LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest prop-ess report of the Seaside Queen Carnival competition shows the voting to be: East End (Miss L. Bellringer) 2135; Ngamotu (Miss Claudia Weston) 18*25. Mr. Massey has been invited to go to Westport to investigate difficulties caused by the coal shortage and other matters, but he states he is unable to go at present owing to urgent business requiring attendance in Wellington.— Press Association.

In the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday judgment by default was given in the following undefended civil actions:—Snelling and Andrews (Mr. T. P. Anderson) v. Ani Matakaka, £ll 13s (id (costs £2 os); same v. Timi Whataiwi (or Jimmy Putu), £'2 10s (costs £1 15s). In consequence of the new arrangements whereby Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., includes the Efawera Court in his circuit itinerary, it has been found necessary to change the day for civil business at New Plymouth. From next week (commencing on the 19th inst.) civil actions will be heard here on Mondays at 11 a.m.

A seaman, aged about fifty, died on the voyage of the Rosamond from Wellington to New Plymouth yesterday. The ■'oath was reported on the vessel's arrival here, and Dr. McClelland examined the deceased, who tliea had been dead several hours. The death occurred suddenly, no complaints of illness having been made by the man. An inquest will be held to-day.

The spell cast by the N.S.W. State Orchestra, on those who have heard them, i 8 said to be irresistible. Some wellknown Gpunake residents who heard the orchestra play in Auckland last week have booked =cats for the New Plymouth concert, and intend motoring in the forty miles trip in order to avail themselves of the opportunity of again hearing Verbrugghen and his instrumentalists.

In connection with the statement made by the Prime Minister in which lie stated there was no congestion in tha freezing works, Mr. M. J. Reardon, as secretary of the Freezing Works Employees' Union, lias just received information that the Tomoana freezing works tile largest in Hawke's Bay, is now working only half-time, while thousands of sheep are being railed out of the district to other works. "With regard to shipping," says Mr. Reardon, "it is essential that the North Island should receive an equitable distribution of the available shipping space because the South Island stock is not so far forward."

The spread of noxious weeds in the Egmont County was strongly commented upon by the chairman of the Egmont County Council at its meeting yesterday, when lie remarked that something would have to be done. He also referred to the state of gravel pits and asked whether the council should not clear them as the natives would not do anything, because they considered that the council had taken the gravel practically for nothing and had left them the bare gravel pit. There was a good deal in their contention. Councillors were doubtful whether it would be cheaper to serve notices on the occupiers to do the work or do the work themselves, but as it was considered that if the council once did the work they would be expected to do it every year it was resolved to serve notice on the occupiers. The council also resolved to take steps to clean up its own reserves. A profitable butchery business is advertised for sale on page 1 by Messrs W. H. and . McCany, jJltham.