LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In primer three at the West End 'School there are three sets of twins, two boys, two girls, and a boy and a girl. The annual meeting of the Iron Ore Smelting Co., which was called for yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. A further meeting will be duly summoned. Mr. Hugh. W. Beetham, of Brancepetli, Master-ton, is offering to the Government for soldier settlement, SSOO acres of his estate, which comprises about 1300 acres of first-class land.—Press Association.

The National Bank, Wellington, has been advised from London that the Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend for the half year ended September 30th, at the rate of twelve per cent, per annum. —Preßs Assn. The doll competition at the West End gala, which had been named Hazel by Mrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., a name that no one of the 84 competitors guessed, was decided by the committee and was won by Hiki Koti. Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., has consented to deliver a popular lecture in the interests of the Astronomical Society on Monday evening at 8 o'clock, in the Good Templars' Hall. The opportunity of hearing the distinguished and able lecturer upon so inspiring a theme as the starry realms provided should not be missed by the public of New Plymouth.

Mr. S. G. Smith did not address any i meetings last night, having left that I evening free so that he could attend breaking up ceremonies. He attended the Boys' High School, West End at j Kawaroa Park, and Frankley, preaent'mg the prizes at the last named place. The Director of Medical Services has advised the General Secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Aasocia-. tion that free rail and, where necessary, coach or boat warrants, will be issued to hospital patients to whom Christmas leave is granted,—Press Association. "What would you do to stop the upward tendency in the cost of living?" waß a question put to Mr. Uuckcridgc at Omata last night, and when he replied, "Increase production," the question remarked, "is that all? Oh!" and the audience laughed. Strawberries are up in price again. At yesterday's mart sale the prices realised were from Is 8d to Is lid per box, and the quality was not quite equal to that of previous consignments. Owing to the dry spell at Auckland it is likely that prices will continue to advance. At the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, yesterday, Thomas Mallard, for disturbing a meeting that was being addressed by Mr. Fred Pirani, Liberal candidate for Wellington Central, was fined £3 and costs. Thomas Holding, on a similar charge, was fined £2, with costs.—Press Association.

The Rev. 0. Blundell, when called on to speak at the breaking-up of the New Plymouth Technical College yesterday, was observed to sigh, and he prefaced his remarks by remarking that the sigh was not for himself, but for those students who were anxious to get their prizes and were wondering when the supply of parsons would run out. The Naval Adviser has communicated with the Collector of Customs at New Plymouth (Mr. R. B. D. Eyre) intimating that he desires the public to he warned that in the case of further mines coming ashore, particular care should be taken not to move the mines in any way while securing them; that the horns in particular should be avoided; and that the rope or other means taken to prevent the mine from drifting should be secured to the moorings, if any part of such remain. At a meeting of the Fitzroy School Committee, on Thursday, appreciative references were made to the effort of the ladies'- committee in connection with the recent school fete, and the following resolution was passed:—That the committee beg to tender to the ladies of Fitzroy, who worked so hard to make the carnival the success it was, their heartiest thanks and congratulations, and to assure them that the money raised, together with its subsidy, will be judiciously and carefully expended in improving the school grounds, according to their expressed wishes. At the monthly meeting of the Fitzroy Fire Brigade, beld Inst night, Lieut. I. Aroa was presented with a two years' service bar. Lieut. Aroa was one of the original members of the brigade and has seen 15 years service, but has now resigned owing to his removal to Moturoa. As a memento of his long membership he was presented by Captain Griffiths, on behalf of the brigade, with a gold-mounted fountain pen, and, in returning thanks, said it was worse leaving the brigade than removing from Fitzroy. Foreman Kibby was presented with a six years' gold bar, in respect of eleven years' service. Firemen Ingram Colson was unanimously elected lieutenant. Many who do not feel at home in a church will, we are sure, take the opportunity of hearing the Rev. J. Napier Milne in Everybody's Theatre on Sunday night, at 7 o'clock. The meeting is for those who don't believe in a drink-free New Zealand, and for those who do There will be a short musical service at 6.45, and a large choir and orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. R. Laurie Cooper, will lead the singing. The subject of the address vil! be, "Boer or Betterment—Who's for the Morning?" Admission is free, with or without tickets. A collection will be taken for expenses. At the close an opportunity will be given to those who may desire to ask questions. "This is one of the cases that I am afraid will be too numerous by-and-by," said the Chief Justice yesterday, when hearing a motion for the discharge of a bankrupt, who had evidently bought land at a price at which it could not be profitably worked. In a later case of a similar kind Sir Robert Stout made some further strong comments on the state to which dealing in farms had come at the present time. He also censured the practice of exchange of property, and remarked that it was a matter on which all the Judges had spoken, and he said if people continued to give credit in the manner they were doing the result could only be one thing, and he was afraid there would be many such 1 bankruptcies in the future.

After the excitement of the election next week, a splendid opportunity of a nice quiet musical evening will be afforded on Thursday night by the usual Xmas Recital by the Citizens' Band, a further attraction being the presence of the New Plymouth Male Choir, who will contribute some part songs. Some of the prize-winners in last night's competitions will also take part, and everything points to this year's recital in Pukekura Park eclipsing all its predecessors. The usual collection will be taken.

The Melbourne, Ltd., is making special Christmas displays of children's, ladies' and men's handkerchiefs, ladies' blouses and men's and boys' silk shirts. These goods have been exceptionally well bought and are offered at extremely moderate prices. This afternoon, at the Haymarket, Mr. Newton King will sell on account of Mr. Stuart Englefield a Devon street property consisting of 6.01 perches and with the "White Fish Shop" erected thereon. He will also offer two sections in the Dartmoor Estate, and by instructions from the Public Trustee in the Estate of P. W. Marehant will sell 64 shares in the New Plymouth Sash and Door Company. Full particulars are available from the Auctioneer.