LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The danger of children procuring matches was demonstrated at Awatuna on Wednesday, when three little hoys about 4 years of age were playing in a shed half full of straw at the rear of Mr. Lind’s store, which they set on fire. In a few minutes the whole building was ablaze, but willing helpers soon had the fire under control. The fowlhouse and about 40 eords of firewood, to which the fire spread, were saved, but a shed containing a gig and other material was completely destroyed. Further important transactions in connection with land in the business portion of New Plymouth are reported, the latest being “Pellew’s Corner,” at the intersection of Devon and Liardet Streets, which has been sold on behalf of the trustees of the Standish estate. The property, which has a frontage of 21ft. flin. to Devon Street, is reported to have changed hands in the vicinity or £2OO per foot. Messrs. L. A. Nolan and Co. also report having sold to Messrs. H. Collier and Co. the business site at present occupied by Bruce and Feakins in Currie Street. The purchase price is not disclosed. It is understood that Messrs. Collier intend to commence building operations shortly. “What is the average life of one of these houses?” asked Mr, A. M- Mow* lem, S.M., when, a. valuer was giving evidence at the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday. “The oldest houses are the best,” replied the witness. "The early settlers put good timber into them and built them to last. There is a house at the corner of Devon and Eliot Streets which is 70 year's old and which has just been painted, and it looks as good as when it was built,” he added, fie estimated that well-built wooden houses would last about sixty years. “I understand that in Auckland.” Mr. Mowlem interposed, “that the builders there give 60 years as the life of good wooden houses —that is those intended as homes, not some of the flimsy constructions of later days.”

A meeting of the New Plymouth Pierrots was held on Wednesday, Mr. H. Brookman presiding. The treasurer (Mr. IV. Mace) presented the balance-sheet in connection with the recent effort on behalf of the unemployed. The total receipts amounted to £l3lB 12s Id, and of this sum £1237 0s 9d has been paid into the unemployed fund, the total expenses only amounting to £Bl Ils 4d. The result is particularly gratifying, and the Pierrots are to *e heartily congratulated. They have again shown that when they launch a campaign to raise funds their policy is to do so at a minimum of expense. In this last effort the percentage of expenses is very small.

The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting of the council yesterday, decided to draw the attention of the Northern Steam Ship Company to the time taken by the Rimu on the journey to and from Onehunga. and to ask the company to expedite the return of the Rarawa on the run. One member stated that whilst in Howers the other day it Was pointed out to him that a passenger for Auckland catching the 1 o’clock service car to New Plymouth and sailing bv the Rimu that afternoon would arrive in Auckland about five to six hours later than if lie caught the service car that leaves for Marton at the same hour. It had to be remembered that the calculations were based on the exceptionally fine weather we have been having, for the Rimu did the trip from the breakwater to 'Onehunga in 19 hours IS minutes on Saturday and 19 hours 20 minutes on Tuesday night. It would not he reasonable, he remarked, to expect this speed of nearly seven knots in rough weather. A social gathering was held by the New Plymouth branch of the Protestant Political Association at Whitley Hall yesterday afternoon. Several stalls had been tastefully arranged, those in charge being: Produce, Mesdames Dolby and Peat; sweets. Mrs. and Miss MeCrorie; flowers. Miss Mace. Afternoon tea was dispensed, those in charge being Misses Evans and Taunt. In the evening a concert was held, at which the president of the branch (Mr. .1. O. Taylor) presided. A varied and enjoyable programme was submitted, to which the following contributed items: Mrs. Stuart Russell (elocutionary item). Miss Cooper (song), Messrs. K. Ward (pianoforte solo and song), 11. L. Cooper and Lawrence (songs), Bosworth (flute solo), and Commandant. Middlemiss (elocutionary item). During the evening short addresses on the work of the association were delivered by the president (Mr. Taylor) and vice-president (Mr. R. C. Hughes). At the conclusion of the concert a. hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers, a similar compliment being paid the ladies who had so successfully organised the two gatherings.

