LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

As the result of a poll Gonville has decided not to amalgamate with the Borough of Wanganui. The voting was: For 152, against 235.

A land agent had a narrow escape from losing his car in the quicksand mi the Turehau beach recently (reports the Poverty Bay Herald). lie attempted to cross the river mouth on tlie beach, and but for the prompt action of a horse team and some natives, would have lost the car altogether. The steamer Mana, which was waiting for a lull in the weather, managed to get out from Wanganui at four o'clock yesterday morning and succeeded in picking up the men and the launch Kingfisher, which had been blown to sea. The men were none the worse for their experiences.

A good deal of evidence was given in the Magistrate's Court yesterday as to whether certain motorists, who were concerned in a collision, had been driving on their correct side of the roadway, and some confusion arose at times as to whether, when the right side of the road was referred to, it meant the risht hand side of the road or the correct side. The Magistrate had occasion to remark once that he wished there was sonic other word that could be used to indicate the right from the wrong side of the road.

Wellington fruit vendors state that the reported remarks of Dr. Thacker, M.P., on the subject of Island oranges and the price that is being charged for them is not in acocrdance with fact, and urge that in fairness to them the matter should be adjusted. Dr. Thacker based his argument, inferring profiteering, on the assumption that a case of Inland ornnjes consists of 20(1. As a. matter of fact there were usually about 1-20 ornnires in a case, and out of those tlie retailer was, on the average, able to secure about SO sound oranges—which made all the difference.

'This is not a case in which defendants were ignorant of our intention to sue them," remnrked counsel in the. Magistrate's Court yesterday when the opposite side was applying for leave to defend nn ncfion and for an adjournment of the, hearing. "Tn fact." said counsel, "thev took the "loves off and challenged us to sue, and immediately that was done thev asked for an act of grace on our part, and that wo should waive anv objection to the application. His Worship said he always took a broad view of such applications, and where a defendant had a defence he should be afforded every opportunity of filing the same. The application was therefore granted, and the case adjourned for a. fortnight, defendant to pay the cost of the application. The New Plymouth Boys' High School sports will be held on tlie school grounds to-morrow, commencing at 11 a.m. Record entries have been received this year, and everything points to a mos| successful meeting. Afternoon tea will be provided and selections will be rendered by Mrs. Woods' orchestra.

The formula of the already famous ".Fairy Wonder" Cleanser for washing clothes is a closely guarded secret, and was the discovery of an eminent chemist only after years of research for a soluble and active deterrent injurious to neither skin nor fabric. In addition, it has the wonderful properties of quickly bleaching snow-white any clothes that may have become a bad color. Every housewife should use it.

The Melbourne, Ltd., have a good range of ladies' silk ankle hose, in excellent quality and good dye, at 4/fi a pair. Also a limited quantity of pure spun silk, in assorted shades, at 12/0 a pair.

A clause in the Finance Bill provides for increases in salary to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Clerk-Assistant, of £SO per year each, maliing the salaries of the two positions £7OO per year and £SOO per year respectively! £SO 10s for a bullock sounds like a fancy price, yet this was realised at jßurnside sales on Wednesday (states a Duned in paper). Neither was this an isolated instance, as others sold at from £4O to £SO each. Sheep were relatively dearer than cattle. Meat, in consequence', must Tie retailed at high prices, although it is confidently asserted that butchers are having a very bad time. It is stated that both sheep and cattle are killing ou t moa t unsatisfactorily to the butcher, as they are not yielding the quantity of inside fat that they do in ordinary years. This is caused by the lack of feed. The position appenr V> be: prices abnormally high, quality .morally not good. A lady in London, writing, under date August 31st, to a friend in Dunedin, says: "Prices keep on rising. I am afraid we are in for a hard time. We are again to be rationed. Bread is going up to-morrow; milk will soon be Is per quart, and rationed at that (the children must have preference); coal is to b e restricted the same as last year, so I do hope we may have a mild winter." The writer also says: "In answer to my advertisement for a nurse. I received 60 letters in reply, and several called."

When the application for tlie position of secretary of the Pukekura Park Board were before the board last night, a letter was received from Mr. P. E. Stainton offering to undertake the work without remuneration, and that in the event of his appointment he would like to see any secretarial allowances handed back for the board's use. Very favorable comments were made on the spirit in which Mr. Stainton had made his offer to the board, and it was said that as the grounds were the property of the people it was very satisfactory to know that someone was prepared to do the work for the benefit of the community without requiring payment for services. Mr. Stainton's close acquaintance with the townspeople and local interests would be of value to the board, and his association with sports bodies would help to link up their interest in the grounds with those of the board. The offer of Mr. Stainton was accepted with thanks, and satisfaction expressed that the position, which had been so long vacant, would be so well filled. "Members of the board also spoke appreciatively of the work done bv the chairman (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) during the vacancv in the position. The question of the annual subscriptions to the Pukekura Park Board was considered at last night's meeting of the board, when it was stated that the amount received from this source had diminished somewhat during recent years. The members of the board undertook to make a canvass of the town, and confidence was expressed that generous support would be forthcoming from the townspeople for so worthy an object as the upkeep and improvement of the park grounds. The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile and Newton King draw attention to tlie sals on account of .James Rentoul Esq., of Makahu, to-morrow (Thursday) at one o'clock. Full particular? wili be found on page Sof this issue. Cars will leave the Stratford offices from 10 to 10.30 on the morning of the sale. Mr. Maurice Ralph, manager for Harry Dearth, received a wonderful reception at Wanganui last week-end, the audience, rising and cheering the gifted singer during the concerts. The Wanganui Male Choir gave Mr. Dearth a reception on Friday evening in appreciation of his visit to Wanganui.

A considerable amount of housefurnishing stock was salvaged by Messrs Petty Bros, from the recent fire, and on Saturday next a big fire sale will commence. The goods are only water and smoke-soiled, and will be offered at very low prices for cash onlv. The sale will be held at the Old' Drill Hall, Gill Street, New Plymouth.

The new neckwear and dainty laces now showing at Morey's will please every lady of good taste. Prices are exceptionally the values in the advertisement in this paper.