LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the Legislative Council yesterday, Sir Francis Bell (Leader of the Council) moved the second reading of the Hunter Gift (for the settlement of discharged soldiers) Bill, which gives effect to the intentions of Sir George Hunter when lie made a gift to the State of land valued at about £l-8,000. The Bill was put through all its stages and passed. Dealing with a case in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in which a pupil had failed to attend regularly at night classes, the attendance officer (Mr. G. Pascoe). informed Mr. Mowlem, S.M., that the parent was aifxious to see his son attend, and the trouble was on the part of the boy. “A further trouble in these instances,” said His Worship, “is that any fines inflicted have to be paid by the parents.” An invention of interest to bee-keep-ers has been patented recently by Mr. T. Rowe, of Bell Block, It is a selflocking frame for hives, and makes the handling of the comb much more easy than with the present style. The invention is simplicity itself in its working, and has been favorably spoken of by people connected with the bee-keeping industry, who have had the opportunity of witnessing a demonstration from Mr. Rowe.

A well-attended meeting of ratepayers was held at Frankley Road last night, to consider the estimate made by the borough engineer in connection with the proposal to tar-seal the Frankley Park roads. Mr. J. Hall presided. The estimated cost of the work was stated to be £l4lB, on which the annual rate would amount to £79 per annum, or nearly 3d in the £. It was felt that the rate was too heavy for the district to bear unless some help was received from the council. A suggestion hod already been made that the council should grant a subsidy of 25 per cent., and after some discussion a resolution was passed, with only one dissentient, that. |bhe necessary steps be (taken to raise a loan provided the council will assist to the extent indicated. A deputation will wait on the council at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the position.

The monthly meeting of the West Coasters’ Association was held in the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, last night, when there was a good attendance of members and friends. A hearty welcome was extended to the visitors (by the chairman, Mr. J. T. Griffin. An enjoyable musical programme was opeed by the West Coasters’ orchestra (Mrs. Skelton, Messrs. R. Ellis, J. Lomas, H. Skelton and R. Deare). Vocal items were contributed by Misses Cocker and Bent, Messrs. P. Fredric, D. Thomson Noyes, Warner and R. Cocker; pianoforte duet by Mr. and Mrs. Skelton, and recitations by Misses Kivell, Jemison and Dolly McWhirter. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. Skelton and Mr. Fredric. At the conclusion of the programme thanks were extended to the association on behalf of the visitors by the Rev. J. F. Martin. Supper arrangements were in the hands of a ladies’ committee, who catered for the gathering in good style. The latter portion of’ the evening was devoted to dancing, which was indulged in by a large number. During the evening the chairman intimated that the next meeting would be held on Saturday, December 3, and it was proposed, to hold a picnic in the afternoon at Moturoa. They hoped to see a. large gathering of members and friends on this occasion.

Children will be delighted to learn thatPunch and Jud£ and Guy Fawkes will all be in attendance at the Fitzroy School Fete on Saturday. Everybody loves a bonfire, and the fun will wax fast and furious from the moment the match is applied till the last spark dies. The Punch and Judy show will be staged in one o£ the clans rooms, and a small charge for admission will be made.

The tasfiness of Fish is enhanced when flavored with Sharland’s Tomato Sauce, which is made from rich, —a mils TomatoM. Ju«t try it. , 2

■“One of the beat deals I ever did in | my life was with a farm that had nine mortgages on it,” remarked Mr. C. B. Buxton at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce the other night.

The chief physical instructor under the Education Board (Mr. 11. E. Longworth) has just completed a visit to the secondary and technical schools in Taranaki. While in New Plymouth, Mr. Longworth spoke very favorably of the work he saw at the High School, where the staff includes a physical instructor.

There is still another drop in the price of butter in Christchurch (according to a Press wire). Wholesale rates have been reduced from Is to Is 7£d per lb. Most of the grocers have readjusted their selling price of standard Canterbury brands to 1/9, being a reduction of Id per lb .and in some instances of 2d. Leaving London on his return journey, Mr. W. T. Jennings went across to Montreal, and then visited a number of other Canadian cities, which struck him as being particularly beautiful, particularly Ottawa, where the new Parliament House makes a great sight—finer than the House of Commons in London. An agricultural college he saw at Winnipeg cost two million dollars, and he was much struck by the attention that is paid to agricultural education in that Dominion. He saya it wouid make New Zealanders open their eyes. 9 A female witness who was being cross-examined in the New Plymouth Court yesterday as to her income stated in reply to counsel that she had been to the pictures only once in the' last twelve months. It was also elicited that her husband did not Smoke, drink, or go to the races. “You stick to him, then,” remarked counsel. “I intend to,” was the prompt reply, Mr. Mowlem, S.M., commented that if virtue had its own reward the husband should surely come in for a share of the return.

