LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Daily News will not be published on Friday (Good Friday), but will be issued as usual on Saturday and Monday (Easter Monday). A correspondent says that in the figures for Mangahume (Egmont) there was a mistake, the voting being; Prohibition <>3l, Continuance 23. As published the figures were reversed. A Wellington telegram states that Sir James Allen states it is hoped to pay about June the first payments in lieu of separation allowances approved by the House of Representatives last session. A cablegram received by an Auckland underwriter states that the steamer Malta, from Wellington to London, Via Bombay, has been delayed at Bombay owing to plague rats on board. The cargo is being landed to enable the | cargo and steamer to be disinfected.

The settlers of Ngaere, Pukenaghu, Mangamingi and Bird road districts will be pleased to know that the new mail service commenced yesterday. Mr A. Jagger, a returned soldier, 'is the contractor, and he is being subsidised by the Postal Department and the settlers. He also will deliver the News throughout these closely settled and prosperous districts,

At Manaia on Saturday Mr. G. A. Wilkinson, M.P., said that although he had tried on three separate occasions in the House to get a division on his Toll Gate Abolition Bill he had not yet been able to do so. He was anxious to see what the result of a division would be; he believed that if they had a straight go at it two-thirds of the members of the House would be in favor of it-

On Saturday afternoon the children belonging to the Central School branch of the Young Helpers' League spent a very busy and enjoyable time at Overdale, the residence of their president, Mrs. R. Cock The function was in connection with the annual box-opening, and in addition a small sale of work was held, nearly everything offered for sale being the work of the children themselves. A committee of boys and girls in the morning made a very great success of the decorations, and in the afternoon sold their wares — sweets, dolls' clothes, refreshments, etc.— to the many little friends who came to buy. The total sum realised was £l2 5s 2Jd. Of this the stalls accounted for £3 16s 10|d, and the boxes, £7 0s lOd, with a few more boxes still to come in Members' subscriptions made up the balance. Sixteen new members have been enrolled. During the afternoon there were races for boys and girls, games, and competitions, the tailless donkey proving a great source of merriment. Clothes do not make a man we know. Yet if you're not well-dressed the world is sure to notice it and somehow love you less. The Big Store, Waitara, helps you to dress for less. See page four. All members and intending members of the Women's National Reserve are reminded of the annual meeting which will take place to-morrow afternoon at the Kawaroa Park bungalow at 2.30. At the conclusion of the meeting the president (Mrs Burgess) has very kindly offered to provide afternoon tea.

Ladies in need of extra blouses for Kaster can fill their requirements at the Melbourne, Ltd., at the following prices: Pretty voile blouses, including many with beautiful Irish hand-embroidery, 12/6, 10/6, 19/6, 21/-; cream radianta blouses 14/6; Japanese silk blouses, 10 momme / weight, 18/6, 19/6 and 21/-; crepe de chine blouses, 29/0, 32/6 to 38/0. Up-to-date styles and incomparable values.

Land buyers who wißh to secure a farm on easy terms, should read W. H. and A. McGarr/s advertisement on page: oae.

In speaking before the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday'on the question of the manufacture of leathers, Mr. C. D. Lightband said that thirty years ago he, with his father, used to buy pickled pelts at Is 6d per doz. Today they were worth about 40a per doz.

On behalf of Mr. B. J. Dolan, solicitor, of Napier, Messrs O'Regan and Scott, of Wellington, have served a writ on Mr. William D. Bayley, the Canadian prohibition advocate, calling upon him to show cause why he should not be proceeded against for criminal defamation. The matter arose out of a statement reflecting upon the loyalty and character of a returned soldier named Richard White, alleged to have been made at a public meeting at Napier.

At last night's meeting of householders in the Central School, in acknowledging a vote of thanks to the staff, Mr. H. A. Stratford, headmaster, referred to the many requests received from parents for children to leave school early, especially for the purpose of going to picture shows. The teachers were trying to stop the practice—except in cases of urgency—and any child who now asked permission to get out of school early to go to the pictures was certain of a refusal.

