LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The retailers of Palmersron. North have decided to remain open on Easter Saturday. In Hawera during the month of March there were 21 births, 5 marriages and 6 deaths. For March of 19(31 the figures were: Births 18, marriages 12, and deaths G. A young man, Arthur Sinclair, was arrested at New Plymouth on Saturday on a charge of committing a breach of his prohibition order at Wanganui. He will be escorted to Wanganui to-day. The slump in cattle seems to have struck the Jerseys too. At a coastal sale last week a five-month-old pedigree (guaranteed) Jersey bull, in good nick, sold for eight shillings. It is estimated that reductions in the Christchurch tramway service which will be begun on April 1, will bring about a saving of about £2OOO a year. Councillor D. G. Sullivan stated at the last meeting of the Christchurch City Council that the Government had indicated that the price charged by it for the electricity supplied to the council was to be increased almost 100. per cent. “Coming in to see the Prime Minister?” was asked of a wayback settler. “By gum! Not much!” was the reply. “I owe old Bill too much money, and he might recognise me!” —Opotiki Herald.

The Auckland Butter Committee resigned because the big amalgamation —the New Zealand Dairy Company — reduced their price to Is '2d. This was caused by opponents of the 'amalgamation putting first grade butter into second grade wrappers and selling it at “seconds” price, or Id below first. This was done, so it is alleged, to cut in on the amalgamation’s trade unfairly. Speaking to the Stratford visitors at the Moumahaki farm recently, Mr. J. W. Deem mentioned that he hoped to so improve the pigs on the farm that they would be second to none in the North Island. Also, he hoped to build up a dairy herd that, would be equal to anything in the district. He would not say that they would be Ayrshires; possibly they may tend to a Jersey, strain, but that would be a matter for development. He was not keen on the Guernseys. Some of the purebreds they had on the farm were beautiful, typical dairy cows, but they appeared to be a bit weak in constitution. It may have been that those imported from Australia were inbred, and it may be that he may get a few more of proved constitution and give them a further chance.—Star.

The weather in New Plymouth during March was unusually wet, rain having been recorded on 26 days. The heaviest falls werfe 1.74 in. on the 2nd, and .Olin, on the 16th. The total tall for the month was 8.04 in., as against 2.24 in. in February, when rain fell on 11 days. The total sunshine record for the month was 179 hrs. 30min., as against 217 hrs. 45m in. in February with three less days. The average for March was about 2 hours less per day than in February. Throughout the month the temperature remained fairly high, and the nights were not cold, conditions which, combined with the heavy rainfall, have promoted growth and been favorable for farmers and garden-

A smart piece of work in the recovery of .a stolen motor-car was accomplished by detectives at Wellington r ently. ’ The ear, which had a grey body and red wheels, was left outside the Town Hall one afternoon, but when the owner returned it was missing. The next evening the detectives brought to the police station from Taranaki Street a jet black car. The paint had not dried on ft, but with the exception of the color it is stated to be identical will, the one stolen. Two men, who are alleged to be ini* plicated in the theft, were taken into custody.

The New York correspondent of the London Morning Poet, telegraphing on February 9, stated that a feverish hunt for gold, reminiscent of the olden days, has been aroused among the residents of Los Angeles by the discovery in the heart of that city of a vein ot the yellow precious metal, which essays 'at 4 dollars to the pan and 1000 dollars to the ton. The discovery came when a construction company was drilling a well for an ice-cream factory in Jefferson and Figuero Street's, and struck a bed of gravel at 125 ft. with a filling of blue clay beneath. With the gravel came shining flecks, gold duet being apparently distributed through several feet or gravel. Nearly 590 million people, or about one-third of the world’s population, are classed as meat eaterfe. The knowledge is comforting just now. It is interesting, too, that specialists in agricultural production and in nutrition problems agree that the number of meat eaters in every country is rapidly growing with the extension of better living conditions. In fact, sixty years ago, it is estimated, the total number of meat consumers was about 310 millions, which represented about one-quarter ot the world’s population then. The increase, if these figures are correct, thus shows tlvat, roundly, million people were added to the meat-eating roll every year.

