LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The date for householders’ meetings for the election of school committees this year was fixed at Monday, April 24, by the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. A large number of visitors have gathered in New Plymouth for the Taranaki Jockey Club races which open today. The influx was reflected in the heavy booking of accommodation at hotels, and. in most instances all rooms had been taken up yesterday. Schools in New Plymouth will be given a half-holiday to-morrow in honor of the visit of the South African athletic team. The Taranaki Education Board decided to this effect yesterday as the result of a request from the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Association. School holidays for the ensuing year were fixed as follows by the Taranaki Education Board yesterday: Easter, April 14 —18; autumn, May 5—16; spring, August 26 to September 12 (subject to the date of the teachers’ examinations); summer, December 20 to February 1, 1923. The inmates of Rangiatea Home were given a musical treat last night, when a party froni New Plymouth rendered a programme of instrumental and voca’ items. \ number of orchestral numbers weru given by Mr. Bree and his family, Miss Valintine singing several solos. At the conclusion Mrs. Bayly, on behalf of the inmates, thanked the party.

A happy day’s outing at the Ngamotu beach was spent yesterday by the children of the Midhirst School, together with their teachers and parents. The picnickers arrived by the 10.15 a.m. train, to which six extra carriages had been attached for their accommodation. It is estimated that about 300 made the excursion, and a thoroughly enjoyable day was spent, the weather, often an uncertain factor in determining the success or otherwise of these picnics, being gloriously fine, and the many attractions at Ngamotu appealing to all.

A member of the Taranaki Education Board, speaking at yesterday’s meeting, touched on the question of whether it was altogether a good policy to build concrete schools, owing to the drawbacks in making additions to such structures. The remarks were drawn by the fact that the senior inspector had pointed out, in the case of one application for •some additional accommodation, that it was no use placing the matter before the department unless there was sufficient justification for adding another room, as the building in question was a concrete one.

The degree to which teachers’ salaries will be effected under the new Expenditure Adjustments Act was the subject of a short discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. The board was in receipt of a copy of the legislation, and the chairman (Mr. P. J. H. White) said he thought it would affect a good many of the. salaries paid by the board. A member said he understood teachers’ pay was to do reduced by ten per cent. “It is nothing like that,” replied the senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valentine), who added that the reduction would average about £lO. Another speaker was of opinion that the teachfrs had got off very lightly.

“Are we tied down to the one color for painting schools?” was a question asked by Mr. A. Lees at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. Members smiled when the speaker remarked that the present color was “not particularly striking.” The architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) agreed that the color was a bit dismal, but explained that why the board adopted the present color was for the reason that it was a sienna stain, and supposed to fee more lasting. This had not been borne out, however, and he had the matter of a change under review. The chairman (Mr. P. J. H. White): It is very refreshing to know that the color is going to be changed. The senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valentine): Hear, hear.

A report on the physical training at the New Plymouth Technical School from the department’s chief physical instructor was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. Speaking of his visit in November last, Mr. Longworth stated: A very good spirit prevailed; the discipline was a noticeab 1 feature, and almost every part of physical training receives attention. He was pleased, to know that this very important subject was taken every day for at least fifteen minutes. Credit was due to the director for the good results obtained. He pointed out, however, that still more could be done if the teachers themselves underwent a course of training under the Education Department.

A novel/ resolution was moved by Mr. P. Thomson at Tuesday’s meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce. It was: “That the New Plymouth Harbor Board, be communicated with with a view to the proposal of additional wharfage and be asked to seek the advice df the board’s engineer on the practicability of a scheme of purchasing or obtaining one or more scrapped warships from the British Government, and after filling same with cement or other material, sinking them on the line of the proposeu breakwater on the eastern side of the harbor.” “Are you advocating scrapping the British Navy/’ asked the chairman amidst laughter; and \another member suggested referring the matter to Mr. Henry Ford. Mr. Thomson, who did not ask for the resolution. to be put to the vote, remarked that this had been«done.in the war at Gallipo'Ji and Zeebrugge. No action was Mr. Valentine (senior inspector) will lecture <mi “Number Work” at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday morning in the Technical College. \ All teachers will be welcome.

