LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The only man who should not advertise is t.he one that has nothing to offer the public in the way of service or commodity. ? The Bruce Herald understands that during the last fortnight one of the local stock agencies haj sold, for forward delivery, between February and March, a total of 16,000 sheep owned in the district. at prices ranging from 13s Od to 2-1 sod. The directors of the Wellington Meat. Export Company have decided to proceed with the erection of the new freezing works at Kakarik', Marton. The original plan has been modillea to some extent, with the object of completing the works in time for the 1917 season (says the Dominion). The trout filling in the Rotorua lake district so fur tliis is remarkably good. T 1 " ■' ' •'••t ("'■■O'lielc reports that fronting in Lake Tarawera, Mrs. Pepper auu made a record catch this season, landing no fewer than 85 trout in good condition. The average weight ran to between 41b and olb, tin: heaviest weighing 101b. The Grey River Argus says that rumors are ii float that trouble,is brewing in the coal-milling on tiie coast. It is understood there i# a move to reduce the output from 100 ft to 700 tons dailv, so as to stop any export to Australia. Another question under consideration is a minimum wage of 12? per day, and a hewing rate increase of 17 per cent. The Patca C'eunty Council has decided to tar-seal some five or six miles of the Main road within its boundaries. Portions will be selected which have a snfti cicnt depth of metal, and are at the moment in a proper condition to take tarsealing. and doubtless trie policy will be pursued in the future of tar-sealing each section of the Main road as it is- renewed and rcmetalled from time to time.—Star The dearncss of meat may incline some people to the opinion that the butchers are doing well hy selling their goods at war prices, but such is not the ease. The prices are so high that there is now a very restricted consumption. As an instance in proof that the butchers are feeling the pinch, in common with the rest of tradesmen. twe liltham Argus mentions that- Mr. Andrews will this week close, iiis Eltham, Normanby and Sfonoia branches.

Judgment by default, with costs, was given for ]>iaintiir in the following initiofended i-ivil case heard before Mr. A. C'rooke, S.M., in the JJa«i»trate'» Court yesterday:—lT. Weston v. K. IT. Daveney, Wangamii, ,C 1 IBs. The heavy deluge on Monday caused the obstruction of tin. l \Vhangamomou<i tunnel by a slip, and advice was received by the stationmaster at Xew Plymouth yesterday that all traffic for Whauganiomona will be refused until the obstruction is cleared.

At an adjourned meeting of the Xew Plymouth Borough Council on Monday evening, special resolutions were passed authorising the raising of a loan of £3(100, this being 10 per cent, on that portion of the £42,000 loan raised for street formation and metalling. The rate of interest is not to exceed' 5% per cent, with a sinking fund of '/a percent., and the security for the loan is a %d. special rate. The men who have been drawn in th<; ballot have been notified by official telegram to submit to an examination by the Medical Board almost immediately] and those accepted will go into camp at the earliest moment to make up shortages in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Reinforcements. The medical examination, aa has boon previously indicated, will not be so strict as it was in the earlier stages of the war, ami some of those previously rejected will be passed as medically fit. Th'o Board also has power to compel men to undergo medical treatment to rectify slight defects, which at present are making them unfit for service.

Xot loiip; after the Government wireless station was established on the Tinakori Kills, Wellington, it was decided, at the suggestion of Mr. J. Orchiston, Chief Engineer of Telegraphs, to try to eonvert tlmt bleak locality into something more than a mountain-top wilderness. Mr. Oschiston secured specimens of the native trees and shrubs. There are now planted within n thirty-acre radius of the wireless station no fewer tlmn 20,000 native trees, shrubs, a-nd flowers, secured from as far north as the Kennadecs, and as far south as the bleak, rain-sodden Macquarie Island. Most of the specimens are flourishing. A visitor may see Mount Cook lilies blooming near the wireless, whilst in close provimity are shrubs from the sub-tropical Ivermiulees. The Mataura Ensign reports that 'what should serve as ft warning to parents who have sons at the front has occurred in the ease of Mr. R. Mcßride, of Charlton, who has three sons at the front, and one proceeding thither. A cablegram was received by Air. Moßride on October 23, ostensibly from one of his sons, stating: "Well. Expect to go on leave. Cable thirty. 8.X.Z., London." Knowing the nature of his son, andlbeirg sure that he v.as not in financial straits, Mr. Mcßride did not accede to the request, and the wisdom of his action is proved by a letter received recently from the son in question, stating that he was recovering from his wounds in Broclcenluirst Hospital, and that he did not need money. The Hawke's Bay Herald says:—Pour out of the ten successful returned soldier applicants in the Kaiwaka block ballot held recently left Crissoge last Sunday with fifteen pack-saddle horses to proceed to their various sections, to com mence the work of preparing posts for fencing. The party stopped at Petane, when Mr. F. I.opdell provided them with suitable accommodation for the night, and treated the men in a most hospitable manner. The horses wore also attended to and '"paddocked" by the host. It is understood that the work of splitting the pos-ts for fencing will take some, considerable time. It is not known how this work will be done, whether conjointly or whether each man tfill attend to his own fencing. The returned men showed a determination to make the most of their chances.