A terrifying experience was gone through recently in the King Country during a thunderstorm by two lady milkers whose men folk had been detained some miles away by the storm. Just when half the cows had been done and the evening was drawing to, a close a fierce and vivid flash of lightning seemed to strike the milking shed. The cows seemed to become completely bewildered and swayed as if they had received a shock, for the lightning struck the buckets of the milkers, who noticed a peculiar sulphuric smell. Both cows in the bails fell nearly over, and one of the milkers thought she would be crushed to death by the heavy weight of the cow, but by a great effort the cow regained her feet and stood quite still. The other milker was thrown clear at the time the cow she was milking heeled over. Both women stuck to their work notwithstanding their alarming experience.

The Melbourne, Ltd., have a full stock of men’s socks, in both cashmere 3/.» pair, and colonial knit at 1/9, 2/6 2/9. Also warm sweaters at 13/6; sweater coats 17/6 to 29/6; woollen underpants 7/U to 10/6; fine cashmere singlets 9/6 to 17/6 in best quality all wool colonial make.

The average person may not know it, but a small quantity of “Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap added to the bath imparts a delightful smoothness to the skin in addition to being highly cleansing. It is also delicately perfumed. Don’t forget next time and try a little “Fairy” in your bath. All grocers stock it.

Newton King, Ltd., advertise the date 'of a sale of pedigree Jerseys, which they are holding for Mr. A. L. Hooper, i Mahoe.

The Oaonui Dairy Company has turned over to the manufacture of butter. “I have just come back from Auckland,” said a Dunedin businfess man; “I was there for nine days, and I did not see the sun once. It rained every day, and there was a muggy heat that was most oppressive.” The cunning of the rat was exemplified by an incident related by Mr. H. B. Riley, at the last meeting of the Heathcote County Council (states the Christchurch Press). Mr. Riley quoted, a case in which the poison provided by the City Council was laid on biscuit*, which were placed in positions known to be haunted -'by rata. The result was wholly in favor of the rats, as it was found that the biscuits had been turned upside down, and the non-poisonous sides consumed, the poison being, left for further experiments.

The Mercantile Gazette of last week says:—“lt is hoped that the Auckland Property Owners’ Association will be heartily supported by other similar organisations throughout the country. The land values of New Zealand are absurdly high, and a menace to progress. What this country needs more than cheap money is cheap land. It is the inflated value of land that has ruined many dairy farmers and sheep farmers, and caused distress among our soldiersettlers. The Valuation Department requires « shake up, and now is the time to give it that shake.” Stating that his interest had. been aroused by a similarity of name, Mr. George Bodley, of Hamilton, New Zealand, has given £5OOO to the Bodleian, the famous Oxford library, where a collection of old English M.S.S. is housed. When Mr. Bodley sent his gift he explained that, although he could not claim any direct relationship with the founder of the library, Sir Thomas Bodley, his family had a tradition that they were connected. Mr. George Bodley, says the Daily Mail, went to New Zealand as a boy,’and made a fortune. When Princess Mary receives her greenstone wedding present from the New Zealanders resident in Great Britain she will be the second of their Majesties’ children to possess a gift of this essentially New Zealand substance (says the Daily Chronicle). The Prince of Wales, when on his Australasian tour, was presented with a handsome piece of crystaline rock, enclosed in a special casket, with the expressed hope that it would bring him luck. It is now enclosed in His Royal Highness’ museum in St. James’ Palace. Greenstone was at one time held in almost superstitious awe by the Maoris, it being regarded as an infallible bringer of good fortune. To receve a piece is tjie highest compliment a New Zealander can confer.

The majority of the immigrants who arrived by the Dorset recently at Auckland were Scottish and Northern Country people, and were considered to be a very good class of intending settlers. One of the officers of the Dorset remarked to a Star reporter that although he had seen a good many drafts arrive, he thought the present number on the ship to be one of the best allround detachments he had seen arrive in the country. They are a particularly solid class taking them altogether,” he said, “and I think the very class of settler you want. You know it takes some moral courage for people to sell up their homes just now in the Old Country and face a life in'a new land, particularly when we hear of such bad conditions in the Dominion.”

