LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A ballot is to be taken on March 1 by the New Zealand Federated Storemen’s Union on the question as to whether they will affiliate with the Alliance of Labor.

Fifty, years ago on Tuesday, on February 2.1, 1872, the first telegraph pole was erected at the market place in New Plymouth (the site of the present Government buildings), to carry the line which was to connect the town by wire with Opunake.

Visitors to the Hot Lakes district, says the Rotorua Chronicle, are having good times among the trout. The Hon. W. Mulhfilland, in 37 days, took 9771 b. of fish, and his companion, Mr. Ferris, who i.s a fishing habitue of Rotorua, caught 10731 b. All were taken on the fly, and the greater number of them in Ro tort i Lake.

Word has been received by the Horticultural Division of the Agricultural Department that the area affected by the recent outbreak of fireblight at Patea has now been definitely located. It consists of the whole of the Patea district and a part of Waitotara riding. The disease is well in hand, and it is not anticipated that it will spread further.

The wheat regulations are to be considered by Cabinet this week. The price to be guaranteed the farmers for • r wheat has been fixed, but several important details have not yet been adjusted. The latest reports from the wheat-growing districts indicate that the surplus for export is not going to be as large as was anticipated a week or two ago. It may not exceed •1,500,000 bushels.

Severe injuries were sustained by a boy of five years, William P. Gilford, at Egmont Village yesterday morning, when he was knocked down by a motor car driven by James D. Roff. He received attention from Dr. McAllum, who proceeded from Inglewood, and a severe scalp wound and abrasion to the right knee necessitated the boy’s removal to the New Plymouth hospital. On enquiry last night it was learned that the young patient’s condition was satisfactory. The last of the cases requiring the empanelling of a jury was commenced in the Supreme Court at' New Plymouth yesterday morning and the remaining jurors were discharged. The following cases have been disposed of: James Groshinski v. Mary Groshinski, claim for £763 balance, of wages (adjourned till next seesi-on); Hannah Gavin v. Edward E. Snowball, claim for £lO2O for alleged breach of promise (adjourned); Lewis H. Knuckey v. Annie Northcott end Mary Parrott. claim for £3OO balance on motor car (settled); Fanny Johnson v. A. W. and E. A. Johnson and Ada Stimpson (settled); TeKoroTumuhuki v. Colin Campbell, claim for £1275 (settled). An effort is to be made in Wellington to promote mid-day religious meetings on a plan .that has been carried out very successfully in Melbourne during the past five years. In the Victorian capital these “citizens’ intercessory services,” as they are called, are held once a week. The services are of a simple character, being restricted to hymn-singing, Bible reading, and prayer, and are continued from 12.30 to 2 p.m., so that most people have an opportunity of attending during their lunoh hour.

Notes by the musical adjudicator at the recent band contest at Wellington include th(\ following reference to the New Plymouth band’s performance in the quickstep competition: “Band has fair tone. Basses rather light. Playnot as crisp as I would like, and cornets tire later on. Trio rather loud for “P.” Euphonium little flat here. Band not as precise as it should be at all. Bass tone rather rofigh and ragged in many places. One bass frequently a little ahead of others. Not a good performance of a difficult march. Points 76.” Two elephants that escaped -from a circus at Dannevirke last week caused considerable consternation among residents. A grocer driving on his rounds met the huge beasts as they ambled unattended down the street. The horse took fright and bolted, and eventually the driver was thrown out and the cart was overturned and completely smashed. The driver sustained slight injuries to his back as a result of the accident. After doing some minor mischief the elephants were recaptured by their keepers, much to the relief of the townspeople. The first overseas shipment of frozen meat was dispatched from the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s works at Moerewa, Opua, last week. The large New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Opawa arrived at Russell last Saturday, and in four working days she loaded 30,000 carcases oi meat and 145 casks of tallow. The produce was railed from Moerewa to Opua, a distance of 12 miles, and then loaded into lighters which were towed to the Opawa anchored in the bay off Russell. Each lighter carried about 1400 earcases, and very satisfactory work was done loading the steamer, which at times was taking aboard over 1000 carcases an hour. The Opawa is completing loading at Auckland, and will sail -for England this week. The largest shipment of onions ever made from Now Zealand was dispatched from Auckland to America by the mail steamer Niagara yesterday. The shipment consists of 8000 cases and 1600 bags, all from Pukekohe and the surrounding districts. Besides being the largest quantity for shipment, the onions are said to be the finest and cleanest ever got together for export. It is about two years since any quantity of onions have left New Zealand for America. Last year the American crop was good, and sufficient for local needs. This year the crop has not been a success. Early in the season the orders went, to Australia, when prices were from £2 to £3 a ton cheaper than in New Zealand. As the season advanced the Australian prices hardened, and now New Zealand can compete, the Shipment by the Niagara being the result. What quantity of onions is being dispatched from Australia to America is not announced, but one Australian shipper has an American order for 2000

