LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mails which left Wellington on February 7, per R.M.S. Tahiti, via San Francisco, arrived in London on March 15. We have received the sum of £1 5s from the children of the Huiakama School towards the Russian relief fund.

A speaker at last night’s meeting of the Fitzroy Ratepayers’ Association stated that the cost of the upkeep of the fire brigades in New Plymouth was about £2400 a year. An Order-in-Council has been gazetted revoking the prohibition of the importation of fruit pulp and jam produced in Australia, and revoking the prohibition of the exportation of wheat meal, flour, bran and pollard.—Press Assn. As an illustration of heavy motor traffic caused by high railway freights, which is seriously damaging Manawatu County roads, Cr. Barber reported that in one day 32 heavy lorries, in addition to a number permanently engaged in carting flax, had traversed Whirokino Road.— Manawatu Times.

At the Supreme Court at Hamilton, a taxi-driver obtained judgment for £5OO damages against the Waikato County Council for alleged negligence in leaving a road cutting unfenced, causing plaintiff's car to be precipitated to the bottom of the cutting, where it caught fire and was destroyed.

The rumored purchase by Nestles of the milk business in the Waikato is untrue (says the Manawatu Times). Failure to obtain a supply of hand-milked product was their sole reason for not starting ou their fine property near Palmerston North two years ago. The slump in factory prices is where opportunity knocks at their door, and at those of the distressed dairymen.

A very large number of applications have been received for the position of curator and librarian at the Carnegie Institute, New Plymouth, the total being about one hundred. At a meeting of the institute committee last night it was found impossible to deal with the applications (which closed yesterday) 'as the borough office had not had an opportunity of making up a schedule of the applicants. The committee, therefore, postponed their consideration till next week. The Minister for Defence (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) has written to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., stating that, owing to pressure of business, he cannot make his proposed visit to New Plymouth. The Minister was to present the Weekly Press shooting shield to the Technical College team, which won the trophy. In regretting his inability to come to New Plymouth the Minister extends his congratulations to the team, and offers them his good wishes for future success.

In the course of a discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board a speaker jokingly remarked that it seemed as if some of the members were commencing electioneering. The laughter which ensued was directed at Mr. C. E. Bellringer, who had taken a prominent part in the debate, but he lost no time in denying the impeachment. “I am not doing anything of the kind,” he replied. There were 25 men (11 artisans and 14 laborers) employed on the west end of the Stratford —Main Trunk railway during January, and at the east end 56 men (8 artisans and 48 laborers) were employed. On the Opunake branch railway during the same period 42 men (4 artisans and 38 laborers) were engaged. The Public Works Department, Stratford, had four artisans and 142 laborers employed on roads during the same month. The Wanganui Chronicle says the Westmere Co-operative Dairy Company is advised that its consignment of cheese shipped per the Matakana has sold at from Bfis to 92s per cwt. for white, and 97s to 101 s for colored. Based on an average allround of 94s this returns lOd per lb for cheese. Allowing 4d per lb for all costs of manufacture, freight and London charges, reduces the return to 6d per lb, or approximately Is 3*|d per lb of butter-fat on a yield of 2.641bs of cheese to one of butter-fat.

In a recent speech at Inverness, Mr. Lloyd George said: “It is remarkable that the two countries whose credit stands highest are those suffering most severely—the United States of America and Great Britain. Unemployment in the United States of America runs to something like 6,000,000 persons, and our own total is 1,500,000.” Referring to the question, the president of the Federation of British Industries said the Government’s policy in regard to credits and currency accounted in a large measure for the slump in trade in Great Britain.

The rates collected by the Wellington City Council during the current financial year amount to £225,620, leaving a balance yet outstanding of about £45,000. Numbers of ratepayers are asking for an extension of the time in which to pay their rates for this year, on account of financial embarrassment, and in many instances these applications are being granted. Concessions are being made particularly in the case of ratepayers who have suffered through unemployment. The Central School picnic excursion was held at Hawera yesterday, when a thoroughly enjoyable day’s outing was spent. The excursion party, numbering nearly 700, and filling fourteen carriages, left New Plymouth by special train in the morning. In spite of threatening weather at the outset, the rain held off. An interesting sports programme was carried out, whilst an additional attraction, especially to the young folk, was the water-tower, which had generously been thrown open free of charge to children and teachers. The homeward journey was started about four o’clock. A holiday for the Central School children has been declared for today. • .

“You must remember that we have a lot of engineers in this place,” said a member of the New Plymouth Harbor Board meaningly at yesterday’s meeting, when speaking on the question of the new development works and the fact that the public sometimes got a very wrong impression of the board’s operations.

A letter directing attention to the danger caused by trainers exercising their horses on Ngamotu beach was received at yesterday’s meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board from the Borough Council. It was stated that the council would be pleased if the board could see its way to take effective measures to stop this practice in the future. Members were of divers opinions concerning prohibiting the use of the beach for this purpose, and some humorous remarks emanated from slime of the speakers. One explained that the beach had to be used when the course proper was too soft owing to rain, and horses were also taken down for swimming exercises. On the other hand, when the track was too hard the beach was again utilised. Hard going, it was explained, was liable to make the horses “clack up”. “The ‘gee-gees’ have to be treated as tenderly as a woman,” said one member. Another speaker, while wishing justice done, laughingly remarked that he did not want to interfere with the exercise of “these horses that are doing such excellent service for the country.” It was suggested that the use of the beach might be confined to early morning hours. Eventually the question was left in the hands of the chairman to make enquiries. On Saturday evening next, commencing at 8 p.m., the public of New Plymouth and districts will be afforded an exceptional musical treat at Pukekura Park. The 4tli Regimental Band, and New Plymouth Choral Society intend giving an opon-air concert, when solos, part songs and glees will be given. Some 65 voices will take part. In such exceptionally picturesque surroundings, the entertainment is sure to attract large patronage.

As from March 1 the business carried on by Messrs. Quinn and Kenny, music dealers, etc., NeW Plymouth, will be taken over and conducted by Mr. J. C. Kenny.

“Fairy Wonder” continues its triumphant way into the homes of the people. Day by day, month by month, its merits as the premier wash-day help are extolled by satisfied users, until at last it becomes an absolute necessity in every house. All grocers stock it. The Melbourne’s Great Stocktaking Sale draws to a close on Saturday, the 18th inst. Those who have not already participated in the bargains should not neglect this last opportunity, as very substantial savings can be effected on every article purchased throughout the store.

Particulars of the Urenui weaner fair ore advertised. The entry includes 100 choice Jersey heifers. The quarterly genera] meeting of the Employers’ Association, which was adjourned last week, will be held in the Soldiers’ Club on Monday, when Mr. K. Akers will deliver an address on “Fire Insurance.”