LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual conference of delegates representing the New Zealand Gas Companies opened at Wellington yesterday. The New Plymouth Company was represented by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M*P. Mr. T. S- Hickey, for some time on the staff of the Lambtoit railway booking office, Wellington, has purchased the Opunako Times, and will take over the newspaper and business attached to it next week. The Whakatane county clerk states that he is receiving applications for employment at the rate of five daily and the town is becoming full of unemployed The men are coming chiefly in response to an advertisement for 200 men on the local railway work, where operations are delayed pending the surveys. As the county riding loan has not yet been earvied no work is available and there is no accommodation, which is causing distress.—Press Association.

The late Mr. Maekay, who, as reported recently, has left a sum of £IO,OOO for New Zealand charities, died in 1917. He came to New Zealand from China about forty-five years ago, and for a number of years conducted a furnishing warehouse in Brandon Street. He retired from business and during the last twenty years of his life travelled a great deal between the Old Country and New Zealand, never remaining long in any country. Mr. Maekay was not married, and as far as is known has no relatives in New Zealand. A pleasing little gathering was hold at the Hygienic Tea Rooms on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs. Elliott, who was some months ago loft a widow with a family of twelve, was presented with the deeds to the house in which she resides.- The money which was subscribed was sufficient to purchase the house.and put it in thorough repair. Mr. W. Ambury referred to the generosity of Mr. Riddell in selling the house at an extremely moderate price, and the particularly valuable assistance in gathering the required money. The Mayor handed the deeds to Mrs. Elliott, who acknowledged the valuable assistance

thus given. Speaking at the conclusion of a bowling contest at Waverley, New South Wales, Sir Harry Lauder said: —"Now that I am in Australia I want to preach to you, and J. want to preach to others 'work.' I would like to know where the successful men of the world to-day would have been Jiad they joined a union and decided to work si.v hours a day. You hear a lot about equality also. I know that all men are born equal, but when the race for life begins and the road stretches out long and broad it is n$ for a man to fall by the wayside, and then ask others to stop. On the other hand, he should urge the swifter ones on, and later they will return and help him." In spite of very unfavorable weather, the Citizens' Band-room in Leach Street was filled by lovers of music at the recent practice. The band was really holding a practice, but had invited members of the public to be present and had therefore made certain preparations. Several items which appeared to be particularly enjoyed were repeated. The audience displayed considerable enthusiasm and it is to be hoped that another similar evening will be held at an early date- Such recitals in the cosy quarters which have been provided by the people for their band are a pleasant substitute for the open-air recitals which are so popular during the summer

A London cable stated that Distinguished Conduct Medals hare been granted to 18 New Zealanderg. "Will legislation be introduced to allow the" wives of soldiers to vote at the next election, notwithstanding that all conditions as regards residence have not been complied with?" This was a question of which notice was given in the House of Representatives by Mr. Smith (New Plymouth), on Wednesday. The highest pay-out among dairy companies this season must be credited to the Ngaire Co-operative Dairy Factory, which shows the handsome return of 2s 2d per lb butter-fat (reports the Stratford Post). Nonnanby comes next with 2s l%d. The big mail car, while travelling along tlie Waihi road, near the Hawera racecourse on Wednesday, threw a tyre. The driver, who had a good command of the wheel, managed to prevent anything serious happening. He brought the car on to Hawera and the mails were transferred to another motor and carried on their journey.—Star. It is expected there will he a considerable improvement in the train service next week, particularly in the passenger service. The coal position is said by those in a position to know to be more satisfactory now than for a considerable time past, whilst the rollingstock, which has recently been overhauled, is in a better condition.

