LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In his address at the Empire Theatre last night Mr. P. J. O'Regan aaid the unimproved value of land in New Zealand was £260,000,000, and that it had increased by £48,000,000 during the war. In replying to a vote of thanks for his address last night, Mr. P. J. O'Regan said it was 28 years since he first became a convert to the system of rating on the unimproved value of land. Mr. P. J. O'Kegan, in his address at the Empire Theatre last night, said the progress of boroughs in New Zealand was being held back by men who regarded land merely as a good investment. Speaking at the Empire Theatre last night, Mr. P. J. O'Regan, who was dealing with the question of rating on the unimproved value of land, said the exemption of improvements from taxation would have a powerful influence in the making of improvements. A branch of the Welfare League was formed hi New Plymouth last evening, and an executive appointed. Mr. Arthur Harper, of Wellington', gave an address on the aims and objects of the league. The trustees of the Wangamii Collegiate School have accepted a tender troni Mr. Meuli for the erection of additional buildings, at a cost of over £IB,OOO. This will complete the original design for the new school.

A meeting will be held this evening at 8 o'clock in the Soldiers' Club room of those willing to assist the candidature of the Mayor and the candidature of certain other persons whose names appear in the advertisement in this issue. It is gratifying to find burgesses interesting themselves in the elections.

A meeting of the special committee at the recent conference of Taranaki dairy factory delegates, to investigate the possibilities of the manufacture of milk-sugar, dried milk, etc., was held at Hawera on Wednesday. Sufficient replies have been received ffont the various factories to justify the committee in sending a delegate to America, England, and the Continent, but no appointment has, so far, been made. A decision will probably be reached in the course of a week.—Star.

The hdn. secretary of the New Plymouth High School Old Girlß' Association (Miss B. Andrews) has forwarded a cheque for f3O to the Board of Governors of the New Plymouth High Schools, being money raised by the association for the purchase of library Looks and pictures for the girls' school. Application is being, made for a £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government. The selection of books ahid pictures will prooably be carried out by the principal of the school and a member of the Old Girls' Association. The Auckland Star relates an amusing incident that occurred during the licensing referendum as follows:—A little flurry was made by a shord-sight-ed, nervous lady early in the morning. She got her number all right, gathered in a paper, and retired behind a screen. But in the excitement of the great day she held the paper upside-down, while she struck out a line, Happily for her peace of mind she saw the mistake in time, tore the paper up, and wanted another. Where's the first one? She looked wildly about, and had to go and search up the pieces before a suspicious officer would give her another. Only occasionally this seems to happen, but as often as not the mistaken parties stand on their "dig" and give somebody a piece of their mind before they are disposed to find the torn pieces and return them for a new vote paper.

Three men who went out from Moturoa on Wednesday for a day's fishing had an unenviable experience. It appears that the men—Messrs. Stanley, Moore and Bruce—went out in the launch Norseman, and during the afternoon, when a strong wind came up, they decided to return to shore. While coming in the line towing the dinghy fouled the propellor, causing the engine to stop. The line was cut, but at the same time the boat dipped, and the line became entangled in the rudder, and the task of bringing the launch safely to shore was not an easy one. She gradually drifted shorewards, with the aid of a temporary sail, and at 10 p.m. was about a mile from the reef to the westward of Kawarua Park. Two anchors were dropped as a means of preventing the launch drifting on to the rocks, and in the early hours of the morning the men decided to come ashore in the dinghy and get assistance. While they were away the anchors dragged, and the launch waß carried up on to a sand bank near the beach. An attempt will be made to get her off when the tide is favorable. It is said the men signalled the shore for assistance, but their signs were evidently not seen.

At the last meeting of the Patea County Council the question of providing, electricity for. Taranaki district was discussed, and the general opinion was expressed that a North Island scheme should be undertaken , immediately, rather than the Shannon scheme, which is only for Wellington. The Arapuni source of supply on the Waikato River was recommended as the best means of providing power for Auckland and Taranaki districts, and a resolution was carried that all local bodies in Taranaki, and the Hydro-Electric League in Auckland be approached and asked to act unitedly in an appeal to the Government that the Arapuni scheme be put in hand simultaneously with the Shannon scheme. Mr Pearce, M.P. (chairman of the Council) said he doubted if the Shannon scheme would be any good, even to Wanganui, let alone further up into Taranaki. He was afraid that the Waikato scheme of supply would not be touched until the Shannon works were completed, in four or five years' time. The matter was one that required concerted and prompt action. The eminent English concertinaista, Colin and John Campbell, have been further engaged to perform at the People's and Everybody's theatres, to-night and to-morrow night. The Melbourne, Ltd., is still in a position to supply men's all-wool Colonial tweed boxed suits at 59/6 and (Ift/fiBuyers should take note, howew- 'lint stocks are running low and tl- wtlier supplies cannot be obtainc. i'or several months and only then at an advance of 10/- per suit.' Householders should note that this week, owine to Anzac Day, the house refuse usually taken on (Friday, will be removed on Saturday.

