LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the meeting of tlic Egmont County Council the chairman paid that in many paints of the Parihaka block there was a solid expanse of gorse and blackberry, and that an effort must be made to grub these weeds. He said also that this land was being divided up into 54-acre sections for soldiers. He understood that applications were coming in freely. "This is the most restless Minister wq hare ever had in Cabinet," said Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., commenting at an early hour on Saturday morning on Mr Nosworthy's frequent interruptions of liis speech on the Estimates of the Working Railways Department. At a meeting of the Waimate Plains Patriotic Committee at Ma'naia on Saturday two approximate quotations were received for the proposes war memorial. Mr Short, New Plymouth, quoted £420 for Scotch granite and lettering at 8/per dozen, while Mr Jones, Haw-era, quoted £ssf), lettering extra. As subscriptions promised amounted to £IOOO, it was considered advisable to obtain plans and estimates for the rotunda. There was a record established at the port of New Plymouth yesterday in the matter of the gross tonnage of steamers accommodated at the wharf and breakwater. The total was a few tons short of 9000, the vessels and their respective gross tonnage being as follow:—Karamea, s.s., 55G.S tons; ICakapo, s.s., IS2I tons; Karawa, s.s., 1072 tons: Alexander, s.s., 377 tons; Karu, s.s., 23 J tons: Baden Powell, s.s., 174 tons; Tukua, auxiliary scow, 15 tons—total 8,956 tons. The Independent Order of Rechabites, Unity Tent, gave a welcome social last night .in the Good Templar Hall to local members of the Order who have returned from active service. There was a large gathering and a very enjoyable evening was spent in music and competitions. Chief Ruler, H. L. Northern, presided, and a welcome address to the returned men was given by Bro. E. Chatterton. Greetings were given by Bro. L. Little on behalf of the Oddfellows and Bro. A. Hooker for the Foresters. Pongs wore miven by Mrs Northern, Miss Havden. Messrs G. H. White, F. Asher and Tt. Cecker, a recitation bv 'Miss 'Gillespie, pianoforte solos by Miss Hope Aslier r.nd Mr Svd. Harden, and flute solos by. Mr Northern. The proceedings terminated with the pinning of the National Anthem, Twenty-nine members of the lodge went to the front, four of whom made the supreme sacrifice. The competition of Chinamen against returned soldiers in the fruit and greengrocery business, a matter that has been discussed by the Canterbury District Repatriation Board, was mentioned at last week's meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association at Christchurcli, reports an exchange, when Mr W. E. Leadley drew the attention of the members to the facts of the case. Several members expressed themselves as against Chinamen being allowed to set up business in opposition to soldiers who had fought for their country, while others considered that as the Chinamen had paid their poll-tax they were entitled to trade where they pleased. After a lengthy discussion the following motion was passed: "That- this meeting deplores the fact that a white man should see fit to lot his shop to Chinamen to open a fruit, business in direct opposition to two returned soldiers already doing business in Christclwroh." At the Whiteley Hall to-morrow evening 16') pictures are to be shown depicting tho life of the N.Z.E.E. in Egypt and Palestine. The Rev. H.L. Blamires, who was a chaplain with the N.Z. Mounted Rifles Brigade, has given this st.ory to crowed audiences in many parts of the Dominion. The photographs are a remarkably good selection, and the whole story of the marvellous endurance of men and horses is thrilling and ennobling. The speaker has a graphic style, and should be heard by all who are proud of New Zealand's part in the great war. Admission for adults is Is, children 6d. The proceeds are on be--lialS-of -jfclie-Home Missions