LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It’ is understood (says the Age) that a number of farms sold in the Wairarapa during the period of high prices are now back in the hands of their original owners.

Private reports have reached Palmerston North from Wellington that another coal-mining upheaval is inevitable unless the owners consent to a conference and submit to a national agreement.

In the suburbs of New Plymouth on Thursday afternoon, some men sought shelter behind some trees from a fierce guest. Within a few minutes they saw several trees nearby up-rooted. They braved the elements again.

A Levin resident who returned recently from a visit to Otago and Southland states that things in the latter province are very quiet. Business is slow and the present conditions seem to be felt far more acutely than in the North Island.

Tn connection with the impending reduction of railway services, the stationmaster at New Plymouth has not been advised of any alteration of the service in Taranaki. It is generally known that the Taranaki section is the most payable section of the present railway system.

The Mercantile Gazette of this week says:—There is a call for stringent economy on the part of the Government, and the ttovernment had better give heed to the matter. The country cannot stand any additional taxation, and yet further taxation will become imperative unless there is drastic economy in the public service.

Seldom has been seen such a fierce sea as that which was running off New Plymouth yesterday, particularly in the morning. Wave and foam at times almost covered the western side of Moturoa, whilst the breakwater itself was occasionally almost submerged. It was an awe-inspiring sight, and one that will live long in the memory of those who saw it. Elsewhere appear particulars of the damage done on the seafront and elsewhere by the storm. Notification that a grant of £4OO has been made by the Public Works Department towards the cost of forming and metalling the Kirihau Road, was received by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., from the Minister for Public Works last night. The grant is a portion of a £ for £ , subsidy of £BOO placed on the Estimated for last year. The Minister stated that the grant had only been made under the special circumstances. This information was received by Mr. Smith in reply to urgent representations made by him on behalf of the settlers in the district concerned.

The Springboks meet Southland representatives at Invercargill to-day. The match promises to be an interesting one, as the Southland team are considered to be one of the crack provincial fifteen this season. The half-time and fulltime results will be posted at the News Office, Preece's (tobacconist) window in Devon Street, and near the entrance of Pqkekura Park, where the Moaficar (Jun match, Wanganui Technical v. New Plymouth High School, is to take place.

•Suppression of the names, m connection with the prosecution of a young married woman for theft, was ordered by the Bench at the New Plymouth Court yesterday morning, Messrs. H. R. Cattley and T. Furlong, J.P.’s, who presided, agreeing to the request made by counsel and police that this course should be adopted. The accused, who was charged with the theft of about £4O from business promises in Devon Street on July 29, had pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The conditions in Queensland at the present time appear to be very bad. Mr. A. D. McLeod, M.P., who recently visited that State, in a letter says: “Along the banks of rivers, close to coastal and inland towns, are to be seen scores upon scores of humpys and shacks, built out of bags, old tins, and branches of trees, occupied by strong, healthy men who are out of work. The Government is serving out rations to them twice a day, and many of them do not appear to be worrying much about their position.” Writing to' a friend in Wanganui from Singapore, Straits Settlements, under date June 24, a New Zealander who went there to “try his luck” paints a gloomy picture of the industrial outlook. He says: “Business here is very bad at present, owing to the slump in rubber and tin, and there are many Europeans out of work. In fact, there is an unemployment fund for whites, mainly supported by Chinese and Eurasians. Think of that, old dear! Trade is bad in China and India, too. This is no place for Colonials.”

In a recent address at Palmerston N., Mr. C. I l '. Spooner denied the theory that life was a gamble and that business success depended on luck. He argued that prerequisites of success were purposefulness and tenacity. It had been estimated that only 5 per cent, of business men were really suc-

cessful. 20 per cent, retired on competencies and the remainder either became dependent on relatives or charity. The world was full of drifters because so many young men attached themselves to unsuitable callings in the first place, and then just lot things happen. The man who made a plan and followed it was the man who succeeded.

At the meeting of the Clifton County Council yesterday some discussion took place over the merits and demerits of barberry. The discussion arose out of a notification that barberry had now been placed on the schedule and would be declared by local bodies a noxious weed. Councillors considered that in certain the barberry was spreading, having been carried about by birds from hedges. In other parts, where hedges had been left uncut for 30 years, it had not spread. The general opinion was that if neglected barberry became a nuisance, but if looked after it did not. The council decided to take the necessary steps to have it declared a noxious weed, members stating that this would not prevent barberry hedges being planted, but would necessitate them being looked after. Some members held that boxthorn was more suitable for hedges, but it was pointed out that this would not grow inland. The attendance of all Caledonians and others interested in the newly formed Caledonian Society in New Plymouth is quested at the next general meeting, which will be held in the Soldiers’ Club, on Thursday, August 11, at 8 p.m. The secretary reports the membership so far is a happy augury of the success of the society and fres'h members are coming in daily. The business will include the election of officers and the confirmation of the rules and regulations which have been drawn up by the sub-committee. As the pipers are,to be in attendance, a bumnor meeting is assured.

The total profit of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., for the year ending May 31 last, was £170,1724. It is reported that some Masterton returned soldiers intend trying their luck in Earotonga, and purpose taking up land there. Mr. E. Newman, M.P., thinks that the report of the Gaming Commission will have a “rocky time” when it comes before the House.

No clue has yet been discovered as to the perpetrator of the outrage in Auckland, in which a young muu named Jew was done to death. It is rumored in Reefton that a strong financial company is negotiating with McViear Brothers for the purchase of the Alexander Reefs.

Owing to the excessive slaughter of kangaroos in Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government has introduced a Bill to protect kangaroos for two years. The conditions in the cabinetmaking trade are reported to be very bad in Wellington at the present time. A fund of about £15,000 has been subscribed in Christchurch for the erection of war memorials, it having been decided to erect a Bridge of Remembrance over the River Avon -in Cashel street, and a memorial column. Sir John R. G. Sinclair, giving evidence before the Scottish Land Court, said liis rent rpll had decreased by £BOO a year and taxation increased by £BOO. He was paying 18s Sy 2 d per pound of rental in taxation.

“There is no end to physical recreation until a man is in his grave,” said James Cantile to the National Physical Recreation Society, London. “I have no patience with men who call themselves old at 40.”

The financial stress of the present time is evidenced in the fact that the plaints in the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court this year already total between 400 and 500 more than for the corresponding period last year (says the Otago Daily Times). Attention is drawn to the new special make now found in Melbourne, Ltd. blouses. Fit, style and making are far in advance of anything hitherto shown by this firm, whilst prices still remain low. Ins<pection invited. If you soak soiled clothes overnightin water to l which has been added a tablespoonful or so of “Fairy Wonder” washing powder you’ll he agreeably sur-i prised to find in the morning how little work is required to complete the washing. “Fairy” does all the hard work while you sleep. Isn’t it simple. Try it. Of all grocers.

If you are on the look-out for a nice bed-spread or quilt, you should see the wonderfully good values offering at Morey’s Mark-down Sale. Call in today, or when you’re passing.

A full detailed advertisement of Mr. J. Grooby’s clearing sale appears in this issue.

An announcement appears asking Jersey breeders to make their entries for the forthcoming Bull Fair, at Waiwakaiho, as early as -possible. Uruti sale has been postponed from Wednesday, August 17, to Friday, August 19.