LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The recent spell of dry, cold weather has somewhat .spoiled the prospects for a good strawberry crop in Auckland.

The Hamilton schoolboys, Edward Taylor and Horace Taylor, who were missing for two days, have returned. They played truant and were afraid to return home until driven in by the cold night.—Press Association.

On Baine’s Terrace last Saturday eight workers turned up. Branches and debris were removed from the site of the lawn and 'burnt, and the ground was levelled, raked and sown in lawn grass. The path along the river bank was continued t(L the gravel-pit gate nt the i extreme end of Brougham Street. Miss Evans and Miss Bessie Mace, of Pendarves Street, kindly provided afternoon tea.

The defendant in a tenement case heard in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday said she did nMthink an unfurnished room could be secured in New Plymouth for less than £1 per week. Relating further of her troubles in the course of a search for a house, witness told the Court that she went to one place (which was to let) at ten minutes past nine in the morning expecting to be the first of the applicats on the scene, but found she was the twenty-first who had an eye on this particular dwelling.

Newton King, Ltd., are selling a quantity of second-hand timber and iron at the Bell Block factory on Monday morning next.

It is reported (says the Hokitika Guardian ), that the main shaft at the Dobson coal mine has struck the first indications of the Brunner coal measures at a depth of 700 ft.

The commercial travellers of Auckland intend starting a campaign to raise a sum of £lO,OOO for helping the Auckland hospital to fight the cancer scourge.

In a cable received from New York a few (Lays ago, Mr. W. Goodfellow, of Hamilton, stated that there were 6,000,000 unemployed ip the United States.

Woodville is without a band. Some l ime ago a split occurred, and some members formed a new band, most of the engagements going to it. Then an effort was made to reorganise the players into a municipal band, but this effort resulted in-the old wound being re-opened, and after much heated argument the meeting decided to wind up all affairs and to hand jhe cash balance to the Borough Council.

In aid of tlie fund for improving the s?hool grounds, a very successful concert was held at the Vogeltown School on Thursday evening last when an excellent programme was rendered, the following contributing thereto being warmly tanked by the chairman (Mr. V. Griffiths): Mesdamea A. Avery, F. Sheppard, Miss T. Rowe, Messrs. W. Goldsworthy, F. PJFredrie, A. Veale, W. Smith. D. Morrison, W. Campbell, G. J. Lawrence, R. L. Cooper, and J. Lovell, the latter affording the audience much pleasure with his humoroua items. The chorus singing was also much appreciated.

At the opening of the new school at Koru yesterday, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., brought up the question of telephone facilities in the district. He impressed on the gathering the importance of telephonic comraunicaton in cases of ackness or urgency, and said theVe was now a chance-of getting the lines erected while the Government had the material on hand 4 It was only necessary for the residents to guarantee the deficiency that would occur in the operation of the service for five years, and thia, in the case of Koru, would amount to only £.ll. It waa suggested that a meeting should shortly be held to consider the matter of providing the necessary guarantee.

In advocating a claim for possession, which was before the Magistrate’s Court. New Plymouth, yesterday, a solicitor' contended that the housing shortage was not so acute now, and therefore the tenant should be able to secure a house. “I think I may take judicial notice of that fact,” said Mr. A. M. Mowlem, 5.M.,. “As from my own experience I have found it is not a hard matter.” “It is certainly not as bad as the position at this time last year,” concluded counsel, and he pointed that since Mr. Mowlem’s term in New Plymouth (about two months) His Worship had not had a tenement vase before him, whereas formerly there was scarcely a sitting of the Court at which this class was not represented. i

This year’s display of spring flowers at the show, which concludes this afternoon at the Whiteley Hall, makes a Very beautiful collection. In addition to the seasonal blooms in the competitive classes, which are of nice qualify, the beauty erf the show is enhanced by some comprehensive displays made by well-known notably Mr. and Mrs. J. Gibson’s exhibit of daffodils, and the cinerarias from Mr. Newton King’s gardens. The variety of daffodils in the show presents a study in the evolution of this flower. The decorative classes include some artistic exhibits. Good patronage was accorded the show yesterday, the proceeds being £65, and. this brings the amount in sight So far up to £3OO. As all the stalls are doing well this amount should be considerably increased.

