LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A telegram from Dunedin says the trouble at the Kaitangata coal mine hag now ended, and the mines will be in full swing again to-day.

At Newton King, Ltd.’s. New Plymouth Haymarket on Saturday’ there was only a small number of pigs penned and the market showed a slight incline on recent sales. Weaners made from 10s 6d to 14s 6d, and slips 15s 6d. About twenty members of the Hawera Motor-Cycle Club took part in a run to New Plymouth yesterday They were entertained by the New Plymouth Club to dinner at the Ngamotu Palladium, and to afternoon tea at Kawaroa Park. After a most enjoyable day on the beach the party left for home at five o’clock. Advantage was taken of the visit to forward arrangements for the forthcoming motor races at New Plymouth on March 5. ■On the 20th inst.- the Eltham Dairy Factory’s pay-lout will be a record in the company’s history, the sum to be distributed among the suppliers being no less than £49,000 (says the Argus). This amount is made up of a payment of 2s per lb butterfat for the month of January, together with a 6d bonus on previous payments, only Is Gd per lb butterfat having been paid out to date this season.

Some interesting figures concerning births and. deaths at New Plymouth are published in last week’s Gazette. The number of births during last year was

£OO, while deaths numbered 124. Estimating the population at 11,058, the proportion of births' per 1000 of the population was 35.27, and in the same way the proportion of deaths was 11.21. Deaths under one year numbered 12, and deaths under five years totalled 16. A cattle dog had a narrow escape from sudd/n death on Saturday afternoon in Devon Street, when \it was caught by the front guard of a tram car, which went over it. The motorman pulled the car up promptly, and spectators qtiite expected that the dog had been killed. However, it had fortunately been between the rails, and, though somewhat dazed when released,-quickly made off, apparently little thqZ worse. The Eltham County Council has decided to guarantee to take 8000 yards of crushed metal and 1000 yards of chips from the Mt. Egmont Quarries during the first year the quarries are open. At Saturday’s meeting of the County Council the opinion was expressed that good guarantees were now being given by local bodies, and there seemed no doubt that the Government would not be able to supply all orders when the quarries were opened. Two performances were given during the week-end by the New Plymouth Citizens’ Band, and on each occasion their appearance was welcomed by townspeople. On Saturday night the band marched through Devon Street, giving a varied programme. Yesterday afternoon a recital at Kawaroa Park was largely attended by the public, and a collection in aid of the band funds realised £l5. There was a big muster of the band (under Conductor R. Taylor), and a pleasing programme of music given was heartily appreciated by those present.

A new record at the port of New Plymouth s was established on Saturday afternoon, when the auxiliary schooner La Merced was brought in and berthed

at half-tide when she was drawing 24ft 3in, the deepest draught of any vessel which has entered the port. The La Merced is a vessel of 1696 tons gross, .with a length of 232 feet and a breadth of 43 ft. She has 2500 tons of coal to discharge here, and her movements from this port are not fixed yet. With the departure on Saturday of the liner Kumara and two coastal cargo steamers, the congestion at the port has been temporarily removed. Infantile paralysis has made its appearance in Wanganui. During the past six weeks nine cases have occurred in Wanganui (inclusive of Gonville and Castlccliff), and three have been reported from outside places. On Tuesday one death occurred at the Wanganui Hospital, and on Thursday four fresh cases were reported in the borough. A number of the cases are under treatment at the hospital, and a ward has had to be cleared to make room for patients. The rise and fame of “Fairy Wonder” washing powder reads like a fairy tale. Three short years ago this wonderful household help was unknown. To-day it is used throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion, and sales are increasing at a prodigious rate. There’s H reason for this, and any practical woman will tell you why. Ask your grocer for a packet and give it a personal trial. It’s the greatest labor saver of the age.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second and Third Groups) hre notified that subscriptions will be due and payable today. Monday, February 14, at the Secretary’s Office, Currie Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. I J? «

An application of a unique nature was received from a returned soldier at a meeting of the Gisborne Citizens’ Defence Committee. The applicant requested an advance to assist him in a time of need, as he was saving money in order to get a divorce. He promised that if he was successful in obtaining the compensation he asked for in respect of the divorce, he would settle with the committee at the earliest moment. It was unanimously decided that the committee could not ’ entertain the proposition.

The chief telegraph engineer, Mr. E. A. Shrimpton, has returned from a visit to America, Great Britain and Europe, for the purpose of making himself conversant with the latest developments in telegraphic and telephonic, as well as wireless, installation and administration. When in Great Britain, Mr. Shrimpton interviewed various manufacturers of telegraph and telephone material with whom orders had been placed by the New Zealand Government, with the object of obtaining delivery at an early date of long-delayed shipments. In this respect, he states that he met with considerable success. /

A further case of a wonderful cure effected by Ratana, the Maori “miracle man,” is recorded in the case of a Waikato Native, says an exchange. The patient, when a young man, suffered a strain, as a result of which his eyes closed, and his sight went entirely. He remained in this condition for 25 years. As the result of one treatment by Ratana, it is stated his eyes opened, and he recovered sufficient sight to enable him to walk about without guidance. A film remained before the eyes, but Ratana promised a.cure without a surgical operation.

