LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sir Joseph Ward definitely announced on Saturday that Parliament would meet on April 0. Our Wellington correspondent writes stating it is possible that there will be a further development in connection with the Motuihi aflair. At the lied Cross Mart on Saturday a good supply of saleable articles was received, the takings being in the vicinity of £2O. Railway traffic during the past few days has been very heavy, particularly in'stock. On Saturday 'the 7.40 p.m. train to New Plymouth had a heavy load, leaving llawera with 380 tons, and requiring two engines to carry the stock. Thirty trucks of sheep, en route to Waitara, were attached to the train. In connection with thT! park day on Thursday last, the Mayoress (Mrs. C. 11. Burgess) wishes to thank the teachers and scholars of the schools for their valuable assistance at the sweets stalls, at which the sum of £2O was raised. The Boys' High School greatly helped the tea committee, while Messrs. Murphy, Tike and Waters, Steliensuu and the Egmont Brewery donated the whole of the supplies for the soft drinks stall. Messrs Collctt and Co.'s gift of 201b of butter was much appreciated, as was also Mr. Baker's oiler of scrim with which to cover the pergola. To those who lent coppers, chairs and tables, and to Mr. Bendall for firewood, and Messrs. L. Jackson and Sanders for their services, the ladies desire to express their thanks. Tlie boys of the Warea School, though they did not win, did remarkably well in the Hughes Cup life-saving competition, considering that Warea was the only small school that entered, and that the boys were competing against squads from Central, West End, Hawera and Eltham, where the boys have the advantage of facilities in the shape of baths and instructors. The Warea boys bathe in a hole about live feet deep in the Warea river, where diving is necessarily restricted, and the competing squads were drilled entirely by their school mistress (Mrs. Barak), who takes a keen interest hi swimming, every boy and girl in the upper room being able to swim. The day of the test was bitterly cold, but the boys all gained their certificate:-, and intend next vcar to compete for higher certificates." The results achieved by this school should encourage other schools to carry on such an important'branch of .exercise.

A meeting of the Taranaki Workers' Council was held on Friday evening. The question of seeing that everyone eligiblewas placed on the municipal roll was discussed, and a strong committee was set up to go into the matter, and report to next mer-iug. The importance to workers of seeing that their names were on both Parliamentary and municipal rolls was stressed by the chairman. The following resolution was also pasi-.id: That this council of workers protests against the action of the Borough. Council in delaying the erection of public conveniences, as such conveniences are a necessity to both visitors and citizens alike, and are needed to bring the town up-to-date and into line with other towns.

New Zealand's Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) is a man who carries weight (17st), in the material sense. When in France, he desired a (light in an aeroplane, and was given the chance in a machine just vacated by General Seely; but the, body strap, which sufficed for the general, was two inches too small for the Dominion statesman. It was patched up with string, and the aeroplane ascended after taking a rather longer run than usual on the ground. After the flight, the pilot asked: "Would you mind telling me what you weigh, Mr. Massey?" | "About seventeen stone," replied the Prime Minister. "Gee! I don't wonder the bally old 'bus wouldn't go up, remarked the aviator.

The fine weather, coupled with the usual attractions at Ngamotu beach, and the additional magnet of a municipal band recital, drew a large number of people to the seaside yesterday afternoon, the number of visitors from beyond New Plymouth being quite conspicuous. The band gave a most enjoyable programme cf a light character, included in the selections being a number "by request," the conductor invariably endeavoring to meet the public in such matters. Among the items given were: Handel's ''Largo"; cornet solo, "A Perfect Day" (Bandsman Voight); "Normanhurst"; "Ravenswood"; and "Druids' Prayer." Yesterday's being one of the last municipal recitals to be given this season, the council permitted the taking of a collection on behalf of the bandroom fund, and a sum of between £8 and £9 was contributed.

