LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Speaking at a dinner, given in London to repatriated New Zealanders from Germany, Colonel Corfe, D.5.0., of the Royal West Rents, in a very brief and soldierly speech, said that while he was a prisoner, German officers had told him that the New Zealand Division and the Oth were the two they feared most.

The question of noxious weeds and overhanging or protruding fences, in the borough of New Plymouth, was mentioned at last night's meeting of the council. One councillor said that some fences encroached quite two feet on to the footpath. "They're all over the borough," interjected another councillor. The borough inspector's letter drawing attention to the weeds nuisance was referred to the engineer to attend to.

The Mayor intimated at last night's meeting of the Borough Council that he did not intend drawing his honorarium for this year. The council expressed appreciation of the Mayor's action, and it was resolved to expend the amount '.'V} I '"' on tile improvement of the council'.-/ reserve opposite the railway station, the proposals for such to be approved by the present Mayoress (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) and the chairman of the reserve committee.

A meeting representative of Vogeltown, Frankleigh Park and Carrington Road was held in the schoolroom, Vogeltown, last night, Mr. S. G. Smith, a member of the Education Board, presiding and Messrs. P. White and Grayling, members of the board, being also present. After congratulating the residents on at last having a school erected, after ten years' agitation therefor, the chairman called for nominations for the school committee, the following being elected: Messrs. A. T. Moore, Evans, Griffiths, W Healy, and N. Allen. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. S. 0. Smith for his persistent advocacy of a school for the district; also to the other members of the board. Subsequently a meeting of representatives of the districts concerned was held to discuss boundaries, and a draft scheme was drawn up to submit to the board.

The secretary of the Eltham Board of Efficiency Trustees has received from Mr. W. Ferguson, chairman of the Efficiency Board, notice that the Board is drawing its work to a conclusion. The •Board, the letter states, is not undertaking any new investigations, but will continue to assist the Defence Department in matters relating to applications for the return of soldiers in priority to their normal sequence, and in connection therewith it may be necessary still to invoke the secretary's aid and that of the committee. "With the practical cessation of its work," the letter continues, "the Board desires me to convey to yqu, on its behalf, an expression of its hearty appreciation of the able assistance rendered by you and your committee to the Wellington Commissioner, Mr. Moss, and through him to this Board. Will you therefore kindly accept the thanks of the Board for the voluntary and capable services so willingly rendered. It is anticipated that some part of the work so excellently done may be of permanent benefit to the Dominion, and I feel certain that you will look back with satisfaction on the part that von took therein."

"London," says Mr. Haybittle, a wellknown bowler and resident of Wellington, "is not the place for the Visitor or the tourist unless special business necessitates a visit. The city is overcrowded. A large number of the great hotels, which were commandeered for war purposes, will not be available for guests for many months, and the cost of living is excessive to an alarming extent. A pound sterling 'before the war has now a spending capacity of 9s or 10s only. Rationing and the coupon system are still carried on, and transport in bus, taxi, or tube is a matter of extreme difficulty and discomfort. Hotel expenses have moved upwards at an amazing rate. An ordinary double room per night, with breakfast, at quite a moder-ate-priced hotel, which in pre-war days could be obtained for 12s or 13s, is now anything from 20s to 30s, while to obtain a fire m one's room Tequires a doctor's certificate, and costs an extra 35s per week. Restaurant prices have soared heavenward, and the charge for liquid refreshment is enough to make a man a confirmed prohibitionist. The theatres are crowded ■ nightly, and to obtain a dress circle or stalls ticket it is necessary to besieze the offices of the agents, and pay, with their taxes, 9s or 9s Cd for the former (per seat) and 14s or 14s fld for the latter. The prices of clothing have also ascended to the heio-hr H A lady s costume, once obtainable" for ■■CO 6s or £7 7s, is now double that Price, and a dress suit, formerly £7 7 S to .-£8 Ss (in London), now costs anVtinjg up to £l2 12s. What with -stmcs, High prices, rationing conditions, taxes, and general unrest, London is a place temporarily, at all events, to avoid. - '

Tin.? will ba a -busy weelc in tfew Ply. month m preparation for the poll to be taken on the iOth April. Ko doubt many have already decided how thev w<» vote, others are yet not quite sure. II ma; be ilie former will wish to strengthen their arguments, or review then- position so thev should hear all the speakers this week; thc=e who are as yet undecided most certainly should hear all that can be said. " There will be ample opportunity. Father Cronin wi'l put the question from his point of V ew an ecclesiastic; Mr L M. Isitt, MP. will give the statesman's ideas; ami then last, but not least, the Hawera farmer* will give the business arguments for prohibition. All this, .vith the questions which may follow will sive a statement of arguments on both sides. Father Cronin's meeting is advertised' in -th's i SSU e; the other advertisements will follow in due course- Father Cronin speaks at Opunake on xi'ridav evening next. Particulars are advertised.

Judging from the heavy book-ins: for the Old High School Girls' concert on Thursday and Friday, the excellent proSfvamme advertised has had the desired effect. The extra charge for hooking is so small that intending patrons are advised to make sure of their seats by reserving them-

Mr W. J). Powdrell stated at Waverley the other night that forty-one out of 44 men. at the Patea meat works had joined the No License League

In connection with the lecture by Mr. S. Hurst Seager on town planning this evening Mr. Seager has expressed a wish to meet those interested in the movement prior to the lecture. A meeting of the Council, the local architects, and others has therefore been arranged to be held in the municipal offices, Liardet Street, at 10.30 a.m. to-day. His Worship the Mayor extends a cordial invitation to all persons interested to attend this meeting. The Wangamii boy, about whom the local police received complaints recently as to his begging money in the streets of New Plymouth, and also in regard to the theft of a bicycle, was arrested at Eltham last week and remanded «to New Plymouth. On Saturday last he appeared before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., in the Juvenile Court and was committed to the Nelson Training Farm. Constable Hadler escorted the boy (who is only 13 years of age) to Wellington yesterday morning. The hon. treasurer of the New Plymouth branch of the Red Cross Society, begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of 17s, being the final amount in the contribution box at Mr. Freethey's garden.

In order to avoid clashing with the lecture by Mr. Hurst Seager on the question of town-planning, the meeting of the Westown Progressive Association called for to-night will be held at 7 o'clock in the West JEiid pavilion.

Mrs Crooke wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, an anonymous gift of £3 for St. Mary's Homes, Otahuhu. The best land is the cheapest, and 'Hawera. possesses the best land in New Zealand, and returns will prove that it is worth the money -which sellers are asking This is the tenor of an advertisement from C. E Holland, land n?ent, Hawera., that well repay perusal.

The last week of the Regal's big sale. If you have not visited our sale do so this week or you will regret it. Clear out lines are going below cost. Study our advertisement on page seven of this issue. >

Webster Bros, are selling 500 boxes of Nelson and Auckland assorted fresh fruits at the mart to-dav.