LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Patea High School was closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the late master, Lieut, Robbie, who was killed in action in France.

A Wellington press message states it is expected tho dining cars will be taken oft' tho Main Trunk and New Plymouth expresses as from Monday next. The Minister for Customs states that the amount of customs revenue collected in July was £305,603, and the excise beer duty £13,720. The figures for July, 1910, were £325,500 and £13,490, —Press Association. The Pukekura Park Board desires to acknowledge the receipt of £IOO from the estate of the late Mr. Clement W. Govett, per Mr. J. 11. Quilliam; also the sum of £5(5 from the Taranaki Jockey Club.

A lad named Harold C. Elliott was granted exemption from military drill by Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., at the New Plvmouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, on the ground'that his homo is seven miles distant from the place of drill.

At the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke. S.M., Davjd 'Pereival Hill was fined ss, with costs 7s, for riding a bicycle on the footpath of .AVcymouth street. Fosa breach of the Taranaki County bylaws, by carting stone on'Frankley road, without a license, Charles Kyngdon was fined ss, with costs 17s Gd.

"The Girl Who Doesn't Know" opened to a full house at the Empire Theatre last evening. This splendid subject lives right up to the advertisements which have preceded tho film, and must do a immense amount of good by its powerful moral lesson wherever screened, It i-i a distinct credit to producer, supplier, and (lie theatrical management which screens it. Every member of the community should see it.

Mrs. Collingwood, of Inglewood, received by the last mail a letter direct from her son, Private W. E. Hinch, who is a prisoner of war in Germany, acknowledging parcels and letters sent by her, u'hich he says he pets regularly and in good condition, and he asks for more. He wishes to be remembered to all friends, and although in captivity, is in good spirits, and tries to bo cheerful. Germany, he says, must be a magnificent place in times of peace, as the roads and streets are made so beautifully.

Further evidence was taken at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., in the case in which a lad named Richard Edward Bertie Bettis was charged with having, at Waitara, on July 10, forged and uttered a cheque for £2 purporting to be signed by Mr. G. V. Tate, the hearing having been adjourned from a previous sitting of the Ctmrt to permit of the attendance of Constable La Pouple, who arrested the accused, and who was then absent on urgent duty. The constable's evidence having been taken, the accused, for whom Mr. Frank E. Wilsoii appeared, pleaded guilty, and was committed for trial to the next sessions of the Supreme Court in New Plymouth. . Owing to the continuance of the war there was a great fal)in«-o!T in the number of immigrants arriving in the •Dominion during the year ended 31.5 l March, 1917, said Sir Joseph Ward in the House on Wednesday. The majority of those brought out under the Government scheme are the wives and families of persons who are already resident in the Dominion, and domestic servants. The policy of not granting assisted passages to any persons who are eligible for military service has been adhered to. At the conclusion of the war it is proposed to inaugurate a more vigorous immigration policy, and to make provision which will enable a number of widows and orphans of fallen soldiers and sailors to emigrate to New Zealand.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Eltham Chamber of Commerce, the president (Mr F. L. Weir) referred to his visit to New Plymouth on the occasion of the berthing of the first Home liner there, and expressed his belief that New 'Plymouth port would become greater as time passed. Mr G. 11. Buckeridge said the chairman had made brief mention of the arrival at New Plymouth" of the ,first ocean liner. This matter was one which he considered had been overlooked. IV. great importance had not been realised. The nearer they could bring the final port of departure of their produce was a great gain to them. He was sorry that. South Taranaki did not take more interest in this matter.

