LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Wellington press message atatfts tliat the inquiry into the stranding of the steamer Kowhai has been adjourned till Wednesday. At yesterday's meeting o£ the Taranaki County Council a letter was read iroiu the clerk of the Wallace County Council (Otautau), in-which a request was preferred for a copy of the comity's by-law, 011 account of the interest raised in that district by a newspaper report of the same.

At a meeting of the School Committees' Association last night it was unanimously resolved that the Board of Education be asked to consider the desirability of urging the "i'aranki Jockey Club to make it a condition when issuing trainers' licenses that any trainer shall not have in his employ any boy who is under 14 years of age, unless sucli boy is the holder of a proficiency or competency certificate. On Thursday next it is intended to finish the children's Peace motor ride. It will be remembered that owing to lack of cars 440 children could not be taken, and it is now proposed to give them a treat 011 Thursday. A pathetic appeal has been received on behalf of 30 children at a neighboring school, which states that there are no cars in that locality, and that the children could not get a ride. It appeals to the committee to provide the necessary ears. Here is an excellent opportunity for non-car* owners who could help to hire one or two cars for the sake of the children, many of whoiri have never been in a mofor-car. Mr. R. Day has the arrangements in hand, and will be pleased to hear from persons who will make the trip or those who are willing to help with donations.

A meeting of the Reunion Dinner Committee of the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers' Association was held last night. Captain McDiarmid presided, and there were also present Lieut.-Colonel Weston, Captain Hartnell, Lieut. Standish, Messrs Allen, Ellerm, and Roper. It wa.? decided to circularise all members of the Association asking those who tfould be present to notify the secretary by the 10th inst. It was also decided to request Mr. R. G. Smith, M.P., to ascertain definitely whether arrangements could bo made for Admiral Lord •Tellicoe and staff to be present at the function. It is proposed to hold the dinner in the Coronation Hall approximately at the end of the month. The secretary (Mr. O. W, West) reported that, numerous offers of assistance had already been received.

At last night's njeeting of the Borough Council a letter was read from the town dork, recommending that the recent decision of the council not to proceed with the erection of uny houses for its permanent employees be rescinded, with ft view, if possible, of seeing whether it would be possible to erect or buy even mm or two houses. He instanced the difficulties one or two of the council's employees were experiencing, in regard to housing accommodation. One had had to send his tfiree children to Auckland, and another had gone out to Mangorei to live. The electrical engineer stated that he also was experiencing Much difficulty with some of the members of his staff in regard to the housing problem. It was stated there was grave danger of being unable to retain employees. It was decided to take the necessary steps for raising a loan of £IO,OOO for the purpose of erecting houses, this being the sum recommended by the special committee in a report recently submitted to the council. In accordance with a. promise given by Mr. fl. G- Smith, M.l'., that lie would visit, before the opening of Parliament, the several localities that were missed during the by-election, arrangements nre now being made for the holding of meetings. Particulars of those to be held during this week will be foynd in cur advertiaißK cplunuu.

A Wellington wire states that the Matatua with, troops is expected to arrive in Auckland at midnight on Thursday. The steamer Rakanoa is expected to arrive at New Plymouth about the middle of. the week with nearly 700 tons of coal from Greymouth, which is to be divided between the railways and the gas company.

Two inebriates appeared before Mr. Vl'. E. McKean, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. A first offender was convicted and discharged, and the other was remanded till August 7 for medical treatment.

At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki County Council, it was decided to send a letter to Mr J. Holmes, late foreman in the Waitara .Riding, expressing appreciation of his long and faithful services in the council's employ. Tho necessary permit having been obtained, the North Taranaki ltynt will hold its point-to-point steeplechase meeting at Mr. Lea. Birdiing's, Waitara, on Thursday next. The hunt arranged for that day at the Rasters' at Urenui has been postponed until later on in the season.

When the question of supporting the Taranaki Agricultural Society was being discussed fcy shareholders of the Warea Dairy Company some of the speakers introduced the question of the wheel tax. The chairman, however, said that while not an advocate of the wheel tax he sympathised with tho Taranaki County Council In its present difficulties, and in any case he did not think it was right that the Taranaki Agricultural Society should be penalised for what the Taranaki County Council had done. The directors of tho New Plymouth Gas Company met on Friday evening. The annual statement of accounts as prepared by the acting-secretary were presented, and after some -consideration it was decided to recommend at the annual meeting of shareholders on Monday next that tho usual dividend of 8% per cent, be paid, that £SOO be placed to the renewal fund and £1059 lis fid carried forward. The results were considered to be very satisfactory, in view of the unexpected increase in the cost of coal and other materials. Coal alone had cost an additional £1137.. In addition the bank overdraft had been wiped off and there was a credit of about £250. .

