LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A motorist reports thfft the roads between New Plymouth and Wanganui are at present in very good order, and this condition is not confined to Taranaki. Probably the roughest is that untarred stretch between Eltham and Stratford, that’ is, so far as the surface is concerned.

At yesterday’s sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, the case of James Groshinski versus Mary Groshinski. for £763 7« 6d. as wages was struck out owing tn the non-appearance of the plaintiffs. The defendant, for whom Mr. C. H. Croker appeared, made a counter claim for the taking of accounts.

The New Plvmouth Borough Council last night decided to inform the Stratford Borough Council that it was not possible to supply Stratford. with electric power owins to the intervening county beintr under the jurisdiction of the Power Board, and to suggest that application be made to the Power Board.

The Community Club is very popular with the senior cadets, and after last night’s parade the maioritv stayed behind to enjoy the hospitality offered and to amuse themselves with the gramanhone and games provided for their entertainment. The hostesses this week, wore Mrs. T. C. List and Mrs. A. R. Standish, and thev were assisted by a band of willing lady-helpers.

The export of pedigree Friesian cattle from New Zealand to Australia has developed into an important business in recent years. A valuable bull was shipped* for Adelaide yesterdav bv Messrs. Marchant and Sons, of Cardiff. This animal was the two-year-old bull Coldstream Colantha. King, whose dam. Colantha Princess, had a record of 509 lb. of butter-fat at 2 years. The dam of Colantha Princess had a record of RIO lb. The sire was Woodcrest Netherland Prince, whose dam had two consecutive records averaging over 600 lb. of fat in ten months. The grand-dam was at one time the world’s champion senior two-vear-old with a record of 805 lb. of fat at that. age. The purchaser was Mr. Butterfield, who has a valuable stud with high records at Adelaide.

Some details of a power scheme evolved by Mr. B. Horner, of Stratford, were given to a Daily News reporter vesterdav- Mr. Horner stated: A point about this scheme is that, even without including th- Waingongoro stream a sufficient supplv of water can be obtained from the Patea river to generate 2300 h.p. or 4600 h.p. on a 50 ner cent, load factor. Two lakes can be constructed, one of 100 acres and another of 900 acres, in swamp land which is now praeticallv useless, and which would give a considerable reserv : of water in the dry season. The main feature, however, is that a power-station situated as stated is eminently suited for supplying Patea, Hawera. Manaia. Kaponga. Eltham. Stratford, Toko and Douglas, all at moderate distances in three directions from the central point.

At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council a circular was received from the Department of Internal Affairs enclosing an appeal from the Lord Mayor of London for the Mansion House Fund in aid of the London Hospitals. The appeal was forwarded through the High Commissioner (Sir James Allen. K.C.8.) and Cabinet decided to leave the matter in the hands nf the mayors nf cities and b—ohohs for such consideration and individual action as thev saw fit. The department asked that, any money raised be paid into the public account at the Bank of New Zealand. when it would be remitted free of charge to the Lord Mayor through the High Commissioner on the deposit slip being forwarded to the department. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) pointed out that the time was hardly opportune to make an anpeal in the borough, and it was decided to take no action in the matter. An appeal from Mr. Clutha Mackenzie. M.P., on behalf of -the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, was similarly dealt with. When addressing the jury at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday in an action for damages for alleged misrepresentation in the sale of a farm Mr. R- H. Onilliam. who appeared for the plaintiff, drew attention to some remarks that had been made by His Honor and counsel, and which had been reported and commented on in the local press with reference to previous actions having a similar basis. It had been stated that these actions were, in many cases, the result of purchases during the boom years and the slump in dairy produce which followed, and that, but for the slump, this class of case, which was very rare, would not be heard of. Mr. Quilliam said he wished to challenge these statements on the grounds that they were not applicable to the case under review, and that they referred principally to land in South Taranaki, which was very much higher priced than that in the northern part of the province. As to this class of action being rare, he added that such eases were 5 as common as could be, and the law reports would show that for hundreds of years claims for alleged misrepresentation in connection with the sale of property had been quite common, and there were innumerable cases of a’ similar character reported. It costs three-eighths of a penny to one penny per dozen to preserve Eggs in Sharland’s “Mpa” Brand Egg Preservative. Sold in Small Tins to preserve 14doz. eggs, i-gak tins OOdoz.. 1gal. tins ISOdoz. and 4-gal. tins 720d0z. It cbeaj?. ” "

The retail price of sugar was reduced by New Plymouth grocers as from, yesterday 5s 6d per bag for cash. The price is now 30s a bag. Clematis is blooming unusually early and prolifically this season. The Maoris regard this circumstance as indicating a favorable and good spring and summer.

There are 7882 names on the main roll of the Taranaki electoral district. The 1919 main roll contained 7950 names and the supplementary roll brought the number up to 9701, leas 787 struck off subsequent to printing, leaving the nett number 8014.

“If you’ve got no bottom to your purse you can turn the farm topsyturvey in six years, but if you have a bottom to your purse you can only do it bit by bit. And those of the latter class make the best farmers.” Such were the observations of an elderly witness in a farming case at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday. “And you were happier on Is Id for your but ter-fat than you were with 2a *2d and more-” suggested Mr. Justice Chapman to Mr. A. Morton, president of the National Dairy Association, while the latter was giving evidence at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday concerning butter-fat and prices. Mr. Morton smiled. “Yes, I think we were,” he agreed. The members of the New Plymouth Male Choir left by the mail train yesterday morning for Wellington to take part in the male choir contest in connection with the competitions now being held in Wellington. The only other competitor in the contest is the Palmerston North Orphans’ 'Society. The male quartette contest also takes place this evening, there being four entries in this class.

