LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“He has retired altogether from public life. He has gone right into his shell. He sold his wethers for nine bob.” This sad atqry of an Eketahuna celebrity was told* at a gathering of farmers. A remit on the subject of the teaching of sex .hygiene in primary schools, carried at last year’s conference, was reaffirmed at Monday’s meeting of the Women Teachers’ Conference. Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education, who was present, stated that he and Dr. Wilkins had drawn up a pamphlet for distribution among parents.

For the vacancy for a councillor to -represent the East Riding on the Inglewood County Council Mr. John W. Grieves, of Pukeho, has been elected unopposed. The vacancy occurred by the merging of part of the Clifton County in the East Riding and the sitting member, Mr. W. Topping, did not seek re-election.

Overseas shipping at New Plymouth promises to be brisk towards the end of this week. The City of Winchester, at present in port, will not complete loading before Friday or Saturday. The Wairuna will be awaiting the overseas berth on Friday and the Makalla, on latest advice, is due here on Sunday.

“A year or two ago it was thought that £250,000 a year,was a big order in telephone and telegraph extension work,” said the Pbstmaster-General (the Hon. J. G. Coates) at Eketahuna. “In 1921 we spent over £500,000, and this year just on £600,000. We have got into the habit of spending a great deal.”

The Minister for Public Works stated in Wellington yesterday that he has decided to call a conference, of all organisations interested in reading policy on June 7 at Wellington. He has already indicated the important questions to be raised, and he gave an assurance that a large mount of information at his disposal will be placed before the conference. “I shall not present a draft Bill,” he continued, “although I shall suggest a simple scheme with some alternatives which have not the merit of simplicity. However, in view of the many interests involved the subject is not altogether simple, though I hope that we shall get down to some agreement on fundamental principles, on which we can work up a practicable structure. We want to get to a common understanding and to clear up misunderstandings. Then we can work out the details and make the whole scheme acceptable to the local bodies.”

The High Commissioner has been directed by the Government to secure relics of sentimental value and other souvenirs from the battle cruiser New Zealand, which is being removed from the effective list. He has been asked to endeavor to have the pictures, plate, scrolls, and autographed photographs forwarded to New Zealand for use in ships of the New Zealand Navy, and also to have the presentation shield, flags, Maori tiki, and other suitable trophies preserved for placing in the Dominion War Museum. Certain other action has been taken in regard to the disposal of anti-aircraft and 4-inch quick-firing guns, range finders, and small articles of equipment, but no definite arrangement can be made until the final fate of the battle cruiser has been settled.

That the Inglewood district can produce absolutely first grade butter, bacon, cheese and mutton is so well established a fact that it really needs no repetition, but its repute for beef is hardly equally well known. A proof, however of the quality to be obtained here of the last named. was provided last week by the exhibition in Mr. Smith’s, Moa butchery, of careases of 4.1-year-old bullocks from Mr. L. Knuckey’s Waitui farm, which weighed respectively 1030, 970, 930 and 900 lbs.

The North Egmont Hostel has been closed for the .season, but a limited number of visitors and casuals can be catered for if arrangements are made by telephone with the manageress, Mrs. Cameron.

Ladies requiring silks or crepe de chines should not fail to inspect C. C. Ward’s stocks in New Plymouth, Eltham or Hawera. They will find there the best assortment and finest values. Bla.-k taffeta silk, 36in. wide, 8/11 yd, 15/6 yd; Pailette silk, 36in. wide, 10/6 yd; beiu tiful Duchesse mousseline ■silks. 36:n. wide, all newest shades, only 10/G yd; splendid range good quality crepe de chine, 9/11 yd; slilk knitted Jersey c.cth, 40in., 27/6 yd. Rev. Ditterich, of Australia, is announced to speak in the Empire Theatre, New Plymouth, on the 19th inst., under the auspices of the Protestant Political Association. Rev. Ditterich is president of the Australian Protestant Federation, and ex-president of the Methodist Conference of Australasia, and is a very fluent speaker. His subject is “Protestants and the Empire.” When in doubt wear navy serge, is a good maxim, especially those serges you get at Rennie’s, Waitara, who are offering some real good value in new season’s serges at prices you will consider reasonable- See page 4.

The Auckland Gas Company, following the bonus reduction, announces a reduction in the price of gae and coke, representing £12,800 per annum.

During March 114 men were employed on the Stratford-Main Trunk railway construction works, 98 at the east end and 16 at the west end. On the Opunake branch 54 men were employed. The busiest works were the East Coast Main Trunk railway, which employed 500 men, and the Waikokopu branch, 355 men.

The New Plymouth rate demands were issued yesterday and with the new valuations they show a marked increase, 'the general rate is 2%d in the £, and there is the hospital and charitable aid contribution and special rates on loans. A special meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held yesterday afternoon to formally approve the rate to be struck. The 2%d in the £ is on £1,559,930, being the total rateable value (unimproved value) of the property on the valuation roll of the borough. The amount the rate is estimated to produce is £15,090. The “cheer germ” has certainly infected New Plymouth, for at the second community/“sing song,” arranged by the Digger company of entertainers and held at the Empire Theatre during the luncheon hour yesterday, there was another large attendance, who enthusiastically entered into the spirit of the movement. The songs sung ranged from recent popular “hits,” sneli as Peggy O'Neill,” to such wellknown and timedionored songs as “John 'rown 3 Body.” The hope was expressed that the musical societies in the town would wire a lead with a view to continuing community singing in New Plymouth. The second sessions of the Supreme Court for the year were opened at New Plymouth yesterday morning, His Honor Mr. Justice Heed presiding. The Grand Jury brought in true bills in seven out 'of the eight criminal cases submitted. The Court was occupied, all day hearing a charge of making a fraudulent statement at Eltham, the accused being found not guilty. Ine hearing of the other criminal charges will Occupy more than a week, as next Tuesday has been fixed for the commencement of the alleged manslaughter case in connection with the death ot the young Opuuake footballer, the late T. Duffy.

The Grand Jury had a rather busy day at. the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday. There were eight charges placed before them for consideration. Retiring shortly after 11 ami. it was about twenty minutes to four before they returned. They brought in true bills in seven cases, but m the eighth—a charge against two men ot attempted breaking and entering at the Pnniho toll-gate—they brought m a no bill and accused were discharged, lhey also recommended that in cases such as this toll-gate the council should consider the installation of telephones, as toll-gates were mostly m Sl ‘"’ ations. His Honor concurred with the r ecominendat i on.

Particulars of a farm property sale, by order of the mortgagee, appear 1.1 our auction columns.

Special lines in napery are being shown at the Melbourne, Limited. Irish bleach damask, 70 inches wide, formerly 11/6 and 12/6, now 5/11 and 7/11 yd; also Irish bleached damask napkins, inches, hemmed ready for uee, 1/11 each.

These cold windy days and nights are responsible for much worry on the part of the men folk, if only because of the difficulty in getting suitable warm clothinf which will give the maximum ot freedom and comfort. The advent of the coat sweater makes’ this task easy, and Messrs. Howell and Howell, clothiers state that they are now offering full stocks of these handy men’s garments at the fabulously low price of 18s each. You are well advised to shop early for this great moneysaving bargain. Seasonable costumes in a really beautiful range are the attraction at Morey’s this week. Included in this unique display are very stylish greys, fawns, browns, navy and checks. Big reductions in prices will prevail during the costume carnival at this popular store. Call and note the bargains.