LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An important Masonic gathering opens in Wanganui to : day, when the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of New Zealand holds its annual convocation.

There were three’ bankruptcies in the. New Plymouth district during January of this year, compared, with one failure recorded in the same month of last year.

It was an insult to returned soldiers that the Income Tax Department should treat their war pensions as unearned income, said Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) in the House on Monday. The member wished to know whether instructions would be given that the pensions were to be treated as earned income. The Prime Minister promised to make inquiries about the practice of the department. He had not heard of the matter before.

In the House of Representatives on Monday evening the Prime Minister said:—“l believe we could sit all the year round and find work to do, but I don’t think it would be for the benefit of the country. I. don’t think it is good for the country to have too much legislation passed through Parliament.” —Own correspondent. The Board of Trade has advised butchers that . instructions have been received to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the meat trade, such inquiry to include the examination of accounts of representative firms for the past three years; also to ascertain the correlation of the wholesale prices of stock, and the retail price of meat. Each butcher addressed is requested to forward a copy of , his trading account, profit and loss account, and balancesheets for the past three financial years. At Opunake on Monday an elderly man, James Collingwood, appeared before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., on remand from New Plymquth, on a charge of indecently assaulting a little girl. The offence, it was alleged, took place at Opunake on January 18. DetectiveSergt. Cooney prosecuted. After the hearing of evidence, accused was committed for trial at the forthcoming sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, commencing on February 14. An application for bail was opposed by. the police on the grounds that accused had no fixed place of abode. It was contended that , Collingwood was “a bird of passage.” His Worship refused the application. There was a good attendance at the Rolland Hall, New Plymouth, on Monday evening, when a concert was given under the, auspices of the Catholic Federation. The programme was a splendid one and the different items were keenly ‘‘appreciated, encores being demanded in every instance. The programme opened with orchestra] numbers, which were admirably rendered, while Miss Blewman and Mrs. J. J. Powell were heard to advantage in the songs they contributed. Mr. and Mrs. Powell also gave a duet, “The Battle Eve,” which was enthusiastically recalled. Mr. J. Fitzgerald caused a great deal of amusement with his humorous items, particularly “Funniosities,” in which he was ably assisted by Mr. Sin elair. Miss Mannix gave a violin solo, “Serenade,” in which she showed complete mastery over her instrument, and Mrs. W. H. Rowe’s pianoforte solos again proved her high capabilities as a pianist. Mrs. Rowe also played the accompaniments. Mr. Victor lan’s character sketch, “A Dutch Courtship,” was a very popular item cleverly contributed. Mr. lan responding with another humorous sketch, which was equally well received. The concert from every point of view was a successful one, ail present greatly enjoying the evening.

Messrs. George and Julian, motor mechanics, notify their removal from Liardet Street to the premises in King Street recently occupied by s the Buick motor garage. The repair department will be under expert supervision, and all work is guaranteed.

A device that autqmatipfdjy, makes an early morning pot of tea‘is the latest invention. You set an indicator to the time you want tea in the morning. When that time arrives the apparatus turns on the gas under the kettle. When the water boils the tea is immediately transferred to the teapot, and the gas is automatically turned off. A bell is rung, the electric light switched on, and the sleeper awakes to find a pot of tea ready. A somewhat pathetic incident that illustrates the financial difficulties some of the soldier settlers are encountering is related in a letter from the King Country (says the New Zealand Herald). The soldier in question was ploughing in his ‘bare feet. He possessed one pair of boots, but as he required them for visits to civilisation, and as he had no ready cash, he decided to save leather at the epxense of the soles of his feet. The incident was not related as a complaint, and it, therefore, indicates the kind of courage of some of the settlers.