“Frankly, we don’t want to turn down Mr. Dowiie’s request, but if people go up Robe Street and miss Marsland Hill they deserve to go to the gaol,” said hie Worship the Mayor, amidst laughter at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. Mr. Downe s work in connection with Marsland Hill was highly commented on by councillors, but it was decided to take no action in regard to his suggestion that, as some people missed the reserve and went on to the gaol, a sign-post be placed in the street referred to indicating the route to the hill.

As there is at present only one tenant in the Fitzroy Hall, Mr. R. Day, borough inspector, asked last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council for authority to commence dismantling so that the hall might again be used for its normal purposes. He suggested also that the fittings he sold in lots by auction. The report added that there was at present a handy shed with a copper at the hall which, if left, would add greatly to its usefulness. It was decided to give the remaining tenant one month's notice to quit and to agree to the inspector’s suggestions re the fittings and the copper.

Permission to hold a series of trials and competitions over the roads under the control of the Taranaki County Council was applied for by the New Plymouth Motor Cycle Club at yesterdays meeting of the Council. The letter continued: “With your permission we intend to run these trials on Saturday afternoons or on public holidays during the coming summer. We will use only by-roads, and -will take particular care to study the convenience and the safety of the public using the roads.” The application did not find favor with councillors, and the club will be informed that, though not wishing to interfere with their s-port, the council could not see its way to accede to the request. The health of. inhabitants in the Taranaki County for the quarter ended June 30 last was reporteel on -by the inspector of health .(Mr. F. Swindells) in a communication received at yesterday’s meetino- of the County Council. During the period four eases of infectious diseases were notified, this being 8.7 per cent, of the total cases in the hospital district during the period. Of these cases, one was scarlet fever, two diphtheria, and one infantile paralysis. The necessary precautions were observed in all cases, three having been removed to hospital for treatment. The number of cases, taken on a population basis, are at a rate of 0.-8 per 1000 of population, which is a reduction of 0.61 per 1000 over the preceding quarter, which is very satisfactory-

At a meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council last week, the poundkeeper complained of the inconvenience caused by stock from the Taranaki County being impounded in the New Plymouth pound. One mob of 39 cows were impounded from Okato last week, and tile Borough Council yesterday forwarded to the County Council the fob lowing resolution: —“That the Taranaki County Council be informed that this council feels that the county should establish a public pound in the OakuraOkato end of the county.” The chairman (Cr. J. S. Connett) said this revived the question previously before the counc— as to whether a pound should be established ct Okato. Perhaps the council might reconsider its previous decision, as it seemed hardly fair that the cattle should be brought into the borough pound at New Plymouth. Cr. Morton, whilst admitting the inconvenience, said it was rather questionable whether the council could afford the expense. Cr. Penwarden thought the pound, if established. would support itself. The matter was referred to the chairman and the riding i**embers to report to next meeting.

One night last month a number of motor-cars were left standing unlighted outside the Okato Hall. The county inspector was then in the district and reported to yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki County Council that he had laid information against three car-own-ers as test cases. Some discussion took place among councillors on the subject, it being pointed out that, the practice of leaving unlighted cars near the vicinity of the hall had been in vogue for years without action being taken and that therefore a warning should have been given before proceeding to lay information under the by-law regulations. Eventually it was decided that the prosecutions be proceeded with and that the county Solicitor be instructed to explain to the court that the prosecutions were merely brought to draw public attention to the matter of leaving unlighted cars on the highway and that no penalty be inflicted. Particulars of Rahotu sale are advertised. A quantity of good hous/hold furniture will be offered in addition to the usual stock entry. Spring bulbs are now at their best, the unusually fine spell of weather having brought out the bulbs to perfection. The display of blooms at St. Mary’s Bulb Show on Thursday is expected to be finer than usual, and lovers of spring flowers are assured of a treat. Those who are contributing to the flower or | sweets stall are asked to kindly leave their contributions at the school-room |

Dried fruits should be plentiful next Christmas. Shipments from California will arrive at Auckland by the Hauraki in October and the Waiotapu in December, as well as by intermediate steamer from America. In addition a steamer is to bring cargo direct from Mediterraiiean ports, no doubt including a large quantity of dried fruits. This vessel, the-^Holland- Australian steamer Arendskerk? w is loading this month at Rotterdam, Antwerp, Greece, and Smyrna. She is due about the middle of November.

“One thing which tends to keep up the cost of living,” said Mr. K. S. Williams (Bay of Plenty) in the House of Representatives, the pernicious system of credit dealing which prevails all over New Zealand. As a people we pay cash for our amusements and pleasures, but for necessaiar articles like food and clothing we Jet them charged up if possible, and quit© naturally the tradesman has to add more profit because he does not know when he will be paid, if ever. Jf there could be a universal cash system thy cost of living would go down substantially.” It would be interesting to know the extent of the waste in public expenditure by the use of expensive paper in the past. It must have cost the country thousands of pounds yearly. . Now the Government is showing a disposition to in these matters. For instance, a cheap,thojigh perfectly suitable, paper is being used for telegraph forms, whilst instead of the heavy, expensive foolscap „forms used for Press messages schedules a cheaper paper is used, and a smaller sheet for smaller schedules. The Government is to be commended for its signs of economy in this direction, but there is still considerable scope for economy in other and equally necessary directions.