LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tn a. divorce case at Auckland a few days ago in which a decree nisi was granted, the husband was 67 years of age and the wife 66 years.

There appears in the Estimates of the Agricultural Department a cum of .£4OO as an annual subsidy to the Stratford model dairy farm, and a grant of £5OO towards tLe erection of a manager’s house on the farm.

Members of Parliament seem to think that the Commissioner of Taxes will find tax-collecting from the farmers this month very similar to the experience of the farmer who set out to shear a pig—much cry and little wool.—Dominion. The exports from Taranaki during the 12 months ended September 30, 1921, were valued at £5,093,241. For the previous 12 months the value was £5,081,823. The totals for the whole Dominion for the same periods were £47,723,106 and £47,950,342 respectively

At the meeting in New Plymouth yesterday, called to discuss the establishment of a demonstration farm in North Taranaki, Mr. W. B. Grant (president of the Taranaki Agricultural Society), in expressing pleasure at the large attendance, remarked that it was something new to have townspeople attending such a meeting. Only last week they were lamenting the fact that townspeople did no take an interest in agricultural work. Tha mail train, due at New Plymouth last night at 8.10, did not arrive from the south until JQ.2O o’clock. The trouble occurred at Manakau, a station southward of Palmerston North, where a local ballast train had three oi its trucks derailed, thus holding up the traffic both to the north a,nd south. When the derailed trucks were cleared the proceeded, making good time and arriving at New Plymouth 2 hours and 10 minutes late.

A petition presented to Parliament on behalf of Arthur Charles Nottingham, commission agent, Christchurch, prays that the exaction of the business promts tax from him by judgment obtained by default in the Magistrate’s Court, may be set aside as a hardship and , injustice. Petitioner points out that his profits have fallen away, and that” he has twenty children, live of whom are now dependent on him. Four sons served in the war.

The late Mr. Richard Rundle, sent., father of William Rundle, who died on Thursday at the advanced age of 92 years, built a vessel at Moturoa in the fifties, which was successfully launched amidst great enthusiasm of the then inhabitants of Taranaki, and William and his brother Richard took part in the construction of Taranaki’s one and only effort in this direction.

The -fact that some banks were at present manufacturing ten shilling notes which were the same size as one pound notes was referred to by the chairman at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Farmers’ Union. The similarity in the notes of the two values led. to confusion and made it easy to make "mistakes. It was decided that the secretary should write to the Minister of Finance pointing out the inconvenience and risk of mistakes which this practice caused, and asking if steps could not be taken to make the "ten shilling notes more easily distinguishable.

When speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Farmers’ Union on the deputation which had waited on Mr. Massey to urge the reduction of taxation and the institution of departmental retrenchment, Mr. R. Dunn, who was a member of the deputation, said that Mr. J. D. Hall had drafted a constitution for a federated body of all the farmers’ organisations, the Council of Agriculture, Farmers’ Union, Sheep Owners and Dairymen’s Association. The proposal had been turned down straight away. They did not give the idea up altogether, because it was thought it would be good if they could come together to give a united punch when it was necessary. A combined deputation would have far more weight than a number o-f separate deputations. They had come to an arrangement that the different presidents were empowered to meet each other if any question should arise that was of common interest.

The duty on benzine and kerosene was discussed by the Taranaki Farmers’ Union yesterday. The Dominion secretary sent a telegram stating that it was considered advisable to get branches to protest against the customs duty on kerosene and benzine. The tax was heavy on farmers who required light and power for machinery. Resolutions should be passed before the Bill was discussed by Parliament next week. “The Government have got to get revenue and as long as it is not unreasonable we have to share the burden,” said Mr. Maxwell. The telegram was deceived, and on the motion of Mr. Maxwell it was decided to write to the Dominion executive stating that the Taranaki executive, recognising that revenue must be obtained, does not consider the proposed duty an unreasonable one.

The N.Z. Meat Packing and Bacon Co., Ltd., notify suppliers that they are resuming buying pigs on Monday next. The New Plymouth Borough Council notify that an additional 10 per cent, will be added to all rates unpaid after November 25.

The foreshore of the popular seaside resort at Kawau Island was sold last week for £l2OO.

There are. at present 250 men employed on the Mangahao electric power works. The whole or the labor is accommodated in a comfortable planner. It is likely that next year will see a considerable increase in the number of milking cows in the Poverty Bay district. Several sheepfarmers, it is stated, are contemplating obtaining herds of upwards of 100 cows from other parts of New Zealand. It is expected that the majority of t)ie importations will be obtained from Taranaki.

That dairying pays with the right stamp of cows is proved by the experience of Mr. J. Peterson, of Clifton, says an Invercargill paper. On October 3, 1920, he purchased a cow for £l5 and by the following October her milk had yielded 4401b’ of butter, besides supplying the house. Forty pounds were sold at Is 9d per lb, and 40011) at 2s per lb. Two pigs were reared on the skimmed milk, representing £6 each. The return from this cow represented quite £6O for the year. The possible effect of the wage rate on industry was referred to by Mr. H. J. Manson, New Zealand representative in Melbourne. Working men in Australia, he said, were cheerfully facing the world-wide problem of reconstruction, realising that everybody is in the same boat, and will have to pull together to ensure a return of normal conditions. In many instances they have accepted a reduced wage, as. was seen in New South Wales, where the basic wage was fixed at three shillings a week lower than the rate previously ruling. Prospects for the coming season were remarkably good, added Mr. Manson. A record harvest was expected, and, if wheat maintained a reasonable price', the anticipation of the Federal Treasurer (Sir Joseph Cook) that Australia had “turned the corner” would be justified.

A gymnastic entertainment by the (Eltham Boys’ Home will be given at the Workers' HaM on Monday, November 21, at S p.m.. when an interesting programme of musical items, Swedish drills, pyramid tableaux, character sketches, and gymnastic, exercises will be rendered. The Eltham boys have earned a reputation for the excellence of their physical exercises, and we are assured the standard cyf thoroughness has been well maintained. On Sunday afternoon the Boys’ Band, of 22 players, assisted by the "local Salvation Army Bajid, will give a performance in the Park At 3 p.m., and at night in the Workers’ Hall at 7 p.m. The monthly service knojyn as “The People’s Service” will be held in Whiteley Memorial Church .to-morrow (Sunday) evening. In addition to favorite hymns, the choir will render, among the anthems. Sullivan’s “O Gladsome Light” and “Awake Up My Glory,” by Barnby. The soloist will be Mrs. F. C. Ferry and the Rev. W. J. Elliott will preach on “The Main Chance and What it Means.” The large choir will be assisted by the orchestra, and the musical portion of the service will begin at 6.45 p.m.

Every lady appreciates beauty in blouses. The new season’s range shown by Messrs. Morey and Son contains some notable examples of the latest styles, while prices are very low.

Boys from the Eltham Boys’ Home will appear at the Inglewood Town Hall on Tuesday. November 22, at 8 p.m., when their unique programme of gymnastic exercises will be rendered.