LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

After last night’s performance members of the New Plymouth Citizens’ Band were entertained at supper by tradespeople, and the opportunity was taken to thank the band for its services The hope was expressed that further recitals would be given at iater dates.

Pahiatua has had another sensation. As a result of an altercation in the main street one evening between a stock agent and a schoolmaster, a civil action was begun by the former • against the pedagogue. The case has been adjourned. The parties have resided in the town for many years. The stock agent sustained a fracture of an arm, which is alleged to be a result of the fray. “It is a fact that many of the leading drapers of New Plymouth have made no° profit on their shop sales this last month,” stated one of them to a News representative yesterday. He explained that prices were being brought down below cost in order to realise money, “and,” he continued, “the time to buy is now,’ not later, as owing to the strike at Home there is no manufacturing, and ■latest cables show that prices are hardening.” , ~ After an unusually lengthy session, the sittings of the .Supreme Court at New Plymouth were concluded yesterday. The Court opened on May 10, and, owing to a second, trial in a criminal case and a large amount of contested civil business, was kept fully occupied till Thursday, and the last two days have seen the cleaning up of smaller cases, adjournments and cases in chambers.

A London cablegram states that the rainfall in 1921 to date has been four inches below the average. The rivers are at the lowest point for many years, and unless there are good, rains shortly, farmers will lose heavily. In the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday the following cases were struck out as having been settled: Charles A. P. Wood v. Mary Ann Bailey, claim for performance of contract, and damages £100; Stanley Rea v. James K. Silby, claim for £3050 damages, alleged refusal to complete contract. The divorce case, Elizabeth Jenkins v. C. M. Jenkins was adjourned till next session, on the application of Mr. C. H. Croker, for petitioner.

While in New Plymouth op Wednesday last, Mr. H. L. Cummings, district telegraph engineer (Wellington), and Mr. J. <C. Fairburn, deputy-engineer (Waganui), were interviewed by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in reference to the extension of the telephone system on the Albert, Frankley, Toko, Koru and Newall Roads. The engineers stated that there were difficulties in regard to some of these districts, but they were all receiving consideration, and the extension on the Koru Road was only a matter of adjustment with the settlers.

According to recent census figures the population of “Greater Wanganui” is 21,418. The district jembraced is 54 square miles. Wanganui borough proper has an area of 10 square miles, and a population of 16,494, against 14,380 last census. The area of the New Plymouth borough is less than seven square miles, and the population is 11,393, against 8704 last census. New Plymouth’s growth in the five years was 30.89 per cent, and Wanganui’s 14.28 per cent. Particulars of the population of the “Greater New Plymouth” area are not yet available. In 1916 the suburban population was 1091.

A meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. C. H. Weston (chairman)’, W. J. Chaney, T. Furlong, H. R. Cattley, G. E. Roper and the secretary (Mr. A. 8. Allen). The secretary reported that four loans, totalling £475. had been repaid. Five loans of £75 each and one of £45, for the purchase of furniture, authorised by the executive, were confirmed. A letter of appreciation for the department’s services was received from an ex-trainee in carpentry, who, after thirteen months’ training, is able to earn 2s an hour. The executive committee’s action in recommending for approval an application for a loan of £3OO, and in paying the retained portion of training subsidy to a disabled man, was also confirmed. Three applications for loans of £75 each and three of £5O, for the purchase of furniture, were granted. An application for a grant towards the cost of a correspondence course in accountancy was recommended for approval. Figures indicating the large amount of business transacted by the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee were presented at yesterday’s meeting. The committee received 550 applications for assistance during the period from February, 1919, to March 20, 1921. and of these only 16 were refused. Of the remainder, 466 were approved, 62 were withdrawn, and 6 are pending. Seventy-one applicants were assisted into businesses, and 44 received help in purchasing dairy stock, while the number sent to workshops for training was 34. There were 245 requests for assistance in' purchasing furniture, and 218 of these were approved; with the exception of three cases, which are pending, the remainder were withdrawn. Other avenues in which soldiers were assisted were: Technical trainees (15), farm training (21), correspondence courses (20). apprentice allowances (7), university training (2), transportation (10), and sustenance (6).

In reference to representations made to the Minister of Industries and Commerce by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in regard to the removal of the embargo on the import of ffour fronts. Australia, Mr. Smith has received the following further reply from the Hon. E. P. Lee: “I have to confirm my telegram of the 19th inst., in which I stated that your further representations regarding the importation of Australian flour would, be considered. The Government is determined to adhere to the contracts entered into with the farmers, the millers and the bakers in respect to wheat, flour and bread prices. These contracts will be effective until February of next year.” To this communication Mr. Smith replied as follows: “Re embargo on flour importations: Your letter of the 24th instant to hand, and I can only say in reply that it is most regrettable that in this period of financial stringency it is not possible to reduce the price of bread to the consumer because of the operation of the contract entered into between the Government and the wheat-growers.” The Church of England Mission Hall at Moturoa has been reopened for occasional services, and doubtless many residents in \the neighborhood will avail themselves of it. At present Evensong will be at 7 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month, and Holy Communion at 11 a.m. bn the the Sunday. Holy Communion will therefore be celebrated to-morrow at 11 a.m.

The Boy Scouts of St. Mary’s troop will parade to church to-morrow morning for the 11 o’clock service. The preacher will be the Rev. N. Robertshaw, M.C., chaplain of King’s College, Auckland, and formerly chaplain of the forces.

At Uruti, on June 8, Newton King, Ltd., are conducting a clearing sale on account of Mr. David Rea. The dairy is an exceptionally good one, most of the cows being grade Jerseys in good condition and early calvers. At the same sale will be sold some nice cows and heifers on account of Mr. W. Douds. Fuller particulars will appear in later issues. One hundred and twenty-one head of cows, heifers and bulls are to be sold at the New Plymouth Pedigree Jersey Breeders’ sale on June 15, in all twentyfive breeders being represented. The catalogue is now out, and is a most attractive one, displaying a very high range of breeding right throughout, which tends to show the sound lines on which the Jerseys are being bred in this district. The rehearsals of the New Plymouth Courtiers’ Costume Comedy Co. for their production “Bran Pie” are proceeding apace, and the production promises to be easily the brightest and most scintillating performance that any company of its kind has put on in New Plymouth. The numbers are of the quaintest and prettiest of modern light music, and, judging from a privileged view of the rehearsal on Thursday evening last, New Plymouth theatre-goers can look forward to a real treat in the way of entertainment. The orchestra is also rehearsing its part of the production, the music of which has been specially orchestrated in Sydney and Auckland. The dates of “Bran Pie” are June 16, 17 and 18, in the Empire Theatre.