LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The number of Indians in Fiji has increased by -20,082 in the past ’0 years —the total at the present census being 60,343. Apart from Indians, the population showed a decrease of some 7000.

The Government, as the result of the Taranaki Jockey Club's autumn meeting receive by way of taxation £4400 Bs°9d, made up as follows: Totalisator £3789 12s 34, stakes tax (10 per cent.) £577 10s, gate t»x (2i per cent.) £33 6s 6d.

“Any word of the hydro-electric survey?” enquired Cr. J. Kibby at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. “It was to take three months,” replied the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson). Cr. Kibby pointed out that the council were to have interim reports, and the general manager promised to make enquiries as to when a progress statement will Ibe available.

On Sunday morning at 12.20 a fire occurred in the Marble Bar in Union Street, Hawera, by which a considerable amount of damage was done (says the Star). The brigade turned out very promptly, and were quickly on the scene. ' The fire evidently broke out under the counter, but it was luckily confined t.o one. room. The contents were much damaged Iby fire and water. The loss will be considerable. Mr. J. W. Deem, fields instructor, commenting on the sowing of this season's root crops in the Wanganui and Taranaki nistricts, states that small birds have been particularly .troublesome, and expresses the opinion that unless united efforts are made to control them it will be extremely difficult in future to get good stands of root crops in many localities. Sowings ot mangolds appear to have suffered most this season.

H.M.S. Chatham is due to arrive at New Plymouth on the 26th inst. At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council arrangements in connection with the visit of the warshin were referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, E. Dingle, and R. L. Parkin.

In emphasising the rapid growth of •Westown, a member of a deputation which waited on the New Plymouth Borough Council last night stated that in the locality known as Dartmoor alone about 45 houses had been erected within the last two years. The proposal to erect a wall at the East End to protect the reserve from erosion by the sea was again before the New Plymouth Borough Council last when a discussion took place with representatives of the East End committee, a previous meeting the council had before them a report from the engineer (Mr. W. H, Cook) giving plans and estimates of a wall to cost about £2lOO per chain. As this sum was '.beyond the finances of the council he recommended a system of groins. Last night’s deputation stated that they did not have in view a wall of the nature mentioned by the engineer. Their proposals were for a structure costing £2’s per chain and they believed it would prove an efficient, protection. They intended to do iouchains for a start. After a <”en

discussion the council decided tn - -ca. decision pending another meetin tween the engineer and the representatives.

The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth open before Mr. Justice Chapman at 11 o’clock this morning. Eight criminal cases comprise the first business. During December there were 92 men employed on the Stratford-Main Trunk railway construction works, 66 at the east end and 26 at the west end. On the Opunake branch 48 were employed. Lieut. A. Boon, Secretary H Ford, Custodian F. Doughty and Firemen W. Way and Mundt will represent the New Plymouth Fire Brigade at the 3’aranaki Fire Brigade Association’s biennial demonstration at Hawera to-morrow. The conference takes place to-night. The Health Department’s circular urging that it is of importance to keep up anti-plague measures, was read at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. The inspector (Mr. R. Day) reported that precautions were not being relaxed. As the result of an application from the Frankley Road Settlers’ Association the New Plymouth Borough Council last night decided that the ’lbus route be extended to Frankley Park, as far as the tar-sealed road extends. The change will be made when arrangements can be effected by the engineer. There were 136 bankruptcies last year in the Auckland district, which includes Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hawere,, Hamilton, and Whangarei. Of the total number 38 were farmers, 12 laborers, 10 storekeepers, and 6 builders. The proved claims totalled £270,413.

According to the Government Statistician Palmerston North was the cheapest place in the Dominion during December for the three food groups—groceries, dairy produce, and meat—combined, the index figure there being 1530. New Plymouth’s index figure was 1680, just about 10 per cent, higher. The Dominion average was 1605. The suggestion that a tramway shelter shed be erected at Belt Road was contained in a letter from Mr. E. H. Tribe at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. Cr. J. Brown agreed with the necessity for a shelter at this point. The council decided to consider the proposal when the estimates for the next financial year are being considered. In a report to last night's meeting of the New Plymc h Borough Council Inspector Day stated that the baths were doing particularly well this year, over £lOO having been taken in six weeks of changeable weather. He stated that several clubs were doing good work, and he suggested that they should not be charged for the use of the baths for sports. He alko recommended that he be authorised to give prizes up to 30s per week for the encouragement of swimming. The council authorised the baths committee to expend up to £5 on prizes during the season.

Advocating another This for Westown, at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, Mr. A. L. Ross ref-rred to the growing population of Westown. He said that the suburb had advanced so rapidly that the ’bus was no longer a service; it was a nuisance. The Westo\yn rrogressive Association desired to see the council consider the tramways proposition. As regards finance, he pointed out that the council intended to raise a loan of £142,000, and they thought this could just as well be extended to, say £160,000, to provide for the extension of the trams.

