LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Taranaki man explaining to a. doctor why his son, a returned soldier, did not adhere strictly to instructions, said: "You see, he is such a careless boy." "Yes," replied the doctor, "that's just it; if it hadn't been for these careless boys, you and I would not have been here to-day. The careful ones were too busy keeping the home fires burning." Members of the New Plymouth branch of the Victoria League assembled in goodly numbers yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the opening of the club rooms, recently acquired on the third floor of the A.M.P. buildings. An enjoyable afternoon was experienced by the ladies. During the proceedings the president (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) explained the committee's proposals regarding the future management. The club -rooms are to be open from 10.30 a.m. each day for morning and afiernon tea to members, and any visitors must be accompanied by a member of the League.

Despito repeated warnings, pedestrians continue to cross the street without taking the precaution of looking up and down to see if the road is clear of traffic. Yesterday morning an elderly lady had a remarkably narrow escape whilst crossing Devon Street, near the Imperial Hotel corner. She passed from behind a standing tram car right in front of a car proceeding to Fitzroy, though the warning bell wag being rung vigorously. Only the prompt application of the emergency brake by Motorman George averted un accident, the car being brought to an immediate standstill within a foot of the lady, who could hardly realise her close call.

There are eight new sawmills being constructed in the Hokitika district, and one hardly knows where they are going to pet all the men needed to work them (writes the Hokitika correspondent of the Grey .River Argus). Some of the present mills are working ghortbanded as it is, and it is not everybody that cares about mill work. At the present time there is far too much boy labor in the mills. Some of the boys would do far better if they stuck to school a little longer, as they will be broken down before they are |0 years of age. Of course, one knows tli'iit the high cost of living is pressing hard upon families, and somebody must, see to the breadwinning, but it is a pity that the burden falls upon shoulders so young.

For some considerable time serious complaints have been made concerning goods missing from consignments to the Asliburton railway station (writes the Asliburton correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). The police have been making investigations, which culminated in the arrest of J. G. Murray and C. A. Travis, railway guards, on charges of alleged theft. Previous to the arrests being made the houses of both men were searched, and x in each case an express load of allegedly stolen goods was removed to the police station. Detective Gibson, who was associated with the local police in their operations, staled that goods were missing not only from the yards and goods shed, but also from travellers' hampers. The arrests have caused a sensation in Asliburton, where both men are well known. The gocds taken in the search included quantities of groceries and clothing.

The Bon Marche, lvapo'nga, lias made a special purchase of £3OOO worth of up-to-date drapery, and on Friday morning a big bargain sale will commence. For 'the thrifty housewife and the public generally this sale offers unusual advantages. A visit will convince that the prices are right. Camisole tops and nightdress tops in ■the very newest designs have just been unpacked by Morcy and Son, and present the latest ideas in embroidery, Valenciennes lace and iilet laee at very low prices. The annual athletic sports of the New Plymouth Boys' High School will be held to-morrow at the school grounds. Permission lias been granted the Salvation Army by the New Plymouth Borough Council to take up a street collection on Saturday, 30th inst. The appeal will be in aid of the Self-Denial

The Minister of Industries has notified the New Plymouth Borough Council ihat Cabinet is considering the preparation of legislation this .session governing the supply of gas.

In connection with the Government campaign to raise £0,000,000 for discharged soldiers' settlement, the New Plymouth Borough Council last, night granted an application from tie Treasury Department for permission to display posters regarding the loan. on th» tramears.

At a meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Labor Party last night, it was decided to invite delegates from the luglewood, Eltham, and Haweru. branches to attend the annual meeting (to be hold on November 0) with the idea of forming a 'provincial organisation to further the interests of the Labor Partv in Taranaki.

The annual reports of the New Plymouth Borough Council, for the year 1919-20, have just been completed in neat booklet form, making a handy record of the borough work during the period. In an introductory note the general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) remarks: "The year has been noteworthy for the many momentous questions for the future prosperity of the town upon which the Council was called upon to give its decision.''

In connection with the New Plymouth Borough loan proposals, a public meeting will be convened by the Council for Monday evening next at the Soldiers' Club. At last night's meeting of the Council the Mayor and other members emphasised, that it was of extreme importance that the £22,000 loan (to procure new ears and other tramways appurtenances) should be approved by the ratepayers.- The tramways manager said there was not only the fact that the present rolling stock could not carry the traffic, but also that it could not be handled to the best advantage if working full pressure all the time

The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., wish to draw clients' attention to their Te Wera sale which they are holding in their Te Wera yards on Friday, 29th October, at 1 p.m. Full particulars of entries will be found on page 8 of this issue. Owing to the recent heavy rains preventing the mustering and travelling of stock, Newton King, Ltd., have postponed their Okau sale to Saturday, oth November.

Ladies! Do you want to save ten shillings on your new raincoat? If so come and inspect those offering at the Melbourne's sale. Grand quality ' unlincd belted coats, usual price 85s, sale price 755; check lined raincoats, belted, usual price 955, sale price 85s. "Fairy Wonder" Dry Soap still forges ahead as the premier washing powder and household help. There is hardly a house now in Taranaki where this popular compound is not used. "Fairy" makes and keeps the clothes a good color at half the cost, time and labor of old methods. IJon't forget to order "Fairy" from your grocer or storekeeper. They all stock it.