LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Before the war it cost about £ 1000 to build a tramcar ai Wellington; now theprice is about £2OOO. A Wellington Presft Association message states that the ferry steamer Maori, whiab. >aa beea held up tor a week owing .to shortage of iSremen, resumed running In the course of his report to fch« Hospital Hoard yoaterday, Mr O. ■s, B. Perrin, dispenser and house steward, 3aid that Uiaaka ro due to ,Mr H. Beriy for teaching three of the 'hospital staff to | drive the saotor ambuiasce.

A meeting called to ootebVab a youug men's club was held in Me l Coronation Hall last week, when it waa decided to form a club to bo known aa the New. Plymouth Territoaiai Olub. The following officers were elected: Patron, <Uent.Colonel Evans; president, Lieut. O. J.. Howarth; vice-pTesidents, Messru C It ■Largess, N\ King, Lieut.-Ook>nel Weston, Mes&ra G. Jarvis, W. H. WMttfe, E. H. White, W. Ambury, Lieut. A. H. Johnstone, lieut. V. W. WhitcMßbe; 3»o». secretary, W. Jarvis; hon. treasurer, W. Hughes; executive, officers ex-officio, Messrs MeGinty, Gadd, Brown, Egan; general committee, Messrs Way, Smith, Sole, Trim, Owen, Le Pine, Brown, Bellringer, Townsley, P. Shepherd, Penneal, Sutherland, and members of executive.

Over 60 members of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association met Mr. H. K. Combs, their secretary, last week at an evening held to hear his report of the new Classification Act which was passed last session. The new Act, by taking the control of promotions out of the hands of the Public Service Commissioner and vesting it in a Promotion Board, is expected to result in a more satisfied service, especially as the Department has conceded the principle of promotion by merit in place of promotion by seniorityThe fact that this principle has* been urged to adoption by this association of 7DOO members is a good omen for the efficiency of this big transport business, and, in other words, it means the adoption by a labor union of the motto that "if a man will not work to better him<=flf, neither shall he eat of the good things to be obtained by work." This principle might very well be brought to the notice of some other labor unions.

A meeting of the committee of the Korth Taranaki Head Centre of the Royal Life-Saving Society was held last night. Miss H. '£. White, on account of ill health, tendered her resignation as a member of the committee, which was accepted with regret. A letter was received from the London secretary acknowledging receipt of the branch's annual report, and congratulating the centre on the work done. An intimation was also received from the New Plymouth Borough Council of a subsidy of £ls for the current year. Mr. K. Jack* son, who recently returned from the front, was re-appointed to the committee. The presentation of the trophies won in the schools life-saving competition was fixed to take place on June 5. Mr. J. Bennett made a report on the presentation of the Tabor Shield at Waitara.

In the course of his report to the Hospital Board yesterday, the actingmedical superintendent (Dr E. F. Fookes) stated with pleasure that the superintendent (Dr Walker) had recovered from his recent illness and operation, and had returned to his home, He was reported to bo steadily improving. In referring to the matter the chairman (Mr M. Fraser) said it was expected that Dr. Walker would he able to take im his duties at the hospital again in a short time. The chairman also pointed out that it was due to the heavy strain put upon Dr. Walker at the time of the epidemic, when all the severe cases from the whole district were sent to the hospital, and at one time, with the whole of the nursing staff down with the disease, he had carried on night and day for .weeks, without proper rest and sleert and the breakdown waß inevitable. He had placed the whole district under a great debt to himself. The health of no man could have carried the strain that had been put upon Dr. Walker. Finding that they cannot afford to pay the existing rate of wages, the flaxmill owners have given notice to the Employers' Union to cancel the agreement of December, 1817 (states the Manawatu Times). The agreement in question was substituted for the award, which is still in force, but its operation was suspended br mutual agreement between the employers and the union. There is a very matarial difference in the rates of pay provided for in the award and those actually obtaining under the agreement. Taking the minimum wage as a basis, the men are at present being paid from 4s fid to os per day more than the award stipulates. For instance, under the award the minimum for the lowest paid tabor was approximately Is per hour, while under the agreement which the employers arc now cancelling it is Is 9d per hour. The employers point out that when the agreement was come to the nrico of fibre was £(JS f.o.b. Wellington. The market is now down to £3O a ton. On top of this the shipping freights continue abnormal, notwithstanding the absence of war risk. Before the war the rite was 84s per ton, plus 10 per cent. Tt has now gone no to £ls a ton, plus 10 per cent., and other charges have run the price up to nearly £2O a ton. It is understood that the milleTS are prepared to resume operations if a satisfactory arrangement can be come to; otherwise not. The flaxworkers are to hold a meeting on 'Saturday to go into the whole question. The matron of the New Plymouth Hospital desires to thank Mrs Reg- George for a donation of books, the Lepperton Ladies' Guild for a sewing machine, and the Rahotu Ladies' Guild for clothing, etc., for soldiers. This winter more than ever before it pays to seek value in boots—the value that is to be found in the absolutely correctness of style and long-wearing, dependable quality obtainable at Dockrill's Quality Shoe House, Devon Street, New Plymouth.—Advt. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. For Bronchial CougEj take

A press message states that yesterday the Whangarei Harbor Board adopted wholly a scheme drafted by Mr. BlairMason for general harbor improvements, including extended wharfage, dredging, etc-, involving an outlay of approximately £ 116,000. The report also anticipates a bold movement in the reclamation of extensive foreshore flats. Dr. Thacker's ideas of the duties of the Mayor of Christehurch evidently take a very wide sweep, as evidence the following from cne of the city's daily papers—"The Mayor on Saturday received the following telegram from Admiral Jellicoe, dated from Perth at 5 p.m. on Friday: 'Many thanks from all on board the New Zealand for your telegram of welcome to Australasia.—Jellicof'"

