LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"General Birdwood now finds that owing to early sailing of his ship he has had to curtail his Now Zealand programme, and deeply regrets that he will not now be able to visit your town as originally proposed," states a telegram received by the New Plymouth Borough Council yesterday afternoon, from the Upder-Secre-tary of the Department of Internal Affairs. Travellers on the road in South Taranaki all remark on the extraordinary number of lorries and drays to be seen carting furniture from one part to another. The annual flitting is at hand, but it is more pronounced than usual. It seems to resemble a kind of "general post," says the Star. In regard to the -observations of a local builder in our columns yesterday re the building of expensive private motor garages in these'times' of scarcity of building material, one resident who is now putting up a structure of this nature tells us that ho much preferred building in wood, if for no other reason than tiw cheapness in cost. He had, however, no option but tOjs>uild in concrete, 'as the building by-laws enforced it in the particular area in which he resides. In view of the shortage of cement, and the fact that the whole of the works in New Zealand are not working, the Hamilton Borough Council has circularised local bodies, asking support in urging on the Government that the import duty on cement should be removed. The matter was before the Taranaki County Council yesterday, but no action was taken. Two Taranaki lads enlisted in the early days of the war, went through camp together, fought right through the war together, both got hit, returned together, took up a farm together, and now are buying furniture together, a loan for ..which was passed by the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee last evening. The view was expressed that it would be a fitting finale if they got married together. We stated on Saturday that, as far as Taranaki is concerned, the Land Board lias never actually closed down on applications for advnnces to discharged soldiers, but has forwarded those which it lias approved to Wellington,'for the final approval of the Minister, who, in a great many instances, has given them the cold shoulder. Mr. G. H. Bullard, Crown Lands Commissioner, desires us to say that this docs not represent his view, nor that of the local Land Office.

Ladies! why continue wash-board drudgery when "Fairy Wonder" will do the work for you without unnecessary rubbing? This is no idle boast. "Fairy" litis been tested and proved by thousands of housewives throughout the Dominion. "Fairy" is also economical and very pleasant to use. All grocers stock it. The last week of the Melbourne's great sale is announced, the last day being Saturday the 10th inst. Buyers are urged to take advantage of the sale offerings during the week as all sale lines will be advanced after the close of the sale.

It keeps hot all flight—the "UNIQUE" HOT WATER BOTTLE. Heavily vulcanised seams, patent stopper. Cannot crack or leak. On sale everywhere and carries the brand oil neck of bottle' "

The Taranaki County Council's contribution to the Taranaki Hospital Board for the ensuing year is £1920 17s. The following are the vital statistics of the Inglewood registration district for the six months ended 30th June, 1920: 3 deaths, 82 births, and 18 marriages. The Ilawera electric supply is not equal to the demands, and the company is asking motor users to reduce consumption after 4 o'clock. The season's outlook for the dairy farmer is a good one, and is being looke;l forward to with an optimistic feeling (suites the Argus). It is thought thai next season there will be scarcely farm in Eltham district that will be purchasable at less than £IOO per acre. A request was received by the Taranaki County Council, at its meeting yesterday, from the Taranaki Hydro-Elec-tric League, asking the Councii to tribute £65 towards the eost of obtaining a report as to whether an adequate source of supply was available within' the province, and also an estimate of installing the plant. The Council decided to vote a sum as requested. , Once again Messrs, Howell and Howell are to the fore in announcing a special, line of new- shirts. These garmenta, have been almost unprocurable at any-' thing like a reasonable figure for'some time past, but their firm announces a splendidly assorted stock at prices which will be welcomed by people in quest of good value in underwear. Don't forget it is Howell and Howell's who specialise in men's wear.

Mr. Messenger, architect to the Taranaki Hospital Board, was in Opunake on Wednesday, and together with members of the Egmont Nursing Association made an inspection of the proposed hospital site. New plans are now being prepared and as soon as they are completed and approved the work of erecting the hospital will be proceeded with.—Times. The Minister of Internal Affairs advises that he had received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that first and second class accommodation on boats for New Zealand is fully booked up to the end of December next, and that the steamship companies have long waiting lists. The High Commissioner asks that the travelling public should be advised of the present acute conditions and the uncertainty of securing passages for return to New Zealand. . .

The district provincial convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held at Manaia on Wednesday last. Delegates were present from the various unions. Mrs. Phillip (Stratford) was re-elected president of tlie District Provincial Convention, Miss Patterson secretary, and Mrs. Jamieson treasurer. An interesting feature of the afternoon was a presentation to Mrs. X. Jones, Ngaere, who is leaving that district to take up her home in Christclrtireh. She will be greatly missed as a White Kibbon Worker- The Manaia ladies hospitably entertained the visitors There was a large attendance again last night to witness the screening of the second part of the Bible Drama of Creation, at the Workers' Social Hail, and appreciation was both felt and expressed. To-night the last part, the climax of the drama, will be given. Its title, ."From Calvary to the End of the Millenium," indicates its scope. Among many bcautiful pictures is a panorama of "Nero's Circus at Rome," by John Ilytka The original painting, valued at £50,000, was destroyed in the Chicago Art Gallery fire. It shows how hundreds of Christians were crucified "to make a Roman holiday." The drama is surely awakening a great interest in the great truths of the Bible, botli aipong young and old. That such entertaining and educational services should be provided by the Bibk students entirely free to the public many think is remarkable.

Writes a correspondent:—So urgently important is the solution of the housing problem that no apology is needec l . for again referring to the subject. There has been so much discussion of this urgently important subject and so little practical action taken, that the propounding of a definite municipal scheme would be distinctly welcome not only as a practical contribution towards relieving the present congestion, but as an example to other municipalities. Municipalities all over England have tackled this housing problem, in addition to which the Government proposes to ere.it 200,000 houses. On a population basis the New Zealand Government should at this rate erect over 4000 houses, but so far the amount authorised falls far short of the number-®- Apparently salvation, so far as housing goes, can only be expected from the municipalities. The time .for treating the question from an academical point of view has passed. Local authorities in Taranald, I understnd, have been given the necessary pcwer to provide the much needed dwellings for workers, and technical assistance has been provided to municipalities by the appointment of experts to advise them. The Government, however, should take the initiative, and be prepared to provide the necessary money.

A Basket Social will be held at the Oakura Hall on Thursday, 15th July, proceeds being in aid of the £IOOO Pukekura Park Fund. ;