LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

For the twelve months ending March 31 last 170 motorists were convicted for exceeding the speed limit through the streets of the Petone borough.

A special article on the forthcoming Centenary of the Methodist Church in New Zealand by the Rev. W. J. Elliott, of Whiteley Church, appears in to-day s issue. References are made to Methodism in Taranaki, and we have no doubt but that it will be read with considerable interest.

An unveiling ceremony is to take place in Omata Church to-morrow at 2.30 p.m., when a brass plate to the memory of Corporal T. V. Crompton and his brother, Private J. J. Crompton, who made the supreme sacrifice in the great war will be unveiled. The ceremony will be performed by Archdeacon Evans. The honors board erected at the Sunday School, Frankleigh Park, by the Frankleigh Road Settlers’ Association in memory of the four Frankleigh Park boys who lost their lives at the war, will also be unveiled to-morrow at 2.30 p.m. It can be but rarely that it falls to the lot of a minister of religion to conduct the opening services of a church and fifty years afterwards to take part in its jubilee services. The Otago Daily Times states that such, however, has been the experience of the Rev. John Ryley in St. Stephen’s Church, North Dunedin, for having preached the sermon at the opening of the church in 1871, he conducted the thanksgiving service in the same church last Sunday morning.

A New Zealander, who took up his residence in Queensland 'last October and has since been engaged wheat farming, writing to a business man in the Manawatu Times says: “Things are bad here. Thousands are out of employment and this (Queensland) Socialistic Government is the cause of most of the trouble. I had a little faith. once in labor administrations, but I am satisfied now from what I have seen that it is the greatest curse that ever struck this land for all classes. I intend to go back to New Zealand later in the winter.”

In connection with the unveiling ceremony at the Frankleigh Park Sunday School a motor bus will leave Snelling and Andrews’ garage at 2 p.m. to-mor-row (Sunday). •

Fifty-one workers’ dwellings have been built, or are under construction, in Wanganui. So mild has been the season so far, in the Featherston district, that a number of fruit trees are commencing to bud.

“In the past three weeks, there has been a rise both in cattle and sheep of one penny per pound,” was the statement of a master butcher giving evidence before the Arbitration Court at Palmerston North on Thursday.

Members of the Taranaki Squadron of the Legion of {Frontiersmen commenced the annual camp last evening, this year the squadron being assembled on the New Plymouth racecourse. The camp will continue till Tuesday.

Mr. E. Gould, representing a Pittsburg steel works, arrived at Wellington on Wednesday from San Francisco by the Marama, in connection with the conversion of one of the Union Steamship Compay’s hulks into an oil fuel storeship. Seed potatoes at Patea were ticketed 3d per pound for various -well-known varieties. At present slump price Canterbury farmers would be delighted to receive one-tenth of that figure, and no doubt would guarantee quick despatch to the southern part of Taranaki (says the Wanganui Herald). “The old theory that wages are paid out of capital is exploded,” said the Arbitration Court in its pronouncement at Palmerston North on Thursday. “Wages,” it said, “are paid out of what is produced, and the mofe that is produced, the greater is the return in real wages, and the lower the cost of production and, consequently, prices.” When the last mail left London, American visitors were arriving in England in great numbers. All the London hotels had large numbers on their visiting lists, and it seemed that the “invasion” which was anticipated for last year, but did not come, was now a fact. The season was only just beginning, and it will probably last until October. During this time it is expected that over 159,000 Americans will visit England. The N.Z. Farmers’ Co-op. (Canterbury) have raised the whole of the £500,000 in debentures which they recently put on the market. It took 42 days to raise the money, the subscribers numbering 18-32 from all over the Dominion. The success is a striking tribute to the efficacy of newspaper publicity, wisely directed, for no other means of obtaining the money were used.

Arising out of a request from the Paritutu Preservation League, the Government geologist (Mr. P. G. Morgan) is at present on a visit to New Plymouth investigating possible sources of stone supply in connection with the harbor. Yesterday Mr. Morgan inspected Paritutu, and to-day will probably make a visit to the Pouaki Ranges. ' He returns to Wellington on Monday and will later present his report to the Minister of Mines. w

Apart from the low price of stock, matters are not too bright for some farmers in the Wanganui district this year. One farmer in conversation with a reporter the other day stated that fully 200 acres of his grass had been taken by grubs. He had also broken up some new ground last season and sowed turnips. " The crop came away •splendidly, but now a rot had set in, due, no * doubt, to some pest. . Club root was also greatly in evidence in some root crops this year. The farmer was of opinion that every effort should be concentrated by scientists to endeavor to find a means to counteract the pests referred to above, as they were getting worse each year.

Discussing the question of the destruction of Paritutu, yesterday’s Dominion says, editorially:—“Economy isji thing to be sought in these days, but even the most economical of us must feel a twinge of regret at the destruction of the most remarkable natural feature on the Taranaki coast. The harbor board has decided that there shall be no further blasting until after its next meeting in July.' Paritutu was spared once before, and it would be welcome news to hear that even at this eleventh hour some way may be found of saving this noble rock to which so many legends attach.” If the Dominion can suggest a way of proceeding with harbor improvements without taking the stone from Paritutu it will render the district a distinct service. The question is, Is Taranaki to improve its deep sea harbor or retain Paritutu? It cannot do both. Seven per cent for loans on first mortgage and ten per cent for second mortgage are the ruling rates in Christchurch to-day (says the Lyttelton Times). The tightness of money even at these rates, has given a great set-back to the buying and selling of houses. Those who have the money, find better channels for investment and those who lack ready money are appalled at the cost of borrowing. The letting of houses, therefore, is becoming much more popular, and although there are not many houses on the market to let, owing to the acute shortage, letting must become more general Members of the Native race in Taranaki are expecting a visit from Katana, “the Maori miracle man,” in the near future, and it is anticipated he will be present at the opening of the new meeting house at Manukorihi, near Waitara, which is now nearing completion.. Katana is also to visit Parihaka, where tfn entertainment committee, with Mr. W. J. Gray as chairman, has been formed, to make preparations for the welcome. A large gathering of Natives is expected. The date of Ratana’s visit has not yet been decided on. As will be Seen by advertisement, the Rev. W. J. Elliott, of Whiteley Church, will deliver a sermon to-morrow evening to young women on “Lydia, and what she loved.” The solist will be Miss V. Lambert, and there will be special anthems by the choir. No doubt young men will be interested in this service also, and are cordially invited. In this issue, Newton King, Ltd., advertise for sale by auction a most attractive 75-acre farm situated in a very prosperous district. This little farm will appeal to the man wanting something good in the small property line. Messrs. Hunt and Korff advertise ih this issue that they are prepared to undertake the manufacture or repairing of radiators, guards, panels, lamps, etc. Unly the best lead-coated steel is used, and' motorists will find it to their advantage to give this firm a call. Th? firm will undertake sheet metal work of. all descriptions. Box plans for “Bran Pie” for tonight’s performance (the last night) will be. at Collier’s until 12.30 to-day. From 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. ring telephone No. 18. Now is the time to get a really #ice quilt at a substantial discount. Call at Morey’s and see the new kapoc and down quilts listed for quick sale,