LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

After a fortnight of spring-like weather Wellington got a surprise yesterday morning to find the hills near the city thickly powdered with snow. A little rain fell in town, and the severity of the sudden change was quite unexpected. A young man named Jack Johnson, who was arrested on Monday by Detective Fitzgibbon, was brought before Mr. W. K. MeKean, S.M., yesterday morning, charged on two counts with breaking and entering and theft. He was remanded to appear next Tuesday. Heavy hail and snow, an earthquake on Sunday, and another yesterday morning ushered in the spring in Dannevivke. The fall of snow in the high country was heavy, and the mortality amongst the lambs is likely to be heavy if the wintry conditions last.

There is at the present time nearly a million and a quarter feet of white pine for butter boxes and cheese crates in the yards of the Egmont Box Company at Olmtu. This company is Taranakiowned and the timber will be exclusively utilised for meeting the requirements of the dairying industry. The latest additions to the New Plymouth museum are a small case of stuffed birds from Mr. C. Brien, Eliot Street; a fine pair of hue or calibash, large and well preserved, from Mr. Isaac Elliot, of Oill Street; and a beautiful sample of the black polished stone toke, .perfect in condition and of lovely design, from Mr. C. Colson, of Lower Egmont Road. The toke was ploughed up by the donor some time ago when breaking in soma land on his farm.

Before Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., left Wellington for Eltham last week lie received a definite promise from the General Manager, of Railways to put a goods train on once a week e&efi way between New Plymouth and Pate#,

"More money lias been spent on education in Taranaki during the .past three years than has ever been spent before," remarked Mr. E. Masters (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) in the course of some remarks at Okaiawa last week. But he added that they wanted still more in the future, and for the welfare of the men and women of the future they would have to make certain that they got the necessary money.— Al'gUS. ;

One of the most successful meetings of the present session of the Whiteley Club took place last night, when several Shakesperian readings were given by some of the members. There was a much larger attendance than usual, and the various selections were listened to with close interest, and much appreciation. The principal item was the reading of the trial scene from the Merchant of Venice. Other selections given included the quarrel between Cassius and Brutus (fiom Julius Caesar), the address of Polonius to Laertes, and Hamlet's Soliloquy (from Hamlet Prince of Denmark)', Hotspur's Defence (Henry IV.), and Wolsey's Farewell, on the occasion of his fall. At the coenlusion of the meeting very appreciative comments were made on the selections taken and the manner in which they had been presented, and a vote of thanks was passed to those who had contributed the items. The <Rev. H. L. Richards replied.

Of all the flowers those which bloom in the spring are probably the most popular. Coming as they d« at the end of winter thev seem to speak of brighter days to come. The violets and primroses with their delicate perfume, and the mo.c gaily colored daffodils in their garb of green, are always a source of pleasure to the lover of flowers. St. Mnrv's Bulb Show, which is to be held in St. Mary's Hall to-morrow, promises to be as attractive as ever. Displays will be made bv all the leading growers, and there will be competitive classes for decorated tables, baskets, and buttonholes. The proceeds are to be devoted to St. Mary's Peace Memorial Building fund, so those who attend, in addition to spending an enjoyable afternoon, will have the satisfaction of 'knowing that they are assisting to further a deserving object. The committee will be plpased to receive contributions of ilowers for either display or sale at the flower stall, and these may be left at thp hall cither this evening or to-morrow morning.

A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of W. R. Hill, alias J. H. Johnston, who was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment recently on charges of obtaining credit by fraud in 1914, wag held at Auckland last week- The Official Assignee said that as there was no quorom of creditors present, no resolution could be passed, but bankrupt could be exomined on any matter relating to Ilia bankruptcy. Bankrupt stated that owing to his defective memory he could not supply even a list of his creditors. Summonses and accounts in the possession of the bankrupt's solicitor and the police Bhowed liabilities amounting to JBIOB4, but other firms were affected, and it was impossible to say what the total liabilities would be. Of the £loß4* it appeared that £149 related to bankrupts transactions in 1014, and the remainder from April to June of this year Bankrupt had a credit of £521. at the bank. Examined by the Official Assignee, bankrupt said his fight name wns John Home. His wife lived in Sydney, and had a grown-up family.

Misapprehension appears to exist in, some quarters with regard to the intended disposal of the proceeds of the ball which the Returned Soldiers' Association is arranging to hold 011 the 11th inst. The committee wish it to be '■-Town that. any profits will go to the association's fund for the furtherance of association work or for the purchase or building of a club.

A welcome home social aud dance is to lie tendered to several returned men at the Puniho schoolroom on Monday evening next, Bth inst., when a large attendance is expected. Tlipre are only four more days of the Melbourne's great end-of-the-season sale. Tlis reductions which have obtained all round during the sale will only continue until Saturday next, after which date regular, and in many eftßes higher, prices will bo reverted to.

A feature of the Auckland city and suburban grocery shops during the last week or two lias been the special display of that wonderful new washing powder, "Fairy Wonder" Cleanser. This new labor-saving compound has achieved an unparalleled success, tlie singular merit of the stuff establishing its popularity in a single bound. On sale at Taranaki stores. Large or small packets Miss Hunt, instructress in millinery and dress-making, notifies particulars re classes.