LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A a pier householders have lately found in tlie water coming from their taps an unpleasant looking worm. One specimen shown to a Press representative was red, about an inch in length, and was jointed like a centipede. It was taken out of a glass of water.

Mrs. Crooke, vice-president of the New Plymouth branch of the British Red Cross Society, has been advised from Wellington that it has been decided to hold a ''Violet Bay" there on Thursday, August 1, in aid of tlie Our Day Copper Trail. The committee asks for contributions of flowers (especially violets) and eggs, which must arrive in Wellington by Wednesday, July 31. If addressed to ''Tlie Hon. Secretary, Red Cross Violet Day, Violet Depot, Harcourt's Buildings, Lambton Quaj r , Wellington," they will be carried by rail free of charge. . An inquiry was held into the Hawera fire 011 Monday, the magistrate (Mr. W. 11. Haselden) presiding. After evidence had been heard, the coroner briefly addressed tlie jury, who, after a short retirement. brought in the following verdict: "The jury is unanimously of the opinion that there is no evidence to show how tlie lire originated, and also is of opinion that the Hawera Fire Brigade exhibited promptitude in arriving at the fire and skill in dealing with it."

There will be a special matinee performance of the delightful Goldwyn comedy "Baby Mine," at the Empire this afternoon. The matinee will commence at 3.30, but in the event of the day being wet and schools dismissed early, the starting time will be advanced to 3 o'clock. Children will be admitted for threepence and adults at the usual prices. "Baby Mine" will also be screened again to-night for the last time.

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Sash and Door Company was held on Monday, Mr. Newton King presiding. The report showed that the profits amounted to £2755, that £974 had been written off for bad debts, and that a dividend of 5s per share on paid-up shares, and 3s on partially-paid would absorb £IOOO, the balance being carried Icrward. The manager (Mr. lieid) and staff were cocngratulated on the year's results. The retiring directors—Messrs. N. King, J. B. Conuett and E. Cock — were re-elected. Thanks were accorded to the directors. Congratulations were extended to Sergeant Foote, on having twice won the D.C.M., and to Private H. Rowe, on his safe return. Mr. Newton King was subsequently elected chairman of directors.

So enormous lias the business of jammaking become in Dundee, Scotland, since the great Sims there organised to supply preserves to the British Army and Navy, that, according to a report sent by Mr E. I\. Pottle, United States Vice-Consul there«to the Department of Commerce, the tin in which they put up one week's supply alone "would, if stood on end, form & column fully 40 miles high. It is no unusual thing for this firm to deal with 100,000,000 oranges, and all kinds of fruit are dealt with on a similar -scale. The Dundee manufacturers are about to give up the use of carthernware, glass jars, and tins, for a stout cardboard container."

Mr \V. E. Jackson, general manager in New Zealand, for Gordon and Gotch, Ltd., publishers, wlien asked by "The Post" to throw a little light on the subject of tlie high prices of hooka, stated that a heavy advance all round in publications was inevitable. The cost of production of general literature had increased by over 100 per cent. He referred to printing and binding only, not to the rates of remuneration to authors, editors, contributors, and writel?. Paper had risen over 300 per cent, ar,d in addition freights from England to Kew Zealand were enormously increased 6ince the war —by over 300 per cent. A large proportion of the general public wondered why their books were now costing double. The advances in production and freights explained the position, and New Zealand had no control whatever over the greatly altered circumstances. The retail prices here to-day could not be considered at all out of proportion.

Ex-President Taft, speaking at the American Press Club, paid this fine tribute to Great Britain: "The work Great Britain has done in the war." he said, 'is something we cannot appreciate or estimate-" Britain rid the world of the greatest military conqueror the world ever saw, and did it by sacrifice and by holding on. Think, of the tragedy, Pitt going to li is death after Austerlitz, believing all was gone, but the spirit of the British lion and the British bulldog remained in those who were left, and in the end St Helena told a story of British pertinacity and British determination to stand up for civilisation and agai»9t the tyranny of world domination- And her function in this war is the same We in this country owe it to her to have her know that we are at the back of her and our Allies in this light to the end." Tiio Goldwyn Picture Corporation still forges ahead. The two' latest stars to join up with the company are Geraldine Ferrar and Pauline Frederick, who are leaving Paramount for that purpose. Pauline Frederick's husband, Willard Mack, author of "Kick In" and other plays, has also joined Goldwyu &s scenario editor. A choice Eltliam property of 20 acres complete with buildings, is advertised in exchange for farm by W. 11. and A. McGarry. BENEFIT BY OUR KX.PKRTENCK. Long experience in the removing business has necessarily made ub very expert. That's why it pays to engage us. We know the beat way t.c- take down, pack, and remove furniture. Your furniture is savni damage. You are spared worry. Thcro is a world of difference between a good "shift" and a bad "shift. - ' We pride ourselves on effecting the first-named. The scores of letters we get show that. The New Zealand Express Co., Ltd. Winter ilia and winter chills fade before the magic warmth of a North British Hot "Water Bottle. Look for the "Unique."- § topper;

"This -is supposed to be spring," said an Australian soldier in France in the course ;if a letter,, "tlie third I've seen in this rotten country. I hope next year I'll be home in Australia, where cbe decent gumtress do not cast their clothes off in winter"

