LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Government control of timber prices is at an end. an order-in-council having been gazetted revoking the timber trade regulations fixing maximum prices. Control was instituted when there was a shortage of timber and therefore a lack of keenness in competition. Now there is no shortage and competition has been revived, and under such circumstances it is held that price regulation is unnecessary.—Press Assn, At the Wanganui wool sales on Thursday a line of Southdown wool submitted by L. A. Nolan and Co. (through Dalgety and Co., Ltd.) realised 1/4 per lb., which was the highest price realised at the sale. This wool was grown by Mr. Geo. Mitchell at Mangorei, and goes to show what the district is capa'ble of producing.

The ballot for the insurances carried by the Borough Council was held on Thursday with the following results: Fire insurance was drawn by Yorkshire Insurance Co. (Mr. R. Pepperell, chief agent), accident risk by the Commercial Union Insurance Co. (Mr. C. H. Wyatt, manager), public risk by the Atlas Insurance Co. (Mr. Geo. Grey, chief agent).

Something of a history attaches to the steamer Wairuna, at present unloading at New Plymouth. She was formerly the German vessel Schneefels, but was captured at Gibraltar four hours after the outbreak of war, and was successively christened the Gibraltar, the Polestar, and finally the Wairuna. She had several exciting experiences after falling into the hands of the British. On one occasion an enemy aeroplane bombed her in the forecastle head, five sailors being killed, whilst later a German .submarine torpedoed her. The scare from that encounter can still be seen in the vessel’s hold.

The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society recently wrote to the Internal Affairs Department requesting that a three months’ season be declared for taking opossum ■skins in the society’s district. Information has now been received that an open season will be permitted from June Ito August 31. In view of the fact that opossums are becoming numerous in the coastal and other districts, and that there is always a big demand for skins, trappers should be able to make good money during the season. The trout hatcheries at Pukekura Park have been thoroughly renovated and additions made to accommodate the t'out ova ordered by the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society. This year the society expects to rear and liberate. 200.000 brown trout and about 100,000 Rainbow fry. The . society deserves credit for the excellent work now being done in stocking our rivers and it is particularly requested that farmers who have trout streams on their properties will give all assistance in their power in keeping down the poaching which in the past has been so systematically carried on in ’ some of the society’s beA waters.

The arrival at New Plymouth yesterday morning of the Wairuna, one of the Union Co.’s trans-Pacific cargo steam ers, brings to mind the thrilling adventures of the original Wairima, which fell a victim to the German raider Wolf during the war. A link between the two Wairunas is the coincidence that the chief officer, chief steward and bo’sun of the original Wairuna, which was captured by the raider Wolf, are all occupying similar positions on the present Wairuna. These men, whilst i in the hands of the Germans, spent three months on the raider during the time she was laying mines off the coast of New Zealand and Gabo Island. During their three months’ enforced stay aboard the Wolf the raider sank twelve vessels, including the Matanga. Their captors treated the prisoners well, but it was a terrible exprience. to be shut in the hold with only a pint of water a day with which to bath, wash and drink. They were able to buy luxuries from their captors, the chief of these being Lager beer and whisky. When the raider got back to Germany all the prisoners were put out to navvy work on the roads and railways, their hours of work being from 5 in the morning to 6 at night. The men spent nine months in Germany and had no complaints to make about the treatment they received.

A small dairy herd will be sold at Stony River sale on Tuesday next. Particulars are advertised.

The Melbourne, Ltd., have full stocks of white blankets, bought direct from the leading Dominion mills. Quotations are as follows: —Nine quarter or single bed size, 32/6; ten quarter size, 45s and 47/6; eleven quarter size, nss and 59/6. Bay now, while the selection is good. Ladies, when you ask for “Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap, see that you get it. Don’t allow yourselves to be “jostled” into taking some inferior substitute. Don’t accept any “just as good” resurrection from the lumber of “old stock.” See that you get the latest and best—that's “Fairy.” All up-to-date grocers stock it.