“I have been a worker all my life, and never, to my mind, has there been a time when it is more needed than now,” said Sir Walter Buchanan, at the opening of the Te Ore Ore school on Saturdajr last. “The Minister for Education, when he epeaks of work, and urges its gospel, is on the right track. As a Minister and politician he shows a very valuable example. Too many Ministers stay at headquarters, and do not see enough of the wants ofgjthe country districts.”

In dealing with' some cases in which parents were charged with failing to send their children to technical night classes, Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., remarked at yesterday’s sitting of tho New Plymouth Court: “It seems a great pity that parents do not realise the benefits that are theirs in having all these opportunities of educating dkeir children, and giving them a decent start in the world. At a time when education is all-important they fail to send their children to school or neglect to see that the children perform the obligations on them.”

Details of hospital expenditure are now being subjected to a much closer scrutiny than formerly, and increased efficiency and economy should be the result, says the Financial Statement. A scheme has been initiated whereby crippled children, and especially those suffering from infantile paralysis, are able to obtain treatment at the Military Hospitals at Rotorua and Trentham. Yt the present time upwards of 140 children, in addition to this special medical treatment, are being educated Jin the special schools that have been 'established by the Education Department at the hospitals mentioned. A Hospital Commission sat during the recess to consider certain hospital matters which were referred to them, and especially the question of subsidies to Hospital Boards. The report has been submitted, and amending legislation will be introduced dealing with many of the recomme ndat ions.

Parishioners and friends of St. Mary’S parish are reminded of the rose show and sale of work, which opens in the Parish Hall this afternoon. For months past thc\ ladies’ guild has been hard at work, with the result that a splendid range of goods will be offered for sale. A special feature will be the produce stall, which will be under the capable management of the Moturoa and Omata ladies, and will be well stocked with eattfbles of evnry d(escriptton, including home-grown mutton and pork and a mammoth turkey. The queen of flowers is at its best just now, and the rose show should well repay a visit Displays of flowers from the principal growers in New Plymouth will be staged, and the competitive classes will contain some very choice blooms. Decorative tables and mantelpieces will add additional attractiveness to the show. In .addition to the other stalls mentioned, there will be a children’s stall, well stocked with toys, balloons, etc.

“I can’t do hard work,” said a witness who was being examined as to his weekly earnings, in the course of a case at the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday. As he was a watersider the solicitor engaged asked if waterside work was not hard. “Wharf work is different to a pick and shovel job,” was the reply. It was elicited that the witness’ earnings averaged about £3 per week. According to his statement lie had not been able to secure a permanent position since returning from the front two years ago, as the state of his health hindered him taking many classes of work. He admitted that the rate of pay in his present oe pupation was 2s 7d per hour, with 3a lid for overtime and 8s for Sunday work. When there was a ship in, he said, he did not always get work, as there were more men offering than were needed. In reply to a question as to how the work was allocated he said the foreman looked after this. -He did not think it was always the best workers who were picked, and he believed that favoritism had a good deal to 8o with the selection.

A fine range of ladies’ lovely crepe de chine blouses is on view at the Melbourne, Ltd. These goods are beautifully made, and the fitting of the sleeves is perfect. All the latest styles in stock in ten and twelve momme weights. Prices are, as usual, moderate.

There i« going to be a great run on “Sinus” milking machine cleanser this season, chiefly on account of farmers awaking to the fact that cleanliness in regard to milk pays handsomely. In--1 creased production and better quality is what the Government asks for and in this respect the regular use of “Sinus” will help materially.

Messrs. Snelling and Andrews direct attention to the fact that their cars, running in the New Plymout.h-Opunake service, will, as from November 1, leave each morning at 7.30 from their garage in Brougham Street, and not from th* peat office, as heretofore. ,