LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Prime Minister (Mr. W. E. Massey) will arrive at Hawera from Wellington this evening and will deliver a political address at the Opera House tonight. Mr. R. Masters, M.P.; addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents in the Town Hall, Stratford, last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presiding, Mr. Masters dealt fully with the political problems of the day, and at the conclusion of his address was unanimously accorded a hearty vote of thanks and renewed confidence in him as the representative for the district. A full report will be published in tomorrow’s

After a discussion on the problems of waterfront labor, the executive of the Taranaki Employers’ Association last night passed a resolution urging the Government to set up a commission to eriTjliire into the advisability of instituting a scheme of permanent labor for wharf work, in view of the present difficulties which are being encountered in the Dominion.

The reserved decision of Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., in the case Augustus Edward Watkins v. R, J. Tiddy and Co. was delivered at Hawera on Tuesday. The claim was for £137 10s, which the defendants promised and agreed to pay the plaintiff for work done in procuring a sale of certain land, live stock and chattels. In the course of a long judgment, the Magistrate gave, judgment for the amount claimed, with costs.

For some time past Mr. Cudby, senr., of Victoria Street, has heard a commotion amongst his fowls, and was unable to account for it; eggs have also disappeared. The mystery was explained yesterday morning, when he discovered a full-grown ferret in a rat-trap which he /had set under the belief that rats might be the cause. —Star.

The paradox of buying electrical current at, say, £l2 per h.p. per annum, and selling it at £5 per h.p. per num and making a profit, was explained to visitors to Qie Waiwakaiho by Mr. Bellringer at the Waiwakaiho works on Monday. Current was required by individuals and companies at different hours of the day and night. It was estimated that at the Lake Coleridge works the current was sold 4.6 times ift the 214 hours at an average of £4 per horse-power. Mr. Grainger told a Hawera Star representative on Monday that the total value of cheese and butter in the Patea grading stores at the time of the fire was £600,000, and the total loss would not amount to £lO,OOO, including railage to factories and reconditioning. Only about SO or 90 boxes of butter had been lost.

At the meeting of the Taranaki Progress League yesterday it was reported that a geological survey of the coalfields in the Ohura district was now in progress. Mr. Walter said that Mr. Morgan had expressed himself as\ well pleased with the quality of the coal at Tangarakau, but the seams were thin. Those who had used the coal also spoke highly of it for steam and household purposes. Two men who were on the platform of the tramway repairing tower wagon engaged in examining an overhead wire in the vicinity of Bayly Road yesterday morning had a narrow escape from a serious accident, when the vehicle overbalanced, throwing the driver and linesmen on to the road. The men received a good shaking, but suffered no serious injury. The tower of the wagon is surmounted by ,a swinging platform, and it was while the mechanics were on the platform that the mishap occurred.

The Board of Trade states that the decision arrived at by the recent conference in Christchurch regarding restricting the importation of Asiatic egg pulp has been approved by the Government and notice prohibiting Asiatic egg pulp, except by permission of the Minister’ of Customs, on the recommendation of the Board of Trade, will be gazetted shortly. The allocation between the usual importers of the 'quantity of egg pulp to be brought into the Dominion will be made by the Board of Trade on a basis of the business done during 1919. —Press Association.

Adjutant Green who is appointed as relieving officer, during Commandant and Mrs. Middlemiss’ absence in Australia, will be welcomed in the New Plymouth Army Hall to-morrow (Friday) night and ‘not to-night. The Adjutant, who was chaplain*in the forces, became very popular with the boys at the front and will be pleased to renew acquaintances with any of the boys who knew him and are living in the district. Webster Bros, advertise 650 cases assorted fresh fruits for to-morrow at 1.30 1 o’clock

In his report for the month ended March 20, Mr. J. R. Sampson, Director of Repatriation, states that since its inception the Repatriation Department has placed 22,902 discharged soldiers in suitable employment. The number on the Employment Wanted Register at the date of this report is 150, distributed throughout the various districts as follows: Auckland 60, Wellington 32, Canterbury 31, Otago 27.

The reports for the past month of the after-care officers of the Repatriation Department, show, shies the Director of Repatriation, that much success is attending, their efforts to place numbers of disabled men in occupations which are considered more suitable than those in which they have been engaged. Up to the present after-care officers have dealt with 1114 chest cases, 373 amputees, and 667 men suffering from other serious disabilities, and have in addition during the past month inspected and reported upon subsidised trainees. The Minister for Defence, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, has received advice that he has been appointed a member of the Board of Aeronautical Commissioners and Commissioner for New Zealand in connection with the first ‘‘round the world” aerial derby. The communication comes from Major J. Glidden, who is engaged in promoting this flying event, and who visited New Zealand some time ago. The “round the world” aerial race was planned originally to start in July of this year, but it is possible that the date will be set back. The appointment suggests that New Zealand will be included in the route.

