LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The (Shristchurch municipal coal depot has not been a financial success; and the City Council last night decided to close it lip forthwith.—Press Association. Owing .to the high cost of silver the Britisli° Treasury has printed large stocks of os; and 2s fld notes, but it has not yet been decided whether 'they snail be issued. At Mr. Buckeridge's meeting in the Empire Theatre last night, Mr. Burgess, who presided, apologised for the absence of the Mayor, who was engaged at the meeting of the Borough Council, as was also the Deputy-Mayor. "Seeing they wanted a Mayor of some sort," he said, ''they have resurrected me." It was expected by the New Plymouth grocers that 50 tons of sugar would ruacli here by the Rimu to-day, but a telegram was received last night stating that the watersiders at Onehunga refused to load the sugar yesterday, and that it was hoped to ship the'-gooda on Thursday, so that the still continues. "We have got to face a water loan before long, there is no doubt about that," remarked the Mayor (Mr. .Tas. Clarke), at'last night's meeting of the Borough Council. The engineer said that houses were being built on the cheaper land on the outskirts of the town, and the question of supplying these houses with water would have to be considered. The programme for the Fitzroy School carnival, which takes place in the School grounds on Thursday afternoon, should prove a great attraction. Details will he found on page one of tins' issue. In addition to the various competitions and displays of physical exercises, there will be stalls, a cookery contest, bran tub, and refreshments, etc., that \vi" ensure an enjoyable afternoon.

"Are you a bullshevik?" was a question asked an Auckland Parliamentary candidate. "No," was the response, '"nor a cowahevik, either!" A meeting of the Taranaki Employers' Association was held yesterday morning, when it was decided ito recommend retailers to observe the following holidays for Christmas and New Year: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 25, 20, and 27; and Thursday and Friday, Jan. 1 and 2. The Association ako decided to nsk the Commissioner of Police to provide an extra constable for night duty in New Plymouth. Reporting to the Borough Council last night on the tramway conference in Wellington, Mr. R. H. Bartley (the tramway engineer), said that an investigation of the cost of living in' New Zealand showed that the town least affected by the rise wag Dunedin, while New Plymouth was next. The town most affected was Wellington. The Mayor remarked that it was good to know thai New Plymouth showed the second lowest rise in the cost of living in the whole of New Zealand. At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki County Council a return was presented showing the position of tfte finances in the various ridings as at September 30, 1910. The position was rs follows: Moa Biding, balance overdrawn, £2128 12s KM; Mangorei Biding, balance available, £248 18s 8d; Waitara Riding, balance available, £603 14s 4d; Omata Biding, balance available, £2OO lis 7d; Oka to Biding, balance overdrawn, £1279 12s 6d. The amounts Available have to suffice to carry on the work until the end of the present year. A complaint against private owners of motor cars plying for hire in competition with the recognised taxis on race days and Bhow days was contained in a letter from two New Plymouth taxi-drivers which came before the Borough Council last night. It would appear that during such times country motorists came into town and Bimply took out a license for the day and plied for hire; in fact, one councillor said it' was the habit of some retired farmers to do this. Councillors recosnised that the matter was a somewhat difficult one to adjust satisfactorily, and the letter was referred to a committee. The National Dairy Association has been advised by cable that the delegates who have been making investigations in America, England, and on the Continent, in regard to the dried milk industry, are returning to the Dominion. Mr. Dempster (representative of the Government), and Mr. J. B. Murdoch (Hawera). left London on November 14th, and Messrs. H. W. Porsvth and J. Boyle (Eltham), sailed by the Kigoma on November 21st. At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, the Mayor intimated that in connection with the contract for the first part of the hydro-electric extensions the fact that the General Manager scheme was in operation had been directly mitrmnental in the saving of over £IOOO with a probability of a further saving of £740. His Worship went into details showing how the saving had been effected, and pointed out that this would not have linen possible had there not been an officer vested with authoritv to enter into the necessary negotiations with tl'o enntrnp+ors. Tinder the old system the recommendation to call for fresh tenders would most probably have been adopted, and as there were only two tenders originally, the chances are that no fresh tenders would have been received. The time for receiving entries for the Horticultural Society's Show on Thursday next has been extended to 8 o'clock to-night. " This has been done because the schedules were somewhat late in being issued. This is the last week of the Melbourne, Ltd's, sensational salvage sale of Roberts' warehouse stock, and for the following bargains: Ladies' large cotton .singlets, 2s lid; Island hats, Is nd; men's bathing costumes. Is lid; mens pyjamas, 9s l]d; lovely white voile |blouses, lis Od; Ladies' silk knit sports coats, 49s Cd. In support of Mr. G. H. Buckeridge's candidature for the Taranaki seat, meetings will be held ito-morrow at the Soldiers' Club to form committees, the ladies meeting at 3 p.m., and the gentlemen at 8 p.m. A woman needs plenty of Mouses during summer. The selection of new styles at Morey's is so varied that choosing blouses here is made easy. The box 1 plan for the grand benefit concert on' Thursday evening is now open at Hoffman's. Those who lisp bought tickets are asked to take them with, them when reserving. X. Wills and Co., Waitara, have been fortunate in securing a good range of ready-to-wear suits from the best New Zealand makers, and strongly recommend patrons to make an early choice. Mr J. W. Turnbull, of Eltham, win hold an auction sale of furniture.garden tools, contractor's plant, etc., on behalf of Mr. E. Cave, sen., Martin Road, Eltham, on Thursday next.