LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There will be a total eclipse of the moon on April 22. It will begin about 4,30 p.m. and conclude about 10 p.m., .the period of totality being from 6.53 to 7.35.

The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. J. C. Coates) states that it is intended to refer the question of the establishment of a system of toll-gates throughout the Dominion to a committee for full investigation.

The Taranaki County Council yesterday decided to approve of the formation of a Taranaki local bodies’ association, as suggested at the last meeting of the Taranaki Counties conference, also to join the association. Last night the New Plymouth Borough Council decided not-to join the association.

The Inglewood County Council has lodged a formal protest against the decision of the Auditor-General in regard to the adjustments of accounts between the Taranaki County Council and the Inglewood County Council, and has notified the Taranaki County Council of its intention to commence a Supreme Court action against* the finding.

In the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presiding, judgment was given for plaintiff in the -following cases:—Ridd Co., (Mr. R. H. Quilliam) v. J. J. Nolan £2 16s (costs on claim); Smart Bros. (Mr. F. E. Wilson) v. E. C. Jones £9 2s 2d, costs £1 10s fid. At the suit of C. E. Baker (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Geo. Blane was ordered to pay £l2 0s 7d by April 18, default being fixed at twelve days’ imprisonment.

The Taranaki County Council’s overdraft at March 31 was £9BOO. In the course of an informal discussion yesterday it was- stated that it would be necessary to strike the same rate this year as last year. Cr. Wooldridge remarked that while this would be necessary, some of the settlers would probably find it impossible tq pay their rates in view of the state of the markets. Even last year, he said, some of them had difficulty in paying their rates.-

“I have not worked this year,” said a judgment debtor in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday in setting out his reasons for not paying the amount of the claim which was the subject of the case. He was a painter, and in response to a query by the Magistrate, he said there i was work offering but the price was not good enough. He would take a contract at £l. per day, but a ten shilling rate was no good to him. Debtor did not seem much impressed when His Worship endeavored to point out that work at any rates was better than unemployment,, but he did not succeed in convincing the Court that an order should, not be made against him. He was ordered to make payment in a fortnight’s time. A proposal is on foot to establish a loan and banking corporation in connection with the dairying industry in this country. The proposed capital is very large, running into millions, and the principal object is stated to be the issue of loans on mortgage over farm land, the borrower paying 4 per cent plus ] per cent for expenses and 1 per cent sinking fund, with provision for a rebate on expenses should the cost be less than 1 per cent. The shareholding qualification is based on the number of cows owned. It is hoped by the promoters to have the concern in operation by October next.—Eltham Argus.

In the course of some remarks on the position of the dairy industry at the function to Mr. Dunlop at Hawera, Mr. J. B. Murdoch said that he had always considered New Zealand must experience a hard time after the wonderful lust few years, but lie believed that good will be the outcome, for when a country was on the top of the wave people were apt to become careless. Trouble brings out what is best in a people, and the result would be, he believed, a stabilising of the position of the dairy industry. He was optimistic enough to believe we should come out right and that things would possibly be better than appeared now, and the worst time, he hoped, would be over before next season.—Star.

The New Plymouth Citizens’ Band will give a concert at the Breakwater tonight, when there will not he a collection. On Sunday next the band will give a concert at Inglewood, and on Sunday, April 24, a concert will be given at Rahdtu.

Men in need of a good knock-about suit will be pleased to know that the Melbourne, Ltd., have just opened out a splendid line, of all wool colonial tweed suits from one of the leading Dominion woollen mills to sell at £4 19s 6d. The cloth is medium weight, and shades are dark. Buyers are advised to call early.

Nominations in connection with the forthcoming municipal elections in New Plymouth will close on Tuesday, the 19th in st.

“The patronage of the baths at present is so small that 1 suggest that they be closed down at once,” stated a report received at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council from the inspector (Mr. R. Day). In view of the report the council decided to leave the question of closing down to be arranged by the inspector.

Eight applications for the position of conductor of the New Plymouth Citizens’ 'Band were considered at a joint meeting of the-citizens’ committee and the band committee, which was held in camera last night. It is understood the applications were narrowed down to three, and a final selection will be made shortly.

Attractions at the Central School “At Home” to be held on April 21 will include a Punch and Judy show, a wellknown fun-raiser, which should add considerably to the entertainment of the visitors. Arrangements for the function are proceeding steadily. Donations received recently include two more dressed dolls and a very fine pair of canaries, with cage.

A hint of the policy of the New Plymouth Borough Council in the coming financial year was giveii by the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilspn) at last night’s meeting of the council, when he said: “We shall be able to do very little and our year’s work will consist c-f saying ‘No’ ”. The remark had, no doubt, particular reference to financial problems, and during the course of a discussion Mr. Wilson expressed the opinion that there would be no moneys available in New Zealand for local body loans within twelve months at the earliest.

The loss of a £5 totalisator ticket on Silver Link, winner of the Easter Handicap at the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting at Ellerslie, was reported to Detective Knight by the man who invested the money (states the New Zealand Herald). The detective, as the result of inquiries during the second day’s races, discovered that it had been picked up by another man, who cashed it and divided the proceeds with a companion. When interviewed by the detective the two men willingly handed over the money.

An accident happened on Mr. Mullally’s farm, Neil Road, on Sunday, resulting in serious injuries to his eldest son, .Tames. The boy was endeavoring to catch a horse when another horse kicked him, knocking him down and rendering him unconscious. On being picked up by his- father it was found that one of his arms was hadly broken, and he was at once taken to Dr. Cooper’s private hospital The lad has been unfortunate in the matter of broken limbs. About three years ago lie was at the hospital with a broken leg, the result of falling from a tree while bird-nesting.— Argus

A euchre party and dance will be held in the Puniho School on Friday evening, when prizes will be awarded the winning lady and gentleman.

The sales of “Fairy Wonder” washing powder are assuming such proportions that the manufacture of this popular product promises to become one of the leading industries of the Dominion. Tin remarkable virtues of “Fairy” are so pronounced that it is fast pushing all other washing compounds off the mar-* ket.