LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There has been what ean only be called a phenomenal movement in the local property market of late, and many town and suburban residences, as well as some country farms, have changed hands. One well-known local firm of estate agents has effected the sale of no less than 13 properties within the past fortnight.

A Press Association message from Auckland says that on the Niagara's voyage from Sydney there were several cases of sickness, one or two being seri. ous cases. She proceeded yesterday afternoon to the quarantine station, where the invalids will be landed. She haß a large number of passengers for Auckland, and a heavy booking for the outward voyage,

A soldier with the New Zealand troops stationed in Germany, in the course of a letter, says: "We are having quite a lot of fun one way and another. I went to Bonn a few days ago, and strolled through the university grounds and along the riverside. It is very pretty out there. We go into Cologne frequently to the Opera House. Of course we do not understand what ia said or sung, but the musie is beautiful. At Bonn some Canadians shot the spike off the helmet on Frederick Ill's statue, the nose off his face, and the sword from his hand. In fact, they have now put a guard over what is left of his statue."

There is at present to be seen at Pukekura Park the rare sight of banana trees in bloom. These are not the ordinary fruiting variety, but belong to the Abyssinian kind, which grow in great profusion in the vicinity of the Nile Those in the park have been grown from seed, which was planted .about seven years ago. The blooms which three of the. trees have thrown are really*, magnificent specimens. The trees are now about twelve feet in height, and are , situated just north of the lower lake Some Fijian bananas were planted, but I the severity of the past winter killed I them.

At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council a. discussion took place on the question of the extension of the present tramway system. The matter arose through the Mayor's reference to a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Westown Progressive Association, deciding to approach the council by means of a deputation to urge the extonsion of the Morloy Street line to Westown. Cr. Clarke, who had seconded the motion, jstated that those at the meeting fully understood the present council was in favor of the extension as soon as possible, but that materials were not available at present. The idea, he thought, was to impress upon the new counoil the necessity for the early extension.of the lino. It was ultimately resolved that the engineer should survey the route and .prepare plans and specifications for the extension of the lino to the nurseries, with a view to securing nn ordef-in-cmmcJl for Hie undertaking, such particulars to be for the purposes of information only, without committing the council'to "the extension of the line to any particular point or in any definite time Cr Browne urged the inclusion of the Yogeltown Toute hi the proposed surrey, Tt was pointed out that no route for the Vogeltown line had been defined, and that it was no use the engineer spending time on that until the route was settled- Tn anv case the work could not he entertained within the next three Tears. Mr Hartley (the tramways engineer) suggested that in detcrminine the route to Vogeltown an endeavor should be made to take a line 'that wnulft serve the racecourse traffic, and also that to Park, Finally a resolution, moved t>y' Cr Brown, was passed instructing the engineer to report on the route for the extension of the tram service to Vogeltown. and to give a rough estimate of the cost. At the special request of Sah6tn and cna=t settler?, the hand recital to he '"•ivcii bv the Vew Plvmouth Citizens' Band at Ea'hotn on Sunday next, will commence at 1.30 p.m.. not 2 p.m.

A total of 5.72 indies of rain fell at Inglewood dining the month of MarchNo rain was recorded for the first fourteen days of the month. The annual meeting of the Red Cross Society last night was very 'brief. At 8.15 Dr. Loatham called on the secretary to read the report and at 8.46 the meeting had adjourned. No debateable questions were raised; in fact the report and balance-sheet were so clear that there "wa9 no need to tarry, so after these were adopted the meeting was virtually over.

Speakers from the Hawora Efficiency League addressed a well-attended and very orderly meeting at Pihama on Tuesday evening. Half-way through the meeting word was received that there was a fire at the Pihama dairy factory, and an adjournment was made thither with all possible speed. Happily no serious damage was done, and the flro was quickly got under control.—Star.

The Auckland District Repatriation Ptard is working at high pressure, a Press Association message states. A large number of applications are being received for advances to enable returned soldiers to start in business. Numerous grants have been made to enable experienced men to acquire existing businesses, such as groceries, etc., but not many have 'been granted for the purpose of al-. lowing men to start new businesses The new railway station for Wellington is one of the public works to be undertaken as soon as possible now thai the war is over. The Minister of Railways said yesterday that the first question to be settled before the enterprise could be embarked upon concerned the reclamation to be made. The General Manager of Railways had recommended a smaller reclamation scheme, but the Harbor' Board wanted the bigger, scheme. The question was at present under consideration by the hoard, which had delayed the matter until the return of Mr; MarcKbanks. Mr Henries said that until the reclamation matter was decided the station plans could not be finally fixed.—Dominion "How did we pet on together?" remarked Mr J T. M. Hornsby to an interviewer who was questioning him concerning the Industries Commission. "Very well indeed." Continuing, the member for Wairarapa said: "We had an exceptionally good chairman in Mr C A- Wilkinson, member for Egmont, He is a keen and very able business man and hia commercial knowledge added to that of the other members—all men with expert knowledge—was most valuable. Add to this that the chairman was a 'tiger' for work, and you will realise how it came about that our labors were crowned with success and that we were able to cover much ground in a short wpate of time." During a recent journey by motor through the Taraflaki, Wangamjl Manawa.tu, and Hawke'« 'Bay districts, Mr F. 0. Hamilton, of Nelson, was greatly impressed with the good condition of most of the roads Isays the Colonist). Those in Taranakl and the length between Dannevirke and Waipukutau were distinctly superior. He had an opportunity of noticing the roadmaldng method? envploved at different points, and bears testimony to their celerity and thoroughness, and the excellent results that are obtained. Tlie systematic assembling and use of well-chosen materials, including in some cases tar, enables the work to go on quickly, rivl steam rollers give a surface at once that is all that any motorist could desire.

Arrangements are being made for tns Citizens' Band to be present at the His'-i School sports on Friday afternoon. Knndsmen are asked to asspmhie at the hardrootn at 1.5V0 p.m. in plain clothes. Those who eannnt attend are requested to communicate 'With the conductor.*

Mr G. K. Alderton, chairman of directors of PareMga Gumflelds, Ltd., will arrive from Auckland to-morrow morning, and will meet those interested in the new industry at the Soldier*? Club, at 7 30 the same evening.

Much interest is being shown in the meeting to he held in the Town Hall Inglewood, to-night by the representatives of the Efficiency Leagues of Taranaki. Messrs W- D. Powdrell, 0, Hawken, A. H, Johnstone, and others will speak. The chair will be taken by tile Mayor, Mr George Young. The meeting cummenees at eight o'clockThe Loan and Mercantile wish to draw clients' attention to their Matau sale to-morrow (Friday). Full particulars on page S

The Melbourne, Limited, have just opened a beautiful lot of Irish handembroidered voile blouses direct from a Belfast manufacturer. These goods arc a marvel of value and comprise many new designs. All are ample fitting. Prices 16s 6d to 21s,

Hurrah for the Seaside. What fun we shall have with paddling and digging in the sand. All parents will take tlioir children to the seaside fete at. Kawaroa Park on Easter Monday. Every morning at the factory KaWaroa Park Easter Monday has been discussed, and all settlers will be part of the record erpwd which will assemble. There are thousands of shelter trees at this seaside spot. Hot water and milk is free to all.

At the Mart, New Plymouth, on Saturday next Mr. Newton King will sell a small dairy faftn on the Koru Road* in the estate of the late Samuel Julian. This property will be offered at a very low upset and should be a good proposition. .