LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

For selling milk deficient in butter-fat two Auckland milk vendors were yesterday fined £2O and £3O respectively, says a telegram from Auckland.

The Prime Minister states that the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, has consented to examine the departmental files and make a recommendation to the Government regarding the Post Office bonus. Owing to phenomenally dry weather, bush grass fires are in progress in the Matavrai nnd Tahora district (says a telegram from Gisborne). A settler, Mr W. H. Wood, lost two houses on hie property. A branch of the New Zealand Labor Party has been formed at Eltham, Mr. H. Grant being appointed president, Mr. Martin vice-president, and Mr. Sehwieters secretary. The Taranaki portion of a large overseas mail, which was brought to Auckland from Sydney by the Dutch steamer Van Cloon, arrived by the mail train last night. It consisted of English, Eastern, and Australian mails. On the recommendation of the Public Welfare and Safety Committee the New Plymouth Borough Council decided last night that while sympathising with taxi and motor car garage proprietors, they could not see their way to take any action with a view to preventing private owners of cars from taking out licenses to ply for hire on race days. Mr. Massey states that the matter of a training camp has never been before Cabinet. Hia own opinion was that the whole defence scheme would have to be readjusted. Parliament would be given an opportunity of doing so. In all their investigations for the better naval protection of the Pacific there had never been any idea of a local navy.

A trial shipment of Nhie Island bananas was brought to Auckland by the auxiliary schooner Jubilee. This is the first fruit brought from Niue for marketing here, and it is hoped that the experiment sill result in the opening up of a regular trade. The consignment consisted of about 50 eases of fruit, and, considering the lengthy trip and the rough weather experienced, the bananas arrived in fair condition. A profitable butchery business is advertised for sale on page 1 by Messrs W. H. and A, JtfcGarry, Bltham.

The Returned "oldiers' Association wish to correct a wrong impression that lias got abroad by reason of the secretary's name appearing at the bottom of an advertisement in yesterday's issue calling a meeting of cx-soldiers to hear the views of a political candidate. The name, they state, was inadvertently attached to the advertisement. The R.S.A. is a non-political body, and particularly the New Plymouth branch, which resisted the attempt made at the last election to introduce politics into the constitution of the Association.

At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, when the question of dog registration fees was under discussion, Cr. Sykes suggested that "ratters" should be charged the same fee as sheep and cattle dogs, as an encouragement to people to keep terriers in order to help destroy the rats. Other councillors referred to" the number of rats in some of the streams about the place, and one councillor ventured to suggest having a "rat day." Mr. R. Day, borough -inspector, expressed himself as well pleased with the response made to the council's offer to cart any household rubbish away yesterday for nothing, if residents would place it on the kerbing outside their gates. While the quantity was not so. large as on other occasions most people found some refuse of which they were glad to be relieved. Mr. Day s'aid that from What he could see the rubbish which was put out did not bear signs of having been hoarded for any length of time, and he was quite satisfied that the periodical '•'clean-up days" were having a good effect.

Tho New Plymouth Borough Ctouncil last night passed the necessary resolution authorising tho raising of a £IO,OOO loan for building houses for their employees. The rate of interest is fixed at 4% per cent per annum and the period of the "loan i 3 for 36% years. A'rate of %d in the £ is to be pledged as security for the loan, but it is not expected that the rate will ever be struck, as the scheme is to be made Bolf-supp'orting. Inspector Day, in whose department the Borough Council placed the saltwater baths, recommended to the committee several ways of popularising the baths. These cams before the council last night, and included the placing of advertising cards in hotels and boardinghouses, if the proprietors would consent; a notice board in the vicinity of the Terminus Hotel directing the w'av to the baths; also that a conference 'be held with the Kawaroa Park Committee with reference to the use of the baths on gala days. It was also suggested that season tickets be presented annually to scholars of the town schools who have learned to swim during the previous year in the following numbers: Central 6, West End 5, Fitzroy 3. A conference was proposed with the Tramwavs Committee with a view to the provision of cheap ticket*, which could be used for tram fares and entrance to the baths between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. daily. The recommendations were adopted bv the council-.

The life and activities of the New Plymouth Boys' High School are reflected in the latest number of "The Taranakian," the journal of the school, which is now published. The magazine covers a wide range, and as all the articles are written by boys of the school they deal intimately with tho affairs of the' institution. There is a great deal which goes on in the routine life of the school which the public lose sight of, but a perusal of the school paper brings one into close touch with the dailv life of the boys and the spirit with which they go through their school da vs. Many of the articles, apart from their wide' interest, are of distinctly good literary merit. The record of the school's activities on the field of sport are dealt with verv fully, the life of the boarders is treated in interesting articles, and there are special articles and verse scattered tliTouch the volume. The old bovs' notes are full of interesting items concerning the doings of previous scholars of the school, and a fine tribute is paid to the late Mr. Henry Kitchingham (a former master) bv an old bov. There are numerous illustrations, and some of those which are the work of members of the camera club are very artistic

On the motion of Mr. Quilliam, pro. tote of the will of the late Mr. James Wade has been granted by the Supreme Court to Mr. Alfred Wade and Miss Selma Wade, executor and executrix respectively therein named. Doekrill's quality, shoe shop is heavily stocked with smart footwear, suitable tor Christinas presents. The prices in many cases are lowei than those charged by manufacturers to-day. ~ T ? e P ublie is awakening to the fact that Christmas is mightv close The Melbourne, Ltd., report 'that enquiries tor Christmas goods are brisk already particularly in ladies' and men's handkerchiefs men's ties, silk shirts, and boys handkerchiefs and ties.