It is proposed to orecr another ten cottages next year. The outstanding difficulty in the way this year is the scarcity of labor. As there will be applications 'lor the rimtal of more eottascs than are available, the committee propose to decide the question of priority by ballot.

A motoi accident occurred on the Main South Boad on Saturday evening, as the result of a collision between two cars just beyond Oakura. Mr. J. Oyde, of Tataraimaka, was motoring into New Plymouth when a car. driven towards Okato by a Maori, collided with him. The force of the impact damaged both cars, the occupants being shaken up considerably, and some of them being cut by the glass from the wind screens. Mr. .7. Gyde received injuries that necessitated his being brought to N*w Plymouth, but after receiving medical attention he was able to proceed home. Mr. W. W. Smith, curator of Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, has made some valuable presents to the Canterbury Museum. During his visit to Christchurch, the Lyttelton Times says, he added to the collection an exceptionally handsome greenstone pendant, known as a kahurangi, eight inches long and skilfully finished. It was found at Puketotara, Taranaki, and belonged to the famous Ngat:-Toa tribe. He has given, also, stone fern-root and flax pounders, a burnished and an obsidian flake knifs; and through kim Mr. W. Arthur, of Taranaki, has presented a collection of shells, which will be added to the conchological section of tie museum.

Interesting figures showing the claps of meat served to consumers in Ne»' Plymouth during October are supplied in the abattoir report to be presented to the Borough Council this evening There were slaughtered tor local consumption, 184 cows, 4 bullocks, 8 calves, 004 sheep, 45 lambs, and 107 pigs. A total of 174 tripes were cleaned. Compared with the corresponding month of last year the figures show an increase of 38 cattle, 20 sheep, 30 pips, and 20 tripes, and a decrease of 5 calves anl 21 lambs. Five cows and twoypigs were condemned. Ko cattle were slsughtered for export. The, fees for the month amounted to £lls 7s Od, rents £3 5s (Id, extraordinary traffic and royalty £3 10s, making'a total of £122 3*s 3d, or an increase of £8 13s Od.

A meeting of 100 teaeheri of the district was held in th» Technical Cpllege on Saturday afternoon. whe« the Education Board's agriculture instructor (Mr. R. A. S. Browne, «f Kswera) delivered an address in whith he outlined the agricultural course it was proposed to oarry out in the Board's district. The details of the course were explained fully by the lecturer, who frequently used grasses and vegetables with which to illustrate his points. The teachers evinced keen interest in the si.bjeet, and indicated that they would do all they could to ensure the success of Mr. Browne's plans. On the motion of Messrs Dempscy and Pope, the meeting agreed to attend lectures iu connection with the course at Easter.

Writing to the proprietor of the White Hart Hotel (Mr. H. R. Broekman), wher>! Mr. and Mrs. BayeUiie stayed for a couple of nights, I'r. Baycliil'e says:— "I don't like to complain, but I regret that I am unable to do otherwise owing to our being kept awake at night fey the Post Office chimes. I know that this is not your fault, but after reading in the public press sjjat these were to be silenced at night, it was with both surprise and annoyance that I was forcibly made aware to the contrary, and in consequence I fear we »hall be compelled to curtail our visit to your otherwise delightful town. Filing the silencer being so simple and inexpensive a matter, and the chiming of the clock be tween the hours of 11 p.m. mid 0 a.m. serving no useful purpose whatever, it does not reflect to the credit of the local governing body that the nuisance has not been abated before this." A lecture, Entitled, "The Coming of the First Europeans to Taranski," wa3 delivered by the Hon. I)i. R. McNab, under the an.«piees of the New Plymouth Brotherhood, in the Good Templar Hall yesterday afternoon. A large attendance listened with keen interest to the recital, a report of which appears on page 6. At the conclusion the audience warmly applauded. Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P.. moved a vote of thanks to Dr. McNab, and the Rev. A. B. Chappell. president of the Brotherhood, in seconding, said he ngardod the occasion as a unique one. The Brotherhood had experienced a fallow year, no meetings being held owing to the decrease of support on account of enlistments, and Dr. McNab's address would serve to give the organisation new life. The historical facts adduced in the Minister's lecture were of inestimable value, and should ndd to the interest the residents had in the land of their birth or adoption. It was a pleasure, and a privilege to listen to the address, said Mr. Chappell, and tho Brotherhood was deeply indebted to the lecturer for the service he had done. The vote was carried with acclamation. During the afternoon Messrs Mac Donald anck Day sang solos, and these wet i much ' appreciated. A collection, amounting to £3 17s 7Jd, was taken up for the Fed Cross fund*. After a vote of thanks had been accorded the Mayoi (Mi. C, S. Burgess) for presiding, the meeting closed with the tinging of the National Anthem and the pronouncement of the Benediction.

There has been a further rise in the price of the following well-known household lines, Findlay's sheeting, and Horrockses' and Crewdson's calicoes. As the Melbourne, Ltd., has quite a stock of these goods on hand at old prices buyers should bear this in mind and take full advantage of present offerings in view of the inevitable advance.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions are due and payable to-day (Monday, November 13), at the Secretary's office, Currie Street, from 0 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 1 p.m. te 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.— Advt.