! On account of the alteration in the Rarawa’s sailing Webster Bros, will submit to auction this afternoon, at - o’clock, 500 boxes of assorted fruit, instead of Friday.

The annual school picnic of the Puniho school will be held at the Komini Road ibeach to-morrow (Friday). As a windup for the day a dance will be held in the school-room. All arrangements have been made for a pleasant day for oM and young. Entries for the Taranaki A. and P. Society’s 47th annual show, to be held lat New Plymouth on March 8, and J, 1 yjji close eveplpg, at 9

The general committee of the Wairarapa A. and P. Society decided to support the following resolution submitted by the Marton A. and P. Association:

“That this association resents, with other A. and P. Associations, the imposition of the amusement tax, on the grounds that A. and P. shows are held for educational purposes, and not for amusement.”

It js interesting to know that Queen Alexandra’s Band, which is stationed at Wanganui, and which was the winner of the a grade second test piece at the band contest, is the regimental band of a regiment whose district extends from Wanganui to Urenui. The regiment in question is Queen Alexandra’s 2nd Wellington West Coast Mounted Rifles.

At present nearly 5 per cent, of the N.Z.E.F. are id receipt of permanent pensions, says the annual report of the Wellington War Belief Association, but —as long lists of transfers of temporary to permanent pensions are still being received from the Commissioner of Pensions —it seems highly probable that in the final result there will be from €OOO to 7500 ex-members of our forces in receipt of a permanent pension. These figures do not include men suffering with tuberculosis, nearly all of whom at present are in receipt of temporary pensions only. “What I want is a camouflaged car,” said the ranger for the Horowhenua County Council in a recent report. His trouble, he said, was that people who allowed their stock to stray on the roads knew his car, and whenever he passed a house it seemed that the telephone was requisitioned to warn the neighbors that the ranger was on the road. “The other day I went to Palmerston North by a circuitous route, and thought I would catch some offenders by surprise. But I had the same experience as usual—not a stray cow or horse on the road. Next day I went out in a borrowed car, and a number of offenders will be prosecuted.”

The Taranaki Agricultural Society are holding a working bee at the showgrounds to-day, at 10 a.m.

“Fairy Wonder” washing powder is a pure product, the result of scientific effort in search of an active soluble detergent non-injurious to fabrics of any kind. Tn addition the compound contains an ingredient which bleaches and another which prevents the hands from reddening or chapping. “Fairy” will also soften the hardest water. Try a packet.

The Manchester section of the Melbourne, Ltd., is unusually busy during the great sale now in progress. Here are the reasons:—Horrockses’ Al calico, 1/4 yard; Finlay’s 80in. fine twill sheeting 4/11 yard; 27in. nursery flannelette 9/11 dozen yards; splendid quality 72in. unbleached sheeting 2/11 yard; 36-inch buttercloth, 5d yard. Six thousand feet of good building timber will be sold at the Haymarket on Friday morning, 24th inst. See the advt.

This is the ideal weather for motor car travel. Taranaki abounds in glorious motor drives, and amongst these a run to the Mokau stands unrivalled. The picturesque run up the coast, passing en route many noteworthy historical spots, adds io the pleasure of the spin. On Sunday next Gibson’s fleet of cars will make this trip, and in addition to the drive there will be a launch trip up the Mokau. Those who can should not miss the trip. Further particulars are advertised.

The North American Indians were a very warlike race, and for centuries fought fiercely amongst themselves, tribe against tribe. After a period of fighting the various chiefs would assemble and arrange a peace. It was then that the peace pipe was smoked, each chief taking several inhalations and so passing it around the circle. For these occasions only the choicest tobacco was smoked. Nowadays many choice brands are available to the smoker, amongst them 'being the Regent cigarette tobacco. W\ H. Preece, Devon Street Central, is now offering a very special snip in Regent cigarettes—so choice, fragrant and cool smokes for 2/6. Get in. They’re good. Uruti sale entries are advertised.