LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The members of the Parliamentary Industries Commission concluded the tnk ! iug of evidence in New Plymouth yesterday afternoon, and left for the north by f'ae Rarawa .last night.

The Mayor lias received advice from the Acting Prime Minister that the Government has decided to observe Anzac Day. Friday, April 25, as a public holiday, and requests the Mayor to endeavor to have the clay similarly observed here.

A Wellington telegram reports that Sir James Allen states it is hoped to pay about June the fust payments in" lieu of separation allowance approved by the House of Representatives las! so sion.

The total vote allowed by Parliament for the Industries Commission that Ims just been sitting in Taranaki. was £10(10. '•Kiu'ii member is allowed ,-tl per day, out of which lie pays his own travelling expenses.

In -speaking before the Industries Committee yesterday, Mr. E. Maxwell, who was dealing with the value of trees for timber purposes, said there was in Pukokura Park an insigmis 140 ft in height, with a diameter of 'lift, and which would produce 3000i't of timber,

A garden party will be held in the grounds of the Vei>. Archdeacon Evano and Mr. S. Percy Smith on Thursday, April 24, in aid of the Queen Victoria School for girls. There will be games, a cake stall, and afternoon tea. Entrance will be by the Cameron Street gateway, the charge (Is) also including afternoon tea.

I Land buyers who wish to secure a farm on easy terms should read W. H. and A. McGarry's advertisement on page ;ene.

Wellington City Council made a clear £20,000 out of its electrical installation last year. On account of the low price ruling for stock, the price of meat in Carterton has teen reduced all round. More than 2000 American soldiers in France suffering from shell shock were cured by the news of the signing of the Armistice.

A public meeting of footballers is to be held at the Soldiers' Club this evening at 7.30 to organise old clubs and new ones; also to amend playing rules.

Attention is drawn to the notification by E. Wooldridge as to his tourißt motor service for Easter.

In stressing the needs of the settlers ;n the backbloeks yesterday, in speaking before the Industries Committee, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., who was dealing with the need for facilities for education of the children, said that it was time ihe cradles of the country districts were being kept fuller than the cradles in the towns.

In advocating the development of electrii! uower before the Industries Committee /esterday, Mr. T. Buchanan stated that if power was developed it would do away with the importation to Taranaki rf three-quarters of the oil now used.

A most extraordinary sight was witnessed in Otautau one day last week. During -,i very heavy shower of lain, hundreds of thousands of small white jelly-fish were to be eseen lying on the pavement reports an exchange). They did not last very long, melting as soon rb the sun made its appearance.

"The number of cases of influenza in tha Eltham district have increased daring the past week," stated Dr. B. A. Cooper in reply to a question by the Argus on Saturday. "There have been two serious eaees—pneumonia in each instance. I anticipate a renewed outbreak of this trouble. When the really wet and cold weather sets in Eltham will probably have to re-open the temporary hospital."

Mr. John Hall, who has been residing at Ohinemuri for many years, died on the morning of Monday, April 7. Three of his sons volunteered for the war, and returned to Eotorua with the contingent by the Westmoreland. Mr. Hall on Saturday night said: "I am determined to live until I see my boys on Monday." On Sunday he lost his sight, and said: "I shall not see them now, but I hope to hear their voices." He died a few hours before the train reached Eotorua. At the Ontario Provincial Winter Fair the dairy test, over three days, was won !by a Friesland cow, Fayne Segis Pontiac, 13 days in milk, which produced 26f1,71b milk, testing 36 per cent., making 9-61b butter-fat. Next to her was an Ayrshire, Pearl of Balquido, which produced 201 .Sib milk, testing 4.66 per cent., after being 32 days in milk, equivalent to 9.41b butter-fat. Fairview Posch was third in this competition; but first m milk production, with 280.51b, testing 2.85 per cent. A letter received by Mrs J. B. Hine from her husband, Major Hine, M.P., now in Palestine, conveys some interesting news, and amongst other things states that Major Hine had been lecturing to troops stationed at various towns between Suez and Damascus, in Syria and Palestine. The chief subject dealt with was the land and labor laws of New Zealand. The British soldiers were especially interested in the lectures, and large numbers expressed their intention of going to New Zealand later on.

Arrangements have been made by the Patriotic Committee for the celebration of Anzac Day. The Returned Soldiers, Veterans, Cadets, Scouts and Frontiersmen will be asked to form a procession and marc), from the Coronation Hall to the centre of the town. Services will be conducted in the two picture theatres by the local clergy. In the evening the Women's Patriotic Committee will entertain the Returned Soldiers and Veterans to tea at 0.30, to be followed by an entertainmont at 8, both functions being held in the Good Templar Hall. It is also hoped that the children of the schools will be addressed on the subject of Anzac Day.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., gave judgment by default in the case of Kate Hames v. Edward 6. Hook, £2 17s 4d, costs 7s. Frederick Hope (Mr. Billing) sued William Lain* (Mr. P. Fitzherbert) for possession of a house situated in Courtenay ■Street, New Plymouth, which he had purchased, and which was occupied by defendant. Plaintiff also claimed the bum of £5 8s for rent or mesne profits at the rate of 18s per week from February 25 to April 15, 1919. The amount was paid into court. An order was made for possession to be given within six weeks, with costs £2 17s.

Are soldiers during their privilege leave prior to discharge entitled to wear mufti, and to take a private position for wages? These questions are still hems put by returned men, though there is no doubt about the soldier's right, during his 2S days' leave prior to discharge to go straight to work and discard uniform if he wishes. Paragraphs 2S;i and 2S of the Returned Soldiers' Handbook can be quoted as giving dirert authority. The only exception to the right to wear mufti during this period is that, if the soldier is using his four weeks' railway privilege, he has to travel in uniform.

Tfpco.nllv some miscreant took a file, or an adze and scalped pieces out of tlie front of the Taranaki Daily News' new huildin" The architect (Mr T IT. Baled des'iemed a front which, we think can fnirlv he claimed, is a decided addition tn Iho architecture of the town, and it is incomprehensible that nnvone could have even thought of doing anythin? to impair its beauty. Such wanton acts are really a. crime against the eommnnitv. for who is going to make improvements and erect works of fine architectural design when there are noople at large lost to all sense of true citizenship and rip-lit feelinrr as to perpetrate such criminal vandalism?

Mr IT. Cocker brought under the notice of the Industries Committee on Monday the educational needs of the country in relation to its industries, and stressed the importance of reearch in technical subjects. He suggested the commercial success of some continental countrir-= —notably Germany—was due to the development of technical education. Education was the basis of all efficiency, and the vote for education should he greatly increased. Mr Hornsby: Hear, hear! Continuing. Mr Cocker said tiie efficiency of the nation was being impaired hy inefficient teaching. None of the best brains of the community was being attracted to the teaching profession because it was the worst paid profession in the Dominion. Positions desired by ambitious young men were closed to them because of the lack of technical education facilities.