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

There is only pne SANDER EXTRACT, and that is why the people reject the many inferior and harmful substitutes and just as goods. SANDER'S EXTRACT is free from the objectionable qualities of the common eucalyptus, sprains, eczema", etc. Insist on the Sander s Extract cures all infectious diseases, all winter ailments, ulcers, burns. GENUINE SANKEE'S EXXRACS.

The Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works, Moturoa, has been allotted space for shipment of cheese as follows: Tainui, about May 1, 10,000 crates; Remuera, about May 19, 0700 crates; Kia Ora, about May'3l, 12,000 crates.

Official intimation has been redeived that the draft of local men who returned by the Maheno and another vessel could not reach New Plymouth last night, hut may be expected this evening. The Mayor of New Plymouth has been advised that the following men ex the troopship lonic are expected to reach Xew Plymouth to-night (Friday): Sgt. A. W. AlUudice (and wife), Puniho; L. L. Bellringer, J. Kenna, T. Kinsella, T. E. Larking (and wife), L, Loveridge, A. H. Osborne, and. W. A. Ross (ana wife)_. Sister E. Brayslmw (Fitzroy) i 3 also expected with the draft.

The continuation of the dry weather in Auckland is again bringing under attention the position regarding the city's water supply. The mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, stated last week that the storage in the Waitakere Reservoir was being steadily depleted. It waR felt, however, that the matter could he held in abeyance until after the Easter holidays. If the dry weather then continued it would be necessary at the end of the month to impose further restrictions on consumers.

"I got £SOO a year. That will keep jny children without dirty hands." This statement was included in a picturesque letter read to the Wanganui Education Board recently. It was written by a Maori, who complained that his child had been caned daily because he did not keep his finger-nails clean. The teacher, in the course of a reply to,an inquiry by the Board, said that the Maori gentleman's imagination was rather vivid. He pointed out that the boy persistently came to school with unwashed hands, and had been punished for so doing, but the punishment had not been .daily, by any means. The garden party held yesterday afternoon at the residences of the Ven. Archdeacon Evans and Mr*. S. Percy Smith was fairly well attended, considering that the weather was not very favorable for such a function. Several competitive games were played, the winners being: Mrs. Biillard (golf croquet), Mrs. Haseler (croquet billiards), and Miss Crooke (putting). Mrs. George's orchestra contributed some very enjoyable musical items. Miss Curtis had charge of the produce stall, ( and the afternoon tea was dispensed by several young ladies. The takings, including some donations, amounted to about £l4.

