LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

One retail firm in Dunedin has lowered the price of butter to 2s Id per pound. The takings at the Manawatu Show last week amounted to £1443, against £lOB2 last year, an increase of £361. The committee of the New Plymouth Y.M.C.A. Girls’ Hostel desire to acknowledge a donation of £5, from Miss L. R. Harrold, of Lepperton. The proposal to close down the Waikato Sanatorium is being strongly resented in the north.' “It takes more brains to be a dairy farmer than it does to raise cattle and sheep.” —Mr. J* G. Harkness at the meeting of the N.D.A. A Hamilton Press message states that the re-trial of Takahu for the Oiigaroto murder, has been fixed for August 2 at Hamilton. A leading farmer was asked by a Marlborough Express representative whether much wheat was being sown in Marlborough this season. “I should say five times as much as last year,’ was his reply. There has been an exhaustive demand on the supply of seed. Mr. A. Seifert stated, in the course of the interview with the Minister for Agriculture in Palmerston North this week, that 8000 acres of flax in the Manawatu district had been wholly or partially destroyed by the disease known as “yellow leaf,” The question of providing a school for the Westown district was discussed at the annual meeting of the Ratepayers’ Association, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Education Board in connection with the proposal. A Dunedin Press message says the Board of Trade representative has received an official telegram regarding sugar quote that there is no truth in the statement either that the importation of J<ava sugar has been prohibited or that the Government has entered into a new agreement with the Colonial Sugar Company at £37 per ton. It was announced fiy Mr. C. R. OnWalker, S.M., at yesterday’s sitting of the Court at New Plymouth, that the practice of holding two separate sittings of the Court weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, will be discontinued in the near future. It is intended to set all cases down for Thursday, and Friday will be reserved for defended actions. His Worship remarked that the present arrangement was somewhat awkward. Counsel present agreed that the suggested alteration ought to prove more convenient. The change will not be made for some time yet.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Westown Progressive Association was held on Saturday evening, Mr. J. D. Sole presiding. The question of an improved ’bus service was gone into fully by representatives of the Borough Council present, and a committee was set up to confer with the council at a later date, when Mr. Bartley expects to be in possession of further details. The question of a public hall was deferred until after a meeting of the Westown Trustees. Officers were elected as follows for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. J. S. S. Medley; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. S. Johns and C. H. Burgess; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. B. Reed; committee, Messrs. J. Garcia, W. H. Haddrell, A. L. B. Rosa, R, O. Ellis, W.

Bennett, T. N. Biackhall, Smith, J. D. Sok- .'”d V. C. Davies.

The superintendent (Mr. F. C. Bellringer), in his annual report to the New Plynfouth Fire Brigade, states: The year was a most si'C'.'f-j’sful one as far as the presention of serious fires was concerned. The loss of property by fire is estimated at £5BOO. Insurance on property where fires occurred was approximately £15,000, and the estimated value of property on which fires occurred £04,000. The total number of’calls received was 16, an increase of one compared with the previous year. These ■were classified as follow: Fires 5, false alarms 2, chimney fires 2, rubbish 7.

“I have said,” stated Mr. Semple at Wellington recently, “that we have surrendered the strike weapon. We do so because we have nothing to strike about. I for one am not going to indulge in a strike for practice—just for a pastime. If there is a real strike for a real cause anywhere I will be in it just as quickly as those creatures who have criticised me so freely. If we put this job through half as quick as any contractor could do it, don’t you think it will be a good thing for the men and the community? Do you want to see strikes and trouble and turmoil? We are out to give a social service as quickJy as possible. Let the workers watch the experiment. We may wipe out altogether the need for strike. At least we will show how this can be done. This is a practical demonstration of the fact that the workers do possess constructive genius, once said to be the monopoly of the private contra’tor. When opportunity knocks at the door, let the worker get in and show what he can do. Let us be without this slandering and back-biting from poisonous industrial toads. Get down to practical methods of making New Zealand a better place for all concerned.” (Loud applause.) A preliminary announcement of Messrs. Gilbert Bros.’ clearing sale appears in this paper. Their sale should be an attraction inasmuch as everything on the place is to be sold. The herd is a good one, and all the implements, etc., show very little wear. A good Ford car is also to be sold. For Influenza, take

