LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A cable from London says Hector Gray, the New Zealand jockey, is bound for New Zealand, but will return to England later.

Insurances on the premises of Mr. G. H. Gallagher, Fitzroy, which were damaged by fire early on Saturday morning, were *£so, and the contents were covered for £lOO. Mr. Gallagher estimates his loss at £lOO above the insurances.

His- Grace Archbishop O’Shea spent a strenuous day in New Plymouth yesterday. At 7.30 a.m. he celebrated Mass, preached at a confirmation service and administered sacrament to 1’26 candidates. He then drove to Waitara. where 37 candidates received the sacrament at a confirmation service. Returning to New Plymouth he held Vespers and preached the sermon. To-day Archbishop O’Shea visits Okato and Opunake en route to Wellington. A share of the credit for the present standard of efficiency in the dairy industry was due to the Government officers. said- Mr. Newton King in addressing tfie gathering at Bell Block on Saturday to mark the opening of the new dairy factory. Mr. Tving added that the present state would not have been attained unless there was constant supervision; the grading system, he believed, was the best that could be got, and the officers were fii ; st-class men.

In apologising for the absence of the Premier at th e opening function held on Saturday in connection with the erection of * the new dairy factory at Bell Block, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., said Mr. Massey Was unable to attend owing to the important nature of business to be considered at a meeting of Cabinet which was to be hold that day. The decisions of the meeting in all probability would have a far-reaching effect on the people of New Zealand. Market reports from London to hand on Saturday indicated a more favorable tone as regards the price of New Zealand produce. Speaking at the official function hold in connection with the opening of the Bell Block factory, Mr. Newton King said latest advices stated: ‘•Butter market is steady, New Zealand 196/- to 200/-. Lower prices expected in two weeks’ time. Cheese, firmer: White 108/-, colored 104/- and 106/-.” Mr. King said generally speaking this could be regarded as a very satisfactory telegram. The advance in colored cheese was a marked one, compared with two weeks ago.

The New Plymouth Girls’ Friendly Society held their annual “at home” and sale of work in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Saturday afternoon. Quite a large quantity of goods had been received for sale, and these were tastefully and attractively displayed on stalls, which were in charge of the following ladies: Fancy work, Miss Marshall and Miss Mace; produce, Mies Curtis and Mrs. Newman; flowers, Miss Devenish and Miss N. Hurle. Afternoon tea was served, the arrangements being in the hands of Mise McKellar and Miss Aldridge. Musical items were contributed by Mrs. List, and the Misses Hine, Shaw and Home'. Mrs. Skinner acted as secretary for the function.

The New Plymouth freezing workers held a smoke concert in the Workers’ Social Hall on Saturday night. The various unions were represented, also members of the Smart Road and Waitara freezing works. The guests of the evening were the visiting waterside delegates. Mr. Joe O'Brien was in the chair. He explained in his opening remarks that they had intended holding a card party, but as it was a good opportunity of hearing the views of the delegates it was decided at the last minute to hold a smoke concert. The various toasts were in capable hands and these, combined with a large and varied programme consisting of songs, banjo and violin, solos, not to forget a Maori haka, helped to pass a pleasant and enjoyable evening.

At the luncheon tendered the officers of the Dairy Division at Patea last week, Mr. Crosbie gave some interesting figures in relation to the growth of the dairy industry.- In 1907 the total exports were: Butter 15,416 tons, cheese 8145 tons. For the year ending March 31, 1921, the figures were, butter 23.856 tons,’ cheese 60,413 tons. Mr. Wood, in reply, stressed the importance of -he care of our produce after it had been manufactured, in proper curing (referring to recent regulations gazetted) in cheese having to be kept fourteen days on shelves before packing, and only tho roughly sasoned timber to be us ■<! for cheese. He spoke of well manufactured cheese deteriorating on the journey through the use of unseasoned timber.

ic happened at a country show. A farmer had entered a pig in the Berkshire classes and gained a first prize. It is essential that a first-class Berkshire should be black all over, and the friends of the victorious owner, who gathered on tho second morning to view the winner, were a>t<\uiuled to find that something was wrong with tho pig. Whereas the porker which had caught the judge’s eye had presented a perfectly black hide, this one was the possessor of one white ear an j ns tant disqualification. Who had removed ’s pig? tnvestiga tions were made and it was discovered, much to the discomfort of the owner, that a coating'of black-lead will disappear after a night’s rain! Write in strictest confidence for Free Booklet. Plain envelopes used for ejl correspondence. Lady Manager, Drinko Proprietary, 212 A.C., Lambton Quay, Wellington.

