LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It was reported at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Progress League that the total quantity of metal from the Mt. Egmont quarries which local bodies in Taranaki were willing to take if the price was satisfactory was 120,000 cubic yards.

A meeting of the executive appointed in connection with the raising of funds for the Central and Courtenay Street Schools was held last night. Reports received indicated ffiat so far very satisfactory promises of support have been made in connection with the At Home to be. held in April. It was decided to ,scnd out a circular to parents with the'names of all stalls, asking to which stall they will contribute.

Reporting to a meeting of the Pukekura Park Board last night, the chairman (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) stated that cycling through the grounds bad become quite prevalent, most of the offenders being boys. The foreman had been instructed to warn persons- riding along the paths, but this apparently had not had much effect, and if the practice cofitinued the board would have to institute Court proceedings in future cases.

At a meeting of the Westown Ratepayers’ Association, last night, Mr. J. D. Sole presiding, matters in connection with the forthcoming' municipal' elections were discussed. It was unanimously decided to ask Mr. F. E. Wilson to again allow himself to be nominated for the position of Mayor. The names of several gentlemen were mentioned as prospective councillors, and a committee was set up to approach them and report to a further meeting to be held on Wednesday next.

A call to the New Plymouth Fire Brigade was made just before ten o'clock last night, an outbreak, of fire having occurred in the Salvation Army Hall in Broqgham Street. The fire, which was quickly extinguished, originated in some greenery and other materials, which had been used for decorative purposes at a function recently held in the hall, and which had caught alight. Members of the Army were absent at the time at a farewell function to a local and the hall had been left open. Only slight damage resulted, a small part of the flooring and a couple of forms being charred. Two attractive prizes will be given to the winners of the combined doubles tennis tournament which takes place at the garden party at the New Plymouth Girls’ High School on Saturday. These are a silver sweet dish presented by Miss S Thomson and a fountain pen presented by Mr. Avery. Prizes will also be given to the winners of the golf putting and croquet competitions. Particulars of a special general meeting of tfie Veterans, to be held on Saturday next, at 2 u.m.. are advertised in thL Issue.

The mail train from Wellington yesterday was delayed south- of Hawera owing to engine trouble, and did not reach New Plymouth until 8.45 p.m. A Gazette iiotice in reference to the fixing of the statutory half-holiday was received at- the meeting of the Inglewood County Council yesterday. The chairman said that no action had been taken in the matter, as the hajf-holiday question did not effect them as a county. It was decided to let the Government fix the day.

An indication to curtail expenditure in the matter of building operations was received by the Taranaki Education Board at yesterday’s meeting, <*hen a letter from the Education Department was read, stating that, in view of the present stringency of public finances, the department could not for the time ■being entertain applications for grants for the purchase of any sites except in cases of real urgency, and where a building was immediately required. The same conditions would also be necessary to obtain approval of any request for extensions of existing sites. A petition with 118 signatures was received by the Inglewood County Council yesterday praying that a poll be taken with a view to obtaining rating on the unimproved value. The chairman said that he thought the expense of a poll was hardly justified, seeing that in such a closely settled county the difference between, rating on the unimproved and on the improved value was' so insignificant. In view of the fact that the necessary 15 per cent of ratepayers had signed the petition, arrangements for a poll had been made and this would take place on Wednesday, March 16.

Afr. Moseley, radio diviner from Kaitangata, where he has been the means of locating many rich seams of coal for the companies operating there, paid Tuatapere a visit recently (says the Guardian). It is surprising to learn that, besides striking numerous coal measures, quartz reefs, etc., the diviner found strong evidence of an oil-bear-ing belt in the vicinity of the town. According to the expert there is an immense quantity of oil lying at a depth of 2000 ft, the oil-bed lying east to west. It seems likely that a syndicate may shortly be formed to test the truth of the report per medium of the boring rod. The proposed cottage hospital at Opunake was briefly referred to at the meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday, when Cr. O’Brien, who is a member of the Taranaki Hospital Board, stated that it had not yet been decided when the deputation should go to Wellington in connection with the application for financial assistance towards the erection of the hospital. He said that it was estimated that the hospital would cost about £5BOO, and that one year’s levy from the Egmont County, together with the subsidy and also the £6OO received from the district by way of donations, together with the Government subsidy, would bring in about £5600, leaving only £2OO short of the required amount. Stressing the need for the erection of a hospital at Opunake, Cr. Tosland said at the February meeting of the Egmont County Council* that he knew of a case where it had cost a man £IG 16s for the treatment of a member of his family at a private hospital. At yesterday’s meeting of the council he stated that this also included doctor’s fees, the resident medical man being absent, and another having to be sent for. This, he considered, further emphasised the need for a hospital in Opunake.

Ladies, try the stunt of soaking the soiled clothes ‘overiright with I'Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap. You’ll find in the morning that the dirt has been gently ’removed from the clothes without the slightest injury, and your subsequent labor reduced *to a minimum. Try it next time. Full directions on every packet. Of every grocer.