Lord Jellicoe, in a recent rpoech, extolled the late Lieutenant-Commander Sanders, V.C.C, as one of the greatest heroes of the war. Lord Jellicoe said that the history of this young New Zealander's exploits has not yet been written, hut that, not waiting for this, he has had various incidents printed which are on their way to New Zealand. ''One of the greatest heroes of the war"—it is great praise from a great commander, who is usually reticent, and a great honor to this Dominion. The V. ellingtnn Times understands that the gallant young officer's father, who lives in Auckland, is in very bad health, and very much in need. Grateful appreciation of his late son's exceptionally fine services should induce the Dominion to promptly take the necessary steps to make the father comfortable in his old age.

A dance is to be held in the Warea I [all on Thursday night. A good floor, good music, and good supper, all necessary ior a good evening's entertainment, are promised' so that there should be a good attendance.

The wonderful bargains offered at the Melbourne's great sale continue to attract crowds of shoppers, who are showing a commendable ea.gernes in buying up supplies of drapery and clothing before prices become almost prohibitive. The sale ends definitely on Saturday, March

Mr. A. R. Salisbury, Government poultry instructor, who is at present on a visit to Taranaki, will deliver a public lecture with practical demonstrations on "Culling and the Selection of Breeding Stock" at the Soldiers' Club, New Plymouth, on Tuesday, March 12, at 8 p.m.

If your throat is sore and irritable take NAZOL, it will <*ive you relief.

Edinburgh is carrying nut a very happy bleu. By order of the Town Council, tin- r; are lining removed from tlio public paries of the city. A double result follows. A largo amount of !!!i'lul is available,, and the aspect of (ho pleasure grounds is much improved. The East Meadows look twice us attractive without the iron.

"I read a letter the other day from s. boy of 111 years, who said he had just come out of the trenches after -I!) hours' duty, without a wink of sleep,'' said Mr A- If. Jlindmarsh, M.J'., at Wellington the other night. '■Thin* of that for a boy iu ids teens; and here we are, comfortably at home and very annoyed if a train that was wanted to take us to the races is taken off." (Applause).

A visitor from Chrisfeliureh to Greynioiith had occasion to visit the Ten Jlilc liluir last week (says the Greynioiith Star). He came across a, pari; of roadmen, and gold entered into the discussion. One of the roadmen took a shovefnl of the gravel he was spreading and panned it off, with a result, it is- said, of a return of yellow metal of throe grains. The "sample" metal was presented to the visitor, who now prizes it as a memento of his trip. The terms upon which Canadian cheese will bo available for the 1918 season, about to open, are waited with considerable interest in this country. In connection with cheese, the New Zealand Government has permitted the shipment to the Tinted Kingdom of third grade cheese at a price not exceeding (I'/id. ft has been ascertained that the Government is still unable to issue permits for export of butter to countries other than the United Kingdom. The scheme of the Prime Minister for delivery of butter to purchasers for the local market out of stocks in freezing store awaiting export is reported to be working satisfactorily. The first day iioO boxes were taken out on the basis of 1.57s per cvvt cash. It is expected that the sales will amount to about'10(10 boxes a week. Tn the meantime, practically all the factories hitherto supplying the local market are sending their butter into the stores for export. The butter is withdrawn, as to the bulk of it, by local distributing firms, who pack it for the retail trade. "Sweetheart of the Doomed," the remarkable Triangle play that Ims shown to record houses in the cities of the Dominion, commence,.-; a three-night season at the Empire to-night. The supports include the first of the New Zealand Government pictures, "Alpine Regions of New Zea'and," a "Talhe Gazette" and a further episode of the super-serial, "The Secret Kingdom."

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, draws attention io its Tahora :,heep fair in Mr. Chas. McCutchan's yards (by his kind permission) on 'Wednk.-'day, March 13, at 1 p.m. Particulars on page 8. N. G. <}. Wiiikelmann notifies that, owing to increase of business, lie has removed to the old Bacon Company's works at Waiv/akaiho, which he has purchased. A vanishing opportunity. For the last time—till long after peace has been declared—you are oli'erod the remnants, oddments and leftovers from Kennie's sale at The Big Store, Waitani, at absolute bargain prices. Whatever yon buy will be worth almost double its price next year, but come this week. Next week will be too late.