LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At Te Kiri, on Wednesday, a reception was tendered to returned soldiers of the district, who were each presented with a suitably inscribed gold pendantIn view of the shortage of labor for orchard and othiy important industries, the New Zealand nurserymen decided at their animal conference to urge the Government to pursue a vigorous policy of immigration. The Egmont Racing Club has raised its entrance fee from three to live guineas. The club is to be incorporated aa a society under the Incorporated Societies Act, 1908,

The following reply to the Government's invitation was sent by Mr. R. Masters, M.P., for Stratford: "Owing to business of the utmost importance to the whole of my constituents requiring my personal attention, I am unable to participate in the trip even had I desired to go." "

Prospects are exceptionally good in connection ivith the inaugural sports, which are to be held by the Star Motor Cycle Club on the Racecourse, on Saturday, March oth. Colman, the champion rider, who has been putting up sensational performances, will endeavor to lower his world's record. This alone should be worth witneessing.

Cabinet has decided to make a compensation allowance of £4 each to troops who returned by the transport Ruahine on her last voyage. Aa will be remembered, complaint was made by the passengers who arrived by the vessel in regard to the accommodation provided in the troop-decks, and it is understood the sum granted is compensation for the inconvenience suffered by the soldiers in having to travel in third-class instead of second-class quarters.

The selected officers of the Expeditionary Force, who are competing in the qualifying courses at Trentliam Camp for the remaining -vacancies in the New Zealand iStaff Corps and Permanent Staff are as under:—For appointment to the Staff Corps: Lieut.Colonels o'. 11. Mead and 'A. D. Stitt, Captains H- M. Foster and J. L. Scoullar, Lieutenants S. Friekleton, V.C., E. L. G. Bowen, P>. J. D. Davis, and C. H. Rabone, and Sec--Lieutenant E. S. Judson, V.C. There is a movement on foot in Nelson to form a company for the purpose of establishing an aerial service .bejpveen Wellington and Nelson. Captain R. Russell, D.F.C., Croix de Guerre, of Invercargill, is in Nelson, and the proposal to form the company mentioned is the result of his visit. The Colonist' states that the terminus on the Nelson Bide would ifae at Tahuanui, a seaside resort about two miles from the town, and at the Wellington end a landing could be made at one or other of different available places. The distance of something over a hundred' miles between the two cities would ordinarily be covered in well under two hours, and Captain Russell has no fears of the regularity of the proposed service being interrupted by adverse weather conditions. The projected company would also arrange to take passengers on short flights from Tahunanui, as is done from aviation centres in other counties.

The Mayor hag received a letter from Mr. P. W. Rowley, Government Superintendent of Housing, Btating that the builder for the houses for Hawera anticipates being able to commence active operations in Hawera in two or three weeks' time. The first step will be to manufacture his blocks on the spot. Mr. Rowley also states that when the houses now decided upon are completed he believes that the Government will authorise the erection of a further number, as it is recognised that the demand is very great in Hawera. Sir. Rowley promises to look into the matter whether anything further can be done.— Star.

There is evidently "professional etiquette" even among watersiders, which forbids one section of workers to trespass on, the preserves of another. An instance of this came under notice on the Auckland wharves the other day, and was related by an eye-witness of the incident to a News' representative. A worker was wheeling a truck load of packages from the boatside to a shed (or vice versa), when one of the boxes fell off the barrow. The man immediately put down his load and returned to another part of the wharf and signalled another worker. This struck the curiosity of a by-stander, who inquired the meaning of the procedure. The questioner was as much astonished at the reply as the worker seemed unconcerned. "Oh, I'm only a trucker," was the answer. "He handles the goods; 1 don't touch them."

One of the most brilliant scholars at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, last year, was Master Emmet McHardy, second son of Mr.- John McHardy, of Pihama. At the annual examination held in December he achieved a notable success in his class (Form IV., B), securing the iirfit prize for general excellence of work, the first prizes in Christian doctrine, English and science, and third prizes in Latin, history, French, and mathematics. In 191S Master McHardy obtained his proficiency certificate at the Pihama Publie School, ami: his sucess is testimony of the very sound instruction imparted by the headmaster of that school and by the College teaching staff. Master McHardy is (states the Star) a grandson of Mr. Jas. O'Reilly, of Hawera.

Intending students are reminded thai Banks College classes for Matriculation, Accountant's Preliminary and Public Service Entrance, also the Shorthand and Typewriting (evening classes), re-open on Monday, at 5.15 p.m. The Melbourne, Ltd., have opened out a smart lot of new white voile blouses in the very latest styles at prices ranging from 12s Cd to 17s Cd. Other new lines in blouses in silk and crepe de chine are being shown in the firm's windows at prices that are a revelation in values.

The services in South Road Methodist Church will be conducted by the Rev. J. Laird, M.A., in the morning at 11, and in the evening at 7 by the Rev. John Nixon. Sacrament will be performed at the close of the evening service.

At the Imperial Billiard Saloon, New Plymouth, to-night, Clark McConacliy, the New Zealand champion, will play 750

Referring to the conference in regard to bacon, the Prime Minister said, "The real trouble ja that there are no pigs in the country, owing to the lack of skim milk and other causes. There is a controlled price for bacon, but that is of little or no use, because there is practically no bacon in the Dominion."

The new Victory stamps will be on sale this week. In the past it has been the experience of the Post Office to liav? a huge demand for new issue stamps, and the same is anticipated with the Victory issue, The new issue bears the word ''Victory" and the ligures 1914-1019 in the design.

Neither lour literature nor popular imagination credits the bland Celestial with human sympathies or emotions; but, despite his outward calm, these are shown in many little ways to those who can see. A Palmerston Chinaman, who drove his vegetables far into the country, was each day given a cup of tea by a sympathetic lady customer. In gratitude, John sent her a box of fruit and other dainty confections. The lady somewhat emphatically protested at his lavish gifts, and when next she offered the customary refresher, he said indignantly, "No, it makes me sick," and came no more for her custom or kindness.

Music, said Mr. Verbrugghen in Wellington last week, was the subtlest of all the arts. By its means one was able to express one's inner self-—one's soul—more directly and effectively than by any other art. It was recognised as one of the most powerful levers of the moral standard of the community; it was with a full understanding of these facts that the New South Wales Government had seen fit to establish a national conservatoriiun. In New South Wales they felt extremelv proud to have taken a lead amongst all the English-speaking peoples in founding the first State-subsidised permanent orchestra, not only in the British Empire, but in the world. Music was a very exacting art, and unless almost perfect conditions were made possible ono could not secure its full benefit. Continuing, Mr. Verbrugghen said that when he started the orchestra he did so on very modest lines indeedl He did so first of all in face of a good deal of criticism and sceptism. If, as had been stated, the performance of the orchestra constituted a musical treat, it was because each performer was a complete artist, and was enthusiastic in his work. When he had made it clear a year ago that unless it was to be on a permanent basis the orchestra would not be a success, some might have thought him mentally deficient, but the Government was far-seeing enough to give the project assistance, and the result of the conclusion of the financial year would! show a substantial profit.