LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to the weather yesterday afternoon the cricket and bowling competition matches had to be postponed. A sharp thunderstorm passed over New Plymouth between f1.30 and 7 o'clock last evening. There were some strikingly vivid lightning flashes, and heavy rain accompanied the storm, and lasted for some time afterwardß. The street channels and waterways were not able to cope with the volume of water which came down for a time. For the band recital, which is to be given by the Citizens' Hand at Plmgareliu on Sunday, Mr. F. W. (i. McLcod has prepared a programme that is of very high merit. Comprised in the programme are a number of selections of popular melodies of English, Irish and Scotch national airs, including "Beauties of Ireland" and "Gems of Scotia." Deputy Bandmaster Taylor and Bandsman Rush will also play the cornet duet, "Ida and Dot." Coastal residents are assurred of a musical treat. A bevy of young ladies, charmingly attired, whose apparel included dainty footwear and silk stockings, received rather a rude shock at Waitara yesterday. They were intently watching the resuscitation drill in one of the life saving events, when suddenly a breaker heavier than the preceding ones curled round them, and though they made a very hurried retreat as*dignified and as noiseless as could be expected under the circumstances, they were not quick enough to avoid wet feet. They were more careful during the rest of the afternoon. The committee that is organising the Mart Day in aid of the Public Library is at present appealing for support in the shape of contributions to the several stalls, which will be erected in the streets on the Mart Day (March fl). The Mayoress (Mrs. Jas.'Clarke) is at the ( head- of the movement. An art union is being conducted in connection with the effort, Mr. John Baillie (librarian) having donated ten of his own beautiful water color sketches of land and seascapes of striking pieces of Taranaki country. An exhibition of these pictures is being arranged and tickets, which are one shilling each, are already on sale. The Stratford School Committee's excursion to the New Plymouth Breakwater yesterday was a big success so far as the numbers, who made the journey were concerned, but the day must have been a disappointing one_ Two trains, numbering in all about'3o carriages, carried" the trippers to the seaside, and notwithstanding the threatening appearance of the weather in the morning there, must have been fully 1500 visitors on the trains. About mid"day heavy rain commenced to fall and spoiled all chances of an outdoor picnic. Large numbers of the visitors found shelter at the Moturoa Freezing Works, while others came into town, a few finding their way to and making some amusement at the Coronation Hall. The trains returned from New Plymouth shortly after five o'clock in the afternoon.

"YTillard Day" is one of the notable days in the calendar of W C.T.U., and is given world-wide recognition.. Yesterday the New Plymouth branch of the Union observed the day by holding a social gathering in the' Workers' Social Hall. The intention had been to hold a garden party at the residence of .Mrs. Allan Douglas, Pendarves Street, but the weather made an out-of-door function an impossibility. There was a good gathering and Mrs. Douglas, who opened the proceedings, handed over the meeting to Mrs. Auld, who has recently been appointed president of the local Union. Mrs. Auld acknowledged a warm welcome, extended to her, and gave a brief resume of the life and work of the late Frances E. AVillard, and explained whv her memory was honored by the W.C.TU. throughout the world. "Afternoon ton was served and several musical items by Mrs. R. L. Cooper, assisted to provide a very enjoyable afternoon. Opportunity was taken yesterdav afternoon at the W.C.TU., ' "Willard Day" gathering, by the local workers in the tc-mperanoo reform movement to show their appreciation of the leadership and organisation work accomplished by Mr. C. E. Bollringer during many years of close association in the struggle for tlie abolition of the liquor traffic- The Rev. 0. Blundell presided over this portion of the meeting, and eulogistic speeches were made by Mrs. A. Douglas, the Rev. John Nixon, Mr ft. Cocker, Mr. W. IT. Skinner, and Mr. ("j» IT. Maunder, the latter presenting Mr. Rcllrinjer witli a travelling rug" and fountain pen. All the speakers "wished the guest a very pleasant trip to and the Old Land. Mr. Bellrhicrcr, in acknowledging the presentation and the good wishes of his friendr-. paid a graceful tribute to the work of many others who had served the cause well, TTe also remarked that shipping difficulties had prevented his going away quite as soon as be had expected". Dockrill's arc well stocked with the very best footwear and are offering it. in many cases, at prices lower than"the present manufacturers' prices. Stocks to come to hand must of necessity be higher priced, "OAMROO for me, please." When you are invited to name your refreshment, call for CAMROC DRY C-TNGER ALE. It is guaranteed made from an original Belfast formula, and is absolutely pure. It's worth a test, to test Ita worth, AUbflt^ana^?.

