LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day is the autumnal equinox, the sun rising at 6 a.m. and setting at 6 p.m. We are in receipt of 7s from the Huiroa School children towards the Starving Russians Fund. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union will be held at the Foresters’ Hall, Stratford, on Thursday next. Many farmers are disposing of their motor-cars and motor-cycles. At an auction sale at Waipukurau a motor-car, in excellent order and freshly painted, realised the sum of £95. Motor-cycles of good standard patterns went begging at ridiculous prices. It is the opinion of Mr. W. Goodfellow, managing director of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, who has just returned from a tour of Europe and Australia, that Great Britain will come out of the present depression relatively stronger than any other country in the world. She was getting her house well in order, and would shortly be in a better position than any other country to control the world’s trade. The Glaxo Company, which, it is said, spend something like £lOO,OOO a year on advertising, find that their cheapest advertising medium are the newspapers. The London office occasionally pays £B5O for a full page advertisement in a single issue of one leading daily, and finds that more business is done through. this than through all the hoarding, circular and other forms of publicity. “It is,” the chief publicity man of the company is said to have declared, ‘‘the cheapest advertisement we have.”

When Lord Jellicoe visited Greymouth last April the local bodies combined to tender him a banquet. The Borough Council took the initiative, the other local bodies agreeing to subscribe fixed sums. The banquet was a 'great success from a social viewpoint, but financially there was a “skeleton at the feast.” The decorations and he function were, done in such style that the cost, £134, was considerably in excess of the estimates. The Borough Council has since been endeavoring to induce the other local bodies to increase their promised grants, but the refusals have been practically unanimous. Members of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce touring party were rather sur-. prised on entering Ohura recently at seeing a gang of men engaged on roadwork working energetically after five o’clock. They afterwards were informed that the gang worked from daylight to dark. They were employed by a contractor, an Assyrian, who paid and treated them well. The contractor is a real hustler. It is on record that recently he lifted 800 yards of metal, carted it two miles, and laid it down and properly spread it in twelve days. He has a mechanical loader and three motor lorries, and simply eats up work. Such a man could metal the whole of the Tangarakau Gorge Road, connecting the Ohura with Tahora, inside six months, if only he were given the opportunity. The contractor runs a motor garage, as well as other enterprises, in the Ohura, and any district could be proud of such an industrious and enterprising settler. Special linee at C. C. Ward’s three stores: —Extra quality all wool cashmere hose, 3/6 pair; all woo] broad ribbed hose in all new shades, 4/11 pair; ladies’ cotton vests, 1/11, 2/6 each; extra large size, 2/11 each; 30in. white -.flannelette, 1/- yard, 36in. 1/6 yard; good quality pure ealko, 36in... 1/8 yard. _ (

A start was made yesterday with the erection of the new public telephone box outside the Chief Post Office at New Plymouth.

Answering an enquiry at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, the electrical engineer said that the number of waiting applicants for lighting connections had now been reduced from 360 to within the vicinity of 150. Payments to suppliers by the Kaponga Dairy Company on the current 20th comprise Is for butter-fat supplied in February and a bonus over the first seven months of the season ending January 31, making the total payment to that date Is Id.

“If the Borough Council will not give any encouragement to keep a fish shop in proper and sanitary conditions I should close down and go somewhere else and start,” ran a letter received by the New Plymouth Borough Council last night from a restaurant proprietor, who protested against the council’s decision that he would have to instal a water meter. The protest, however, was not successful in influencing the council to alter its decision.

Speaking' at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said that while there had been a lot of comment over the oneman cars it was very satisfactory to know that Mr. H. Leah, who designed the Wellington trams, was of opinion that the cars were beyond criticism. This was the effect of the terms of a letter sent by Mr. Leah, after a recent inspection of the cars.

“W-ould the council be prepared to erect a shelter shed at Belt Road if a debenture for the amount was taken up?” asked Cr. R. A. Large at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said he had no doubt the reply would be "Yes”. Cr. Large said the question had been prompted by the fact that the matter had been placed before him by persons interested. The last monthly report of the New Plymouth general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) recommended that endeavors be made to raise the money necessary for the erection of public conveniences. At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council it was resolved to seek the permission of the Government to pay 6 per cent, interest on the amount required—namely, £2OOO. A question was put at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council as to what current was available for street lamps. In the course of his reply the electrical engineer» (Mr. R. H. Bartley) pointed out that street lamps were burning all through the peak load, and the council decided to let this question stand over until after the partial scheme in the hydro-electric undertaking had been completed.

