LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to adverse market conditions the Opunake Dairy Company has ceased manufacturing casein. More than half the households in New Zealand do not need to trouble about the price of the breakfast egg, since they keep their own fowls. This is one of the interesting facts revealed by the recent census. The returns show that some 145,993 New Zealand households keep poultry. A particularly foolish act of larrikinism is reported to have taken place on the m%in road near Stratford one night recently. Three fencing posts, connected with bro strands of wire, were laid across the road. A motorist driving along the road just managed to pull up in io prevent an accident. The results to a fast motor cyclist, had the obstruction been fouled, would probably have been serious. The matter is m the hands of the police. The idea is prevalent that the memorial hall at the new nurses’ home opened at New Plymouth yesterday is solely in memory of those nurses who gave their lives during the epidemic. With a view to correcting this misapprehension a special committee was set up at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board to have a tablet erected in the hall stating that the hall was erected in memory of fallen soldiers and nurses who gave their lives during the war, and nurses who died during the influenza epidemic.

William Patrick McNamara was charged at Hawera before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., on Monday with having held himself out as a land agent without having a license, and pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Henry stated that defendant had withdrawn his application for a license because there was strong opposition from the Land Agents’ Association, and there was little likelihood of the license being granted. A line of £lO was imposed. Defendant asked for from six weeks to two months in which to pay. The magistrate allowed a fortnight. Commenting on the Government’s control of the wheat supply a Dunedin merchant has drawn attention to the disproportion between the prices guaranteed to the farmers in New Zealand and the prices ruling- in the world’s market. The Government has undeL 'buy milling wheat at 5s Gd a bushel for Tuscan, 5s 9d for Hunters, and 6s 3d for Pearl, f.o.b. Southern ports, sacks extra (about .Is each). In London to-day the spot price of wheat is about 7s a bushel, sacks in. From this has to be deducted freight, exchange, and other incidental charges, and the merchant works it out. that the London price of wheat to-day is equivalent to from 4e to 3d a bushel on trucks in New Zealand.

A tribute to the excellent, nursing staff at the New Plymouth Hospital was paid by the Hon. C. J. Parr at the opening of the nurses’ home yesterday, and he hoped New Plymouth would continue to receive such a splendid type of woman for training in the institution. Mr. Parr said the hospital was particularly fortunate in its matron (Miss Campbell), who stood high in the estimation of the department. While recognising the value of the present staff, Mr. Parr reminded the people that they should not forget those who had done good work in the past, and in this connection he referred to the long and valuable career at the hospital of the former matron (Miss Brown). Miss Brown had worked under conditions which were not as modern. and pleasant as those which now existed, and her sterling services would always be remembered.

Some interesting observations on the co-operative system of carrying out public works were made at Awakino on Saturday night at the conference with the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce by Mr. E. Button, a settler of the Otorohanga district. He said that from his own experiences as a contractor, extending over many years, the public were not getting, and had never got, more than 6s 8d in the £ for the money expended on co-opei>tive public works. He related incidents that had occurred in the Wairarapa where he had worked for the Public Works Department, and because he worked energetically, carting three times as much as the others, he was told, to modify his pace, whilst in another case the officer in charge of the work told him plainly that he could earn just as much by going slower. He did not say that these things obtained to-day, but he saw no merit whatever in the co-opera-tive system, which reduced all those in a gang to the one dead level and took away the incentive to ‘excel. The old straight out contracting system was far the best in his opinion, for then the good men got paid according to their worth and the wasters were fired, whilst the work was pushed through quickly, not hung out interminably as now, supporting a whole army of engineers, overseers, etc., who betrayed no anxiety to get a job out of the way speedily.

In conversation with tradesmen in various businesses, a Hawera Star reporter found that the opinion of the majority was that the conditions of trade has shown an improvement during the last two or three weeks. One man said that he found that accounts were being paid more promptly and that there was a feeling of buoyancy and optimism returning. There are a number, of people out of employment, but the Mayor succeeded in placing four men last, week, and it is hoped that work will become more plentiful in the near future. Heavy dealing in stock is reported, and one firm had a very good month last month, the amount of money being handled in stock in South Taranaki being £28,000, compared with about £9OOO in January. The sheep season, however, is nearly over, but there is considerable activity in sales of young stock. The informant stated that February had been the best month for a long time past, and it is thought that things are now improving steadily. Reports from Patea are that the meat works are doing very well, but with the uncertainty of prices it is difficult to estimate with accuracy what the returns will be. Altogether, there is good reason for thinking that a steady improvement is taking place throughout the district, and with new money coming into the country in payment for exports the prospects are growing generally brighter.

“Not an ache or pain left, although practically useless before.” Booklet free to sufferers. Dominion Rheumatic Cure Pty., Hellaby’s Bldgs., Auckland. R

A representative of British manufacturing firms informed a Dominion reporter that within the past two months aluminium goods had fallen in price by 15 to 25 per cent., and cutlery prices had been reduced by 15 per cent.

Speaking at a dinner in his honor at Hokitika on Saturday night, the Hon. J. G. Coates, in answer to a direct question, said that if no untoward circumstances arose, it was hoped to \ have the Otira tunnel opened before the end of the. year.