For using obscene language at Eltham, Martin Meuli was fined £3 and costs by the Magistrate. The Eltham school picnic has been fixed io take place on the Fitzroy beach on Thursday, March 11th. At the inquest concerning the death of Wm. Quee, who was found dead in bed at Hawera on Wednesday, medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to heart failure, brought on by pneumonia, and a verdict was returned accordingly. -Star. Two English mails are due at Wellington next week—one by the Athenie from England, and one via Kan Francisco by tho Tofua next Thursday. The latter vessel has an American and Canadian mail. The next English mail expected at New Zealand after the two mentioned will be by the Makura from Vancouver, ■ due at Auckland about March 13th. As the Prime Minister, Mr. W. F. Massoy, is now in Auckland, the announcement of the names of the two new members of the Ministry will be delayed until after his return to Wellington at the beginning of next week. Ho stated that the re-arrangement of portfolios had been delayed by the coal conference, which had occupied most of his time"during the last fortnight. Increased coal supplies having come forward during the past few days for thc : Grand Junction Gold Mining Company, work at the 'battery, which has been temporarily suspended owing to lack of power, has been resumed, and crushing is in full swing. With the coal dispute settled it is not anticipated that there will be any further interruptions in milling or mining. Replying to a question.as to when the Dominion will get a supply of phosphates from the Inland of Nauru, the Prime Minister stated that his latest advice from the Imperial authorities was that good progress is being made with the Nauru transaction, under which Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand are to share in the output from the island. Therefore, he added, the news that the matter lias been finally arranged may he looked for at any time. At the annual meeting of the Eltham branch of the Overseas Club on Wednesday, the following officers were elected: —President, J. L. Campbell; vice-presi-dent, E. Pai'roti; secretary, W. I).'Ross; committee, Mesdames Wilson, Tosswill; Carmen, Horrocks; Messrs. lorns, Fry day, Jenkins, Bennett, Crump, Tosswill! and officers ex officio with power to add to their number; auditor, H. H. Northover. At the meeting of the Eltham School Committee on Wednesday (states the Star), the headmaster reported that the school closed last year with a roll of 323, and re-opei)ed with' a roll of 33(i, with 314 present on the first day. The first as-' sistant (Mr. H. W. Jackson) had been promoted to the hendmastershhip of the new school at Tawhiti, and applications for another male assistant to take his place are now being called f,or. About thirty boys attended a rally' of tho Hawera troop of Boy Scouts on Wednesday evening, at tlie Central Tea Rooms, and were provided with a free tea ■by the local committee. A certificate, suitably prepared for framing, was presented to each of the following recipients, who had rendered valuable sen-ice during the epidemic as a voluntary honorary worker; and is hereby awarded tho thanks of the Government. It was signed by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Public Health:—Sergeant-Major M. Brown, Sergeant Ted Foden, Patrol Leaders George Smith, Ralph Sage, and Len White; corporals, Frank Grant, Percy Townsend, Desmond Ryan, and Hector Baigent; Scouts Archie Blair, Gordon Grant, Arthur Bond, Jack Hutchenson, Norman Smith, Keith McClelian, and William Gould.—Star. The Manaia Town Board is inviting applications for the position of town clerk, treasurer and hall custodian; also for foreman'. Details will be found in the advertisements. Messrs. F. J. V. Wilson and Co., land agents, Hawera, offer a lease of WO acres of land 8 miles from Hawera, with stock and equipments as a going concern. The proposition should interest all those seeking a good t.iing in dairying.