LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced in New Plymouth about 8 o’clock last night. War trophies in the shape of two German machine guns arrived at Inglewood on Wednesday. One will be forwarded to Ratapiko and the other to Egmont Village in the course of a day or two.

In the course of his summing up in a motor collision case heard at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday, Mr. Justice Chapman remarked that he had tried more than thirty collision cases. Cases of this class, he saiu. occurred too often.

Speaking at an entersamment in Dargaville in connection with the Northern Wairoa Show, the Hon. J, G. Coates referred to the need for retrenchment, and said returned soldiers would not be put out of the Postal Department. He asked farmers to assist to cope with unemployment. They • were passing through a very serious time, but would soon be through it.

The annual picnic in connection with the Inglewood, Durham Road, Kainiata, Waiongona, Lincoln and the Inglewood Convent schools was held at Ngamotu beach yesterday, children, parents and teachers to the number of about 900 coming in by special train. The Omata School picnic was also held yesterday, a very enjoyable day being spent at Kawaroa Park.

Counsel engaged in the hearing o_f a motor collision case at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday, expressed the opinion that there were “too many of these motor accidents,” and thought that probably the good stretches of road in Taranaki induced fast travelling. It was common knowledge, he said, that a great majority of the accidents that took place were due to speeding. Questions relating to a man’s sobriety sometimes crop up in court proceedings, with divers opinions as to what is a fair test. A witness in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday had his own definition. Speaking of another man’s actions after a motor collision, he said: “I should say he was drunk; he was talking a good deal and did not seem to know what he was talking about.”

The autumn show in connection with the New Plymouth Horticultural Society takes place at the Coronation Hall to-morrow. Aided by the fact that the weather has been particularly good for growing, nearly 500 entries have been received, a very gratifying result. Given a continuance of fine weather a very successful show is anticipated. The show will be open both afternoon and evening.

The advantages of' sowing peas with lucerne when first establishing a crop has been demonstrated in the yicinity of Greytown. Two settlers put down an area under lucerne. One put in peas to keep the weeds in cheek; the other left the lucerne to take its chance. The patch with the peas is a rich color, well grown and without the sign of a weed. The other is brown, stunted, and studded with docks. This is a contrast that might well be observed by those who anticipate growing lucerne.

Mr. Jack Hoskin notifies that, in response to numerous requests, he intends commencing a dancing class at an early date. Mr. Hoskin’s ability fn the terpsichorean art is well-known to be of a high standard, and there should be a hearty response to his announcement. Should sufficient inducement offer, Mr. Hoskin will also run a children’s dancing elu«».

‘ During the hearing of the charge of blasphemous libel at the Wellington Supreme Court His Honor pointed out ■ that under the law of blasphemy in New Zealand spoken words did not constitute an offence. To do so, they must , be published.

A movement is on foot to send a New Zealand tennis team to take part in the interstate tournament at Sydney in April. Nothing definite has been decided yet, but the proposal will be con-, sidered at a meeting of the New Zealand Tennis Council next week.

While fishing at the end of the north mole (Wanganui) a man hooked a large stingaree, which took two and a half hours to land, the fish having to be brought ashore through the breakers, supplementary lines being used in the final drag. The fish was 7ft. long and sft. wide from the wing tips. The barb was nine inches.

In the course of his summing up in the blasphemous libel case at the Wellington Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Hosking told the jury that in similar circumstances a learned judge had once said to a jury: “The law does not take God under its protection in these matters. The law of blasphemy is for the prevention of disorder in the community.”

Referring to the fact that the Supremo Court prosecution at Wellington for blasphemous Ijbel was said to be the first in the history of New Zealand, Mr. Justice Hosking said that might be by reason of the good taste of the publishers of newspapers in New Zealand.

For some time past many people in Invercargill have been exercising their minds over what were thought to be spurious coins. The matter was placed in the hands of the police, who rep6rted that these coins would be recognised at face value by the Government, who had just received an issue from England. On account of the higher value of silver, these coins are composed of nickel and tin, being coated with silver.

