LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Dunedin message says that the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Chapman will take the Stratford election petition some time in March.

The search parties have returned from the Milford Track. They found no trace of Miss Reid, High School mistress, who was lost recently. A Taranaki man visited Wellington the other da}'. He had not wired for a room, and on arrival he trudged the streets for hours, eventually having to go out to the Hutt for a room. The question of the formation of a farmers' co-operative shipping company may be discused at a conference of farmers' co-operative societies and other organisations duriiiir the present year (says the AueMand Herald). A similar conference was held shortly after the outbreak of the war, and it was then stated that n pnrvl.nl of £5,000,000 could be raised, and the Prime Minister was interviewed regarding the matter of a Government subsidy. Owing to the war' tlie inntter was indefinitely postponed, and iatterlv it has continued to remain in abeyance, owing to the absence of information as to what action the Imperial Government intends to take in respect to the control of shipping. "The accommodation problem is not local in character; it is world wide,"said Mr. J. R. Cruiekshank at the Tourist and Expansion League meeting on Tuesday evening. He said that it was almost impossible for anyone to get a bed in London or suburbs unless arranged for a considerable time ahead. He mentioned the case of a friend in the provinces, who had asked him whilst in London ,to secure him a room for a couple of nights. He enquired of nearly twenty big hotels, etc., only to be told that they were all full np for the ne/ft one or two month?. The position was easy to understand. Building had practically ceased during the war period, and the demand had overtaken the supply. The Okahukura tunnel is nearly completed. The only drawback now ia a scarcity of cement, so Mr. 'W. T. Jennings, M.P., was informed by the Public Works Office, at Taumarunuf on Friday last. All the steel material for the bridge over the Ongarue river, which leads to the tunnel, lias been obtained. Under favorable circumstances, the train should be through to close on Matiere before winter sets in, as the three small tunnels are also nearing completion. The big bridge over the Wanganui river is to be opened in a few months time, the approaches now being made. The Public Works Department in Taitmarunui is a real live one, being under Mr. Dinnie, a relative of that great athlete of twenty-five years ago, the celebrated Donald Dinnie.

Although pigs for bacon are coming forward freely at present (states the Auckland Herald), it is not likely that the season's demand will be met any better this year than last. The adoption of the manufacture of dried milk and glaxo has been responsible for a reduction in pig-rearing, and the consequent high prices for bacon. Curers believe that the result will be that more attention will now be paid to pig-rear-ing, but they are unable to predict a norma] supply of bacon this year. Mr. Justice Stringer expressed the opinion at the Railway Inquiry that, from what he had seen, a great deal of the gratuity money given the soldiers was wasted.

The advantage of close settlement of land where suitable has been proved by the results achieved in the various improved farm settlements in the King Country, particularly in what was known as the Taumarumii electorate, r.ow called VVaitomo. The national gain has been shown by bush, swamp, and fern lands showing great productivity, as evidenced by the establishing of butter and cheese factories, and the supplying of stock to freezing companies. In addition, the number of men that went to the war from these new settlements challenge comparison with the older settlements. Evidence of this was shown lit Aria, on Thursday last, when a welcome home, with the presentation of gold medals, was given to those who had returned, and the relatives of those that had made .the supreme sacrifice. There were forty-seven medals in all, amongst those present being a number of Gnllipoli, European and Maori men, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., made the presentations, the medals being pinned on the breast by Mrs. Telfar. Lieutenant Wood responded on behalf of the men. The whole proceedings were very enthusiastic, a concert and dance being part of the proceedings. Councillor [Tolme presided, assisted by a good com'mittw, Mr. P. •Smytli jMing secretary.

A most unusual visitor in the shape of a hedgehog was discovered on Tuesday on the railway line near the Patea railway station.

The Women's National Reserve of New Zealand will hold their annual congress at New Plymouth during the third week of this month. Mrs. (Colonel) Porter, of Wellington, President of the Reserve, will preside. Mr. Will. Lawson, who was in Taranaki a few months ago, "writing up" the province's scenic and industrial features, has just published the booklet which ib entitled "Mount Egmont and the gardens of Taranaki." It is profusely illustrated, and interestedly written, and as a guide book to the province shqjild prove of considerable value. The exports from Taranaki for the year ended December 31, 1919, were valued at £5,058,447, or £B4 per head of population. last year the exports totalled £3,491,984, equal to £SB per head of population. This year's figures represent more than the one year's production, owing to the clearance o{ the accumulation of produce. Persons who have travelled about the Island of late speak in terms of astonishment of the remarkable contrast presented by Taranaki land tp other land just, at present (says the Wellington Times). Most places they say look very dry and some are burnt up, but in Taranaki all is green and fresh, and grass is plentiful. The dairymen in what the old geography books used to term "The Garden of New Zealand" are said to be having an excellent season.

There were more cars plying for hire to the races yesterday than ever before. In the morning when they came ont and took up their position on. the stand allotted to them, the line stretched from the Bank of New Zealand, corner along Devon street, as far as the intersection of Dawson street. The number totalled 58, and the authorities stated that the traffic at the rush periods was better disciplined than on former occasions. There was no untoward-incident through out the day. On Tuesday afternoon (reports the Star) Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, of Pcndarves street east, New Plymouth, were motoring towards Hawera, along the Main Koi'rr road, when they met with an accident, which resulted in injuries to Mrs. Sanders. Mr. Sanders was driving the car, Pud when near the Tokaora factory, turned on to the side of the road to allow a large motor lorry coming in the opposite direction to pass. When returning to the crown of the road something evidently went wrong with the steering gear and the car capsized. Mrs. Sanders was pinned under the car: but Mr. Sanders escaped with ft few slight bruises, Mrs. Sanders was taken into Hawera, where she was attended to by Dr. Thomson. Tiie extent of her injuries is not known, but she was reported yesterday morning to be progressing satisfactorily. The Loan and Mercantile draw attention to their sheep fair and cattle sale in their Matau yards to-morrow (Friday) at 1 p.m. Full particulars of stock to be offered will be found on page 8 of this issue. °

Mr. R. Neville Kenaud advertises that he is resuming tuition in musical subjects on Monday next, the 9th inst., at his residence in Dawson Street.

The assertion that women are less conservative than men is borne out by facts. Women are ever ready to adopt new suggestions and methods relating to housekeeping, provided there is proof of their merit. Thus it comes as no surprise to find that the new washing compound, "Fairy Wonder" Cleanser, has been an instantaneous success. As a time, labor and fuel saver it is paramount.

The Melbourne's great stocktaking sale opens to-morrow. The sale bill circulated with to-day's "News" is brimful of interest to housewives ar.d all others interested in economy. Prices are still advancing rapidly, and it is more imperative than, ever to look ahead and buy for ■ future requirements. It is therefore a foregone conclusion that the bargains offered will 'be eagerly snapped up.