The fact that the Peace Ball committee had handed over £5B to be devoted to treeplanting was mentioned by Cr. R. L. Parkin at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council. The proposal was to plant trees in Liardet Street, but as the council had rejected this Cr. Parkin desired to know what was being done with the money. The general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) replied that it would be necessary to call another meeting of the committee to get them to submit a fresh proposal to the council.

A desire to see a statement of the liabilities so far incurred in connection with the hydro-electric undertaking was expressed by Cr. R. L. Parkin at last night’s meeting of the New - Plymouth Borough Council. Items particularly referred to were the tram-line, the open race and tlje tunnel now being constructed. The general manager intimated that in the ordinary course of procedure this information would be laid before the council after the end of the financial year.

Library hours were mentioned at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. An enquiry was made by Cr. Large as to whether it would not be possible to keep the library open till 5.30 p.m., in order to enable people in offices to change books. The Mayor said he proposed to move at the next annual meeting in favor of keeping the library open on Saturday afternoons. Cr. Brown also favored this course.

The grand concert organised annually in connection with the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, w‘as held at the Rolland Hall, New Plymouth, last night. Unfortunately the weather interfered somewhat with the attendance, but the hall was comfortably filled. The fine musical programme, appropriate to the occasion—the honoring of Ireland’s patron saint—that was given was well received by the audience, who demanded encores in the case of every item. Mr. J. Rennie’s orchestra of eight rendered a number of pleasing selections. The stage was draped with green flags (on which the harp and shamrock were conspicuously displayed) and with flowers.

At the recent meeting of the Carnegie Institute Committee a vote of thanks was accorded the following list of donors: Mr. C. Hoskin (Vogeltown), small carved waka used by the priests in ancient religious ceremonies, and a big adze; Mr. J. O. Taylor (Westown), a small adze; Mr. J. B. Cresswell, bullets and round shot foimd on Marsland Hill; Mrs. Ashe, feather insignia of South American Indian chief; Mrs. Golding, a Maori paddle; Mr. R. Pigott (Urenui), a Leeds Mercury of date July 3, 1753; Mr. G. W. Browne, photo of New Plymouth in 1866; Mr. W. H. Skinner, old documents, plans and photographs relating to early New Plymouth. The question of what principle was to be adopted in regard to headstones over the soldiers’ graves in Te Henui Cemetery was raised at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, as the result of an objection having been made by a relative to the Government headstone being placed over the grave of her brother. The council decided to impose no restrictions. “The headstones provided by the Government are scandalous,” said Cr. V. Griffiths during the discussion. The speaker said that the wooden crosses would be of no permanency, and the council should protest at such sacred work being done in such a niggardly way. At Patea on Friday night Mr. P. IL Tinney’s car, which was standing outside Messrs. Gibsons’ establishment, was by joy-riders and considerably damaged. The party journeyed to Opaku, where the roads are in a very bad state. Here some chains were borrowed and fixed to the wheels, with the result that some of the tyres were badly cut about, two being rendered practically useless. The joy-riders eventually succeeded in forcing the car through the mud and returned to town in the early hours of the morning, not, however, before they had considerably damaged the car, the engine being seized through running without any water in the radiator. Other signs of ill-usage were to be seen in a strained door, damaged gears, etc. The episode will, the Press understands, be the subject of more than one charge at the next sitting of the local Magistrate's Court. “Sinus,” the famous milking machine cleanser, is meeting with an extraordinary sale this season, due no doubt to the recent criticism’ at dairy factory metings in regard to the supplying of impure milk. Absolute cleanliness is one of the first laws in handling milk, and it is gratifying to find our dairy faimera are awakening to the fart.

A report was received by the New Plymouth Borough Council at last night s meeting to the effect that enquiries received concerned the £72,000 loan were confined to brokers. On the suggestion of the general manager it was decided to expend a sum in advertising the loan, with a view to raising the balance, the council allotting £5O for the purpose.

Members of the Inglewood Borough Council intend paying a visit to the New Plymouth hydro-electric works on Thursday next. At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council it was decided that representatives of the council should accompany, the visitors .on the trip.

A cryptic remark from a letter received at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council: “Borougl; road management reminds me of a man who washes his hands and face and thinks himself clean.” The writer (a lady) was complaining of the neglect shown towards the street in which she lived.