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. E. P. Lee) told the conference of the Industrial Corporation that he was having investigations made into the possibility of establishing the bottle-making industry in New Zealand. What was the use, he asked, of lending money to Japan and Australia for bottles that could be locally made? Why should there not be a local industry paying wages to New Zealanders and, incidentally, paying the Minister of Finance a little income tax l ? Tlie greater the return from income taxation the sooner it would be possible to reduce the rate. An increase in the number of paying industries should be the country’s goal.

Advice was received at the Eltham police station on Wednesday that two thieves were operating in the Mangatoki district during the morning (says the Argus). It was reported that they had entered the house of Mr. Jack Douglas, on the Lower Hunter Road, and later tried to enter that 01 Mrs. Watson, on the Lower Stuart Road. Here their intentions were frustrated by the timely arrival of Mr. Rex Watson, who chased but was unable to overtake the men. Later they were seen to pass through the tollgate, and in the afternoon were seen and recognised in Eltham.

A meeting of ladies willing to assist with the proposed luncheon to be given at Kawaroa Park on Tuesday for the men from H.M.S. Chatham was held yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and Mr. P. E. Stainton explained the position, pointing out that arrangements were somewhat indefinite owing to the uncertainty as to whether the Chatham would berth and how many men would be given shore leave. It was decided to go on with preliminary arrangements, and the ladies present formed themselves into a committee, with power to add. People who are willing to contribute foodstuff suitable fof cold luncheon are asked to give their names to Mr. Stainton, and arrangements will be made for its collection.

A gloomy view of the outlook in Scotland is contained in a letter recently received by a Wanganui resident. His correspondent says that some of the large steel woriks, employing tens of thousands of nands, have only been in operation three out of 12 months, and the conditions of poverty in the industrial districts are appalling. During the war period the men were paid high wages, but no provision was made by them for the “rainy day.” Families which earned up to £2O a wdek are now dependent on charity, and the outside world has little conception of the real condition o-f the unemployed in industrial centres.

Speaking of conditions in England, Mr. W. J. Napier, after a visit to Britain, stated that there was a steadily increasing desire among the people toward emigration to New Zealand, and active steps should be taken to further this desire. Better support should be given to New Zealand’s emigration officer in London; not only should his staff be increased, but the office should, contain far more up-to-date literature with regard to New Zealand. A new set of pictures was also required by thp High Commissioner, those in use being sadly out of date and misleading so far as present conditions were concerned.

A short sitting of the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court was held yesterday morning. Margaret Watson (Mr. H. l R. Billing) claimed £35 arrears of rent and possession of tenement from F. H. F Washbourne (Mr. A. A. Bennett). The claim for rent was adjourned sine die, to be brought on at three days’ notice, costs to stand over meanwhile. An order was made by consent that defendant should deliver possession of the tenement by March 2 next. In, the claim of Leslie Horace Tichbon (Mr. A. A. Bennett) v. Percy A. Carter, a claim for £2O arrears in rent and possession of tenement, - judgment was given for plaintiff by consent, with costs £2 14s fid, defendant to deliver possession of the tenement on or before March 2.

Sunday will be kept as the Harvest Festival at St. Mary’s Church. Offerings of produce and flowers will be very welcome, and should be brought to the church early to-morrow afternoon. On Sunday afternoon at 2.30 there will be a fruit and flower service for children. The other . services will be as usual. On Wednesday next, which will be Ash Wednesday, a mission service will be held in the church at 7.30 p.m., and similar’ services will De held each Wednesday evening during lent. The Bishop of Melanesia will preach on Sunday evening, March 20, and Arcndeacon Evans will occupy the pulpit on the first three Sunday evenings in lent. Volunteers for decorating the chureh on Saturday afternoon are cordially invited; they should reach the church by 2.30 p.m.

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