LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. G. H. Buckeridge reports a capital meeting at Maketawa, near Inglewood, to form a branch of the Farmers' Union. There was a good attendance. After hearing liig address, the meeting decided to form a branch of the union with Maketawa as the centre, embracing all the district. All who were present joined up as members.

The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Club was held on Monday evening, Mr. P. Jury (president) occupying the chair. There were about 50 members present. The annual report and balancesheet, showing a credit of about £lls, Were read an 4 adopted, and officers were elected as follows for the ensuing year: President, Mr. C. M. Hill; vice-president, Mr. A. K. Smart; secretary and treasurer Mr. E. L. Humphries; auditor, Mr. F. Honan; committee, Messrs A. Higgs, A. Ladner, 0. Cock, J. N. Johnson, W. H. Haddreil, F. Keston, C- Allen, and J. R. Hill. A sub-committee was appointed to revise the rules. The secretary waa voted an honorarium of £25, and the steward a bonus of £lO. It was decided to join in with kindred clubs and establish a series of games for the winter months. Votes of thanks were tendered the outgoing officers.

The executive of the New Plymouth Ratepayers' Association met last night, there being also present representatives of the suburban ratepayers' associations. The most important matter dealt with was the proposal of the Taranaki County Council to pass a vehicles licensing bylaw, and an emphatic resolution against the proposal was carried unanimously. A reminder is given our readers of the dispersal sale to he held at Bell Block on Friday next, principally on account of Mr, ,T. H. Street. A few cows and heifers will be offered on .account of Mr. Stanley Shaw, and two head on account of Mr. G. A. Hadler. Motor cars will run from all of Mr. King's offices on the morning of the sale ; and intending buyers are requested to book their seat 3 early.

Tim vexed question of the damage caused to ratepayers' property <by eontractors' bullocks 'being allowed to graze on the roads was again before the Kginont County Council yesterday, when Cr. W. C. Green moved in the direction of rescinding the resolution protecting working bullocks while engaged in county work from liability of being impounded by the ranger. In support he instanced a rase where these bullocks had knocked down a settler's fence and allowed his bull to get on the road, with the result that it got in the pound and cost him £5. He considered the council should be liable for this £5. Some member? thought that the work would be more expensive if the contractors were not permitted to graze their bullocks' on the road, as no settlers would give Hiem grazing. Members were, however, ininnimoiiK Hint the council should not protect the bullocks by resolution, and this was rescinded, though the chairman afterwards stated that the ranger would be given an- intimation not to impound contractors' bullocks.

Overcoats! Overcoats, at the Melbourne. Splendid heavy tweed coatn, double-breasted and Ibclted, <!9s fid and 80s fid. Also a few single-breasted coats, splendid quality, old stock, 355. Gabap dine raincoats, famous "Ocean" brand, eravenetted, 05s. Limited supply.

Moirette, silk and satin underskirts will again be well to the fore this winter because they are fashionable, comfortable and wiirm. Of course values vary in these garments as well as others but you can be sure of getting the finest value and quality at Morey's. Read their advertisement in this paper.

"If the Government iosires to settle soldiers on Taranaki land," states a cor- : respondent of the Stratfo#d Post, "they will have to substantially alter the present conditions. As things are, not one soldier will be settled in twenty years. Unless the time of negotiation can be shortened and the Government advance increased to £4OOO or more, Taranaki soldiers will be prevented from ever being able to take up improved Taranaki land."

Amongit the movements in the sales of land not the least important are the operations of Mr Ernest Short (states the Feilding Star). He recently sold 430 acres at Kopane at £9O per acre, and refused an offer of £125 per aero for the balance of his holding down there, as he is reserving it (151 acres:) for one of his sons. It is not Mr Short's intention to leave the big house at Parorangi, but lie is cutting up and selling that block (comprising nine or ten farms) with the exception of 250 acres with the homestead. Mr Short's recent sellings ' have aggregated £BB,OOO, including the sale of 956 acres on the other side of Orua, sold to a neighbor.

Long periods between disastrous accidents have helped along a feeling of indifference; but it takes only one fatal wreck Buch as the recent Main Trunk disaster to bring the travelling public to the realisation that the engine-driver's brain is the only one thing that stands between them and almost certain death, writes J. Hickey (Kaponga) to the Hawera Star. I have been on the engine of a suburban train that was switched in on top of a stationary mail train, the suburban train being pulled up within a few yards of the mail train.. I have been on the engine of the Auckland night express when we ran from Manga.weka to Wellington without the assistance of the Westinghouse brake, it having failed through no fault of the enginedriver. I brought a heavy mixed goods and passenger train to a stop within a few yards of a set of points near Raurimu that had been jammed open by a piece of chain that had been dragging at the side of a truck of the previous down train. These are just a few of the incidents that almost every enginedriver on our railways can relate, and about which the public know nothing.

The Waikato has some pushful firms, but among estate agents not the least alive is the firm of Dorr and Co,, of Te Aroha, judging from the property guide they have just issued. It is a comprehensive publication, running into about a 100 pages, giving full details of the features of the Thames Valley and setting out the particulars of farms they recommend for purchase. Evidently Dorr and Co. don't believe in boosting all properties, for they point out that properties they cannot conscientiously recommend at the prices asked they won't include in their guide. They set out to give clients entire satisfaction, and will not introduce them to places they feel are not worth the money asked. No doubt this is the secret of the firm's success. Dorr and Co., it may be added, advertise in our land columns, and have a special list of properties in our Saturday's issue.

"The best washing dry soap I have ever used." Thus an unsolicited encomium from a well-known New Plymouth "washer lady" after trying "FAIRY WONDER." Every user praises it, and no wonder; "FAIRY WONDER" is a wonder. No rubbing, no nasty scum, no chapped hands, no worry. Washing done in half the time. Small packets 2sd, iarge Is lOd. All grocers.