A public meeting at Eltham decided to purchase the interests in a reserve of 00 acres on the Mountain Road, south of the town, as a peace memorial. Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., who held an option over the property, for which it transpired he had refused. £■6oo, expressed the opinion that if they secured this land they would have a site for a new school and workmen's dwellings, leaving thirty-six acres for a park. Mr. Wilkinson said he would give £IOO for everv .€=> flO raised by the public up to £2OOO, a generous offer that was heartily applauded. ,

The householders of the West End school last night passed a resolution expressing regret at the approaching retirement of Mrs. Dowling from the position of headmistress of the West End school, a positioon she has held so long and with conspicuous' success, and expressing the hope that she would long enjoy the rest she had so well earned. In returning thanks Mrs. Dowling said that when she opened the school it had a roll (number of 90, and it had since grown to over 600. She had always endeavored to do her duty. She would ihavo liked to remain longer at the school, but since the influenza she had not felt so strong. Whoever was appointed would have a good staff She was glad to have proved that a woman could take successful change of a large school. She did not think it was right, as had been done, for a man with fivrf years' experience to be placed over a woman with 15 years. If a woman had proved worthy she should be given an equal chance with a male teacher in the ■mme grade. She had personally proved that a woman could do it if given a chance, and others could do likewise. The people should see the chance was given. She also put in a strong plea for the removal of the school to the top of the hill, where there was a chance of having a good playground and of beautifying the surroundings of the school. The change, moreover, would prove to the be cent of the children's health, and therefore to the benefit of the communitY at large.

iKr. J. B. Murdoch, chairman of the Hawera County Council, brought Beveral matters before the notice of the Industries Committee at Hawera last week. The first was in relation to the dried milk industry in reference to the specific patent rights as to certain machinery required in connection with the making of dried milk held by a specific firm to which the dairy industry had to pay certain tribute for selling the product. This was a matter which the committee might be able to look into, and so assist the dairy industry in Taranaki. He next referred to the necessity for rejected dairy herds being branded as such, so that farmers, in buying this class of stock at sales, would know what they were purchasing. An institution was required in which to teach their young men the scientific side of' the dairying industry. Good work was being done in this direction by the herd testing associations. There was also a great difficulty in getting sufficient rolling stock for the conveyance of their perishable produce, which frequently remained stored in goods sheds for days because trucks were not available. Their supplies of packets of made-up timber for cheese crates were also often held up owing to an insufficient quantity of rolling stock. Speaking in regard to land aggregation, Mr. Murdoch said large holdings amongst the smaller areas were necessary so that settlers on the small holdings could fatten their cattle. There was no aggregation in this district, but the tendency was to go in for closer settlement; fifty acres would provide a fair return. He knew of cases where, on fifty acres; the income was £750 gross, and others £IOOO.

Mr D. L. A. Astbury gave evidence to the Industries Committee of the House at its Hawera sittings relative to afforestation. He regretted that Mr Maxwell, of Rahotu, who was an enthusiast on thia subject, was unable to Tie present He (Mr Astbury) was merely endeavoring to fill his place. As the Committee was aware, an association had been formed, with the object of preserving forests, but there was not a great deal of forest in Taranaki excepting around the mountain, it having been practically all cleared off for settlement purposes, but in the hinterland there were areas not yet cleared, and areas, partly due to war conditions, that had somewhat gone back. It was an opinion that these areas of forests should be preserved and encouragement should be given to settlers in settled areas to plant waste areas on their sections with some suitable timber. Suggestions had been made that the existing forest reserves of Mt. Egmont could be further encroached upon to the extent of another three-quarters of a mile. He was of opinion that if such application were ever made it should be strongly resisted, but there may be possibilities of utilising certain native timbers growing in that area if done on a scientific basis. But from climatic considerations alone the destruction of further forest for settlement purposes around Mt. Egmont would be disastrous. There could be no doubt that the existing forest had a considerable influence on the rainfall, but was of great importance to this province. In reply to questions, Mr Astbury said that there had been no public movement to take more of the Kgmont forest reserve for settlement, but many settlers, realising the proximity of good roads, dairy factories, schools, etc., considered that much of the existing revenue could profitably be brought under settlement. The trees that Mr Maxwell considered most suitable for planting on waste land was the Vinus insignus, and settlers who did such planting might possibly be given encouragement in the remission of certain taxes. Pinus insignus matured in from 30 to 69 years, and could then be used for butter bexes and tu&tar for building pacjpn*: <