An old story of the early days of New Zealand has found its way into the Glasgow Herald. Sheepowners have often to be on their guard against the depredations of sheepstealers, says the writer. “One of the boldest of these offenders was a certain Mackenzie, who ‘lifted’ a thousand shteep in one night in March, 1855, from a jun near Timaru, and disappeared with them among the Southern Alps. The upland plain in which he took refuge commemorates his exploit to this day by bearing hiis name. He was followed, captured, and set on horseback, with his hands tied, and then driven to Christchurch, 150 miles distant, by men armed with loaded pistols. When serving his five years’ sentence Ife made three dashes for freedom, at the third of which he was shot and badly wounded. Ultimately he was allowed tij leave the country, wlien the New Zealand sheepowners doubtless thanked heaven that they were rid of a knave.” Interesting reference to his newspaper career was made by Lord Northciiffe at Aiickland in responding to the toast of his health. As to h>is newspaper experience, he said, ho had no experience whatever when he entered journalishi, but he had .the advantage of a great, deal of travel. He did not believe that, newspapers ever really changed fundamentally. What was called enterprise was just the work done well with thef means a man had. Ho did not believe newspapers were getting better or getting worse. Hifl good fortune was to go into Fleet Street when huge fortunes wore being made by newspaper owners. (Laughter). Referring to the controversy he had at. different times with those who did not like what appeared in his paper, he told some of the truth about the shells and about a certain ’ great leader, and it was denounced as damnable. When he told certain other truths, they said the same thing. There was the German propaganda. and his advice, that propaganda should have been used in the first week of the war. “They don’t like my Times,” remarked Lord Northclifl’e, amid laughter. “I am very glad they don’t. I think they attack the Times at least once a month in the. House of Commons. Th.e Tunes wants nothing. It is a very prosperous newspaper, and absolutely independent.” Members of the Savage Club are reminded that the fifth Rorero will be held at the Foresters’ Hall this evening.

On Wednesday next at the Workers’ Social Hall L. A: Nolan, and Co. are conducting a sale of furniture on account of Mrs. S. E. Ellis. It is almost new and in first-class order. The Now Zealand Meat Packing and Bacon Company wish to draw farmers’ attention to a number of alterations in their receiving dates for calfskins in the various districts. ' Particulars are advertised elsewhere in this issue.

Catalogues for the forthcomng sale of pedigree Jersey bulls to be held at New Plymouth showgrounds and October 4 and 5 are nearing completion. They will be posted to all breeders in the 1920 Jersey herd book list when ready.

Newton King, Ltd., are selling by auction on Friday next the whole of Messrs. Shuttleworth Bros.’ stock in trade. A preliminary advertisement of the sale appears in this paper.

No fewer than five inquests have yet to be completed in Auckland. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Francis Edward Jew, who was murdered at Archhill on Saturday, July 16, which was formally opened on July 16, is to be continued on September' 12. The other four are those concerning the deaths of .Mr, E. J. Hammond and Mr. A. E. Skelton, the dates of which have not yet been fixed, and of Mr. James McGrath, victim of the powerhouse accident, and Mr. Mervyn boatewain of the Cecelia Sudden. An assertion that not more than 50 ])er cent, of the farmers on the Hauraki Plains and in Ohinemuri pay income tax was made by a solicitor at tke sitting of the Rivers Commission at Paeroa (aays the Herald). He said there werg very few prosperous farmers in the district. Land transfer work had waned considerably of late. It was exceptional to get a property which was not mortgaged heavily, the greatest number of mortgages being five and the average three. He had not put through a single property that was not mortgaged. Land had declined so’ much in value that not more than £5O pfer acre could be secured by way of an advance on a £lOO per acre farm.

On page 8 of this issue will be found the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile’s advertisement of entries for their Stratford sale on Tuesday next, the 13th inst., including entry of a very choice liqe of 30 2 and 3-year heifers. These have all been specially selected for their milking qualities, and can be highly recommended to intending purchasers. Commissioner and Mrs. Hodder, leaders of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, accompanied by Brigadier and Mrs. Toomer, will arrive in New Plymouth this evening and will conduct a special series of meetings in the Brougham Street hall to-morrow, to which all are cordially invited. A big rally is expected. The Melbourne, Ltd., is showing two wonderful lines of Manchester goods at bargain prices, namely, 31-inch pure indigo print at 1/6 per yard, and a 36-inch pure household calico, medium heavy weight, also at 1/6 yard. These two lines are remarkable value, and are meeting with, a ready sale. “Sinus,” the famous milking machine cleanser, is a scientifically blended compound in powder form put up in handy sized bags for immediate use. A small quantity put through the machine with warm water instantaneously cleanses without the slightest injury to any parts. A sale of work will be held in Holy Trinity Church' Hall, Te Henui, next Thursday, September 15, under the auspices of the Ladies’ Guild. The sale jvii! commence at 2.30 p.m., Mrs. F. G. Evans having kindly consented to open it. As in former years, the stalls will be well stocked with goods at reasonable prices In order that patrons may not be put to any discomfort through overcrowding, afternoon tea will be served in a marquee. Musical items will be given during the evening. Contributions to any of the stalls will be very welcome.

At Stony 41 iver sale on Tuesday, New ton King, Ltd., will sell a number of implements, together with sundries, on behalf of Mr. R. F. Trimble, who has recently sold his farm. .