.)Vood»’ Gre&t Pepjeraaijat pure. ~ 2

Inspector Hugo stated at (he opening of the Levin fire station last week that the cost of lire risk in New Zealand last year was 10s per head, and in America Us. Some of the Dunedin publicans have been selling whisky at 2s per bottle below the current price. According to the Dunedin. Star, this has been done “to meet (he seasonal demand.” The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday supported a protest by the Booksellers’ Association against, the proposal of the' Minister of Education to supply school books through Education Boards.-Press Association. On the recommendation of the Public Works Tenders Board, Cabinet has accepted the tender of Joseph Nathan and Co., Wellington, for the supply of thirty-one tons of telephone wire. The price is £lOB 12s per ton, and the total value of the contract amounts to £3366 12s. A large number of counterfeit notes were in circulation at the races at Napier and Hastings. One Palmerston North sport was handed six counterfeits in one dividend collected from the totalizator window. He put them back in the next race, and somebody else collected them. The New Plymouth police have been advised that an elderly man died suddenly at Upunake yesterday while standing in an hptel bar. The name of deceased was not available last night, but he was believed to be about 60 years old, and to have no relations in the district. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie told a deputation from the discharged soldiers’ setlement at Avonhead that the Government would postpone the payment of rent, if each settler who wanted it postponed made application. The rent would be postponed for six or twelve months, without interest, and it would apply to back rent. As the result of efforts made by the New Plymouth branch of the Victoria League five cases of books have been despatched to backblocks districts. The president (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) stated at last night’s’ meeting that the consignment was being distributed among men on public works, and employees on Government relief contracts in Taranaki. Help had been received from a number of donors, including the chairman and librarian at the public library, and another fifty books were in hand and would be despatched later. The formation work in connection with the construction of the tramline to Paritutu is making steady progress. The New Plymouth Harbor Board’s staff are at present engaged on two cuttings in which a considerable amount of work is involved, and under favorable weather conditions it will be about ten days before this part of the earth work is completed. The laying of the track itself should be well on the way towards completion in about a month’s time, but the date when the line will be ready for bringing stone down will depend on the weather encountered in the next few weeks. The second tunnel in Paritutu is finished, And ready for the next shot, but the blast will not be made pending the decision of the board at the next meeting. •The sudden death of a Takapuna resident, Mr. Thomas S. Keating, occurred on Thursday morning in a camp on the bank of the Maramarua Swamp, in the Mercer district. Mr. Keating was a member of a party of sportsmen, which included Messrs. W. and R. Ryan, the latter’s son, and Mr. Bruce Joll, of Hawera. They had a long day’s shooting on Wednesday, and that evening Mr. Keating, complaining of not feeling very well, retired to rest at 8 p.m. At 9 o’clock deceased awakened and mentioned that he had been dreaming that he was shifting camp. He then went to sleep again. The others retired subsequently, and at 5.30 a.m. on Thursday they got up and prepared to make an early start on another day’s shooting. On going to rouse Mr. Keating, however. Mr. .101 l discovered that he was dead. Dr. T. Wake held a post mortem examination, and at an inquest held at Mercer, before the coroner, Mr. F. R. Webster, of Pukekohe, deposed that death was due to heart failure. Mr. Keating is survived by a widow and five children.

The P. and .O. cargo steamer Peshawur (7934 tons), which is now loading at New Plymouth, is the first P. and O. steamer to visit this port. The vessel, which is on her first voyage to New Zealand, having been built in 1919, has many points of interest, having many similarities to the fine liners in the P. and O. passenger trade, and her appearance is unusually attractive for a cargo steamer. The crew pix>vide a novelty for this port, being mostly comprised ot Lascars, \tfiile the British A.B.’s look very smart in their bluejacket uniforms, and it is noticeable how many A.B. s wear ribbons denoting long service with (he navy during the wgr. The cleanliness and general atmosphere of everything spic and spa •, Is another feature, while her cruiser stern adds to the boldness of her lines. The Poshawur will be in port till about Thursday or Fri-

Those in need of vegetable or flower seeds should read the special offer made by H. G. Staub, who has opened an up-to-date seed and nurseryman’s business at 16, Regent Street, Hawera. He has been over 19 years in the business, having been with well-known firms like Arthur Simmonds, of Napier, and H. C. Gibbons and Co., Wellington, and has paid particular attention to the kitchen garden requirements.