When the submarine was only a Jules Verne dream, a popular idea seems to have been that its under-water vision imfst extend to a.considerable distance. Recent definite measurements, however, show, says "Science Sittings," that a foot of clear water cuts off 27.5 per cent of the light, and that only about one part of the light in ten million can be transmitted through fifty feet of water. As sea-water is probably somewhat less transparent than fresh water, visual powers must obviously be limited to a very few feet. The allegedly drastio treatment which has been meted out to V.D. men by the j military authorities here has been the subject of a protest made by the Returned Soldiers' Association to the Minister of Defence. There have, it is said, been cases where men with excellent war Bervica records have, through their misFortune, been summarily discharged with ignominy here, and deprived of all returned soldiert' privileges (including railway facilities). All that has been given them has been a 30s suit of clothes in which to reach' their homes, practically in disgrace. The association has placed the matter before the Minister, who is giving it consideraton. Speaking to a Lyttelton Times' reporter the other day, Mr F. jA. Grant, assistant traffic manager of t railways, said that there was enough coal in stock to relieve all anxiety at present as to the running of the ser- | vices both in the North and South Islands. The yards at Christchurch, Dunedin and Tnvcrcargill were at the moment well supplied, shipments of coal having recently come to hand from Australia, while there wa3 another steamer, coal laden, shortly due. "There is," he remarked, 'plenty of coal in the bins in Australia, but there is a lack of.shipping, and as to New Zealand coals there seems to be a shortage of labor, with an accentuation through difficulties of transport. There are many lignite coals, varying much, of course, in quality, but the use of these is not advisable on the Plains running." Some Hastings deer-Btalkers are reported to have made a remarkable; ''bag." Arising in the early hours, amid the grey mists, they saw the dim outline of a lordly stag against the sky, and a sure shot lay the noble beast low Fearing the deadly attacks of these sturdy brutes when in their death extremity, the sportsman took the very proper precaution of protecting them' selves from his savagery by lodging a coup de grace in his still heaving side They then cautiously approached the quivering carcase—only to find that they bad slaughtered their hired, but faithful packhorse, who had so loyally carried their impedimenta through their journey to the hills. The sports are more or less silent about their exploit, but the owner of the packhors,e is said to have imposed no lock upon his lips. An amusing incident was witnessed in Wellington last week. A dog was proceeding along the road with a basket in its mouth. Meeting a canine acquaintance he placed tife backet on the edge of the footpath and ensraged in a "conversation" with his friend. A benevolent old gentleman who was passing at the time saw the basket, and thinking a lady had dropped it, picked the article up and made off after a lady lie saw in the distance. The basket was not hers, so he accosted a number of others, but was unable to discover the owner. The old gentleman was about to enter a shop in order to give the basket into the charge of a responsible person, when .the dog discovered his loss. Seeing someone in possession, he laid claim to the article, and in order to prevent a Kcene the old gentleman gave up the basket, much to the amusement of the onlookers.

Archdeacon Evans, president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, wishes to ask returned soldiers, who care to wear their uniforms at to-day's celebrations, to do so. Members of th'e male choir, who have consented to assist at the Returned Soldiers' and Veterans' social gathering tonight, are asked to assemble at the Oood Templar Hall at S o'clock, >

The proprietor of the TJrcmii 'bus advertises that he will not run the 'bus to-day—Ansao Day.

Only' the best rubber goes into the famous North British Hot Water Bottles. The "DNIQDE" Stopper can't leak- and thd well-vulcanised scams never burst, and always have brand ni> oeck of bottlt, U

The population of Wellington alnd suburbs is 104,000. It is estimated by the Government Statistician that in 26 years the population will bo Just under 200,000.

Almost £6OOO has been paid by tit* Wellington City Council, to soldier members of the staff in making up their military pay to what they were receivi ing in the service of the corporation. Over £600,000 for war fund* was raised during the war period by the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Associations of Wellington, Can* terbury, Otago and Auckland.

Two soldiers out of every thousand who fought with the American army overseas lost an arm or a leg. Lieu-tenant-Colonel Strong, of the Army Medical Corps told the House Military Affairs Committee at Washington that 3000 of the total combat force of 1,500,000 men had been so maimed, and that 1100 had returned home and were being fitted with artificial limbs in j military hospitals. An appropriation of ] 1,000,000d01. to buy artificial limbs as well as serums and vaccines was asked for by the Medical Corps. "Most people are well aware that the Magistrates' Courts were not founded with the intention of performing the function of 'bad-debt collecting institutions,' " remarked a delegate to the Coachbuildera' Employers' Convention now being held in Wellington, "but we do look for at least a reasonable amount of protection and justice from that - source. If, as the Magistrates repeatedly tell us, the remedy lies to our own hands, and that we should not give credit, it is for us now to seek a solution of this serious problem. If we are compelled to adopt a cash system in Order to protect ourselves from being victimised by the comparatively few wio practise the 'lambing down' principle, then are we hot imposing hardship on worthy clients who we know would find it very difficult to purchase costly com- , modities in casb.l"

The Workers' Dwellings Board has for some time been investigating the merit* of three different systems proposed for the erection of standardised dwellings In concrete. It is probable that if the results of the investigations appear sufficiently favorable the board will go as. , far as to erect a few dwellings on the system showing moßt promise. The work will, of course, be something in the way of an experiment. To avoid the monotony of appearance that threatens to attend standardisation, the board would as far as possible vary the fronts of thet house, and build no mora than two or three in any one locality. Should the experiment be resolved upon, it will in all likelihood be mads in Wellington.

A few weeks ago there was a series of burglaries at State Schools in the Wanganui district. At the meeting of the Education Board last week, the chairman (Mr F. Pirani) commented upon what he considered a careless practice off keeping money in the drawers at schools, which he regarded as a temptation to break into the buildings. It was deoided to issue a' circular to all teacbWs drawing attention to die matter.