A meeting of the committee appointed to make inquiries regarding a candidate for Kgmont was, states the Star, held at Elthnm on Wednesday afternoon. So far no candidate has been selected. A further meeting is to be held at an early date. In the meantime a large number of Mr. Wilkinson's supporters are constantly urging him to reconsider his decision not to contest the seat. A project is on foot to establish a canning factory in the Middlcmarch (states the Otago Timoß). It is proposed to can rabbits during the winter season and mutton during the "off" or autumn season. It is estimated that at least 250,000 rabbits will be available from the Strath-Taieri alone. The promoter has matters so far in hand as to be practically assured of the formation of a company by local capital. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Licensing Committee was held yesterday, there being present: Mr W. R. McKean, S.M- (chairman), Messrs R. Cock, F. P. Corkill and W. Ambury. The adjourned application by David M. Wilson for the renewal of the license of the Inglewood Hotel was granted, the police report as to the required repairs being to the effect that they had been satisfactorily carried out. Sub-Inspector Hutton also stated that the repairs to the Terminus Hotel, New Plymouth, had been carried out in first-class manner. On good authority it is stated, says a special correspondent of the Auckland Herald, that between Taumarunui and Taihape the accumulated timber amounts to 14,000,000 ft, and it will take 50 trucks a day for three monuis to clear the Main Trunk line of the evergrowing stocks. Before the whole accumulations have been removed the wool carting season will have commenced, and it is anticipated that the wool returns will be 10 to 15 per cent, higher than last year. It is evident that the railways in this part of the island will soon have a busy time in dealing with the surplus traffic brought about by the reI ".frictions.

At each of the receptions tendered to him at St. Albans, Linwood, and Sydenham Parks (says the Lyttelton Times), Viscount Jellicoe made flattering -reference to the advantages of the Dominion PS a place of residence. Speaking at St. Albans, he said he noticed that the children of New Zealand all Beemed exceptionally healthy. Ho himself had five children, four girls and a boy. If ho were twenty or thirty years younger lie \vould come out here to live. "I am not sure," said the Admiral, "that 1 am too old yet to change my place of residence. If Ido go anywhere to live out of England, I can tell you it will be New Zealand." At Sydenham Park, he said that the people of England did not realise what a lot of people there were in New Zealand —especially children. "I don't know at what rate your population k increasing," said the Admiral,, "but judging from the children I have already seen, it will not be long before your country will be too small to hold you all." "I am thinking of coming out here to live," he added, "so leave a little room for me and my family." In the course of his remarks to those assembled ,to greet him at Linwood Park, Viscount Jellicoe said: "You have got a very lovely park here. We don't run to such parks in England, unfortunately. It is quite time that three or four million people came out and settled here. I may possibly be one of those three or four millions," he added, his statement evoking a great outburst of applause.

The Opunake correspondent of the Hawera Star gives additional-details regarding the death of Mr. J. K. Law, He states that the body was found in a drain alongside the Arawhata road on Tuesday morning. Mr. Law arrived there on a business visit in connection with the disposal of his farms. He had complained of bad health to his farm manager and others, and declined for this reason to accompany his manager to the Opunake sale on Monday. ■ He was last seen alive by Mr. S. Gilmer, who called at the house about 2 p.m. The deceased was then having something to eat. While Gilmer was present he commenced to pack his clothing, but stated to Gilmer that he did not think he would be well enough to leave there that evening. At 4 p.m. Mr. R. Field called, but found no one nt home. Surmising that Mr. Law was looking over the farm, Mr. Field remained until about fi.3o p.m., leaving a note stating that he had waited two and a half hours. Mr. J. Poadc, farm manager, returned later and found the deceased's clothing packed and, with a bicycle, addressed to Wanganni. In the morning Mr. Poole became concerned about the deceased's long absence, and while proceeding to a neighbor's house he discovered the body as previously mentioned. At the Farmers' Union meeting at Masterton recently, Mr. W. J. Poison made an interesting statement relative to the wealth of the farmers. He said that there were 80,14(1 farms in New Zealand. Fifteen thousand of these were small holdings, and the balance employed labor to the extent of SO.OOO men. Prior to the war farm labor was available at a wage ranging between 25s and 35s per week. Now, some men were, receiving over £3 per week and found. The fanners paid over £3,000,000 per annum extra in wages alone, not to mention the enhanced prices for all materials used on a farm. The increased value of the exports was £5,000,000, and the increased cost of labor was between £3,000,000 and £4,000,000. So much for the alleged war profits. Some people had amassed fortunes, of course, hut that was in a great proportion due to good management and luck. The spring flower and bulb 9how at St. Mary's Hall will be continued this Hfteuuwß. i