LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In a letter to relatives in Masterton, Mr. H. G. Miller. Rhodes scholar, states that Oxford University is a hotbed of Labor enthusiasm.

The Fourth Battalion Band (New Plymouth) leave by to-morrow’s express for Wellington, where they will take part in the Dominion contest. They will be absent for a week. The New Zealand Honey Producers’ Association advises that it has reduced the price of honey throughout New Zealand by one [ nny per lb. The association handles 90 per cent, of the honey prodnce<L in the Dominion. The race traffic in New Plymouth yesterday was conducted in a smooth rnaniun- and no accidents were reported, though there was a good deal of motor transport. The police report th/it the crowds throughout were very orderly and there were no arrests during the day. During the past four weeks 18 vessels visited the port of New Plymouth, their total tonnage amounting to 35,061 tons. The imports handled during the period amounted to 5048 tens, aiid the exports to 4514 tons, making a total of 9562 tons. For the corresponding period of last year 16 vessels entered the port of a total tonnage of 35,880 tons. The imports totalled 6672 tons and the exports 5385 tons, making a total of 12,057 tons.

The Taranaki Jockey Club’s autumn meeting opened yesterday in beautiful weather and in the presence of a large attendance. The principal event, the Taranaki Cup, was won by Mr. G. D. Greenwood’s Vespucci from a field of nine, Mr. W. G. Stead’s Truthful being second and the Hawera owned Egm out Park third. The. total!sator handled £25,826 as compared with £31,840 for the first day last year, a decrease of £6014. This, under the circumstances, must be regarded as very satisfactory. The second day’s racing takes place tomorrow.

A return laid on the table of the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon shows that 663 colored persons —males 547, females 116—were admitted to the Dominion from the coming into force of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act on November 9, 1920, to November 30, 1921. Of tnese 318 males and 31 females were Chinese, 113 and 11 of whom respectively, intend to remain permanently in New Zealand. Hindu immigrants numbered 139 males and 5 females, of whom 126 males and 4 females intend to remain permanently; and other colored people numbered 90 males and 80 females, only 17 and 14 respectively of whom intend to remain permanently in New Zealand. As against this 17 Chinese, 3 Hindus, and 5 other colored people. ot 25 in all, petmanently left the Dominion.

A business man stated to a Wanganui Herald reporter that the way the transport farce was carried on between Waverley and Patea during the railway break was amusing.' One day he had occasion to make a trip, and was told that one motor lorry owner was making £2OO per week. On one light waggon on which he travelled there was a £6 10s load, and this vehicle was able to make several trips in a day. “In addition,” said the business- man. “I was asked to pay Is extra for my luggage.” ■‘And did you pay it?” queried the reporter. “Not I,” replied the Wanga-nui-ite, “and a good many more passengers adopted the same attitude.” One motor owner had told him that he had such a good thing on at present that he “hoped the bridge would not be repaired for months.” The business man went on to ask what had become of all the Defence Department’s heavy motor waggons, and why these could not have been used to handle all the traffic and goods. The department would then have been in a position to make a donation to the Patea County Council to repair the road damage caused by the extra traffic.

The racehorse! “Master Mick” and “Kilkelly” will be offered for sale at the haymarket to-day at 12 noon.

Thousands of mothers know the value to their children of Sharland’s Magnesia?! especially during the hot weather. Given daily it helps to correct acidity and flatulence, and keeps the digestive xugans working regularly.

A married man who appeared as a debtor in the New Plymouth Court yesterday, said he found his rent a burden. He was paying £2 for a foutroomed bungalow. It was elicited in the course of further evidence that the house was a modern one with all conveniences and it was suggested to debtor that it was a rather elaborate place for him in view of his means. He replied that no other house could be procured.

An unusual excuse was made for a debtor when a judgment summons case was called in the New Plymouth Court yesterday. It was stated that he had received some money but had been married ahd used the cash for his honeymoon. However, the debtor would be receiving further money and desired the case adjourned. The application was successful.

Grocers expect have cheaper Eastern produce bn shortly. An Auckland trader says that “further” arrivals of sago and tapioca are expected about the end of February, arid favorable quotations are mentioned by merchants to induce forward booking, and already liberal response has been made. The same ship is' bringing Singapore pineapples, and offerings for forward are at a little easier rate than for last. The public demand is very free, prices being within reach of all, and stocks are quickly disposed of. Several traders have received advice to the effect that Turkish figs shipped for delivery during February and Mafrch will show an allround reduction in cost.”

A freezing works employee, who was the defendant in a case at the New Plymouth Court yesterday, said the works in the Wellington district had been doing practically nothing. Recently his earning's for one Week were 17s 3d. It was only now that the works were beginning to get into swing following the revival in prices for lamb and mutton. For breaking hid prohibition order, John J. Larkin, who was arrested on Monday, was lifted £5 at yesterday’s sitting of the New Plymouth Court. Default was fixed at 6 weeks’ imprisonment. The mutton birds are at present flying north in their thousands and thousands, on the way to their winter home, states the Otago Daily Times, and they afforded an interesting sight as they flew in massed - formation over the sea some miles out from St. Kilda beach, Students of bird life consider that the birds arc making their migratory flight a little earlier this year. Where they go during their absence from the Dominion no one appears to know. The birds return to their southern nestingplaces about October and November.

Undoubtedly one of- the prettiest motor drives in Taranaki is that over the Tarata saddle. The run ifc over good roads, and all kinds of t glorious bush, river, gorge and other scenery can be viewed while taking an easy ride in a well-found car. On Sunday next Mr. G. Gibson, of the Central Taxi Garage, New Plymouth, intends making this trip if the weather is propitious and sufficient inducement offers. With a reliable and comfortable fleet of cars the trip should be well worth taking, as "there are many places along the proposed route delightfully suitable for luncheon and rests. Further particulars are adverti&d.

A. land agent’s license was granted to Leslie H. Tichbon at yesterday's sitting of the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court.

Men. here are worth-while bargains at the Melbourne, Ltd.:—White cotton singlets, 3/11; cashmere socks, pure wool, 2/11, 3/6 and 3/11; splendid saddle tweed trousers, 29/6; Paris garters, 2/6; police braces (Shirley make), 3/11; genuine Shirley President braces, 4/6.

A lady was overheard to remark that “it was the place for really genuine bargains.” She, of course, mfcant Morey’s Great Summer Sale, where huge reductions have been made throughout in order to reduce stocks.