The entry for Urnti Sheep Fair comprises 4000 head, full particulars of which are advertised in this paper.

The itfell known gelding “Master Mick” will be offered for sale by auction, at the Haymarket on Friday, at 12 noon.

Visitors td New Plymouth will find it to their advantage if they visit Dockrill’s Shoe House. All-round reductions have been ipade in the prices of highgrade footwear.

The public) are finding such big bargains at Hart’s splash-price sale that, the firm intend Continuing the special offerings for a fdw days. The sterling value received ior; money spent has made Hart’s store ; a very busy centre for the past week. Many bargains are still available, and shoppers will find scores of lines at prices below actual cost. “Fairies once . were little girls,” Who flitted to and fro. But “Fairy” is a powder now, That washes white as snow. (Fairy WondeV Dry Soap, at all stores.)

The average cost of railway construction in New Zealand at the present time is £12,300 per mile. There is a tendency on the part of the general public, it is felt, to look upon policemen as possessing lower intellectual powers than men in thp main branches of the Public Service. Such is not the case, however, and evidence of the policeman’s power and ability is supplied every day (says the Wellington Post). The officers of the police force are men of special qualifications. They have passed high examinations, they are stalwart in character, and have followed the highest traditions of the British and New Zealand police officers.

Recently a young man, William Farrelly, was arrested at Auckland and charged with the theft of monies alleged to be over £5OO from his employer, Sydney Mair, at Waimaha, while he vas managing a farm for the latte.r. Detective Sergeant Cameron went to Te Kuiti on February 1 to conduct the prosecution. Accused, who had been bailed in Auckland, failed to appear and a warrant is now out for his arrest Accused is 31 years of age, height sft. Ilin., and athletic build and dark complexion. He was seen in Wanganui a few days ago. The abundance of feed, which as a result of the exceptionally good season prevails throughout Poverty Bay has, for some pastoralists, been reflected in a rather unfavorable manner. A prominent farmer who in the past has always sent a large number of lambs “off the grass” to the freezing works states that this season much of his stock had been rejected through being overweight. This he attributed partly to the delay in the opening of the works, and partly to the phenomenal growth of grass consequent upon the favorable season.

Evidently the increased price of stock and wool, and the prospect of a good rise in the butter market have given the bankers more confidence and they have commenced to advance money more freely than they have been inclined to do for some time past (says the Wanganui Herald). One concrete instance was brought under the notice of a Wanganui reporter this week where a local farmer had been tightly hampered for some time past on account of lack of cash to operate on. He consulted his banker the other day with the result that his cheque book is now of use to him again, and the amount was over £lOOO.

Tn the opinion of a gentleman who has just returned from a holiday at the Islands, Waikiki beach, at the favorite American resort of Hawaii, is very much over-rated. “Certainly,” he remarked, '“the bathing is all very nice, and there is some advantage in being able to bathe there all the year round, but is very little beach, for the sandy portion is only ten yards wide; it is not comparable with our New Zealand beaches. You can go a long way out into the surf before you get out of your depth, though the feet get cut about a good deal by the coral. 1 must say Lyall Bay is , considerably better. It gives Waikiki points everywhere as a bathing resort.” During the summer the Royal Colonial Institute held an Essay Competition open to the schools of the Empire. Three subjects were announced. The first, which was for competitors over 16 years of age, was: “Discuss the effects of the Great War (1914-18) on the British Empire.” Ninety-five essays were received, and the first prize went ‘to Roland Garnet Wealleans, West Christchurch High School, New Zealand. For children between 14 and 16 years of age the topic was “Compare the lives of Drake and Raleigh and the results of their work as Empire Builders.” This was won by Marjorie Ward, Waitaki Girls’ High School, New Zealand, while the second prize went to Iris "Wilkinson, Wellington Girls’ College, New Zealand, the number of competitors being 143. The question, “Which Part of the British Empire would you prefer to live in, and Why?” brought 2i52 entries from children under 14, and the second prize was won by Amy Evelyn Mackay, Waitaki Girls’ High School, New Zealand. These results show the keenness of young New Zealanders, says the London Times.