Regarding the payment of hospital debts, the chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board stated yesterday that he would have, and the board should have, no mercy on single men who spent money on racing and drinking and failed to pay their hospital debtfs. He mentioned the case of a young single judgment debtor who was one of a party which hired a motor car and drove to the Wanganui races recently. A Sheffield inventor is reported to have sold for £5OOO to a well-known Birmingham concern a mass output machine which produces at 7d per pair scissors which to-day cost Sheffield makers 3s 6d. It is claimed that the machine, operated by one man and a boy, does the work of ten men employed on hand processes.

The New Plymouth pound-keeper is called upon to handle and care for all varieties of stock at times, but it is surprising with what frequency he secures blood stock. Recently he impounded a trotter with a long pedigree, and later a Jersey heifer of ancient lineage; now a racehorse has been “gathered in.” As the sporting writer says: “He is certainly a looker,” but he has now a price on his head.

Honeymooning Up-to-date. During their travels in Taranaki’s back-blocks the. Chamber of Commerce party came across a young couple “doing” the country in a Ford, the back part of which •was fitted up as a combined living and sleeping room. They slept wherever they happened to be at nightfall, and cooked their own meals, or had them at an accommodation house, as it suited them. To combine business with pleasure, they carried a stock of tea, which they sold to the settlers as they travelled through the country.

The State Forest service forwarded a circular to the Egmont County Council yesterday stressing the necessity for the council co-operating in the important work of providing for the timber requirements of the district in the near future. Cr. Tosland said that if there were corners covered with gorse or noxious weeds it would be a good idea to plant them. However, unless they had men who would take an interest in the work it would only be a waste of money. Cr. O’Brien did not consider that they had any money to expend this year. The chairman agreed, but he considered that it would be wise to keep the matter in view, as there was no doubt there would be a ■shortage of timber shortly.

It was very obvious to those present at the opening ceremony in connection with the new Technical High School at Stratford yesterday that the principal speaker, the Minister for .Education, was suffering from the handicap of a severe bronchial cold. However, the sun shone brightly on the platform, and Mr. Parr endeavored to make light of his disability, and incidentally had a tilt at Taranaki members of Parliament. “This morning I had very grave doubts as to whether 1 should be here to-day,” said the Minister. “However, my voice seems to improve the longer I stay in your beautiful climate. Now I understand why Taranaki knembers are such fluent speakers. You can’t stop them.” (Laughter.) “I tremble to think,” added Mr. Parr, amidst further laughter, “of what would happen to this country if a Minister for Education came to the province and stayed for a month or two.”

A meeting of the New Plymouth Prohibition League was held at the Whiteley Hall last night, Mr. C. E. Bellringer presiding. Tho purpose of the meeting, the chairman explained, was to hear a paper by Mr. G. H. Maunder on report No. 13 on educational subjects, issued by the Education Department and circularised amongst the schools of New Zealand. The pamphlet was called “Alcohol in relation to the human mind and body,” and in this connection the New Zealand Alliance has offered prizes for essays on the subject. Mr. Maunder was then called upon to give his paper, in which he minutely examined the report, saying that it was the unbiased opinion of science upon the subject. The Rev. A. H. Collins stressed the importance of circularising the pamphlet and the value of personal influence. After considerable discussion a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Maunder was bv acclamation.

A very interesting instruction issued to New Zealand troops on Gallipoli in regard to the capture of Turkish prisoners has been presented to the Christchurch Museum. The instruction states, among other things:—Experience in other fields of the war against Turkey has shown us that many Turkish soldiers are serving under compulsion, and are anxious to give themselves up at the first opportunity. . . . Consequently, facilities should he given for as many surrenders as possible. Turkish soldiers as a rule manifest their desire to surrender by holding their rifle butt upward, and by waving clothes or rags of any color. ‘ Au actual white flag should be regarded with the utmost suspicion, as the Turkish soldier is unlikely to possess anything of that color. Then follow Turkish phrases, such as “Throw down your arms” (sillahlarenene brak) and “Advance slowly” (yawash gel). The instruction is part of a collection comprising airplane photographs, a panorama of Messines ridge, and field sketches and maps presented to the museum by Major H. J. Daltry, D.S.O. Opunake racegoers are notified that dinner will, as usual, be awaiting them on their return at the Okato Hotel on Friday evening.

Ladies, just think for a moment how “Fairy Wonder” can help you in a home. It will bleach clothes snowy white without injury. It is extremely economical, being cheaper bulk for bulk. A preliminary notice of a clearing sale to be held at Frankley Road on Tuesday next is advertised. Present entries for Urenui woaner fair are advertised. A big portion of the yarding will comprise good quality Jersey heifers. HEALTH AND EXERCISE. For various reasons we do not take enough exercise. Some of us haven’t time to walk; some of us are lazy; but with others sore feet are the trouble. Corns will thus often keep one from enjoying full health. All should take plenty of walking exercise in the open air. If you have corns buy “Nipsem” Corn Cure and you will be cured immediately. “Nipsem” will cure come in two nights. Obtainable all chemists and stores, or 2/- post free 8.A.8. Co., •Box 219, New Plymouth.