LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The members of the Canterbury Progress League, who are visiting the Nelson district, are greatly impressed with the possibilities before the fruit industry. They see the necessity for linking up the isolated sections of Nelson am) the West Coast with the southern railway system.

Auckland recently decided to pass n by-law similar to that in vogue in Wellington prohibiting motor-cars from passing stationary tramcars. tf ßefore this provision was made in the bylaws I was nearly bowled over several times,” said a councillor at a recent meeting. “Now one can get on a tramcar with a little bit of safety.

A word to “those about to marry” after having appeared in the Divorce Court was given by His Honor Mr. Justice Adams. “I have recently learned,” said His Honor, “that petitioners in divqfce are sometimes unaware of the fact that after a decree nisi is pronounced they are not at liberty to marry until the decree has been made absolute. I think it is desirable that this should be thoroughly well understood.”

Reporting to the executive of the N.Z.R.S.A. on the Asiatic question, the secretary (Mr. J. Pow) said he had ascertained from the Government Statistician that the number of Chinese in New Zealand at March 31 last was 3425; there were also 72M Hindus in .the Dominion. Mr. Pow added that since the immigration restrictions were Imposed in 1920, according to the figures supplied to him, they had had very satisfactory results.

The supply of fish in Auckland is very low at present owing to the recent rough weather having seriously interfered with trawling operations. The position has been relieved to some extent by the return to port of Messrs. Sandford’s trawler Countess and the City Council’s trawler Simplon. The latter brought 525 baskets, principally of schnapper, the result of five days* trawling.

A glut of cauliflowers on the Auckland wholesale market has resulted in a reduction in the price to as low as 2s per dozen, and the best at 3s per dozen. Sydney oranges are also to be had at cheap rates owing to the fact of a shipment arriving in bad condition. Unless they are disposed of within the next few days they will be unfit for human consumption.

Touching on the question of raising a loan of £-80,000 for road construction purposes, the chairman of the Egmont County Council, at yesterday’s meeting of that body, remarked that it would be advisable to defer the raising of this until they knew what would he the outcome of the Main Roads Bill. He understood that under the Bill loans would not be taken over, and therefore it was useless hanging a millstone round their necks. Meanwhile the clerk could be instructed to go into the question of ways and means. The clerk stated that he had communicated with the State Advances Department, but so far had received no reply.

The proposal by Labor members that unemployed should be paid was referred to by Cr. Tosland at yesterday’s meeting of the Egmont County Council. While sympathising with men out of work, he considered that it would be an iniquitious tax to pay men for doing nothing, and he thought that the council should emphatically protest. On his motion, seconded by Cr. O’Brien, it was unanimously resolved; “That this council views with alarm the agitation by Labor members of Parliament to give unemployment wages to men out of work, and suggests that the Government concede no such measure of relief, but should give employment to all unemployed men on constructive public works, such as the Te Roti-Opunase railway, on the small contract system.” A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister and M.P.’s for the district.

The cabled complaint from English laundrymen that business was falling off, due to so much washing being done in the homes, is no doubt due to the discovery and use of ocientifle washing powders which have practically eliminated the old-time drudgery connected with washing. The same thing has happened in New Zealand, thanks to “Fairy Wonder,” the queen of washing powders. Try a packet to-day.

This afternoon, at their mart, Webster Bros, are selling a consignment of Nelson apples and a quantity of vegetables.

111 view of the forthcoming visit to New Plymouth of one of the Public Works engineers to report in regard to sources of hydro-clectric supply (particularly in connection with the proposed iron works), the Borough Council last night appointed the hydro-electric committee to draw up a programme to facilitate the engineer’s inspection. Discussing the question of the rate of interest on certain loans, the. Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) stated at fast night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council that he had heard of a recent case in which a local body had had to pay over 7 per cent, for* their loan.

Tn the case Ward and Co. v. the Commissioner of Taxes, regarding assessment, the Court of Appeal has granted the appellants leave to appeal to the Privy Council. The Full Court recently found against the appellants, when the company contended that the sum expended ( £2123 odd) was not assessable for income tax purposes. The money was used in connection with the Liquor Referendum in 1919,

In the House of Representatives on Friday, Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) asked what were the intentions of the Minister for Finance in respect to the enforcement of payments of land tax, in view of the present depression which was affecting the sheep-farmers so severely. Raising the land tax at this time, he stated, would cause much hardship. The Hon. IV. Downie Stewart, in reply, said that he quite realised the seriousness of the position. No steps had. as yet been taken in the direction indicated by the hon. member, but an announcement on the matter would be made later.

The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants intends again petitioning Parliament to enforce retirement from the service on completion of 40 years’ service, provided the member concerned is entitled to a minimum retiring allowance of £3OO a year (states the Railway Officers’ Advocate). Rather a striking feature of the proposed peth tion, from a first division point of view, the journal remarks, is that rf the prayer of the petition is granted, not one member of the second division will be affected.

