LOCAL AND GENERAL.
Applications for connection received during December bj the New Plymouth borough electricity department numbered forty. During the month sixtynine new consumers were connected to the supply mains and five additions were made to existing installations.
The case against John Barras, of New Plymouth, who is charged with manslaughter, will be heard in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon. The prosecution is a sequel to the death of Miss Ruby Coates, who died on New Year’s Day as the result of injuries received on New Year’s Ev 4 in a motor accident.
The monthly ‘ report of the resident engineer (Mr. R. L. Fearless) shows that a total of 30 men were engaged on the New Plymouth hydro-electric works for the period'ending January 13. The formation of the tramline giving access to the works is in hand, 26 chains having been completed. A satisfactory tender had been received for the driving of 1000 feet of tunnel.
The Kauri, which is due at Auckland from Newcastle to-day, has two bags of mail on board. The ’Shahristan, due at Auckland on Monday from Newcastle, is also bringing a small Australian mail. The R.M.B. Tahiti, which left San Francisco on January 4 for Wellington, has a letter mail consisting of 798 bags and 385 hampers of parcel mail for the Dominion. ’ She is due at Wellington on January 29.
The report of the New Plymouth abattoir manager (Mr. T. J. Reakes) shows that during December there were slaughtered for consumption 199 cattle, 39 calves, 73'0 sheep, 579 lambs, 123 pigs and 13 suckers. The figures show an all-round increase compared with the same month of the previous year, the biggest advance being in the sheep, in which the number was 57 over the 1919 period. Fees earned amounted to £193.
The New Plymouth Fire Brigade received a call to an outbreak at the engineering works of Messrs. Nixon and Co. early yesterday morning. The fire, which was suppressed before much damage was done, originated in a stack of coke whjah hp/T been received the previous day and showed signs of combustion. The heat from the outbreak penetrgted through the wall of the corrugated iron building and spread to sqme woodwork, but the total damage was only about £lO.
Prices for beef at the Westfield fat stock sales on Wednesday showed a reduction in all classes compared with last week’s rates. Extra choice ox realised up to £2 12s per 1001 b, other grades ranging from £2 5s to £2 10s per 1001 b, according to quality. An average number of sheep were penned, and prices were firmer, advances of from 2s to 3s being recorded. Good wethers realised from £1 13s to £1 16s 9d; ewes, £1 8s to £1 I2s 6d; lambs, £1 3s to £1 Ils 9d. Fat pigs were penned in record numbers, competition being very dull. ' Choppers brought from £6 to £8 7s 6d, and baconers £4 to £5 12s.
“Ovjlng to the hot weather the attendance at the baths has increased very materially, but the income is still very unsatisfactory,” states Inspector Day in his monthly report to the New Plymouth Borough Council. “I am very doubtful whether it is advisable to continue the hot baths considering the cost pf upkeep. I intend to submit a report at a later date suggesting some very drastic retrenchments in this establishment if the rewrns remain as they are at present.” In connection with the registration of firearms, which is compulsory under the Arms Act of 1920, Inspector Hutton, in charge of the Taranaki police district, states that a number of people in the district seem be under the impression that a fee will be charged to register weapons. There is, however, no fee, except in the case of dealers’ licenses, and permits to carry pistols and revolvers. A fair number of applications for registration have been received, and a few automatics have been surrendered. These are mostly the property of ex-members of the Expeditionary Force, who have been holding the weapons for sentimental reasons, and under the Act provision is made for the return of the pistols in such cases.
Referring to the question of sanitation, in the course of his monthly report to the New Plymouth Borough Council, the general manager (Mr. F. T/ Bellringer) directs attention to the absolute necessity of an efficient drainage system at Ngamotu beach. He says: “The matter has been the subject of previous reports, and. the society has from time to time considered schemes for providing suitable drainage. Nothing, however, has been done and some day, possibly in the very near future, there will be a severe epidemic in this locality. The matter should again be taken itp with the society and a satisfactory IXattaS of drainage insisted
After a spell of nearly three weeks’ fine weather, light rain fell in the New .Plymouth district about five o’clock last evening and continued for two hours, when it ceased and the night was fine and cool. The weather prospects as given in last night’s official forecast are: Present indications are for strong east to south-east winds, and unsettled weather, with rain probable generally, and heavy rain in the northern districts. The barometer is unsteady but is rising everywhere shortly.
The offices of Public Trustee and Assistant Public Trustee at present both vacant. The death of Mr. R. Triggs last. November rendered the former position vacant, while the latter vacated on March 31, 1920, by Mr. RonVdson, who had then been absent on sick leave since the previous November. Both appointments have to be made by the Government, and not by the Public Service Commissioner. The Minister in charge of the department, the Hon. J. G. Coates, stated on Wednesday zthat the Cabinet had not yet come to a decision as regards either position.
Commenting on the progress of street works in New Plymouth, the general manager (Mr. F, T. Bellringer), in his monthly report, states that it was anticipated that laboi would be more plentiful in the new year, but so far these anticipations have not been realised. The borough engineer is now proceeding with the tarring work, but he lias only been able to secure sufficient men by closing down all other work, including the crusher and asphalt mixing plant. AH labor is therefore concentrated upon the tarring work, which commenced immediately after the holidays. The Eltham School Committee have for some time past been endeavoring to secure the re-establishment of the Eltham District High School, and the chairman, Mr. I. J. Bridger, has been particularly, active in the matter. By dint of personal exertion he has now received promises from parents which, if faithfully carried, out, will secure an attendance of 21 pupils if the school is re-established (says the Argus;. Under the circumstances Mr. Bridger has felt justified in approaching the Education Board on the matter, and has sent to the chairman the following telegram: “Secured twffity-one pupils for secondary department Eltham school. Forwarding names by post. Wish apply urgently for establishment of District High School for commencement of year; prospect of increase good. Building and equipment already available.”
There are about 70 subscribers awaiting connection with the* New Plymouth telephone exchange, but the great scarcity of materials which is being experienced has held up Hie work’ for, some time An official of the department stated yesterday that last month about nine connections were made, and even this taxed the resources as regards supplies. The stocks of insulators, wire, and, in fact, all materials are practically nil and there seems little prospect of immediate relief. With * a Dominionwide demand the department has to allot tjip small supplies over a large area. New Zealand Xis not alone in this position and it is stated that every country is years behind witji its telephone extensions and it will take a long time to obtain and instal the necessary apparatus as only two companies a>3 manufacturing automatic telephone apparatus on a commercial scale. In New York alone 45,000 subscribers are awaiting connection, and three new exchanges are being built to cope with the demand, while in London 35.000 are waiting and the General Post Office has authorised the expenditure of £10,000,000 on the extension of the telephone plant. Seats are being freely booked for the round-the-mountain motor trip tomorrow, promoted by Mr Geo. Gibson. Weather permitting, motors leave New Plymouth at 8.30, reaching Dawson’s Fall at 11.15, and departing for Opunake at 3 p.m., returning to town at about five. Further trips to the Mokau are being arranged for January 23 and February 6, if the weather is suitable.
“Brooklands” and “Maranui” will be open to the public to-morrow. Visitors to the town are reminded that the best roujte to take is through Pukekura Park, thence to “Brooklands,” through the bush to “Maranui,” and home either via the racecourse or Avenue Road, or vice versa, entering by the drive to “Maranui” from the Avenue Road, and thence through “Broklands,” and the park.
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Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1921, Page 4
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1,501LOCAL AND GENERAL. Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1921, Page 4
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