A meeting of the Citizens' Band Committee was held at Mr. R. 11. Cattley's office on Tuesday. During the evening the retiring president, ! Mr. W. J. I'enn, was presented with a gold-mounted cigar-ette-holder and silver match-box. Arch--deacon Svans made the presentation, expressing o»i behalf of the committee their giatitwle for the fine, services rendered by Mt. .Pcnn durisig his two years' term as president, Several raeiubers of the committee also added their appreciation of (Mr. Penn's efforts on behalf of the band. The recipient suitably acfenowtedged the gift and kindly expressions of goodwill.

With the New Zealanders: The excellent film, "The Diggers in Blighty," J which is being Bhown at the Empire Theatre on Friday night next, depicts the N.Z. Y.M.C.A. at work among our men abroad in the various aspects of social activity both in camp and hospital. The followiog chief places in England are included, Shakespeare Hnt, a veritable mecca of the Digger while in London, S'liu#, Obdford, Brocton and Jlornclraruh; the hospitals at Brokenhurst and W'altoH on-Thames. An insight is also given into the aixeet and enquiry bureau work at important centres such as Edinburgh and London. Ai excellent portion of the film shows Captain Andrews, V.C., at work with his model platoon. The inadequate remuneration paid to hospital nursing staffs was the subject of some discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Taranotei Hospital (Board. The question arose when the resignations of two nurses were being accepted. Mr G. Young said he thonght there should be a revision of the salaries paid to the board's staff, and he was prepared to give notice of motion in that direction-. Mr Gilmour said he had been thinking along similar lines, and notwithstanding that the nurses in New Plymouth Hospital were paid as well or better than those in some other hospitals, he thought there was need for the salaries of nurses to be Tevised. The quesion of a conference of hospial boards was mentioned by the chairman who said there had bepn suggestions by some boards that such should be held, and he thought the salaries Of nurses should be dealt with by a jreneral conference of boards. On Mr Waloombe's motion it was decided to urge on other boards the necessity of holding a conference, and to aalc them to co-operate in a request to the Minister of Public Health to call such a conference.

The euchre party and dance held at the Kawaroa Park bungalow on Tuesday evening waß a great success, a record crowd being present. Thirty-six tables were engaged in the euchre tournament. For the ladies' prizes—first, 51b box of tea, second, 251b bag of flour—Mrs. Berridge, Mrs. Curtain, and Mrs. Williams tied with liy 3 games each. In the play off MrS. Berridge secured first and MrsCurtain second prizes. In the men's competition, Mr. Smith and Mr. Goodwin tied with 11J games, and in the playoff Mr. Smith won. After the cards, supper was served by the ladies'" committee, after which the floor was cleared for dancing. A very largefesctra crowd came for the dance, which was kept going till one o'clock. Miss Rita Sole supplied the music, and Mr. F. Moverley. assisted by Mr. J. Hoskin, acted as MO. At yesterday' 9 meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board, the matter of being prepared for a recurrence of the influenza epidemic was mentioned by the chairman, who stated that nothing but verbal communications had been received in reply to the Board's letter on the matter to the chairman of the various local committees who acted last .time. Mr Fraser said it was of no use thinking that the epidemic would not come back here if it got a hold in the large centres. Arrangements were already completed in some places for dealing with any outbreak that might occur and the' chairman thought New Plymouth should not be caught unprepared. It was known that there was a considerable amount of intercourse 'between country districts in connection with the arrival home of men from the front. But notwithstanding that the Minister had 6aid he would isolate any town or city in which the «pidemic broke out, there was need to be fully prepared. He thought the Mayor should foe approached with a view* to asking him to have in readiness a similar organisation to that which worked in la9t year's epidemic. He pointed out there were four cases in New Plymouth at the present time, though none of them were of a serious type. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the house committee, with power to act, so far as town arrangements were enncsrned, and the country members undertook to see that organisations were arranged in their districts. In order that the women of Now Zealand may have a clearer and more accurate knowledge of the part played by our British women in the war, the National Council of the Y.M.C.A. have consented to Mr George Hughes, M.8.R.. making a tour of the Dominion, and speaking to gatherings of ladies who are i.interested in the subject. Mr. Hughes was for two years supervising secretary of the N.Z. Y.MC.A. abroad, and through having been in the closest possible touch with social effort on behalf of the soldiers in al lits aspects, is in a unique position to make a powerful presentation of the very wonderful record held by our grand British women. Mr Hughes will deal in his address with the Women's Street Pntrol work, perhaps the most arduous and certainly little heard of work undertaken on behalf of our men.

In connection with the forthcoming social and dance to be held under the auspices of the Fitzroy Bowling Club. the ladies of the Fitzroy Croquet Club and members' wives are requested to meet in the club's pavilion this (Thursday) afternoon at 3.30 p.m. Men's navy flannels are in supply at the Melbourne, Ltd., at 8/11 • also men's brown plaiding unders at 9/(1, plain knit colonial wool singlets and pant; 7/0 ribbed knit all wool and 8/11.' Mosgiel natural shirs Very scarce goods. Farmers whose capital is limited, and who desire to start dairying on a farm of their own, should read W. H. and A MeGarry's fresh adssjtisement on page