“After examining fairly closely into a great many of the postal systems of the world,” said the Secretary of the P. and T. Department (Mr. R. B. Morris), who has just returned from England, “I am able to say that we in New Zealand are well above tlie staiylard. I met many men, and after comparing notes, they were invariably surprised to learn how progressive New Zealand was in postal matters. Of all the telephone systems of the world I had experience rZ T should say that Sydney’s was the dearest and worst . We also felt the high cost of living more in Sydney than anywhere else.

The catering at the Taranaki Autumn Show during the past few years *has been in the charge of the ladies’ committee, and has undoubtedly been a great feature of the show, being very fovorably commented on by visitors and exhibitors from all parts. This year the ladies have again taken the matter in hand, and arrangements are well forward, several meetings having already been held. Owing to the cost of hire and cartage each year, the society has purchased its own crockery and cutlery at a cost of £l'sl, and it is hoped to pay for this by donations, a number of which have already been received, while at yesterday’s meeting a further sum was handed in by' members. Further donations would be welcomed by the society.

The third season of Chautauqua in New Plymouth was brought to a successful conclusion on Saturday evening. On Saturday morning a Junior Chautauqua was held at the Central School grounds, when the children, who have been trained during the week by Miss Noren, participated in a programme of dancing and varied competitive games. A large number of parents were also present. The programme both afternoon and evening consisted of a concert by the Fenwick Newell Party and a lecture by Captain R. Muir Allan. In the afternoon Captain Allan lectured on “The Unity Existing Among all Eng-lish-Speaking Nations”, whilst in the evening he delivered a very interesting and instructive address on Scotland’s national poet —Robert Burns. The value of the latter lecture was further enhanced by a large number of slides connected with the poet’s life and the land in which he lived.

During a discussion on the Motor Regulations Act at Saturday’s meeting of the Eltham County Council, Cr. McWilliam remarked that he had noticed that skeletonised number plates were coming greatly into vogue, and he' thought they should not be He explained that these number plates were very difficult to see at a distance, and were particularly hard to distinguish at night. In his opinion, the numbers should be painted in white on a black background, and this should be insisted on. The chairman (Cr. C. J. Belcher) said that skeleton numbers were not allowed by the statute, but in spite of this were being used by many owners of motor cars.. The council did not take any action in the matter. An improved demand for beef was experienced at the Westfield fat stock sales on Wednesday. Compared with last week’s rates, * prices for all choice and prime quality cattle were firmer. Extra choice ox realised up to £2 Ils per 100 lb, choice and prime £2 8s to £2 10s, ordinary to £2 7s. Sheep were not penned in average numbers, competition being keener and prices firmer. Extra heavy prime wethers sold at from £ll4s Gd to £1 15s Gd, medium to heavy prime £1 8s to £1 14s, ewes £1 4s to £1 10s 3d, and lambs £1 3s to £1 10s. Pigs were penned in average numbers, and prices showed an improvement on last week’s rates. Heavy baconers realised £4 5s to £4 14s, and heavy porkers from £3 10s to £3 16s.

A reminder is given to members of the Clarke Memorial Hostel Committee of a meeting to be held this evening at 7.30 o’clock, at the office of Mr. Hugh Baily A full attendance is requested.

Messrs Howell and Howell announce that for two weeks they are offering their stock of men’s suits at a liberal discount of 3s in the £. This is a genuine chance to save money and a chance which will be welcomed by those in need of a good suit at a moderate cost. This firm’s reputation for supplying only top-grade suits should surely be an incentive to secure a suit while this great money-saving offer continues

The gigantic reduction sale at the Melbourne continues to attract crowds of shoppers. The bargains brought forward each day are of such a sensational character that all previous business records are being smashed. Ladies’ blouses, underwear and Manchester goods, such as calicoes, sheetings and towels, are being quitted quite regardless of cost. Shoppers are saving much money.

It was proved at the Supreme Court of Victoria, at Melbourne, that (1) SANDER’S EXTRACT is much more powerfully tyealing and antiseptic than ordinary * eucalyptus preparations; (2) SANDER’S EXTRACT does not depress the heart like the so-ealled “extracts” and crude oils; (3) SANDER’S EXTRACT is highly commended by many authorities as a safe, reliable and effective household remedy. Get thif £ou have tor-apd bo