A deputation consisting of Messrs. M. ! Fraser and E. Holden, chairman and secretary respectively of the Taranaki Hospital Board, waited on the Borough Council last night asking for concessions in regard to the charges for water used at the hospital. Mr. Fraser pointed out that the charges at New Plymouth were higher than any others, with the exception of Dunedin and Auckland. He stressed the fact that the board was faced with the necessity for economy. The deputation also asked that the council make a reduction in the charges for electric power used at the hospital. It was stated that apparently through an oversight during the progress of building operations no separate wiring installation for power had been made and the board was being charged at the same rates as for lighting, namely 5d per unit. They desired to know if some reduction could be made for this current. Consideration of the matter was deferred.

The depression that has been prevalent for some time past in stock, and particularly in sheep, seems to be lifting; in faxit, the sales held last week by the Farmers’ Co-op. at Hawera and Waverley had quite an optimistic tone, those present remarking that the spirited bidding reminded them of the days before the slump. At both places there were very large yardings, especially of sheep; and everything found ready sale. Store sheep showed a rise as compared with previous sales of from 2/- to 3/per head, and the demand was greater than the number offering. Many farmers who have held off buying for •some time are now beginning to opprate, the improved prices ruling for meat, and the amount of grass prevailing at present, being contributing factors. Ijambs are showing a very considerable rise. Prices in cattle, especially for store and forward cows, showed a slight advance. With the improved prices for butter and cheese, and with paconers’ on the up grade, prospects for the farmer generally look more rosy than was the case a little while back.

A lecture of more than ordinary interest on the subject of “Methodism Under Many Skies,” and profusely illustrated by a number of unique lantern slides,' will be given in Whiteley Hall on Wednesday evening. The distinguished lecturer will be the Rev. Alexander McCallum, president of the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia. As it is the first lecture in connection with the centenary celebrations of the Dominion church, no doubt the event will help to secure a large gathering. His Worship the Mayor will preside, and a liberal collection is invited in aid of the centenary fund. In these days when it is necessary to economise motorists wil read with interest the notification in this issue 'by WiVinson’s Ltd., who offer to supply Universal benzine for 12/6 per case on mil. Elthain. Careful motorists are using half Plume or Big Tree with half Universal and are effecting a big saving. Entries are now being taken for a sale at Uruti on the 27th inst. See advertisement.

Although the Horticultural Society has reduced the number of classes in the ent flower section, there are still some 64 classes, mostly of popular and easilygrown flowers. Two points prizes have been allotted in addition to the ordinary prizes, which in many cases have been considerably increased. In the fern section the prize money has -been doubled. F'tries may be made now, the closing di e being Tuesday, February 21.

The Hawera Citizens’ Band left yesterday by the mail train for Wellington, where they will compete in the band contest.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) asked the Minister for Labor (Hon. G. J Anderson) on Saturday morning whether anything had been done in regard to the control of Chinese furniture factories. Mr. Anderson said that some inquiries had been made’ and the advice that he had received some four months ago was that tnere was only one such factory and it was so small that under the circumstances it was not worth while taking any action.

The Prime Minister stated in the House on Saturday that the report of the electoral commissioners concerning the new electoral boundaries was being printed. The commissioners had heard appeals, but he understood that they had practically upheld their original decisions as to the boundaries. His own constituents had sent a very strong protest to the commissioners, - who had taken no notice of it at all.

A suggestion that New Zealand's surplus wheat should be sold on credit to the Russian Government was made in fihe House of Representatives on Saturday by Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central). The member stated that millions of men, women and children were starving in Russia, while it was estimated that New Zealand would have a surplus of two million bushels of wheat. The Prime Minister replied that it was too soon to say New Zealand would have a surplus of wheat. He did not believe that the surplus would be anything hke as large as had been suggested. The position, in any case, would not be clear for three weeks or a month yet.

Curiosity concerning the destination of coal exported from New Zealand was displayed in a question which Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) put to the Minister for Mines (Hon. G. J, Anderson) in the House on Saturday morning. He said that nearly 200,000 tons had been exported. As director of a gas company he knew how difficult it was to obtain good coal and he asked where that which was shown as exported had gone. Mr. Anderson said that a large quantity of the coal shown as exported was hunker coal. Gas companies requiring coal could not do better than apply to the State coal mines for it. The Prime Minister said that in addition to the coal for bunkers the Imperial Navy took a considerable quantity. He did not know how much they had lately, but during the they took a good amount.

If there is one man who has done more than another to educate people in New Zealand against Bolshevism and disloyalty, it is Rev. Howard Elliott, the national lecturer of the Protestant Political Association. An itinerary which has been arranged to cover most of the towns in Taranaki is advertised on the front page. Soiled clothes soaked overnight with “Fairy Wonder” washing powder require little or no boiling on washing morning. All dirt will have been practically removed through the agency of “Fairy,” and all that is necessary is a light rinsing or two. Try this plan for your next washing. Be sure and ask for “Fairy.” Your grocer stocks it.