The use of ammonia in dealing with tlie plague of slugs ami snails is being tried in Nelson with great, success (says the Mail). It is stated that if the ammonia is watered in a little distance from rows of vegetables slugs and snails will not pass the line. The ammonia, it must be noted has to be diluted, for if it touches plants at too .great a strength it will bum them. An additional advantage gained by the use of ammonia is that a very powerful stimulant is added to the soil, in the form of nitrogen. The ammonia, as saved at the Nelfon gasworks, is not of full strength, being already diluted with drainage water. Mr. Neil states that, used in the proportion of one part of ammonia to eight of water it has proved effective in dealing with slugs and snails, and at this strength will not injure foliage should any of the liquid touch it. The current nymber of the N.Z. Trade Review says: The usual season's de•mauds are being made upon the banks for assistance in gathering and marketing the season's produce, and it appears likely, that these demands may be somewhat heavier than usual this year, as there will be considerable delay in getting tlie prodr.ee away, owing to shortage of ve.-seR There are only half the number of vessels to leave between now and tlie end of the year that there were last year; consequently all classes of produce may have to be stored for some l ime pending space being available. There is, however, 110 fear that the banks will not have ample funds to meet nil reasonable demands, as according to the last returns they were very flush of funds. The sale of war loan certificates has been going 011 steadily, but in spite ol this the savings bank deposits have been very little affected, the September •.piarter only showing a light excess of withdrawals of £11,01(1, and the total to credit of depositors is over 24 millions.

As it is but a month to Christmas, J. I\. Hawkins ami Co., dry cleaners, advise everybody with soiled clothes to have them renovated by the special process now in vogue at their premises in Devon street, New Plymouth. Ilnrroekses' 3'fiin calieo, 7s lid dozen yards at the Melbourne, Ltd. Also Crcwdson's calieo, "(iin, (Id; fiine longclotbs, 7Vl>d, !>V»il to Is yard; grand white flannelette, 33 inches wide, 7* lid dozen; llorrockscs' striped flannelettes, Od, 11 (I and Is 2d; extra large and heavy brown towels, 2s (id pair; wonderful values.

THE MELBOURNE, LTD. CHILDREN'S WASHING HATS.

A smart showing of these goods j s on view at all the Melbourne, I.td.'s six stores. White linen hats for boys or girls with or without cords, Is 3d Boys' khaki washing hats, Is 3d.' Boys' smart mercerised cotton tussore hat-:, with silk cord, Is lid. Pure Jap silk tussore hats, 2s 3d. Extra fine quality ditto, 3s Od. Large size wl, ite linen hats for girls and young women, 2s 3d. All above washing hats are guaranteed not to h»T« brown paper intcrlinings in the brims.

Captain Fortcseue, the war correspondent, says: "Tea is the tonic of the English trenches." Tea is the most refreshing beverage at home also: and Desert Gold Tea surpasses all others. 3

The New Plymouth Citizens' Band will play at tlio Breakwater next Sunday afternoon.

A Gazette Extraordinary publishes an Order-in-l'ouneil, stating that no license for the export of cheese will be granted unless application in writing bo made to the licensing authority before December 12.—Press Association.

The census of Maoris in the central part of the Waitomo County shows 770 natives living in a district of, roughly, eight miles round Otorohanga. A striking sign is the number of lavge families among the younger natives, several \instances of nine children in a family being recorded. ' Coastal residents are assured of a musical treat on Sunday, December 10, when the New Plymouth Citizens' Band will Tisit Okato andM'ender a programme there, consisting of the latest musical penis. The proceeds of the collection will be devoted to the Okato Patriotic Fund.

Reports that excessive charges were made at the canteens in the Featlierston Camp were referred to at last evening's meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee, and, on the motion of Sir. D J. Hughes, it was. decided to draw the attention of the Government to the matter, and ask that the complaints be investigated.

