LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A mild shook of earthquake was experienced in New Plymouth about 10.10 a.m. yesterday. The departure of the Rarawa on Saturday night was delayed about an hour and a half on account of the late arrival of the mail motor from Wellington. The vessel left the wharf at about 9 o'clock.

At the annual meeting of the Stratford Model Hairy Farm Society on Saturday a member expressed the view that nonpedigree stock had played a greater part in the improvement of stock than pedigrees.

The Mayor (Mr. C. IT. Burgess) lias received a telegram in reply to the town's invitation to the Scottish pipe band of 11.M.5. New Zealand to visit New Plymouth, in which it is stated that, owing to the limited time available, it will not be possible for the band to come here. The New Zealand left Wellington for Lyttelton yesterday. Half price remnants will draw a big crowd of keen bargain buyers to The Big Store, Waitara, this week. The sale has ended, and all the short lengths oddments, left-overs, and not-wanteds will be cleared out at half price, Hurry I

ticukrs of proposed harbor developments, the oil industry, and also possible sites for flying machine work. The catching fire of a chimney in the Bank of New Zealand premises at the corner of Devon and Brougham streets at about 5.30 on Saturday evening was responsible for an alarm of fire and a mild commotion in town for a few minutes. The brigade turned out with their customary promptitude, but wer-j not required, the fire being suppressed by those on the premises. When suitable feed for cows was under discussion at the meeting of the Stratford Model Dairy Farm Society's meeting on Saturday Mr. Trimble, of Inglewood, mentioned that he had obtained good results from black skinless barley, which may be sown at the beginning of February and may be cut at the end of March. Russian Cape barley was also very satisfactory. It could not bo cut quite so quickly, but a farmer could keep on cutting it, once it had grown sufficiently, right on till the beginning of November. Golden tares \ver£ mixed with the seed when sowing. There was a moderate attendance at the Good Templar Hall last night, when the local branch of the New Zealand Labor Party inaugurated a series of meetings in which it is proposed cuss some of the aims and objects of the party, and to enlighten the public as to Labor's policy. The chair was taken by Mr. W. Nash, and the speaker was Mr Sydney W. Fitzherbert, who dealt with the principles underlying the present labor unrest. Prior to the address a small orchestra contributed several musical items.

On Friday evening Mr. J. Hoskin took a party comprising the children to whom he has been teaching fancy dancing to Itangiatea Home, where they entertained* the old people for an hour or two by dancing the sailor's hornpipe, Irish jig, cachuca, ballet dances, etc., that they performed at the recent dance. Mr. J. Hoskin also sang a couple of humorous songs. ' Miss Rita Sole played the accompaniments for the dancing and rendered several pianoforte selections. At the conclusion several of the old people expressed to Mr. Hoskin their delight at the entertainment and the hope that th* •children would again visit the home. On buhalf of the inmates, Mrs. Bayly, matron, of the home, also expressed thanks.

Tho question of whether it is more profitable to rear heifers or buy cows as required was discussed at the annual meeting of the Stratford Model Dairy Farm Society on Saturday. It was contended by one member that it was cheaper to buy cows, and in proof of this he argued that four heifers would eat as much as two cows, and, as a cow could be expected to yield £25 a year in butter-fat, to feed two heifers till they were two-year-olds cost £IOO. There were plenty.of people, he said, who were dairying on land much poorer and cheaper than that of Stratford, and these people could be left to breed the heifers )i m uired by Stratford farmers. Another member suggested that the society should have a 1 farm of cheaper (papa) land for breeding heifers. Mr. Rawles pointed out that a yearling heifer could be bought for £■l 10s, and at that price a good prolit could be made by feeding her till she came into profit. A meeting of the West End School Committee was held on Friday night, when Mr. W. W. Thomson presided. The headmaster (Mr. 1). P. Evans) reported that during the month five boys and eleven girls Had been admitted and seven boys and fourteen girls had left, the present roll number being 272 bsys and 220 girls and the average attendance 2:13.5 boys and 209 girls. The Rev. 15. Palgrave, Davy, of the Children's Mission, had, on three afternoons, addressed the pupils from Standard II to Standard VI on subjects from "Tho Pilgrim's Progress." The second term examination had been completed, and the pupils in ail classes came through with marked success. On Thursday and Friday, August 21 and 22, Inspectors Morton and Ballantyne held their annual examination, but the report was not yet available. Mr. Moore's staff had installed a Unique stove in Standard V classroom.

In replying to Napier criticisms of his remarks concerning the local gaol, the Rev. J. K. Archer says that possibly there have been great improvements since he knew the gaol a few years ago, but, if not, it certainly ought to be closed. Prison cells, as he saw them, were positively a disgrace. Some of the largest were noly a few feet square and had in them nothing in the shape of a bedstead. Four prisoners were at times crowded into one cell, and the floor space was so small that when their four mattresses were laid down there was only a few feet of space to spare. Mr. Archer condemns tho sanitary provision and objects to there being no attempt to classify prisoners. The way in which prisoners were forced to work in the quarry and cleaning windows in thu courthouse, under the public gaze, was shameful, and exercised a detrimental influence on the men. It tended to make them absolutely indifferent to public opinion. -Mr. Archer states that lie wrote to a Wellington newspaper at the time, but the article was not aaiepted. He also made complaints on the 'spot. Citizens are reminded of the "practice recital" by the Citizens' Band, which takes place at 8 p.m. in the new bandroom this evening. "The County Girl," "Little Birch Canoe and You," "A Tear, a Kiss, a Smile," and "The Toreador" will be among the items rehearsed, and a cordial invitation is extended to. all interested in the work of the band to come and enjoy a free musical evening nnd view the new quarters from tha inside. Seating will be provided. The trials of washing day can be relieved by the use of "FAIRY WONDER" Cleanser, the new scientific washing powder. This compound; put up in handy packets, can now be had of all groceis and wholesalers throughout the North Island. Housewives are delighted with it. Washerwomen swear by it, while laundries buy it in wlioltsale quantities. They know which is beat.

At a recent meeting of the parishioners of St. Joseph's Church, held in the Holland Hall, it was decided to hold a monster bazaar in the Coronation Hall during race week of next February. It was decided to devote the funds to the erection of a new church on the present site, or on a new one to be decided on. The public of New Plymouth can look forward to a rare treat.

The committee of the Returned Soldiers' reunion dinner desire to acknowledge the donation of all the meat for the dinner, which was given by settlers, the assistance of the ladies in laying and decorating the tables, A Company of Territorials for waiting at the tables, and the loan of the piano by Mr. L. Hoffmann.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of Now Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable to-day (Monday, September 1), at'the Secretary's Office, Currie Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.—Advt