The I'lunket Rooms, consisting o£ the nurse s office uud the mothers' rest loom, arc now furnished and ready for use. Nurse Williams is there every afternoon, excepting Thursdays and Sundays, from B p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 11 am. to 12 p.m. and • from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The following summary of work of the New Zealand Division for June has been transmitted at tho request of General Headquarters, France:—'"New Zealand Division remained at (Hebuterne sector until June 7, when tihey were moved into reserve. The change and good weather has been very beneficial to the troops. Divisional sports and a horse show were held, with a large attendance,"

The Harbor Board has invited a number of representatives of the country districts to a meeting to be held in New Plymouth to-morrow (Thursday), at 11.15 a»m., when the scheme of harbor improvements, which has been under tho consideration of the board for a considerable period, will be submitted and explained iby the engineer (Mr. BlairMason). The plans, diagrams, etc-, will be thrown upon a screen, and the whole scheme explained. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, another meeting is to be held, to which townsepople will be publicly invited.

Yesterday the Mayor of New Plymouth was advised that gome half-dozen men who had returned from the front would arrive by the mail train last night, but the only man on .board, wtose name had been telegraphed, was Lance-Cor-poral H. West, of Fitzroy, -who was duly welcomed. Possibly, in future the railway authorities at Haw era might notify the stations from there to New Plymouth as to what returned men were on the train, so that those whoso business it is to see that such welcome as is possible under tbe circumstances is tendered the men, could be certain that the men would actually arrive. Another returned soldier (Private C. P. Palmer, of Nelson) arrived last night on holiday leave.

Charges of stealing over £7OO from his employers, J. T. Julian and Son, Ltd., were preferred against Louis A. Frost in the Auckland Police Court on Friday, before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M- John T. Julian, manager of the firm of J. T. Julian and Son, Ltd., contractors, said he had employed accused for about three years as secretary and accountant. It was accused's duty to receive all moneys and to pay them Into the bank, and also to pay accounts and wages. A special audit of the books had disclosed a deficiency of £7OO 18s 7d, and accused had admitted converting this amount to his own usa Accused pleaded guilty to each charge, and was committed to the Supreme Oourt for sentence. A Duncdin ironmaster, asked how the trade are getting on for raw material, said: "So far as we know, there's not an ounce of iron on the water for New Zealand. We are keeping going by scraping up every odd lot, new or old, that can be found, in the country. New Zealand never had such a clean-up of old iron. The rolling mills take tbe wrought and the foundries all the cast, and between us we are not missing anything worth cartage. The Minister of has been asked to try to get the 01(J. Ountry to liberate a little, but so far there is no response, and we are just scratching on from week to week."

Says the Dunedin Star editorially:— Let it be admitted at once that in connection with the so-called miners' dispute the men are not alone to blame for the regretahle state of affairs. fhe Owners' Association must also accept a measure of blame- They are not altogether without blemish. Has the increase in the commercial price of coal to the extent of 40 per cent, generally been always defined? Tho miner who receives from 3s Id to 3s 7d- a ton for digging coal sometimes wonders resentfully how the commercial price should be in some instances albout twelve times the first cost of production. Many miners openly declare that as long as the public will stand increases it is reasonable to demand more money for their labor. So the upward movement goes on, unchecked by a National Government who were created, and have been tolerated, for no other purpose than to safeguard national interests against the economic shocks of war- He would be a bold man | who would claim that the Government have succeeded in their main purpose, apart, of course, from the supreme duty to maintain an army.

"The Unutilised Sources of Wealth in the New Zealand Seas" is the subject of an interesting article in the Journal of Science and Technology, by the Hon George Thompson, M.L.C., F.LSi The writer states: —"When we turn to the vast unutilised resources of the seas which surround this country, with their five thousand miles of coastline and their teeming life, we find tliat almost nothing has been done to develop these, and absolutely nothing to educate the men who have tried to do so. The fish supply in the sea is enormous; the fish supply which finds its way to the popu? lation is very small, utterly inadequate to meet the demand, and most irregular." Mr. Thompson suggests that the fishing industry should receive from the Railway Department the assistance that the fruit-growing and agricultural industries have obtained, and contends that it has yet to get a due meed of encouragement from the Government. It is pointed out that in Mlfl New Zealand imported fish to the value of £92,821, and exported £ 33,550 worth, mostly to Australia. The article refers to the prejudic against eating the elephant fl*h, of wiiioh. there are enormous quantities in the Now Zealand sens- Tl/; flesh is stated to 3>e white and palatable, and, if the fall were filleted, should sell readily. .More than one species of dogfish, it is also claimed, would make good food. Eels also arc seldom seen on sale in shops, although excellent food. With regard to the whale feed, of which slvoals of great size are found on the coasts in the South, the article suggests this should have a value for either manure or oil. The importance of producing phosphatic manures is also referred to, and it is stated that the value of the import of those lines prior to the war was ;G324,54S- As fish manure combines both phosphatic and nitrogenous materials, there is room for a considerable manufacture. When you feel a cold coming on, don't wait until it haa gripped you, kit tako 1 HAZOL mm, •