LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Asked by Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) •whether he could offer the country settlers more reasonable terms for mail deliveries, the Postmaster-Geheral (the Hon. J. G. Coates), stated in the House that he could not depart from his original statement regarding the rural mail delivery system which it was proposed to institute. He was still, however, considering the representations that members had made to him on the question-

The work of renewing a section of the telephone and telegraph line between Wanganui and Turakina is being pushed on expeditiously. This is the main line between Wellington and New Plymouth. From time to time the line has been renewed over the whole distance, and this was the only section remaining. Many of the totara poles being taken out have stood since the line was built, are still in a good state of preservation. With the increased weight of wires, it is necessary to replace them with* hardwood. Portions of the old poles when cut up are used for blocking other poles, etc.

On the motion of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., the Schools’ Committees’ Conference decided to enter a protest against the proposal of the Minister of Education to reduce the number of organising tachers, whom, they belieVed, were of special benefit to children in backblock schools. “It is one of the most retrograde steps Mr. Parr has taken,” said Mr. Smith.

The accommodation of school teachers in country districts was the subject of discussion at the School Committees’ Conference. The chairman, Mr. S. G. <Smith, M.P., pointed ou< that a good deal of the difficulty backblock teachers were faced with could be obviated if .settlers would give them more consideration. The secretary cited an instance in which a young lady was appointed, to a small country school, and found she was expected to “bach” with a couple of young men. The conference decided to suggest that school committees and settlers in the backblocks should co-operate and do all in their power to provide proper accommodation for teachers appointed to their districts. The grazing rights of the Urenui Domain Reserve will be offered by auction at Urenui on Monday next.

The road througdi the mountain reserve, leading to the Nd’fth Egmont hostelry, will be closed to-morrow, on account of the Governor-General’s visit, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 Mgea .agga and 4,8,0. <>.ia. , \

“Can anything be done to help settlers in backblock districts who have erected telephone posts and are clamouring for some assistance in the supply of wires and equipment?” asked Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) in the House of Representatives. The Postmaster-Gen-eral (Hon. J. G. Coates) replied that he would inquire into any application that was brought before him. The department had laid down a general rule that ’where settlers had supplied material, they would be provided with a connection with a trunk line. If the settlers were unable to pay for material, the department would pay and give them a number of years to pay off the loan by instalments. His instructions to the department had beeq to assist the back country settlers wherever possible.

The fortnightly meeting of the East End Reserves Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs. A. R. Davis (chairman), J. Vale, R. Bennock, A. Feakins, A. Williams, M. Hughes, and R. Hill (secretary). Mr. Stroud’s resignation as a committeeman was accepted. Messrs. A. Feakins and A. Williams were appointed to fill the vacancies on the executive. It was resolved to deal with applications for the position of caretaker not later than the 31st inst. It was resolved to write to the borough general manager informing him that some person liad destroyed part of the new fence erected by the committee, and asking him to take steps to bring the offender to justice. The committee, after considering that the Fitzroy display on November 5 was for the welfare of the children, decided to forego their day (for this year only) and help the Fitzroy committee. It was decided to at once commence making preparations for a monster sports and piepic on New Year’s Day.

The South Rood Methodist Sunday School anniversary takes place on Sunday, October 30., when special services will be held, a feature being the singing of the children. On the Tuesday following the annual gathering will be held 'and prizes distributed, the children again assisting with the singing. The P v ev. W. J. Elliott, is to preside. Mr. Vincent Pantin, personal representative for the well-known entertainer, the Great McEwen, is in town making preliminary arrangements for a short season at the Empire Theatre, starting on Friday next. Quite one of the outstanding features of the Citizens’ Ball this evening will be the music. The Regimental Band of the 4th Battalion (Wellington Regiment), which 'performed so well at the recent band contest, has consented to play on the arrival of Their Excellen- : eies at the Coronation Hall at 8.30 i.p.m., and it will provide the music for itthe first two or three danqps with a ir . twenty-four performers. For the rest of the dances a specially line •orchestra has been engaged, and foe music has been carefully selected. An orchestra of eleven picked players will ■provide a musical treat, which will be •a pleasure not only to dance to, but for •those who may not be inclined to dance the whole evening. With the floor and the supper and other arrangements also specially attended to, a large gathering is expected to honor Their Excellencies. On arrival the party will proceed to the dais at the top of the room, where His Worship will briefly welcome Lord and Lady Jellicoe on behalf of the Victoria League and the citizens, and a bouquet will be. presented to Her Excellency. The members of the league, whose quests Their Excellencies are, are requested to assemble between the entrance hall and the dais on the arrival of the Governor’s party at the Coronation Hall.

A superior lot of oak and other furniture will be submitted to auction by L. A. Nolan and Co. on Wednesday next at the Workers' Social Hall. A- rosewood piano by Collard and Collard, London (equal to new), is included. Anyone requiring a good instrument should inspect morning of sale. The Melbourne’s Salvage Sale finally ends on Saturday. All salvage remnants will be finally cleared up at ridiculous prices to clear. Positively no salvage is to be carried over, so customers can rely on obtaining some stirring bargains.

Housewives are guaranteed snow-white clothes with the use of “Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap, the queen of washing powders. “Fairy” will not redden or chap the tenderest skin, nor will it injure the finest fabrics. It is par excellence the finest washing powder in the wide, wide world. All grocers stock it-