An appalling account of the pogroms in the Ukraine was given by the chief Rabbi, Dr. Hedtz,' at a large meeting held in London for the relief of the victims. He declared that during the past three years 3,000,000 human beings in the Ukraine had suffered the horrors of hell, including rape, burying alive, and drowning in the Dniester; yet hardly a word respecting them had appeared in the Press. A hundred thousand Ukrainian Jews had been butchered, nad 600,000 children, who were homeless, would die of cold, hunger and disease unless the Jews came to their rescue.

Trade journals received from England this week show that contracts are being secured against German and foreign competition, and a large number of orders have gone to English manufacturers solely on account of their submitting the lowest quotations. In Wales prices are being cut exceedingly fine, and the workmen are co-operating to make the fine quotations pay, and consequently have beaten the German firms for many contracts. A recent instance of Welsh tendering success is that of a firm which has just completed the first consignment of 1.3,000 telephone wire standards for Dutch East India, a contract which it secured in face of the keenest competition from Germany. A village clergyman, walking round the parish, met an old parishioner. “Well, John,” he said, “how is it I have not seen you at church lately?” “Hain’t got no Sunday trousers,” answered John. “Well,” said the clergyman, “I have a pair at home which will just about fit you.” The trousers were duly sent, and the following three Sundays John was seen at church. Then, after being absent for some time, the clergyman again met him. “Well, John, 1 ” he said, “you have no excuse for not coming to church lately.” “Look here, parson,” said John. “I come to church three Sundays, an’ if you don't think I earned them trousers, just tell me how many more Sundays I shall ha’ to come afore they’re mine.” Legislation making the penalties more drastic for the unauthorised use of motor cars was asked for by a question which Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) asked the Minister for Justice (Hon. E. P. Lee) in the House on Monday. Mr. Hockly suggested that the legislation should be enacted early next session. The practice was becoming more prevalent, and it was considered that the punishment provided was not adequate. Cars were being taken not only from the streets but from the owners’ motor sheds. After being used they were, often abandoned by the roadside in a damaged condition. Mr. Lee said that he would give the matter consideration between now and next session. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South): Make it a hanging matter.

A remarkable story (says the Melbourne Age) attaches to the escapades of two boys, aged nine and eleven years, who have been arrested by the Prahran police in connection with the loss of a wallet containing £l5O. On the night of December 21 Miss Agnes Curtin reported to the police that during the evening, while she was sitting on a lawn near the Yacht Club’a building at St. Kilda Beach in company with a young man, her wallet. which contained £<lso in bank notes, had been stolen. The matter was investigated, and two boys, aged nine and eleven years, were questioned by the police. They admitted that they took Miss Curtin’s wallet from the ’lawn where she had laid it; they approached the spot under the pretence of playing on the grass. Thefts of wallets in similar circumstances are said to be of frequent occurrence along the beaches at night. The boyh also admitted', it is said, that they went to the English, Scottish and Australian Bank at Toorak Road, South Yarra, and cashed a £5O note, which was in the wallet, the only question asked of them by the clerk who. paid the money being, “Did your father have a win at the races,” With the money thus obtained the boys set out to enjoy the holidays, first of all buying themselves new suits of clothing. Some of their friends were treated liberally by them, it appears. One man at Richmond, whose leg had been hurt in an accident, was presented by the boys vsith £lO. The police recovered one £5O note and two £1 notes. Webster Bros, advertise a big fruit sale of 900 boxes for . this afternoon, commencing at 2 o’clock.

Boye’ navy serge sport suits are to be had at the Melbourne, Ltd., in all sizes from 4 to-I'B. These suits have been off the market for some time on account of high prices, but since the slump last year the price of good quality all wool serge has so far receded as to permit of the suitsi being sold at reasonable prices. Quotations are 4.')/6 to 69/6.

The peculiar cleansing properties of “Fairy Wonder” dry soap are not confined solely to the wash-tub. “Fairy” will cleanse pots and pans, wood and paint work, and is excellent for scrubbing floors. It also cleanses hair brushes like magic. Also try a little “Fairy” in your bath. It is delightful. At all grocers.