A rather surprising feature in connection with the period of financial difficulty through which the Dominion is passing is that people appear still to have plenty of money for overseas and tourist travel (says the Auckland Herald). A representative of the firm of T. Cook and Sons stated that bookings for England and for Continental travel had been, if anything, even heavier than last season, which was a very busy one. Accommodation on all vessels on the Panama route was booked until June, and on the Suez route until May. From February until May or June the bookings to England were always heavy, and it was expected that this year’s figures would be well up to, if not beyond, those of previous seasons, despite the fact that fares were still very high. A feature of the overseas travel was the number of families travelling, return passages being booked in the majority of cases. The fact that a number of immigrants are making their way back to England was also mentioned, those, in most cases, being young men who have failed to secure employment in New Zealand.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have accepted and gratefully acknowledged the gift by Mr. Giffard Sherman Reade, of Rotorua, New Zealand, for the benefit of the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, of the Holbrook estate in Suffolk, which covers about 1000 acres, and is valued at about £30,000 (says the London Times). The gift, which is to constitute a separate charitable foundation, is to be “for ever hereafter called the Reade Foundation.” Mr. Reade has estates in England, India and New Zealand. His reason for making Greenwich Hospital the object of his 'benefaction is to show his appreciation of the splendid services rendered by the Navy to the Empire at all times, *aiHl particularly in the late war. He declares that “Jellicde and Beatty won the war, and I am anxioue to show my gratitude to the Service of which they are such splendid ornaments.”

If you don’t like the colors that Nature gave your flowers it is quite easy to change them (writes S. L. Bastin in Everyday Science). Gas fumes have a curious effect on rose® and sweet peas. Select flowers which are naturally of rather a light shade. Light a gas burner and. then after an interval hold the flower just where it will get the fumes without being scorched. Almost at once the petals most in contact with the fumes start to change color, and by turning the bloom about the whole flower is soon altered. But you can never tell quite what will happen. A bright pink sweet pea may go mauve, or even blue, while a yellow rose is quite likely to turn orange. Another way of altering the colors of flowers is to submit them to the fumes of ammonia. On to a dish pour some water into which a few drops of strong ammonia have been placed. Put the blossoms to be treated into a little vase, and stand this on the dish covered by a bell glass or jar. At the end of ten minutes it will be found that they have undergone startling color changes. White flowers go a bright yellow, red petals turn green, and blues and violets change into a reddish shade. Common violet asters can be painted with a very weak solution of nitric acid, and water. Wave the flower about in the air for a few minutes, and gradually the rays turn- a brilliant scarlet. If they do not change thoroughly at the first time of painting, repeat the application. Brighten up your home for the Easter visitors 'by selecting home furnishings from the splendid stock offered by Rennie’s, of the Big Store, Waitara. These new furnishings help to make a bright and happy home for Eatwr.

In British Columbia, it is reported, the combination of butter and cheese factories spent in one year 20,000 dollars (£5200) in advertising its butter and cheese in the local markets, with very satisfactory results to the people concerned. The combined turnover of the six or seven factories referred to is less than that of one of our large New Zealand factories.

A Palmerston North tradesman who is interested in the building trade told a Manawatu Times representative that the reduction of 2a per hundred feet of the price of timber at the Main Trunk mills would not represent more than £l2 or £l5 in the cost of a building. It was, he said, hardly worth mentioning, and would be offset by the increased royalties demanded by the Government. Mr. A. O’Brien, secretary to the Opunake Power Board, received word on Thursday that the effort to’ raise a further loan for the Opunake hydroelectric scheme has been successful, the sum of £24,000 having been granted by the Public Trustee. A sum of £7700 will be kept out of this loan to wipe out the original loan already expended on the works. The securing of this money is encouraging, and will enable the work to be prosecuted with greater vigor. A dance will be held in the Ma'hoe Hall to-morrow (Tuesday) night, instead. of on Wednesday, aa previously advertised. 1 A special display of winter coatings is the big attraction at Morey’s just now. ’Every lady who desires the smartest and most becoming fabric at moderate cost should see this range of coatings—at Morey’s. Now is the time for ladies to lay in a stock of towels. Those bought ou lowest market prices have just arrived. Colored towels, 18 x 40, 2/11 pair; 22 x 44, 3/11 pair and 4/11 pair; 23 x 46, 5/6 pair. White, 22 x 40, 2/11 pair; 20 x 45, 3/11 pair. Special value, red border, 24 x 48, 3/11 each. These can be purchased at C. C. Ward’s three •stores—New Plymouth, Eltham and Hawera. Messrs. W. H. and A. McGarry, land agents, of Eltham, insert a notice in to-day’s issue in respect to a land salesman formerly employed by them.