LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It was reported at last night’s meeting of the’ New Plymouth R.S.A. executive that a quantity of equipment issued to returned men on Anxac Day had not been returned. As this equipment had become a charge on the R.S.A. it was decided to request that it should be handed in immediately.

The teaching of fire drill in schools has been suggested to education boards by the department in a recently-issued circular. The communication, which was read at. yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Education Board, also proposed that occasional addresses to school children might be given by members of fire brigades. The crush in the courthouse at Hamilton on Friday night when the final stages in the Ongaroto murder trial were reached was stated as tremendous. The limited accommodation was packed with a swaying mass of humanity, and many, overcome by the jostling, had to seek the air outside after a few minutes in the courthouse.

It is rumored in well-informed political circles in Wellington that a plan of retrenchment in the Public Service has already been drawn up, and is resting in the departmental pigeon-holes, awaiting the return of the Prime Minister, Mr. W. F. Massey, before being put into operation throughout the Dominion.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board a report was received from the architect on the question of increasing the board’s office accommodation, and he suggested that another story be added to double the size of the whole building, the total cost being about £l6OO. The report was adopted.

The list O’f candidates who, in the public service entrance examination held in June, satisfied the requirements for a senior free place, was received from the 'Education Department last night. Only three Taranaki successes appear, and they are all from Stratford. They are: Andrew John Fitzgerald, Gerald Andrew Fitzgerald, and James Albert Leslie Jennings. An anonymous well-wisher of the borough of Devonport (Auckland) has expressed his willingness to promote that suburb’s welfare by lending the council £l5OO, at 4 per cent, interest only, to meet the cost of the new motor fire truck. An announcement to this effect was made by the Mayor of Devonport (Mr. H. S. W. King) at the annual smoke concert of the local fire brigade. The Education Department has notified the Taran&ki Education Board that it is prepared to institute correspondence classes in primary school subjects for children who are living in districts where no school is accessible. The department states that such a system has proved very successful in Victoria. The board decided at yesterday’s meeting to invite applications from parents inter-, ested in this proposal.

An event of more than usual interest and importance to Manaia and district will take place at Manaia this afternoon, when the new school will be formally opened in the presence of the chairman and members of the Taranaki Education Board, Messrs. E. Dixon and 0. Hawken, M.P.’s, members of local bodies, and other visitors. The committee have planned to make it in every way a children’s day, and with that end in view have arranged after the formal addresses a series of games and sports. The question of providing a school at Moturoa was touched on at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. The Minister of Education wrote stating that when the time was opportune he would be prepared to recommend the erection of a school there to relieve the growing pressure at West End. He asked that the board submit plans for a comparatively large school to be erected in the future, showing one or two rooms to be built first, and provision. for additions later. The board decided to have plans prepared as requested.

At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth R.S.A. executive the president (Mr. A. M. McDiarmid) and the secretary reported having advanced a loan of £lO to a returned soldier for temporary relief in a case of hardship. It was stated that the man in question was a main body man, having been wounded on Gallipoli. He was still suffering from war disability, but had recently been struck off the pension roll. He had later been medically examined and ordered into the Trentham military hospital. His pension would not be renewed until he had been in hospital for a month. He was without moans and his wife and children had to pay 30s per week house rent. The family were in receipt of only 15s a week. The w aotion of rhe president in granting the loan of £lO was confirmed, and it was decided to make further representations to headquarters in the matter.

Referring to the Taranaki Education Board’s application for a grant for a new school at Courtenay Street, the Education Department have replied that the matter was recently brought before Cabinet by the Minister but it was again decided to postpone consideration in view of the financial position. When this advice was received nt yesterday’s meeting it was decided, on the motion of Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., and R. J. Deare, that the acting-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance be communicated with advising that the board regretted the decision and urged, in view of all the circumstances, that the application be reconsidered with a view to its being met. A copy of the resolution will alfio be sent 'to the Minister of Education.

Freeman Wilcocks, David Price, and Joseph Coleman were charged at the Magistrate’s Court, Hawera, on Tuesday with having been on licensed premises (the Central Hotel) during unlawful hours. Defendants pleaded guilty. Wilcocks was fined £2 and the others were fined £1 each. Costs were added in each case. Henry Edward Card was charged with having kept his hotel open during such time as it was required by law to"be closed. There were also three charges of having sold liquor during unlicensed hours. His Worship said he would give Card one more chance. Were it not for the fact that he was absent at the time he (the magistrate) did not think he would have given him another opportunity. Apparently his default was that he allowed servants who did not understand the law to get him into trouble. One would have thought that the last penalty, being the maximum, would have had a better effect. He would not endorse the license, but on the first charge defendant would be fined £lO, on the second £3, and on each of the others he would be convicted and discharged.—Star.

A final reminder is given of the sale by auction on Friday, the 12th inst., at Newton King, Ltd.’s mart, New Plymouth, of the 470 acres of beach land; also 2 quarter-acre sections situated in New Plymouth. All Scots are expected at the Soldiers’ Club to-night when it is hoped the local Caledonian Society will be formally launched. Pipers , from Elthain will be there. Everything promises well for the. new society. Come and judge for yourselves. Full details of an important clearing sale to be held at Oakura on Monday next, appears in this issue. The cows, young cattle and horses are all good, whilst the implement's are nearly new. A detailed advertisement of Mr. 11. C. Bishop’s clearing sale appears in our auction columns. The dairy is one of very good quality, Jerseys mostly. A big number of the cows have recently calved and are milking exceptionally well. Those in. need of white blankets will be able to fill their requirements at the Melbourne, Ltd. This firm has just opened out a fine lot of Kaiapoi and Petone blankets in large double bed size, and prices respectively are 65s and 73s 6d. No other blankets in the world arc equal to these. “Fairy Wonder” is unique for washing up. You will like iits efficiency. Its abundant lather makes the washing easy. Its perfect rinsing prevents the formation of the soapy film that dulls the lustre of china and glass. Dishes shine like the sun, and the hands are left nice and soft. To-morrow, at 11.30 a.m., L. A. Nolan and Co. will submit to auction a five-seater Overland motor car in firstclass order. A large quantity of household furniture will be sold by L. A. Nolan and Co. at the Mart to-morrow (Friday). For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. 4