A meeting of the Pensions Board 1 will be held in New Plymouth on December ), when the claims of .returned soldiers and soldiers' dependants will be considered. A committee, consisting of .Messrs. C. H. Burgess, W. J. Chanev, ■I. E. Wilson, and L. A. Nolan, was deputed at last evening's meeting of the New Plymouth 'Patriotic Committee to assist prospective claimants in connection with the meeting of the Board.

"Tlii! authorities 'have brought 'cadging' to a fine art," remarked Mr. J. K. Wilson lust evening, when a letter was received from the Wellington -branch of the Red Cross Society, asking the support of Taranaki to a proposal to provide two motor ambulances from the Wellington Military District. "Ambulances are part of the war equipment. Why does not the Department provide them, as they do other requisites?'' Mr. Wilson asked. Mr. C. E. Hell ringer observed that if the ambulances were required, Taranaki must not do anything to prevent them being obtained by voluntary ell'ort. It was decided to forward the letter to the local branch of the Red Cross Society and Order of St. John.

Monday was ''Speech Day" of St, .Mary's (iirls' School at Stratford, the Bishop of the, diocese presiding. The pupils presented "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the various parts being taken with much skill. The principal (Miss Mai'chant) subsequently reviewed the liist-ory of the -school, and referred to its continued success, oxpressing the belief that in live years there would Uo over SO girls attending. Bishop Avcrill congratulated Miss Marchant and the teaching staff 011 their excellent attainments, and hoped they would soon have a school adjoining the house, and not so far away as at present. It should be regarded as a Taranaki school, and be the best in the province. His Lordship '.'mphasised that education (as distinct from touching) was the drawing out of Hie potentialities of a child. Mr. W. H. 11. Young stated the school was now paying its way. A claim for £7 15s fid under a judgment summons was preferred by .Frank Shields Phinit'ree (Mr. D. Hutchcn) against Tonga Felix Carroll, before Mr. A. Cvooke, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. In answer to counsel, debtor, said lie had land "all over the place." He had been unable to raise money 011 his property. Since the date of the judgment he had drawn about (C2O in rent. He had done a little work in New Plymouth and Waitara. Debtor said he was married, and had a brother and a sister to support, as well as his wife. He had been with the Kxpt*;tionary Q'orce, but had been discharged owing to medical unfitness. He expected to get away again soon. Counsel pointed out if debtor became a member of the Reinforcements, it would he a difficult matter to know when the money would lie paid. He considered debtor bad iiad suflicicnt money since the date of the judgment to pay the debt. Carroll was ordered to pay ,£4 forthwith, and the balance at the rate of £ 1 per month, in default seven days' imprisonment. A reminder of the near approach of Christmas is the making of arrangements by local tradespeople for the holidays that are to be observed. Christmas Day falls on Monday, and the Taranaki Jockey Club's races will he held 011 December 20 and 27. The grocers will close on Saturday night, December 23, and will open again on the following Thursday. The Master Butchers' Association decided 011 Monday evening to open 011 Wednesday morning, and to close at 11 o'clock. The majority of other businesses in New Plymouth will.observe a half-holiday on Wednesday, the second day of the races. Business premises in New Plymouth will close 011 January 1 and '2. Housewives and heads of families are advised to get their Christmas orders in early, and avoid the inconvenience of the inevitable rush during Christmas week, especially as the staffs of most of the businesses are depleted owing to the fact that many valued assistants are away at the front.

Tlie Cristmas "smokes" for .soldiers' tins, specially prepared by the New 'Plymout Patriotic Committee, will assuredly be one of the most 'opular gifts for the men at the front. The tin contains four plugs of Havelock tobacco and five packets of Three Castles cigarettes, and is put up in a specially designed colored label. Stamped ready for posting, ib costs only Us. Bought in the ordinary ivay, it could not be got fot less than OyO, Orders are being taken by the Taranaki Daily News, J. Avery, Ltd., C. Carter, J. Abbott, GUI',lour and Clarke, J. W. 11. Martin, and L. A .Nolan. Country readers may send to any of the above, with soldier's full address, and a small card or note to be enclosed. The tin, like a, letter, goes straight to the soldier, and will be posted in time to reach him for Ohristmas.—W. J. Chaney, hon. treasurer. Amburv's notify that they will be elosed all day Thursday for removing their large stock into their new premises, which will be open fdr business 011 Saturday.

The Workers' Dwellings Board desires to purchase four dwellings (four and live rooms) in New Plymouth, and inrites offers of same. . TRAVFXLTXf! LIGHT.

What a sense of freedom it gives to travel light! Yet essential things need not he left at home. By checking through 11s, you can take all you want without trouble. We collect, cheek, deliver. We also issue tickets; but if you already have* one, it is necessary to produce it at our office to facilitate checkLtd.