LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An accident occurred during the Waimate-Kaponga football match on Saturday afternoon, resulting in T. Winters, a well-known Wai mate player, having his leg broken between the ankle and knee. He was attended to ■on the ground by a doctor, afterwards being taken to a private -hospital.

A recital was given by the Fourth Battalion Band at the Now Plymouth Public Hospital grounds yesterday afternoon. There was a fair attendance of the public. At the conclusion of the programme the matron (Miss B. A. Campbell) on behalf of the staff, the patients, and herself, thanked the hand and hoped that another visit would he received from them in the near future.

The monthly social function in connection with the New rlymout-h branch of the West Coasters’ Association took place at the Rolland L.«*i on Saturday evening, when a good number assembled, in spite of the somewhat unfavorable weather. Songs were contributed by Mrs. McWhirter and Mies Pruden, whilst little Miss McWhirter gave a dance. Games and dancing helped to pas« an enjoyable evening, and a dainty supper was provided.

Whnt a boon the installation of electric light is to New Plymouth is more than ever realised after a visit to towns of similar size who are not thus blessed. Palmerston North and Wanganui both eke out their night-time existence by gas-light. A recent visitor to both these towns found that in Palmerston the gaslights are extinguished about 10.30, whilst in Wanganui a walk home from the theatre had to be made in darkness, the main street alone being lighted un. It is understood, however, that both these towns intend installing electric lighting at an early date.

It is understood that the company controlling the Shell motor spirits has purchased a section in Buller Street, New Plymouth, near the Vacuum Oil Co.’s site, and intends to erect a warehouse very shortly. This will make four oil distributing companies operating in Taranaki. The advent of the Shell people will mean direct oil steamers to New Plymouth from Sumatra, as well as from New York, California and New Orleans, as at present. When it is remembered that the Taranaki public is saving at least the 2s 3d coastal freight on every case, the value of a deep sea port at New Plymouth is again forcibly brought home.

The rule of the footpath is being effectively maintained in Wanganui by u simple arrangement, which might well be instituted in Devon Street, New Plymouth, where the indifference of pedestrians in keeping to the correct side of the footpath is most noticeable, especially during busy shopping hours and between five and six o’clock in the evening. In Wanganui a conspicuous white line has been drawn along- the centre of the footpath in Victoria Avenue, people proceeding in one direction keeping to a ■certain side of the line and vice versa, according to what particular side the civic authorities have decided upon. Thus, instead of indiscriminate wandering from side to side pedestrians arc told by conspicuous notices to “keep to the left” or “keep to the right,” ae the case may be, and this, with the aid of the wffite line, does away with a congested main street.

Speaking at ths meeting of farmers addressed by Mr. W. J. Polson at Masterton, Sir Walter Buchanan said that the trouble in connection with ships owned by New Zealand fanners would be the obtaining of return cargoes from England.

Complaints are being received by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association from ex-members of the Defence Department permanent staff that they are being retrenched whilst men without service are being retained. The general secretary of the association has stated that the association intends to make full inquiries into such cases.

The owners of fruit trees affected with fire blight in the Patea district •have received orders to cut down and burn every tree affected, as it has been found that cutting away the infected portions only does not check the blight. The Press adds: It is curious to note that experts have come to the conclusion that the disease was introduced into Taranaki through the agency of queen bees imported from the Auckland district, where fire blight existed. A letter from Simla (India) was received by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association last week, asking what were the existing conditions of labor in the Dominion, and whether there were any openings for ex-officers. At the meeting of the Dominion executive standing sub-committee, held on Thursday evening, it was decided to inform the writer, the secretary of the India ex-Services’ Association, that it was not a favorable time for the candidates to contemplate emigrating to New Zealand, on account of the fact that a number of returned soldiers were out of work at the present.

At a meeting of the Dominion executive standing sub-committee or xne N.Z.R.S.A. on Thursday, it was reported, in regard to the unemployment of disabled soldiers, that a deputation recently waited on two members of the Cabinet, and, as a result of representations made there, out of eleven 'married disabled soldier applicants, eight had been found permanent employment in the Government service during the past three weeks.

There lias been a drop in the price of coal in Christchurch. During the past few days there have been reductions in the prices of several classes of lignite and semi-lignite coal. Tleduettons in other classes of coal are expected. Kaitangata coal is cheaper by 10s a ton, Shagpoint by ss, New Brighton by ss, and the product of several other' mines has been reduced in lesser proportion. Hard coals are not affected as yet. but there is a feeling bi trade circles that a drop m the price of hard coal is inevitable before long. There are large stocks of coal about, and probably it is on account of competition that reductions in price have already been made. They have been made 'possible, however, by lower mming costs. The first korero. of the 1922 season of the New Plymouth Savage Club was held on Saturday night, when a large gathering spent a very enjoyable evenin An interesting ceremony was the installation of the Chief Rangatira (Mr p W ]■). Robertson) by the Great Cniet Rangatira (Mr. C. H. Weston), and the presentation of an address from the tribe. A happy item in the welcome was the haka by “the braves of te hapu,” led by Savage A. L. Humphries, and the splendid effort of the braves was much appreciated. An enjoyable programme of musical and other items, and the all essential t'angi, filled a pleasant evening, those contributing to the programme'being Savages B. Hartman. C. B. Webster, R. N. Renaud, W. L. Hay, W. B. Holder, W. P. Okey and L. Ebherington. Bright items by the orchestra, under Savage F. W. G. _ MeLeod, and the choir under Savage R. N. Renaud, added to the enjoyment, while the gathering displayed commendable enthusiasm in community singing under the leadership of te heketekari (Mr. G. H. Wyatt/. Mr. Harold Morey played the accompaniments. ■Community singing will form portion of the programme at Everybody’s Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings of this week. These “sings” are very popular to-day, and much of their success hinges on the fact that the songs and choruses usually selected for the occasion are those melodies which have been favorites for many years. While this is so, however, an occasional modern ballad is introduced and the audience is taught the chorus of such. A “community sing” is a most enjoyable pastime in which old and young participate with great relish. For the three sings this week, tae management, have specially engaged an excellent soloist, and also an experienced leader.

