LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the last month the Eltham poundkeeper bagged 12 animals on the borough streets, five of which were unclaimed. Three bulls and a steer brought 5/- each and a horse 10/-.

Five hundred tons of large iron pipes for the New Plymouth hydro-electric works are included in the cargo of the Kahika, which arrived yesterday from Lyttelton.

Welcome rain fell ini New Plymouth yesterday, developing into a sharp shower In the afternoon. It was refreshing after the lengthy spell of dry weather. Last night heavy rain set in, and this morning it was still raining steadily.

The estimates show that over £60,000 has been embezzled by dishonest Government officials during the past ten years, and Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., asked the Government, as the result of the Te Kuiti Borough Council defalcations, whether it would consider the advisability of investigating the present system of Government auditing. Mr. Jennings has received word that the matter is receiving the attention of the Cabinet.

At a meeting of the Taranaki Veterans’ ’Association on Saturday it was resolved; “That in the opinion of this meeting the colors in the possession of St. Mary’s Church belong to the remaining members of the Taranaki Veterans’ Association and should not be allowed to leave the church without the consent of the officials of the association.” A. committee consisting of Veterans G. A. Adlam, C. Billing, J. Kenyon, W. Orr, T. P. Lister, J. Armstrong and T. Williams was set up to make arrangements for the veterans’ annual outing, to take place as near as possible to February 28. In the meantime citizens who usually tender an outing to the veterans on that date are to be approached In the matter.

The danger of becoming too friendly with the animals of a circus was shown at New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, when a man received rough handling from the largest of the troop of elephants travelling with Wirth Bros.’ circus. The man. had got on such good terms with the animal through the medium of a bag of apples that he treated the beast to another bag, and when these were finished the elephant showed his gratitude by entwining his trunk round the man’s legs and throwing him over. Once or twice the elephant repeated his fractious behaviour and the man was not released until he had received a bad shaking. When it is mentioned that the smallest of these elephants weighs over four tons, and this incident is remembered, it should serve as a warning to people to leave the task of feeding the elephants to their attendants.

The following rates have been agreed to by ail the -banks, and took effect as from Thursday:—Buying.—On demand, ■ss per cent, discount; 30 days, 15s per cent, discount; 60 days, 25s per cent, discount; 90 days, 35s per cent, discount. Currencies between demand and 30 days to be charged proportionately. The former rates were: Demand, par; 30 days, 10s discount; 60 days, 20s discount; 90 days, 4Os discount. Selling. —On demand, 25* per cent, premium; 30 days, 15s per cent, premium; 60 days, 5s per cent, premium; 90 days, par; telegraphic, 35s per cent. The former rates •were: Demand, 37s fid premium; 30 days, 27s fid premium; 60 days, 17s fid premium; 90 days, 10g premium; telegraphic, 50s premium.

There has been a fairly general belief among returned soldiers afflicted with tuberculosis that if a man first shows sign of tuberculosis more than two years after discharge, his complaint will not be considered a “war disability.” It was decided at a conference between the Director-General of Medical Services (Sit Donald McGavin) and reof the N.Z.R.S.A., held in Wellington on Monday, that all returned soldiers afflicted with tuberculosis now or in the future should apply to the Director-General for free treatment, and should apply to the Pensions Department for pensions. The question whether the complaint is due to war service will have to be decided in each case, and the Director-General will probably ask that each applicant shall be examined by & departmental specialist.

The opinion that the shortages in leading brands of tobacco and cigarettes are preparatory to a general fall in prices is not shared by Christchurch merchants. One wholesaler, who is closely in touch with the tobacco trade, said there was no likelihood whatever of prices falling. These shortages, he said, were entirely the result of the disturbing effect of the recent tariff, which caused handlers to temporarily cancel orders until the full effects of the tariff were apparent, but full supplies were assured in the near future.

A little self-congratulation was indulged in by the Newmarket (Auckland) Borough Council over the fact that uniform by-laws to prevent motor-cars passing stationary tramcars, similar to the by-law in force in the borough, had been recommended by the jury in a Supreme, Court case on Tuesday. It was remarked that when the by-law was made about twelve months ago, the council was subjected to much adverse criticism, but it was now realised that it was a sound, sensible measure. It had proved a great success, and had facilitated rather than hampered traffic.

The spirit of self-sacrifice among children was exemplified recently by the pupils attending the Birkenhead Presbyterian .Sunday School. A reference to the claims of the Russian famine fund had been made from the church pulpit by the Rev. J. Mackie, and he subsequently was informed that the Sunday school children, by a unanimous vote, had decided to forego their annual picnic and to devote the sum of £6 3s so saved to the fund in aid of the Russian children.

Severe reductions in the wages of their female employees are demanded by employers in the claims filed in the hotel and restaurant workers’ dispute at Auckland. A reduction of £1 4s 6d per week is asked for in the wages of certain waitresses. This proposal means that the starting wage of a waitress would be 10s a week, instead of £1 14s fid as at present. The scale of wages asked for in the case of waitresses, housemaid-waitresses, housemaids, relieving maids, pantrymaids, linenmaids, female bar-attendants, and laundresses, is as follows:—First six months, 10s; second, 12s fid; third, 15s; fourth, 17s 6d; fifth, £1; sixth, £1 2s 6d, and thereafter £1 ss. There is no provision in the new claims for pastrycooks. The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., draw attention to their Stratford sale on Tuesday, 28th inst., at 12.30 p.m. Full particulars appear on page 8. The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd., in conjunction with Newton King, Ltd., draw attention to their Kohuratahi sale on Wednesday, March 1, at 1 p.m. Full particulars app.-ar on page 8. Buyers of Manchester goods are making great savings at the Melbourne’s Great Sale. For instance: 30in. Al calico, 1 /4 yard; Horrockses’ famous H quality longcloth, a yard wide, 1/11; 36in butter cloth, ad yard; Horrockses’ 29in. white flannelette. 1/6 yard; double sheeting, 2/9; Finlay’s 80in. fine twill sheeting, 4/11, and scores of others. Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second and Third Groups) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable today, Monday, Feb. 27, at the Secretary’s Office, Currie Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. —Advt.