LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Beginning next month, the price of meat in Wanganui is to be reduced Id per lb all round, except on rump steak.

An earthquake was felt in New Plymouth about 2.40 p.m. on Saturday. The movement was very pronounced, the vibration lasting several seconds. At Newton King, Ltd.’s New Plymouth Haymarket on Saturday pedigree weaner Berkshire boars made up to 20s, sows 225. Ordinary slips up to 10s 6d and stores to 27s 6d.

A number of school swimming sports will be held during the next fortnight, various dates having been reserved at the Municipal Baths for the fixtures. On Wednesday afternoon the heats in the Boys’ High School events will be got off, and on Friday the Girls’ High School races will be held. The finals in the boys’ events yrill be decided on the following Monday night (March 5). The New Plymouth Technical College sports have been fixed for Wednesday (March 10).

At a meeting of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce on Friday night, a letter was received from the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce in support of a universal Saturday half-holiday. A letter on the same subject was received from the New Plymouth Sports Committee, stating that no stone would be left unturned to carry Saturday’ at the poll. It was believed that Saturday would be adopted by an overwhelming majority. It was decided to write stating that a poll was being taken, making any action by the chamber unnecessary.

An elderly man, named S. Brooks, while attempting to cross Devon Street (near the Brougham Street corner) on Saturday night, about half-past seven, was run down by a tram coming from Fitzroy, but a serious accident was averted through the prompt application of the brakes by Motorman V George, and the car just grazed Brooks. He received a slight fall, which, however, did not result in any injury, and he was able to proceed home. Brooks, who is somewhat hard of hearing, did not notice the car coming, though the warning bell was sounded by the motorman. The general committee of the Taranaki Agricultural and Pastoral Society on Saturday decided that the field root competitions conducted in conjunction with the Winter Show be again instituted this year. The president (Mr. W. B. Grant) reported that good support for the classes had been promised by the New Plymouth seed merchants, -who were interviewed by the sub-committee appointed for the purpose at a previous meeting. The committee appointed, the field acreage committee to draw up the schedule for the competitions, with power to act.

A meeting of the general committee of the Taranaki Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held on Saturday, when arrangements generally in connection with the forthcoming show, on March 9 and 10, were reviewed, and final appointments made in the lists of stewards. Advice was received from the manager of the Moumahaki State Farm stating that a number of Ayrshire cattle from the farm would be competing in classes at the show. The following new members of the society were elected: Messrs. T. Telford, H. E. Marsh, C. Harris (Oakura), A. W. Yeates (Inglewood), F. W. Mace (Kaim.ata), and C. Peach (Mangorei Road). By a recent American mail, Mr F. W. G. McLeod received an offer to take up the musical directorship of one of the foremost military concert bands,, with headquarters at San Francisco. The membership varies from 37 to 44, according to requirements, and embraces reeds, wood-wind, strings and brass. Mr. Papakakura, is singing two of Mr. McLeod’s song compositions on the Chautauqua circuit platform this season, and the above offer is attributed to the publicity <riven to the composer’s name by this means. However, the invitation has been declined, owing to the continued illness of Mrs. McLeod, and other rea-

‘•The problems of our Maori work are being bravely and wisely faced by the new general superintendent,” remarked the Rev. W. Grigg, in the course of his inaugural address to the Methodist Conference last week. ‘‘There is gratifying- evidence, too, that our Church is becoming keenly alive to the importance of educating the Maori girl to become an intelligent and capable wife and mother. It is largely through the womanhood of any race or people that moral and spiritual uplift comes.”

The literary and entertainment committee of the Victoria League will hold the first evening of the season to-night, at 7.30 o’clock, when a musical programme arranged by Miss Earle will be given. A charge of' 6d will be made for the piano fund. Supper may be obUiW

The situation on the wharves is presumably beginning to have its effect on the number of applications made to the Labor Department’s Wellington bureau for unskilled employment. During the week ended February 17, 15 men applied for unskilled employment, and 11 were placed. During the past week the number of men in jobs was 26, end the bureau ’had on its books onlj -me request from an employer for the services of a laborer. The New Zealand National Council of Women recently asked the Wellington Hospital Board to make a statement of its policy in: tire matter of the appointment of women doctors. The secretary (Mr. J. Coyle), replied that the board was not hostile to the appointment of qualified women doctors to the medical staff, but owing to there being no accommodation at present available for women doctors; and the time being inopportune for making such provision, the board did not feel disposed to make any recommendation. At last week’s meeting of the board approval of the secretary’s Yeply was given by members, one of whom (a lady) remarked that the “National Council of Women was not to be taken seriously.” The monthly record of mortgages registered and discharged in New Zealand during the last two years is published in the abstract of statistics. In 1919, there were 34,913 mortgages, representing £38,544,802 registered, and 28.185 mortgages representing £19.267,440 discharged, the increase for the year being £19,277,302. Last year the registrations totalled 58,895, representing £69,993,531, and the discharges 42,811, representing £31,580,598, the increase for the year being £38,412,933. The highest figure was reached in August of last year, when mortgages representing £7,223,033 were registered. Since then thebe has been a decline, though the registrations in December amounted to £5,557,181. According to the Year Book, the total amount represented by the mortgages on the register under the Land Transfer and Deeds Registration Acts on March 31, 1919, was £146,750,636. The increase during the period of 21 months to December 31, 1920, was over £55,000,000, the total at the latter date being £202,556,114. The large quantities of timber found buried in the swamp lands between Paekakariki and the Waitotara River, and the logs continually unearthed in the Manawatu River as the floods cut away the banks, have led Mr. R. A. Macdonald, Levin, and Mr J. S. Mail, Palmerston North, to study the characteristics of the lands (writes'the Palmerston North correspondent of the Times). Mr. Macdonald is of opinion that at one time the North Island and South Island were joined together from Taranaki to Cape Farewell, and that the whole coast has been one totara forest and flat country. We have the proof of it he says, because all the swamps along this const are full of totara that at one time grew there. This forest was evidently destroyed by a tidal wave, or through some volcanic upheaval. People are getting good timber far fencing posts out of the swamps between Levin and the beach, and some of the trees are enormous in size. Mr J. S. Mail, in discussing the matter, said that he had seen evidence of a buried forest at the mouth of the Waitotara River, where there is a clump of broken stumps, which look like totara. “At first,” remarked Mr. Mail, “I thought it remarkable that driftwood should be standing upright in such quantities, but later concluded that these trees had grown there.”

For washing silks, georgettes, crepe de chines, etc., “Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap is “out on its own.” A tablespoonful of “Fairy” added to a basin of hot water makes a cre'amy lather, into which place the soiled garments. Soak and squeeze them through the lather a few times, and they will come out spotlessly clean, and with all traces of perspiration odor removed. All grocers stock “Fairy.” Buy Manchester goods this week at the Melbourne. Horrockses 36-inch Al calico 1/9 yard; splendid indigo print l/ljl yard; strong indigo drillette 2/3 yard: large heavy white towels 8/11 pair; grey sheetings, 54in., 3/6; 7‘2-inch, 4/6; 80-inch, 4/11. Buy how.

Genuine sales come and go. Ladies are reminded that the wonderful prices at Morey’s great clearance sale will only be available for a few days longefr. Every item in a big, comprehensive stock has been marked at a figure bearing its own argument. Call early and benefit by the unusual opportunities offering at Morey’s genuine sale.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second and Third Groups) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable today. February 28, at the secretary’s office, Currie Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 ji.m. to 8 p.m. —Advt.