LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Chief Justice, in making the order forfeiting the fee simple ot a parcel of land bought by an unnaturalised German, as reported by telegram on Wednesday, remarked that those not naturalised should know the power the Government had. No alien enemy could hold land in New Zealand without it being liable to forfeiture to the Crown, At the Supreme Court at Wellington (reports the Times), Margaret Murphy sued for the dissolution of her marriage with Charles Daniel Murphy. The petitioner stated that her husband was a laborer. They were married at Hawera in 1911, and afterwards went to Opunake. In 1013 lie ordered her out of the house, and subsequently sue had lived with her mother at Petone. He had agreed to allow her 15s a week, but had never paid the amount. The usual decree was granted. Says the Eltliam Argus:—lt is too late in teh day to expatiate upon the benefit that accrues to a district through having a deep-water harbor at its door. It may be safely presumed that anyone with an ounce of brains knows that great benefits follow. There have been several practical exhibitions of it at New Plymouth, but, unfortunately, owing to war censorship, the press 'has been precluded from giving due publicity to arrival and departure of ocean lines at New Plymouth. During the hearing of a case in the Supreme Court yesterday, in which a man was charged with unlawfully taking 'his son from camp, a good deal was heard of the punishment known by the title of "C.8." A question was asked as to what it actually meant, and a reply was given by a soldier who was giving evidence who said it really meant "Confined to Barracks," and soldiers so punished were required to report to headquarters every time the uugie was sounded, which was probably six o% seven times during the day. Someone has suggested that t'lie letters might easily be read to mean "Chasing the Bugle." At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, the inspector (Mr. R. Day) reported that an eightstall stable had been built on the foreshore at the foot of Bayly Road, just above high-water mark. He understood authority had been given by the Harbor Board, but as the builder had not obtained the necessary permit under the borough by-laws, he proposed to take action. He understood the place was erected for the benefit of trainers who exercised raee'horses on the beach. He pointed out that, in addition to the question of exercising horses on the beach, which ought to be considered, the place, if used as a stable in hot weather, would create a menace by harboring flies, etc. A letter, addressed to Uie engineer, was received from the builder, Who stated that he had been given permission by the Harbor Board to erect the shelter, and he was not aware that he needed a permit from the borough. It was the first building he had erecied on the bench, and hoped 'his lapse would be overlooked. Consideration of the quesj tion was deferred till next meeting of the council.

Captain Malcolm Boss cables from the front:—For some time past we have been seeing a great deal of our American friends, officers being attached to our division for training and men for experience. Recently two of the more adventurous who were out on patrol with some of our men came to grips with the Germans, and one was killed, but before lie fell he had bayoneted three Germans. Subsequently another of our patrols found his body, minus ms tunic. The tunic had been taken, no doubt, for identification by the enemy. Already the Americans and New Zealanders aw as brothers. One big American, who was having his first experience of t'he muddy front-line trenches, when asked for his opinion of our men, said with heartiness: "The Noo Zealanders will do me." "Pine, tall, well-set-up men these chaps were, and very keen to learn. New Zealand officers tola me that whenever they heard there were Prussians near them they were keen to get out and have a go at them. In his charge to the Grand Jury it the Supreme Court yesterday, the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) said he was pleased td note the great improvement in the district as compared wun Its condition 40 years ago. Then railway and steamer communication were unknown or difficult, but the district had been so developed as to change all that, and lie was pleased to see that soon there would be created a port sufficiently large to deal with the export of all the produce from the district. After t'he war there would be a necessity for very much increased production. The loans that had been raised and the charges that had to be paid in connection with them would demand greater thrift on the part of the population an<J more extensive production, and the necessity for such a port as was proposed Would be greater than ever. It would be to the distinct advantage of the West Coast of the country if it possessed a port through which 4'reet exportation could be carried on. The whole district, from Waitotara in the south to the farthest point north, needed such a port, and there was only one place where such a port could be established—viz., at New Plymouth. He hoped that, after the war, the work would be speedily carried out.

The local returned soldiers' plain and fancy dress and poster ball, to be held in the Coronation Hall on Friday night next, is sure to be well,attended by both town and country people, as the object for which it is being held is a very deserving one. The local Soldiers' Club is entirely dependent upon the voluntary contributions of citizens for iis upkeep, and since the opening of the club no appeal has had 'to be made. The local club, while not the largest in the Dominion, is one of the most comfortable and most orderly conducted, and is much appreciated by the soldiers on leave awl those who have returned from doing their bit. Only the soldiers themselves kn9\v how absolutely necessary these clubs are. It is in the best interests of the town that soldiers' clubs should be supported, atul it is.up to every citizen to give that support. Friday evening next provides the opportunity for one and all to assist, besides affording opportunity for spending an enjoyable time. Picture patrons ol all ages "will wecome the appearance of Mae Marsh and Bobby Harron in the Goldwyn special feature, "Sunshine eAlley," at the Empire to-morrow and Thursday. This delightful story combines the sweet fairy atmosphere of J. M. Barries' "Peter Pan," only it is real life. To enable the children to see this Bingularly sweet picture the management will run a special matinee on Thursday afternoon, swameneing -afc. 3.36.!

At last night's meeting of the Borougli Council, some reference was made to the proposed loan for street formation. It was pointed out that the ratepayers desired more information on- the proposal, and it was agreed that a public meeting was desirable at which the whole scheme should be put ueiore the public. Jack Johnson, who is now in Madrid, has expressed a desire to get into the American Army and fight for his country. "There is no position," he says, i "that you could appoint me to that I would consider too rough or too dangerous. lam willing to fight and die for my country. I cannot offer any more." At the West End school a new method of luncheon is in vogue. Long tables with forms have been provided in the gymnasium, and hot cocoa has been served to an average of over I'2o children each day. Each child .brings 3d per week to cover the cost. Two teachers are in charge each dinner hour. Mrs Dowling, who was responsible for this innovation, reported ■ to the committee at its last meeting that it had proved very successful. There was now no waste of food and the grounds were kept free of paper and rubbish. Those residents of New Plymouth who are repeatedly asking for vaudeville turns, should be well pleased with the programme at Everybody's to-night, when a mixed programme of vaudeville and pictures will be presented. The vaudeville will be supplied by Franklin Devon and the Musical Carlsons, both well known and popular wherever vaudeville has a home. The chief picture will be a Mutual drama, "The Valley of Decision." There will be one popular price of admission, viz., lg to all parts. The Loan and Mercantile notify that owing to the bad state of the roads, they will not be holding their Matau sale on Friday, August 23, as listed on sale cards. The date of next sate will be duly notified. Blouses, charming new Btyles, are an attraction at Morey's just now. Their advertisement to-day will tell you a good deal about them. Turn to i* now. The silver eup presented by Messrs Lamerton' an<f Allen, of the Imperial Billiard Sajoon, to the Taranaki Plumpton Coursing dub for competition at the forthcoming meeting is now on view in Mr. Sid. Lovell's tobacconist shop, Devon Street.