On Wednesday afternoon L. A. Nolan and Co. are conducting a sale on account of Mr. E B. Wooldridge at his residence, Dawson Street (near hospital gates). Two good house, cows and 70 head of poultry are included.

Whatever may be thought of the man who fishes or shoots without a license, there can be no two opinions about the man who dynamites a stream. He is little, if any, better than the man who dynamites a safe. —The Dominion.

Cheap excursions for Christmas formed the subject of a question put to the Minister for Railways in the House. The Hon. D. 11. Guthrie said that the usual Christmas excursions would be run this year, and the department was rather looking to them to make -up some of the drop in the revenue.

That the New Zealand farmer is not the only one who is going through hard times is evidenced from a communication that has just been received in Napier from Australia. It points out that when money was plentiful the price of wheat land went up, and was bought at £lB to £2O, with the expectation that the wheat prices would keep up. This lias no been the case, however, and only 4/6 per bushel is being received for the wheat, whereas 10/- per bushel is required to make it pay. A petition from ratepayers arid property owners in Hawera County, Taranaki, complaining of a much higher valuation than that of similar lands, with similar improvements in neighboring counties, has been/ presented to the House of Representatives. The petitioners state that the valution made in 1919 was an excessively high one, based on the boom prices ruling at the time. It showed a 67 per eent. increase over the whole country, on the 1913 valuation. It was not possible to object to the valuation at the time at which it was made as no neighboring district was valued, and therefore no comparison scould be instituted. The request preferred to Parliament is for a new valuation.

The weather yesterday was ideal for the opening of “Brooklands” and “Maranui,” the gardens of Mr. Newton King and Mr. T. C. List respectively. Consequently large numbers vusited the gardens, which never looked better, the beautiful flowers, roses and cineraria especially, coming in for special attention and appreciation, as did the flowering trees, rhododendrons, kalmia, etc. The afternoon was greatly enjoyed by the visitors, who were not lackkng in appreciation’of the opportunity provided for enjoying the displays of beautiful flowers and flowering trees and rare trees, not to speak of the native bush in all its pristine grandeur that lends such a charm and makes such a perfect setting to both gardens, which, adjoining as they do, really form a unique park that any town may well treasure.

The encouragement of scientific research in dairying conditions in New Zealand was advocated by Mr. J. S. Connett speaking at the opening of the Bell Block Company’s new factory on Saturday. He said there was no doubt a large field for this, but at present they had to go to America for research work in dairying, where it was evident the conditions varied from those in New Zealand. In the past they had depended largely on the Government for taking up this work, but he was one who was quite convinced that Taranaki could very well make a move in this direction, and it would be with great benefit to the province. At a later stage of the meeting Mr. T. C. List, in proposing the toast of the Dairy Division, endorsed Mr. Connett’s remarks, and said there was no doubt New Zealand would have to do more in the way of experimental work, as therein lay the chance for improving the quality of the produce. As president of £he Taranaki Chamber of Commerce he desired to intimate that the business men of New Plymouth were only too anxious to co-operate in any work of that nature, and also‘in the establishment of an experimental farm in North Taranaki.

Soldiers’ mothers and wives to the number of over 100 attended an afternoon tea held in their honor by the council of the New Plymouth branch of the Victoria League on Saturday. The league’s club rooms were the scene of a very pleasant gathering and an enjoyable musical programme was contributed during the afternoon. Addresses were given by the Bishop of Auckland (the Rio-ht Rev. T>r. A. W. Averill) and the Ven. Archdeacon Evans. After tea had been dispensed ft hearty vote of thanks to the league was passed by the guests on the motion of. Mesdames E. M. Smith and Oliver. It is understood that the mothers and wives intend to, show their appreciation of the league’s* hospitality by arranging a return tea. There are numerous indigenous plants and trees that horticulturists are not as familiar with as they should be. Many of these are hardy and beautiful. the New Plymouth Horticultural Society is offering a special prize for a collection of native flowers and berries. It is desired .that a large entry be made m this section, just to show what New Zealand can do.

The Melbourne, Ltd.’s, bathing towels are “out on their own” for value. Splendid quality English towels, 18 by 38 inches,-3/11 pair; 22 by 43 inches, 4/11 pair; and 28 by 44 inches, o/ll pair. These towels are fine, heavy, absorbent make, and at to-day’s prices show a saving of at least 20 per cent.