A peculiar incident occurred at the residence of Mr. D. Wills, at Morrinsville, recently. One of the daughters was engaged in cooking, and to prevent the viands burning, placed a new piece of asbestos under the frying pan. Immediately there was an explosion, the frying pan and its contents being thrown violently right across the room, narrowly missing Miss Wille. The report, which was heard some distance away, resembled that of a gun. An examination q.f the asbestos, which was a piece, of slab used for 'burning purposes failed to show any reason for the occurrence. ;

A meeting of the Avenue Road Card Club was held at the residence of Mr. F. Richards . last night, when there was an attendance of about twenty-five members. Apologies were received from a number of intending members The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. F. Richards; president, Mr. E. Sole: vice-presidents, Messrs-. B. Washer, T. C. List, T. Avery, W. J. Penn, W. Moyes, C. Jordan, and Dr. Wade; club captain, Mr. A. Richards, vice-captain, Mr. W. Gardner; secretary, Mr. J. Cliff. In recognition of past services Mr. Johns was appointed a life member. The club’s annual subscription was fixed at 2s 6d. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Richards for the use of rooms. At the conclusion of the meeting members were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Richards and a pleasant evening was spent.

A splendid tribute to the work of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee is paid in a. letter which the committee has received from trainee. The returned soldier writes: “It is with a very deep feelirfg of gratitude and pleasure that I take this opportunity of writing to you to thank you very much for the invaluable help you have given me and for the kindness you’ have 'shown me while on the roll *of your department. Had it not been for your assistance, both at the Technical College and the workshop where I completed my training, I am sure, I would not have the knowledge or the position that I have today, and of which lam proud. Everything that was possible to ensure success in my training you have done unstintingly, and I know that the best way I can show my appreciation for what you have done for me is to carry on successfully in the position you have helped me to attain.” Speaking on financial matters, the Mayor of Wellington , (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated recently that tho position had caused him great deal of anxiety. He estimated that within a very short time the city would have to raise at least £500,000 in order to make a start with urgent works which were included in the schedule. Originally thfe council was limited to an interest rate of 5% per cent, which was subsequently increased to 5*2 per cent, the loan at the lattei rate to be issued at a discount. Even under those circumstance® the money was not forthcoming. He would now ask the council at its next meeting to reconsider the terms of the loan in the light of the new legislation just passed. Possibly the term of the loan would be reduced from twenty years to ton, and other concessions might be made. He stated that he was not favourably impressed with the idea of offering the loan at G£ per cent. With 1 per cent added for sinking fund it meant too big a hurdle The council, he stated, in answer to another question, would- not confinp its money-raising efforts to New Zealand, but would go wherever money was offering.

Sig'.ior Marconi lias been telling an interviewer : "In tile Bay of Naples recently J succeeded by wireless telephony in talking to London. The conversation was quite distinct. As yet the distance between England and Italy is about the limit for a satisfactory wireless telephonic conversation. We hope to increase the distance very considerably, and eflorts are already being made to link up London and New York by wireless telephony. The tiling lias been nearly done, for some of my engineers have spoken from Ireland to Canada apd have received a reply. Communications between ships at sea in all kinds of weather is an important feature of the new development.” 'Climate is a factor, for lie said : “'Wireless works better in the North than in tho South, and again fog is more favourable for our purpose than sunshine. The sun seems to throw out some substance which obstructs the. electric waves.” Signor Marconi has just come on shore from a cruise in his yacht, during which he has tested instruments for wireless telephony, with the results which he reoerds in the above. “My yacht/’ lie went on to say, “enables me to move about tinder the actual condition of ships at sea, ho that I am better able to note, results obtained during fogs or other special circumstances.” It is elsewhere announced that the Tourist and Expansion League has changed its bureau from Devon Street to Messrs. Humphries and Davies premises in Egmont Street. Just careless fraternity! fresh and Never embarrassed wherever yon be. A jest when you meet, perhaps a parting pot, , .. Whether you know the bloke or not. It all seems “kosher'’ whatever you do, For he’s, just plain Aussie, and so are Tho’ 3 creeds may differ, 'tis certain and

sure „ You both take Woods’ Great Pepperm.pt Qure.