Visitors to New Plymouth are always struck with the excellent taxi service in the town, it being .generally recognised throughout the Dominion that for general appearance and comfort the type of car used in this service here cannot be surpassed anywhere in the Dominion. The reputation that the town lias gained will be still further added to, as Mr. H. Snelling, so well and favorably known in the motor business throughout Taranaki, has just landed from America, through Newton King, Ltd., the very latest 7-seater Hudson Super Six. It is ‘indeed a handsome model, with its dark blue enamel body. It is fitted with every latest improvement for the comfort of the traveller, the engine being silent running and the car being so sorting as to move with perfect smooth*

tr-ss. Mr. Snelling is well known as a careful and reliable driver, and a ring to ’nhbne 937 will place this car at the command of any person, no matter Ii- w long or how short tiie journey. At the. same garage a 7-seater Chandler is also available, driven by Mr. Kendrick, who is also well and favorably known. Parties wishing to visit the mountain and other points of interest should ring ’phone 937. as Messrs. Snelling and Kendrick intend making a specialty or the tourist traffic. With fine weather and longer days the joys of motoring appeal to all after hours of office work, etc. The keen prices of petrol and tyres offered by Messrs. George and Julian, King Street, make motoring cheap, therefore a pleasure. A few motor bargains are*advertised by this firm in to-day’s issue.

Another substantial drop in the price of Ford ears and trucks is announced in our advertising columns. These ears are now back to pre-war price, the old price of the then fully equipped car being noticeable in the list. For those who want the very latest in equipment the latter is provided, while for the man with the slender purse the same car may be had less a few luxuries.

The operations of the New Plymouth Beautifying Society on the last occasion comprised cleaning’ up the slope between the Carrington Road and the Huatoki south of Vivian Street bridge, and further work on the slope between Miss Baker’s hospital and the Carrington Road. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer kindly entertained the workers at afternoon tea. Work will be resumed to-morrow at one o’clock. When at Pio Pio on Friday last, Mr. W. T. Jennings had a conversation with the chairman of directors of the Aria Dairy Company as to how the new factory, which was opened by the member on August 23 last, was getting on. This new factory cost £7200, and is quite an up-to-date factory. The output of ‘butter at the first year of working was ten tons. The output this year will be over 220 tons. The company is a co-operative concern, and the suppliers who live, the furthest away from the factory only pay as much for the cartage of cream as those living close to the factory. The factory obtained first prize for its exhibit of butter at the late winter show at Hamilton. “There is going to be a very serious accident one of these days,” said Inspector R. Day at the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday during the hearing of a case where the defendant was charged with driving his motor car past a tram car which had stopped to pick up and set down passengers. “These cases are very difficult to catch,” he added, “as 'they can occur over a widespread area, in fact, the twhole length of the tramway from Fitzroy to the Breakwter. If it is a case of unlighted telMbles we know where the bulk of the traffic is, and we can easily get round and have a look at them, but an inspector must be on the spot to catch persons driving past stationary tramcars.” His Worship inflicted a fine of £ 1 with fosts 7/-. Is it true that soldier-farmer Crown tenants cannot buy grass-seed, except from one particular firm in Auckland? asked Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitoino), without notice, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie: Absolutely, it is not so. He added that if the ordinary channels were open to the soldier-settlers, the department did not interfere. But it was necessary to ensure that good value was got -for money advanced by the Government to buy grass-seed, etc., and certain safeguards bad to be adopted to secure that. A special meeting of the Taranaki Women Teachers’ Association will be held at the Central School, New Plymouth, at 2 p.m. to-morrow, when an address will be given by Dr. Gunn, medical inspector of schools. Those who have promised donations to the jumble stall at St. Mary’s sale of work to-day are asked to send them to the Sunday School this morning. Newton King, Ltd., announce a sale of surplus pedigree Jersey stock on behalf of Mr. Claude H. Weston. Further entries are being accepted. See advertisement. Ladies, come and see the lovely new underwea’’ at the Melbourne, Ltd. The goods compile camilawn, white silk, Fuji silk and fine longcloth nightdresses also in stock in new designs and fabrics. Prices as usual are extremely moderate. Ladies, just think for a moment how “Fairy Wonder” can help you in your home. It will minimise labor and time, in the laundry. It will bleach clothes snowy white without injury. It is extremely economical, being cheaper, bulk for bulk, than other compounds, and will save on your fuel bill. Give it a trial. It’s the greatest household help in existence. Tennis players often find great difficulty in having their racquet re-strung satisfactorily. Often a high price is charged and inferior gut is used, consequently, after the racquet is used a ■while, strings break, and, worse still, the racquet goes out of shape. The best plan is to take the racquet to J. Austin and Son, 85 Devon Street, New Plymouth, who exercise the greatest care in re-stringing, using only the best gut obtainable. English lamb gut is used.