Messrs W. B.' Grant and H. C. Sampson, representatives of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, attended the annual meeting of shareholders of tho Warea Dairy Factory and asked for continued support to the society. Mr. W. B. Grant, who .acted as spokesman, clearly outlined the work of the society, which lio pointed out belonged to its members. At the conclusion all the present members signified their intention of continuing membership, whilst other new members were gained. The shareholders, also discussed the question of giving a donation to the society, but while some favored this the majority did not, and motions donating Is per ton and 6d per ton on the output were lost.

At la*t night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, Cr. Collis raißcd the question of the material used for road-making and tarring, having recently had brought under his notice the superiority of a bituminous compound, or union asphalt, over the present method of tar-spraying. He cited the cases of several municipalities where the former ma,teria) had been substituted for tar-spraying, and stated that the cost of maintenance was very much lower for bitumon-formed roads. Cr. Clarke said that if the question of road formation and maintenance was to be considered it might be worth while to investigate the matter of putting down concrete on the main roads. The 'matter was referred to the engineer to report upon, who stated that the cost of the union asphalt was about four times that of tar-spraying. The following telegram has been sent from Hamilton by Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., to the Minister for Railways: "As a practical farmer and a Minister of the Crown, you will be Interested to learn that on Saturday two railway truck-loads of beer arrived at Hamilton while some dairy cows, the pick of New Zealand, with records of .400 lbs. for butter-fat, in a mob of average value of not leas than £25 each, now being driven from TRranaki to Paeroa, were lying in a state of collapse within a few miles of Hamilton, all because railage was refused by your Department. Would it be possible to immediately truck the remains of these cows from Morrinsville to Paeroa? Of the original 104 which set out from Eltham on the 9th. inst.j several have died on the road. Others dropped calves to die, and 20 head—starved, footsore, and broken down—were left at Otorohauga unable to travel further. The cattle herein mentioned are the property of two young farmers front Taranaki, who settled at Ngatea 12 months ago." From tho Minister the following reply has been received: ''Have received your telegram asking that cattle be railed from Morrinsville to Paeroa. I am having the matter looked into with a view to seeing if it is possible to meet the ease."

It has been decided to hold St, Mary's Bulb Show on September 4 and (5. As the spring is an early one it is expected that the show will be equal in morit to those of previous years.

The New Zeatnnd Loan and Mercantile wish to draw clients' attention to their Te Wera sale, which they are holding in Te Wera saleyards on Friday next, August S, at 1 p.m. Full particulars will bo found on page 8 of thus issue.

The Melbourne, Ltd., for men's striped grandrell shirts at 8b lid, plain blue ditto Ob lid, genuine S.S.S. striped navy drill shirts 8s fid, dark flannelette ditto 6s lid, black satteen shirts 7s Od, heavy black satteen shirts !>s Od, splendid quality neglige shirts 8a Od, 8s fld, 10s (id and 12s Od.

The auxiliary scow Tukua will arrive at the breakwater to-day for compass adjustment, and will sail for Awakino direct to-morrow, inaugurating the service between New Plymouth and Awa-kino-Mokau. Shippers are notified that space may be secured on application today to tlie agehts, Messrs Spedding and StaintoTi, Ltd. Tlie local syndicate that recently purchased the Tukua have also purchased the s.s. Baden Powell, and took possession in Wellington on Ist inst. The Baden Powell will continue regularly in the New Plymouth-Welling-ton, Wellington-Lvttelton, and Welling-ton-New Plymouth running, and will be controlled from the head office at New Plymouth, ensuring for Taranaki a regular and dependable service. Your future depends upon the extent to Which yon fortify yourself with useful and thorough knowledge. Become efficient—train your brain—specialise. Let us show you how to earn big money. Write now for our prospectus, mentioning any subject in which you are particularly interested. METROPOLITAN CORRESPONDENCE COLLEGE, BOX 671, AUCKLAND.