LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At Newton King, Ltd.'s New Plymouth haymarket on Saturday, weaner pigs made 18s to 20s 6d, small-slips 25s to 265, good slips up to 345. The sittings of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth was concluded, for the present, on Saturday afternoon, but will be continued when Mr. Justice Salmond completes the Wanganui sessions. A hut on the foreshore, near Kawaroa Park, was destroyed by fire on Saturday night, two young men losing their temporary home. This is the second beach hut to be lost by Are within a few months.

In lining a at the Manaia Court on Wednesday for obscene language, the Magistrate said he intended to bo severe in cases of the sort and would commit the offenders to prison without the option of a line. There was a full attendance at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Makalm Dairy Factory Co. The annual report and- balance-sheet were adopted, meeting with general approval. Mr. A. Coyne was re-clected chairman of directors, and Mr. T. Waite was appointed manager, vice Mr. Mann, who has gone farming.

At Saturday's sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, his Honor Mr. Justice Salmond granted motions for discharge in bankruptcy in the cases of Jesse Tapp, of Kaupokonui (Mr. P. K. Wilson), and Henry Towler, late of Whangamomona and now of Hastings, Hawke's Bay (Mr. C. H. Croker).

Instead of the present margin of profit of' 33 1-3 per cent on blankets, the Auckland Drapers' Association thinks that the Board of Trade should allow 50 per cent, A deputation with this request waited on the chairman of the Board of Trade (Mr. W. G. McDonald) yesterday. He promised to look into the matter, and said he would let the Association know the result of the Board's deliberation.

One hundred years ago on May 3rd a plough was put to New Zealand soil for the first time. An account of the event was written by Rev. J. Butler in the Church Missionary Society's report for 1820. "This morning," he wro'p on May 3rd, 1820, "I put the agricultural plough into New Zealand soil for the first time and felt much pleasuro in holding it after the bullocks. This day I trust will be remembered, and the anniversary kept by ages yet unborn." A Supreme Court action which will cause considerable interest in legal and judicial circles has been instituted by Mr. P. B. Fitherbert, barrister and solicitor, against President Acheson of the Aotea District Maori Land Board. Mr. Fitzherlert is claiming £3OOO damages for alleged slander, which is said to have been uttered by Mr. Acheson at a sitting of the Native Land Board at Hawera last month. The action will come on for hearing at the December sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. The writ was issued by Messrs. Johnstone and Croker.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki brancii of the New /fcaland Association of H.M. Veterans, was held in the Soldiers' Club, New Plymouth, on- Saturday afternoon. About 15 veterans were present and Mr. G. A. Adlarn was voted to the cliair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £2l 4s Bd. Mr. G. A. Adlam was appointed deputy vicepresident. The following general committee was appointed: Messrs. J. Andrews, 0. Oxenham, H. Ndwland, W. F. Brooking, J. Lister, G. Billing and J. Kenyon. Messrs. 0. Oxenham and J. Andrews were appointed delegates to attend the forthcoming annual conference to be held in New Plymouth. Mr. G. A. Adlam was elected treasurer, Mr. Black ! secretary, and Mr. W. D. Webster auditor,

"If you increase prices all round in all industries, then these must inevitably be reflected in increased prices of goods, unless you can in some way keep prices down, which, according to the authorities you quote, is impossible," remarked Mr Justice Stringer in the Arbitration Court ~at Wellington, in replying to Mr M. J. Keardon's contention that prices were not eorltrolled by the local market, but by the world market; and that the rise in the cost of living was independent of the inaidence of wages. *You can only control prices," continued his Honor, "by economy in spending less. If people would only wear their clothes and boots for a much longer period than at present, prices would have to come down. People could not afford to hold goods at permanently high prices. But while everybody is seeking to maintain the same standard of living, prices will not come down." Mr. Heardon: "Should the workers, alone practice economy?" His Honor; l 'l think everybody should do it."

An application under the Family Protection Act for an order varying the terms of the will of the late John Downs was made by his widow, Mary Downs, at the Supreme Court on Saturday afternoon before his Honor Mr. Justice Salmond. Mr. C. H. Weston appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. R. H. Quilliam appeared on behalf of the trustees under the will. He stated that he was instructed by the residuary legatees under the will, the New Plymouth Borough Council, to state that they would not oppose the application and would abide by the judgment of the Courts The terms of the will were that the plaintiff was left a free house and was to be paid £1 a week out of the estate, the remainder of which was loft to the New Plymouth Borough Council. Plaintiff now asked that the annuity should be increased to £l2O a year. After hearing evidence his Honor reserved his decision. Flannels! Flanhels! The Melbourne Ltd. have a stock of the famotis "Doctor" flannels, in the piece, or made up. These goods are famous for durability and are practically unshrinkable. Price per yard 4/11. Men's under-flannels, in natural and navy, 13/9.