LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

London advises mails left London per s.s. Tainui on the 10th Inst, via Panama. The funeral of the three little victims of Thursday night’s tragic fire at Wanganui took place yesterday afternoon. The pathos of the affair seized the public mind and the funeral was very large.—Press Association. A telegram from Wellington reports that a caucus of the Reform Party was largely attended. The only 'statement of the business transacted was to the effect that a thorough and amicable discussion of the work of the session took place. A recital was given by the New Plymouth Citizens’ Bund on the Ngamotu beach yesterday, when there was fine weather and a large number of people on the seafront. The band’s programme consisted of a varied and appropriate collection of eelections, and was greatly appreciate by all. The collection in aid of the band funda realised about £9. The Department of Agriculture advises importers of bulbs to advise shippers of the regulations requiring each consignment of bulbs to be covered by a freedom from disease certificate, temporarily relaxed during the war, but which will he strictly enforced with respect to all consignment? entering New Zealand after June 3. —Press Association.

An exceptionally large bullock, which won a second prize at the show, was killed at the Smart Ttoad Freezing Works on Friday. Ip fact, so large Was it that the mon decided to make it the subject of a weight guessing competition. Appropriately enough one of the company’s buyers, Mr. Rod Mcßae, guessed the exact weight—l’37B lbs.

At a meeting of- Taranaki veterans, held at New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, it was decided that the ifilst anniversary* of the Battle of Waireka be celebrated by an afternoon tea and re-union of members. The anniversary falls on March 28 (Easter Monday) and as it was considered this would not be a suitable day for the function it was decided to hqlil the tea on Thursday, March 31. which is ,the Anniversary Day of the province. In order to ascertain how many members would be attending the gathering it was decided to call a further meeting .next Saturday.

A person who has been masquerading in the role of a borough inspector has been making the reimd» of New Plymouth during the past week, and his activities include visits to a number of houses, allegedly to inspect sanitation, and a call on a motor garage, where he made exhaustive notes as to the numbers of all cars. It was through the last mentioned incident that the matter came to the knowledge of borough officials and the garage owner was informed his visitor had been merely assuming the role. For general infonnation it may be stated that inspectors carry an official authority to act.

On Saturday morning the visiting Auckland bowlers, accompanied by New Plymouth bowlers, were motored round the town, the party totalling about fifty. A visit was made to Messrs. Sole Bros.’ “Aotea” gardens, and thence to Mr. T. C. List’s (“Maranui”), Mr. Newton King’s (“Brooklands”), and Pukekura Park. During the visit to “Maranui” Mrs. List provided morning tea. Yesterday the party left town about 9.30 a.m' on a visit to the mountain. During tiie mornihg a trip np the track was made, and the party returned to the hostelry for luncheon. On the homeward journey a stop was made at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess on the Junction Road, afternoon tea being provided by Mrs. Burgess. The return to town was made about five o’clock. Fine weather conditions prevailed, and Orth outings were tliif roughly enjoyed, f

The precedent in the Matthews’ case simply means that any sodomist, any ravislier of children, or any man with an insane parent can slay one of his fellows without any fear ,of his neck. The decision of the Executive Council is the more extraordinary in that it implies that Matthews is not insane. Had it been otherwise, a mental asylum, not gaol would have sheltered Matthews for the rest of his days. If our interpre tation of Mr. Lee’s statement is come., then the Executive Council must have been of the opinion that this num was no paranoiac. Yet he is reprieved though proved guilty of a cold-blooded murder! It is inexcusable leniency—or worse. It would be interesting to know if the matter were left only to Messrs. Lee and Nosworthy to decide. These are two of the more unimportant membels ot Lgbinet. If it is those members who are responsible, all we can add is that both they and Cabinet have failed in a very arave duty. Matthews is fortunate in having his' fate decided by arbiters whose heads are'so obviously governed Uy their hearts. —Christchurch Sun.

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Judging by the remarks of a wellknown garage proprietor to a Christchurch Press representative, the motorist is at present experiencing* more worries than the high cost of petrol. Th© speaker remarked that a certain brand of .petrol had, during the last few weeks, been causing considerable trouble. There was evidently something of an acid nature in its comwith a result that those motorists who were using it were having much trouble with their carburettors. There was evidently some corroding element in the petrol, which was eating all the soft metal in the pipes. He had seen instances where the carburettors were absolutely full of sediment, caused by such action. Needles and floats were particularly affected, and so great had been the demand for new floats that the speaker’s stock had been completely exhausted. The trouble was one that had never been experienced before.

The total number of arrivals in New Zealand during February were 3468, as compared with 2088 in February, 1920. Of this number, 1053 were, from the Australian Commonwealth and 871 from the United Kingdom. The departures totalled 1899, as against 2242 for February, 1920. The arrivals, there, fore, exceeded the departures by 1569. In the corresponding month of 1920 there was an excess of departures over arrivals of 154. The humber of Chinese immigrants was three males and four females. Forty-two males left the Dominion during the month.

An unusual 'case came before Mr. H. A. Young, S.M., at Hamilton the other day, when Richard Wiliam Brown was charged with causing to be delivered to the publisher of the Waikato Times, for

publication in the journal, an untrue notice of the death of a woman. The magistrate pointed out * that the offence was a serious one, and the public should be made awai'e of the gravity of causing false particulars of such a nature to be inserted in a newspaper. Defendant was liable to a fine of £2O 'or one month’s imprisonment. Taking however, the circumstances of'the case into consideration, a nominal penalty of £2 and costs £1 Is would be imposed. The revision of the tariff is exercising the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, and steps are to be taken to obtain the services of an advocate to present the views of local manufacturers before the Royal Commission which is to take evidence on this subject in the course of the next few, months. At the annual conference of delegates representing pianufacturing interests throughout New Zealand, held’here in February, it was decided to ask Mr. F. Cooper, of Christchurch, to travel with fhe commission for the purpose of leading evidence in support of the manufacturers’ view on the question, but he has since stated his inability to do so. In consequence, each centre" is to conduct its own case. L. A. Nolan advertise a sale of furniture for to-morrow at 1.30 at Mr. F. Orbell’s residence, Courtenay Street (next Infant School). A very interesting and instructive field dav is being organised by the New Plymouth Breeders’ Club for Thursday, March 17, fit the farm of Mr. H. B. Lepper, Lepperton, when Mr. H. E. B. Wafedii, the successful Jersey judge and breeder from Canterbury, will give a demonstration of judging Jersey cattle. The demonstration will commence at 11 a.m., and the club wishes it to be distinctly understood that it is not confined "to members of th? club only, but that all interested in dairying are invited to attend. Luncheon will be provided. It is notified in thia issue that Miss E. L. Dowling, violin teacher, will not be teaching until further notice on account of illness. 3 Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second dnd Third* Groups) are notified-'that subscriptions will be due and payable today, March 14, 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 p.m. to 8 p.m. —Advt.