LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The New Plymouth Women's Patriotic Committee had a record day yesterday making up parcels to send awayi;to the front. They cominenced at 9 ajn., and by fouj: o'clock in the afternoon had 570 parcels ready for the packers. The following men of tlia 43rd draft proceeding to camp on June 19 will entrain at New Plymouth:—G M. Bradbury, E. B. Corbett, W. Cochran, E. Cutfi'eli, p. W. Cook, P. Healion, C. Johnston, Si. Magon, and G. Peach. It is estimated that the population of New Zealand on March SI was 1,167,356, including 49,776 Maoris and 12,797 residents of the Cook and other Island dependencies. The population would have been at least 60,000 larger but for the war taking men away and checking immigration.—(Press Assoc. Crashing through a window thirty feet high by means of a pole vault, the hero of "Flying Colors" jumps upon the back of the jewel thief, and a terrific fight ensues William Desmond at Everybody's to-morrow. At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee, in referring to the work of the Church Army, when the committee had voted a donation of £25, Archdeacon Evans said the Church Army had spent £1,000,000 on its work, and had lost, in the recent retreat, 50 out of its 1000 huts on the Western front Tile huts were free to every man, irrespective of his denomination, and all the goods supplied at the huts were gifts; he understood the men were not charged for anything.

The War Pensions Board concluded its sittings in New Plymouth yesterday On Monday 21 cases were dealt with, 19 being applications from soldiers and two from dependents—a wifo and a mother. Of the soldiers' cases, 15 pensions were renewed for varying terms and amounts; one applicant was granted a permanent pension of £1 per week; and in another case an application for an increase was refused. In the remaining cases consideration was deferred until the expiry of the present term of the pension Five of the 15 renewals were made final grants. In the cases of t'he mother and wife, it wa a decided to terminate the pensions at the end of the term for which they are at present granted- Yesterday 17 eases were dealt with, two being new applications- Botli the latter were adjourned to Wellington Of the other applications one was granted a permanent pension and t)he rest were renewed for specified amounts and terms. A permanent pensioner applied for an increase of his pension, but the application was refused. At last night's meeting of the Patriotic Committee, the chairman (Mr. C. H, Burgess) called attention to the fact that no social, entertainment, or other similar effort for any of the patriotic funds could be undertaken by any society, organisation, or individuals without their first obtaining a permit to do so. Hitherto this has been necessary, but tlio Government were insisting that the permits should be secured. Within the borough the Mayor has authority to issue suoli permits, and in country districts the chairman of county councils were the issuing authority, Failure to obain such a permit rendered offenders liable to a penalty of £-20.

Aii interesting exhibit at the Taranaki Winter Show ia that of a tin of butter which was tinned in ISS-6 —32 years ago —by the Taranaki Butter Packing Company (Messrs Newton King and F P. Corkill). The butter was actually packed by Mr. J. Loveridge, of New Plymouth, and bears the famous "Mt. Egmont" brand. It is proposed to have the tin opened, and the contents tested by an official grader. It is said that a similar tin (about 21b weight) was recently opened, and the contents proved to be in very good condition. A particularly interesting exhibit at Hip Winter Show, which opens i n the Brill Hail, New Plymouth, to-day, will be the war trophies won by the men of the Taranaki Regiment, which have been presented by the Defence Department to the Borough of New Plymouth. The borough has very kindly lent the trophies for exhibition. They include three .machine-guns and a trench mortar. In addition to the foregoing, the Returned Soldiers' Association is also making a display of other trophies which some of its memibera have personally brought home from the war. The whole display should form a most attractive feature of the show, and will be situated in the main hall, just inside the entrance.

The extraordinary advances made in prices of tailor trimmings sind suitings was illustrated to-day by one of the largest buyers in Taranak'i. Serge, that In pro-war days cost 9s per yard, was bought last year at 14s 2M per yard; to-day the same serge iB 21/G per yard. Tho advance in linings is in some cases much worse. Sleeve lining of good quality cost in 1914 9d to lOd per yard; in 1910, Is 2d per yard; March 1018, Is 8d; May 1918 2s when procurable. Optima the chief material used in building tip soft coat fronts was in pre-war days, Is lOd per yard; March 1917, 2s 2d; September 1917 2s, and today is quoted at 4s 6d per yard. This material is essential for the building up of soft roll fronts, which are now in fashion. Another trimmings have advanced in lilw manner. The Modern Tailors, Ltd., in their advertisement today, call attention to their cash system having enabled them to buy well ahead, and has ensured them large supplies of all linings of pre-war quality—the advantage is yours. During show week the Melbourne, Ltd., offer a special series of bargains in all departments. In clothing the following lines command attention: Men's hardwear trousers 9s 6d, grey denims 5s lid, tweed knickers 3s lid, j serge knickers 5s lid, tweed topcoats 455, men's suits 52s 3d, boys' ' sport suits 2U