Very few patrons to the picture theatres have any idea of the amounts the management are called upon to pay as film hire for some of the big special attractions that are screened from time to time. An interesting example is the Chaplin film “The Kid,” which h«us just finished a season in New Plymouth. For the season of -six nights the management have paid the sum of £92 7s 3d by way of film hire for this film alone. For the two nights at Everybody’s the hire amounted to £56 I6s and the remainder of the season at The People’s cost, £35 Ils 3d. These amounts, in addition to the ordinary film hire, and usual working expenses, convey some idea of the expenses of operating the modern up-to-date picture house.

Carlson's sale of bankrupt stock continues to attract large crowds of shoppers, who are only t.oo*willing to take advantage of the slashed priced goods in men’s and boys’ wear. The stocks being heavy, the bargains will be just as good this week as on the opening day. Interest is sure to be considerable in the first .Slashed Price Furniture Sale, commencing to-morrow at Martin and Co.’s prmises, Devon Street, next Hoffmann’s. A study of the special advt. appearing elsewhere will convince shoppers of the heavy cut in prices in all departments. 'Phe sale offers an unusual chance to folk who want to furnish or replenish their homes.

Where selection is best because variety and low price are greatly in evidence— Morey’s. Call and inspect the lovely new costume and dress materials just received direct from London buyers—at Morey’s.

Money-savers at C. C. Ward’s three stores:—All wool Botany Cashmere stockings, suspender top, fast dye, only 2/11 pair, extra quality 3/6; fine weave heavy weight calico, 36in. wide, 1/3 yd; single bed blankets, all wool, 29/6; threequarter bed size, 39/6; large double bed size, 45/-.

The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., wish to draw clients’ attention to their Te Wcra sale, which they are holding in their Te Were, yards on Friday, May 12, 1922, at 1 p.m. Full particulars of entries will be found on page -8 of this issue.

According .to a statement made by Mr. A. J. Sinclair, assistant-manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, at Kiwitahi, the suppliers of tn© Waharoa dried milk factory have in a season and a half paid off £25,000 towards the cost of the factory. In three seasons further the factory would be paid for, and the pay-out to the suppliers would be proportionately greater than it was at present.

“Tn some parts of Poverty Bay you are going down in sheep-carry ing capacity, but in so doing you are losing more from the good country than the poorer country,” said Mr. Cockayne, during his address to farmers at Gisborne. In explanation he added that in many cases the grassing of the better class country was not as good as it might- be, but the more liberal use of cocksfoot and reduction in the amount of Italian rye would considerably improve the position.

There was a double rescue from the sea at Sumner recently. About 2 p.m. a child, about six years of age, fell into the channel near the jetty. The tide was ebbing, and the child was being quickly carried from the shore, when Phyllis Watson, a scholar at the Sumner school for the deaf, jumped in, and, swimming to the child, held her up. She was unable to swim back with her burden, but Mr. Stokes, of New Brighton, went to her 'assistance and conveyed ■both children back.

A note of caution in regard to immigration was sounded by Mr. R. D. D. McLean, of Hawke’s Bay, in the course of a few remarks he made at the Wellington Early Settlers’ Association reunion. Mr. McLean said he thought the country ought to be very careful that it got the right class of people here. It was all very fine to say that what New Zealand wanted was population; wliat the country wanted was the right class of population. In his opinion, immigration had not been managed as carefully as it might have been, and he had told those in authority about it.

One of the surest ways to make the Telegraph Department popular—charge double rates for telegrams on holidays, with the immediate result that the department drives business away (says the Wanganui Herald). It is a well-known fact that people on holiday are more prone to slip into a telegraph office and send a short message to their relatives to save the trouble of writing, and this means substantial revenue to the department. However, double the rate and the result is an immediate restriction in messages. Does the operator -who works on the holiday get any extra remuneration from the increased rate? Oh, no! And in the end the department does not benefit, but shows a substantial deficit on aggregate transactions.

New Zealand was singularly fortunate in the public men it had in the early days, remarked Mr. R. D. D. McLean, of Hawkes Bay, at a gathering of the Wellington Early Settlers’ Association. “I know the history of some of those men intimately,” said Mr. McLean. ‘T know perfectly well that those men sacrificed themselves and their own private affairs to serve the country in the early days. I used constantly to meet them. I used to notice how interested they were in doing everything they possibly could to promote the welfare of the country. Those men were some of the noblest men that ever served in any capacity in any part of the Empire.” Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Third Group) are notified that subscriptions wul be due and payable to-day (Monday), May. 8, at the Secretary’s Office, Currie Street, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.—Advt.

The grandest bargain for men at the Melbourne’s Gigantic Sale is undoubtedly the line of colonial tweed top-coats selling at 79/6. These splendid doublebreasted coats are beautifully tailored, every seam being taped, and were priced up to £6 12s 6d prior to the sale. Colors are chiefly greys and browns.

Residents of Oakura and district are reminded of the ball to be held in the Oakura HaJl to-morrow. The proceeds are in aid of a new supper room.