The qualities of meat flour, a new food that is being made in New Zealand, were described by Mr. W. Abbot to a meeting of farmers and others held in Hamilton last week. Mr. Abbot said that recently at a dinner held at Ohakune 18 persons sat down to a meal composed entirely of meat flour dishes, and only a little over half a pound of meat flour was used in its preparation. It was excellent for invalids and bore a high food value. It could be exported easily and compactly, and would keep, so far as present tests went, for two years without the slightest sign of deterioration. At present it was being manufactured, including all overhead charges, at Is 9d per lb, and could be manufactured, in larger quantities for very much less. It took 31b of meat io produce 11b of the flour, which was at present being readily sold at 5s per ib, and was found exceedingly economical in the household at this price. It was his firm conviction that by the end of the first twelve months the demand will exceed the capacity of the Waiitlttrino factory and district.

A Christchurch reporter who made some inquiries amongst farmers at the Addington yards on Wednesday found them all jubilant over the bountiful rains which have fallen throughout Canterbury during the last rew days. The general opinion was that the rain is worth thousands of pounds to the farmers of that province. Although the full effect has not yet been seen on the pastures, the rain is almost sure to result in a bountiful supply of feed, and it will also do untold good to the crops. A large acreage of wheat has been sown in Canterbury this season, and as the Government has guaranteed the price of the grain, it is likely to prove the best paying of all farm products. Farmers are therefore anxious for a good yield, and the recent rains should help materially towards this. Generally speaking the rain has been a warm one, and although it has caused some mortality amongst the lambs, the looses in most parts are not excessive. In any case the Jobs of lambs will proliably be more than counter-balanced by the benefit to the crops and pastures, which were badly in need of a thorough soaking after the lengthy spell of dry weather.

During the past twelve months there has been a marked increase in Auckland (says the Auckland Star) in the number of these one or two-men laundries, with the Ah or the Lee, etcetra, sign over the lintel. On the other hand, the number of Europeans employed in laundries has decreased during the same period. As a matter of fact, one white person did start a laundry in Auckland within the twelve month, but after a three weeks’ experiment the shutters went up. It was hopeless trying to compote against the yellow man. The scattered Chinamen—there is one every few yards, so to speak, in the environs of the city—have a big advantage over the large European laundries in the matters of delivery. The Chinaman can keep open in the evening, so it is an easy matter for the householder to slip round after work, or even after tea, for bis washing. In this country the average person is not burdened with a too extensive wardrobe of underwear, and the inconvenience caused by nondelivery is not to be conceived by people Who are better off, or who perhaps are more thrifty. The European laundry is bound by rules and regulations, and must close at five o’clock.

To-morrow evening residents of the Puniho district are giving a farewell social to Mr. and Mrs. IV. Thomas in the Puniho schoolroom. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been prominent residents of the district for many years, and there is certain to be a crowded attendance to give them a fitting send-off. The Jersey heifer fair to be held by the Farmers’ Co-op. at. Inglewood on Thursday next should attract dairymen from all parts, as there are large entries of first-class, well-conditioned, well-grown heifers from the best Jersey grade herds, and practically all by pedigree Jersey bulls. This should be a rare chance to get the best heifers at the best time. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., Stratford, wish to draw clients’ attention to their Tarata sale, which they are holding at their Tarata yards on Friday, September 30, at J p.m. T’Nill particulars of entries will be found on page 8 of this

Have I a good constitutioned, typy and well-bred bull at the head of mV herd? Tpis is the question that all dairymen ' should ask themselves. With a sire that possesses these strong points, the outcome must mean increased production, and a well set-up, strong and healthy herd. Endeavor to bring this about, and grasp the opportunity next week of securing a bull of good dairy quality at either the New Plymouth, Stratford, or Kaponga pedigree 'Jarsey bull sales.

A youth was charged at Greymouth this week with using obscene language over a telephone. He was let off with a caution.

Two New Zealanders who have returned from a visit to Java are charmed with the Dutch colony, and describe it as a veritable Garden of Eden.

“Some people make tnc mistake of looking on motor cars as a luxury,” remarked a Castlepoint County Councillor. “As far as the country districts are concerned they are a necessity, and a most important necessity.” “The goats were kept tor eating lawyers,” said a witness in Court (says the Huntcrville Express). “Well, they will do a lot of good if they eat those up,” was the rejoinder of the magistrate.

A gentleman in a position to know told a Manawatu Times’ reporter that the cost of building a house to-day is about £l5O to £2OO less than it was two months ago. A large item in tins respect has been the decrease in the cost of plumbing and painting. In another few months a much greater decline ift the cost is to be expected. The cultivation of linseed was strongly advocated at a meeting of the Feilu* ing branch of the Farmers’ Union last week. Linseed, it was painted out, was easy to grow, and waa a splendid food for pigs and calves. Attention is invited to an advertisement by Mr. Seccombe, of Te Teko, tor men for grabs sowing,, etc. The should appeal to a gang of men wieiinng to carry out work on a cu-operat>* bafl-is.

Tn view of the impending ripe on cotton piece goods, due to the advance in price of raw cotton and a'eo an anticipated duty of at lO per cent., buyer* should purcliose the following line* at the Melbourne, Ltd.:—3oin. medium calico. 1/6 yard; navy drillette, 1/9 yard; indigo print, 1/6 yard; and 40-inch nurses’ cloth, 1/11 yard. The annual examinations for plumpers are advertised to take place in November, when it Is hoped that there •Will be a sufficient, number of plumbers offering for examination to make New Plymouth a centre. The plumbing class will open for this term to-night (Tuesday). when all students are requested to attend.