At the request -of Opunake anglers the council of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society has decided to apportion ■some thirty thousand Rainbow trout fry for liberation in the newlyconstructed dam on the Waiau. River near the town. The fry will be reared at the hatcheries at Pqkekura Park, New Plymouth, and should be ready for liberation about September next. As this piece of water is situated close to the to ( wn of Opunake, anglers will be able to keep a strict watch on the growth of the fish and also able to guard against poachers. The wages and conditions of laborers in the employ of the Public Works Department will be reviewed at a conference to be held between the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), officers of the department and representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union on. June 21 (says a Wellington telegram). The possibility of the employees obtaining increases in wages will be discussed, as well as improvements in working conditions, which are wanted by the men. A man who was found drunk in Egmont Street, New Plymouth, on Thursday evening while being in charge of a motor cycle and side-chair, was brought before the Magistrate (Mr. A. M. Mowlem) yesterday morning. He at first pleaded not guilty, but on hearing the evidence of the arresting constable he admitted the offence. Being a first offence, he was convicted and fined £2 (costs 7s), 24 hours being allowed in which to pay. A memorial brass to the late Rev. W. Cannell has been placed in Whiteley Memorial Church at NeW Plymouth by the relatives of the deceased. It was the wish of Mrs. Cannell that there should be no ceremony in connection with the placing of the memorial in the church. The brass bears the simple inscription: “Tn Memoriam. Rev. William Cannell, 1836-1921. For 40 years an active minister and for 20 years an associate minister of this church. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” The memorial lias been placed on the eastern wall of the building near to that erected to the memory of the late Mr. Edward Okey. “There is no doubt,” said Mr. F. M. Renner at the secondary schools’ conference, “that here in New Zealand a very definite dialect is springing up which will in time be as characteristic of the country as the Yankee drawl is of America. I am aware that this statement will offend the susceptibilities of quite a number of people who pride themselves on telling visitors to New Zealand that we have no dialect. Nevertheless, we have a dialect of our own — and its characteristics are so distinctive and so widespread that it will soon be very difficult to eradicate them.” Discussing appointments for the hearing of cases, Mr. Justice Reed announced in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday morning that he would remain in New Plymouth till the business was cleared up. After going over the list with counsel interested a number of fixtures were made. Undefended divorce cases and some originating summonses will be dealt with on Monday. A defended divorce action will be heard after two criminal cases, which are set down for Tuesday, and this will probably extend the business into Wednesday. Appeals will be argued on Thursday and Friday, and His Honor intimated that these days were open for any jury cases which might be brought on. A number of cases were left in abeyance in view of possible settlements. The following were adjourned till next session:—James Groshinski v. Mary Groshinski £763 7s fid, wages claim; Melba Allen v. Bruce McLellan £571 10s, claim for damages through, collision.

Weather permitting the 4th Wellington Band will give a recital at the Breakwater to-morrow afternoon. At the spiritualists’ church over the U.S.S. Co.’s office, St. Aubyn Street, on Sunday at 7 p.m., the speaker will be Mr, Howard and the subject: “Followed by Spirit Messages.” Meetings will be held on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. In connection with troop reorganisation in connection with the New Plymouth Boy Scouts the services of Mr. B. Blackball as a scoutmaster are being retained by the association in order to utilise them in the central troop.

The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., wish to draw clients’ attention to their Stratford sale, which they are holding in their Stratford yards on Tuesday, 23rd inst., at 1 p.m. Full particulars of entries will be found on page 8 of this issue. Martin and Co.’s furniture sale in Devon Street continues to attract shoppers, who are expecting big savings by reason of the drastic cut in prices in all departments. The sale will be continued for another week, and householders will find genuine bargains galore. Messrs. H. Derby and Co., local Ford dealers, have received word of another drop in the price of Ford vehicles. The new prices are advertised in their advertisement. Some remarkable blouse bargains are the attraction at Morey’s to-day. Ladies are reminded that early inspection is necessary in order to secure maximum satisfaction. At the Foresters’ Hell, Stratford, on Thursday evening, Mr. H. Howard held a very successful meeting under the auspices of the New Plymouth Spiritualists’ Church. Mr. Norton, of Midhirst. presided. Considering the counter attraction of two other important meetings, there was a large and enthusiastic audience. Over 20 new members were promisd. Mr. Howard spoke on the teachings and \ philosophy of Spiritualisu.. Several test readings and spirit messages were given at the close of the address.

Al] South African War veterans are invited to attend the annual re-union at Kawaroa Park on Empire Day. Details of the function will be found in our advertising columns.