The war is taking a terrible toll of the boys from Okato. Out of 44 who have answered the call, including those now in camp, seven have been killed in action, two died of wounds, and one died of sickness before leaving New Zealand. Five more have been invalided home, bearing honorable scars or traces of the rigors of war, and at least four others have been wounded more or less severely, making a total roll of 10. When it is borne in mind that 18 members of the later reinforcements have not had time to reach the front, leaving only 26 who have had time to prove thier mettle, to have 1!) of these engraved on the roll of honor shows that Okato boys can do their bit. Under the auspices of the local Patriotic Committee a combined memorial service will be held in the Hempton Hall on Sunday, at "2 ( p.m., to the fallen heroes, when it ig hoped that nil residents, young and old, from Okato and surrounding districts who honor the brave will be present. A special invitation is given to the relatives of those brave men who have fought and died for ns, and also to those who have relatives on active service. Rev. gentlemen from the Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches will conduct the service

The meeting of New 'Plymouth householders to elect three representatives on the Technical College Board, adjourned from the date for which it was originall v called until this evening, lias been further postponed till a date which will be duly advertised. • The New Plymouth branch of the Second Division League will hold a meeting at the Soldiers' Club this evening, to receive reports from the delegates to the recent Dominion conference.

In the Rahotu Church on Sunday evening the Rev. R. G. Gosnell will deal with the question of Seventh Day Adventism. All are heartily invited -'•j ire present*

A lad named Harold C. Elliott was granted exemption from military drill by Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, un the ground that his homo is seven miles distant from tho place of drill. T---i year the net profit of the Public ' 1 office was the highest on record, .i7>!).noo, and tho first annual bonus to beneficiaries was paid, exceeding £22,000. It is expected £27,000 will be distributed this year.

The third big success in which Clara Kimball \oung has appeared under the direction of Albert Capenalli is "The Rise is Susan," a powerfully emotional d\;aina that will "omiuenee a local season at Everybody's matinee to-morrow. On the same programme is another big star attraction in the graphic war film showing "The Defence of Verdun." At tho New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., David Pereival Hill was fined ss, with costs 7s, for riding a bicycle oil the footpath in Weymouth Street. For a breach of Taranaki county heavy traffic by-laws, by carting stone on Frankley road without a license, Charles Kyngdoii was fined ss, with costs Ms Gd. Dealing with New Zealand■> industries that had been established since the war commenced, Mr. S. J. Harbutt stated m Oamani that last year a gelatine works in the south had produced over £50,000 worth of high-class goods. Prior to the war the gelatine manufacturing trade was practically in the hands of Ger-, many.

"Tight rope walkers blindly groping over the depths of life." These eloquent words describe the characters of ''Love's Toll" at one of tho supremely dramatic momenta of the play when the is imminent for the wife whej has Kept secret from her husband the sin that lias ruined lier girlhood. Thu powerful play is shoeing for the last time at Everybody's to-night. Speaking on the Adress-in-Rep)y debate the Member for Patea, Mr (i. V. 'P«arce paid a compliment to tho Member for PahiatUa who it is interesting to note is an okl Taranaki footballer. Mr. Pearco said "The mover of the address Mr Smith, tho member for'Pahiatua some few years ago—l do not care to 'say how long—played football with me in the Taranaki Representative team, where lie wafi a good straight goer and could kick when he wanted to and I am satisfied lie will be able to do the same thing in politics."

Further evidence was taken at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., in the ease in which a lad named Richard Edward Bertie Bcttis was charged 'with having at Waitara, on July 10, forged ami iittoi'Cti a clu'ijue for £2 purporting to be signed by Mr. G. V. Tate, the hearing having been adjourned from a previous sitting of the court to permit of the attendance of Constable La Pouple, who arrested the accused and who was lint) absent on urgent duty. The constable's evidence, having been taken, the accused, for whom Mr. Frank E. Wilson appeared, pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence at the next sitting Pf the Supreme Court in New Plymouth.

•'"'Women spend too much in dress," declared Mr. liornsby in Parliament a few days ago. Soino do, but not the wise women who come to Ronnie's sale, and rejoice over the bargains they get, and how economically they dress. See page four, top left-hand corner. Here's a timely "tip" for the ladies. In the new Budget brought down by the Miniate' of Finance it is proposed to increase the duty on silk goods. As the proposal is sure to be carried and the price of silk thereby increased it will bo wise policy to buy silk anil crepe de cli'.'ne blouses at the Melbourne, Ltd., while prices are low. Morey's Windfall Sale lias begun auspiciously but better far than all we can say about it are the bargain lists which appear elsewhere in this issue. In justice to economy you should turn to them straightway.