Arising out of a report received from the general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) the New Plymouth Borough Council last night decided that steps be taken to consult the general manager of the Bank of New Zealand with reference to raising the loan of £142,000 (for repayment of loans falling due). The old boys of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School contemplate the erection of a memorial archway at the entrance to the school as a tribute to the old boys of the school who fell in the war. The work will be done in reinforced concrete, finished off in Atlas cement and blocked with stonework. The sketch of the proposed memorial was forwarded to the High Schools Board at their meeting last night, and indicates that the memorial will be of an imposing nature, and worthy of the purpose for which it was designed. The work is estimated to cost £7OO, and the board gave its consent to the archway being erected, subject to the building committee’s approval. An application for financial assistance for the Workers’ Educational Association was received by the New Plymouth Borough Council at last night’s meeting. The honorary secretary (Mr. O. Johnson) wrote stating that before the classes • could be recognised by the controlling authority in Wellington a sum of at £4o had to be collected to pay the lecturer’s fees; hence the request. An application for a subsidy for their pipe band was also entered on behalf of the New Plymouth Caledonian Society by the secretary (Mr. J. Austin). The society supported the request by urging that the formation of a band was a distinct asset to the town. The requests were referred to the estimates committee, which will meet shortly and report to the council. In reply to a query raised at a recent meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council a report was received at last night’s meeting from the engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) as to the cost of removal of gravel from the Egmont Street dump in order to enable the site to be occupied by a circus. The report stated that the cost was £l6 Bs. The engineer explained that when the question was raised as to whether the circus could have the site it was difficult to estimate what quantity of gravel was on the section, as it was scattered and dragged about. An approximate idea gained then was 65 cubic yards. When it became apparent that the actual quantity was greater than that estimated it was too late to cancel the lease of the ground. The nett loss to the council was about £8 18s. “Good business,” remarked one councillor ironically when the letter was read. Other comments were in a similar strain, and the speakers hoped that a similar happening would not occur again. A councillor remarked that it was practically subsidising a circus which had taken a lot of money out of the town. Residents of Eltham and surrounding districts will be pleased to learn that Mr. E. C. Goldstone has again opened up in business in a central position in the town. During the eighteen years in which he has been in business there he has, by keeping the best stocks and giving the best value -for the money, worked up one of the best drapery businesses in Taranaki, and at the time of the disastrous fire a few weeks ago carried one of the largest stocks of drapery ni Taranaki. It is his intention to fully maintain this reputation in the new premises which he has acquired at the corner of Hgih Street and Bridge Street, Eltham, known as Shipton’s Corner. For the past fortnight a large staff has been altering, enlarging and refitting the premises to suit the requirements of a’ modern establishment. This has been stocked with a large and updo-date stock, bought at the bottom of the market, enabling him to give his customers values that cannot be beaten. This was appreciated by the crowds of satisfied customers who thronged the premises on Saturday, when the business was re-opened the public. Shoppers can rely on receiving the same good value and attention in the new premises as was always the case in the old.

A tour of the backblocks of Taranaki is contemplated by the Taranaki Education Board. The route to be followed is almost identical with that taken recently by the Chamber of Commerce party, and through districts which comprise the outlying territory under the board’s control. Nineteen centres are to be visited, besides a number of schools off the main roads in these districts. The party will journey as far as Okahukura in the north, returning via the Waitewhena Valley to Aria and Pio Pio, whence they proceed to Awakino and Mokau. The trip was to have been started yesterday morning, but the weather caused a postponement till next Monday. The party will be away till the following Friday. At Mokau and Awakino the members of the party will confer with the school committees with reference to the boundaries of their respective districts. The personnel of the party will be: Messrs. S. G. Smith, MJ 3 ., A. Lees, R. J. Deare, H. Trimble, and F. Hoskin (board members), together with Messrs. C. H. Moore (architect) and Geo. Pascoe (attendance officer). Mr. P. J. H. White (chairman of the board) is unable to make the trip. The tour will be undertaken in two motor-cars.

The Melbourne, Ltd., notify that the special line of men’s dark grey saddle tweed trousers at 29/6 is strictly limited in quantity, and advise customers to purchase as soon as possible. The trousers offered will be extremely difficult to replace.

Particulars of a timber sale, to be held on the old tannery site, Frankley Road, on Friday next, are advertised. It is generally believed that the tobacco plant came originally from America just after the Spanish conquest of the New World. There is no doubt that smoking was introduced into England and the Continent of Europe from this source. The tobacco plant, however, is stated to be a native of some of the Pacific islands. The Papuans hav? had the plant and smoked cigars f.-um its leaves for centuries. The natives of the interior of Australia also have us si the plant for smoking for as far back as, they can remember. The native product, however, is crude and strong to the taste, very different to the excellent, high-grade, fragrant brands of tobacco to be secured from W. H. Preece’s wellassorted stocks. Try them. Devon Street Central, New Plymouth. I