At the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, next Friday evening Mr. W. J. Penn will give an address to the members of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce upon his experiences and observations in Canada.

The report of the Horticultural Society will be given at its annual meeting, to be held this evening. All interested in good gardens and a beautiful town should make a point of attending. New workers will be specially welcomed. The Society has done good work in the past, and the public should support it in every possible way.

To-morrow (Wednesday) and the following days will be red letter days for ladies requiring drapery. C. S. Ward’s sale will enable customers to buy drapery at less than replacement price*. Calico sheeting, tea-towelling, dress materials, wool jumpers, sports coats, etc., are at half price, and in many cases less.

Buyers of drapery and clothing are reminded that the Melbourne’s Great Midwinter Sale commences this morning. The sale advertisement, published in yesterday’s News, bears testimony to the highly sensational character of the bargains offered, many of the lines submitted being marked at less than half price.

Five per cent discount coupons issued with Mail Cash Orders. Abram, “Shop by Post” Chemist. New Plymouth.,

The Report of the Racing Commission is expected to be in the hands of the Minister of Internal Affairs this week. This Commission has to make recommendations to the Government regarding the allocation of tot-alisator permits, and it has power to recommend the issue of some additional permits under the legislation of last year. The final decision will rest with the Government. The collection of statistics showing the progress made with repatriation up to May 31 last has been issued by the Bon. D. H. Guthrie. The most significant fact in the return is that of £1,595,947 advanced by the Repatriation Department more than one-third has been repaid. Ninety per cent, of the men are “regular payers,” and the majority of the arrears is due to sickness or accident. Repayments now average £35,000 per month. In an address given at a Victoria League evening in New Plymouth recently the chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board (Mr. M. Fraser) made an appeal to members to visit the Old People’s Home, and remarked that anything done to brighten the lot of the inmates would be welcome. Following this appeal, the president of the League (Mrs. O. H. Burgess) informed members at last night’s meeting that it was hoped to arrange a musical afternoon at the Home shortly. The junior associate members of the League were also interesting themselves in the matter and the girls had made a number of useful suggestions for helping the inmates. Sunday was the third anniversary of the wreck of the Huddart-Parker steamer Wimrixera, off the north coast of New Zealand, through the explosion of a mine. Of the 151 persons on board the vessel 26 lost their lives, this number being composed of 10 passengers and 16 members of the ship’s company, including the master, Captain K. J. Kell. The disaster occurred early in the morning, while the Wimmera was on her way to Sydney from Auckland. The 125 survivors, who landed on the coast in boats, reached Auckland by the steamer Clansman on June 29. At the fortnightly meeting of the New Plymouth Victoria League last night about fifty members assembled at the club rooms.’ “An Hour With the Microscope,” was the title of a lecture by Mr. W. H. Moyes, and the instances given of the many peculiarities disclosed in insect and plant life under examination by microscope proved very interesting. The lecture was illustrated by a fine series of lantern slides. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Moyes for his address and the time devoted to its preparation. Mr. Harry Westgate, late of J. C. Williamson’s and J. and N. Taits’ Companies, is again in town, making final preparations for the opening of the “Vice-Regals” next Thursday, under the direction of Mr. G. P. Hanna. Mr. Westgate, who has been associated with all the leading theatrical firms in Australia for the last 20 years, has no hesitation in stating that it is the finest show of its kind which has ever visited New Zealand. Particulars of the final sale of the P.BS. stock-in-trade is in this issue. Tomorrow the balance of the brnshware, crockery and fancy goods will be sold. McGruer and Co. will open shortly, in premises formerly occupied by Mr. J. J. Auld, draper, Devon Street, New 1 ly* mouth. McGruer and Co. will commence business with a grand opening drapery sale, particulars of which will be advertised. Xristram and Co. are advertising two farms in exchange for town property or mortgages. Owners will do well to read the replace, advertisement.