LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Bruce Woollen Mills Co. recently bought 50 acres for homes for its workers. and already six houses have been erected, and more are to follow; They have been leased at a moderate rental, and the occupant has the right to purchase. The value of a freezing industry to a community was well illustrated in the case of the Patea works. At the annual meeting of shareholders of the company it was stated that last year the amount paid in wages was £33,922. and this year the sum of £22,700 was paid out for the same purpose.

The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society yesterday dis-patched 25.000 strong rainbow trout fry to -stock the large dam which has been created by thf carrying out of the Opunake Power Board’s hydro-electric scheme at Opunake. The rainbow trqut does particularly well in confined waters and these fish" should give good sport in a few years’ time.

Nearly 200 people stayed or partook of meals at the North Egmont house during September—a record for the house for this month. The spell of fine weather, of course, is responsible for the improvement. The house and services have been brought right up-to-date, and a good season is being looked forward to. Last season, on account of the continuous unfavorable weather, proved anything but good. The proposed electric power schemes at Tariki were inspected by the members of the Taranaki Power Board yesterday, the visit being undertaken with a vie’w to coming to a decision as to which scheme should be developed,. Time did not permit of inspection of the Skinner Road or Mr. B. Horner’s scheme, and the tour will be continued on Monday, when, it is expected, a decision will be arrived at.

A monster eel was captured at the mouth of the Waihi river by Mr. A. Muggeiidge on Tuesday, weight 22 lb and length 4ft. Gin. The eel was on view at Messrs. Bennett and Sutton’s, and the skin was then taken off for the purpose of being mounted and added to the Hawera Acclimatisation Society’s collection of trophies. The contents of the stomach showed that the diet was not, as anticipated, trout, but crayfish.—Star. “I have seen the pamphlet and can only say that in my opinion it is unworthy of notice and. beneath contempt,’ was the reply of the Prime Minister in the House on Tuesday when Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked him whether he had seen a pamphlet issued in Auckland by the Rev. G. \V. Smales, a retired Anglican clergyman and organiser for Mr. Hall Skelton, the Liberal candidate for Roskill. The member said the -pamphlet -stated that the 'Reform Government’s land swindles amounted to £350,000,000.

The popularity of rifle shooting among the younger generation of New Plymouth and the surrounding districts is evidenced by the inquiries that are being received at the local Defence Office concerning the area rifle meeting, which is to be held at Rewa Rewa rifle range on Saturday, November 4. The programme has been approved by command headquarters and is now in the hands of the -printers. Prize money ( totalling £3O has beer, allotted for the meeting, and this will probably be largely increased, as all entrance fees, after deducting the cost of printing and incidental expenses, will be added. Free railway warrants will be issued, to all competitors. A eix-days’ continuous course of instruction for A Company of the 4th Battalion. Wellington Regiment, will be held at New Plymouth, commencing on November 20, at 9 a.m. By attending this course the trainee will complete the whole of his training for the year ending May 31, 1923, so that he will have all his evenings and Saturdays free during the summer. The syllabus provides for advanced training in field work, while the musketry course will also be fired. The Employers’ Association of New Plymouth has endorsed the scheme as tending to be of the least inconvenience to business men. Tn addition to the advantage of getting his training ever at one period, the territorial is able to make greater progress to the more interesting part of his training than is possible during the weekly evening drills. On fine days those attending the course will parade at Rewa Rewa rifle range, and. when the weather is inclement, at the Coronation Hall. The daily routine will be from 9 a.m. till noon and from 1.30 to 5. when trainees will return to their homes for (he night. Tea, milk and sugar will be provided free by the regiment for those 'bringing their lunch with them. Similar courses of instruction have been carried out with excellent results at Stratford. Eltham, Patea and other centres in the regimental district. Owing to the unfavorable weather last Saturday no work was done on Baine’s Terrace, but a working bee will be held next -Saturday, the 14th inst. Increased efforts are necessary to keep down the vigorous spring growth.

The fifth anniversary of the commencement of the Passchendaele operations in Flanders fell on Wednesday. In these operations a prominent part was taken by New Zealand troops, and in them many Dominion soldiers fell. The offensive commenced on Oct. 4, 1917, with the Battle of Abraham Heights and Gravenstafel, which resulted in the capture of a large number of prisoners and an advance of about 3000 yards. “A teacher arrives at the height of his teaching powers at 40 years of age, and at 50 years he is beginning to lose his powers,” said Mr. E. C. Banks (Auckland) at the conference of education boards at Wellington. This statement the Minister for Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) denied absolutely and with emphasis. He thought that a man of the age mentioned last was as good physically, mentally, and morally as ever he was. To suggest that a man at 50 years of age was played out was wrong. “Experience counts for much,” the Minister said, “and I consider that a man between 50 and 60 is often at his best.”

The chairman of the Opunake Hospital Committee (Mr. G. W. Rodgers) reported to the last meeting that a conference was held on Thursday between delegates of the board and committee, at which Dr. Watt was present. The question of appointing a medical officer was discussed. Dr. Watt stated he was not prepared to attend maternity cases at the cottage hospital. He recommended that the institution be used for other cases only. The conference agreed that the local committee should decide what cases should be accepted, and forward /its decision to the board. It was unanimously resolved: “This committee is of the opinion that the Opunake Hospital should be used for the purpose which it was built, namely, for maternity and general hospital cases.” The -chairman was authorised to make representations to the Justice Department to a further area of ground for hospital purposes.

A man named -R. W. Thomson was arraigned before the Stratford Court yesterday on a charge of “unlawfully taking or converting a horse to his own use, but not so as to be guilty of theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act df 1908.” 'The offence was alleged to have occurred on February 12 last. The defending counsel (Mr. A. Coleman) that as the information had not been brought within the six months required by the Act, the case was out of court and could not be proceeded with. The police claimed that the information was merely an amendment of a former charge of theft and was therefore in order, but the Bench upheld Mr. Coleman’s contention and dismissed the information. The police then brought the charge of theft against Thomson, who was remanded for a week on bail of £5O.

“There will be no .Motor Bill this session,” stated the Hon. W. Downie Stewart when approached on the subject. ‘‘Private motorists are in favor of paying a tax to ensure good roads, but I belyve that the motor traders are not in agreement with the private motorists on the subject; nor have the private owners of motor-cars consistently adhered to any set of proposals, and there is the other important aspect — that of adjusting the claims of local bodies in regard to the prospective revenue. The last problem will probably involve a conference of the local authorities with the Government. With so many unsettled factors it seems impossible to bring forward a Motor Bill during the present session.” z

The new deviation from Waikari to Mohaka, on the Napier-Gisborne road, a distance of about 12 miles, is a well-graded road with an excellent surface, the winter traffic having consolidated the metal splendidly. Roller and grader have been used to good advantage, and the result is one of the finest stretches of road on the East Coast, declares the Wairoa Star. An average of forty men has been employed on the road during the two years or so it has taken to construct. The road has cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of £48,000. The minimum width is ISft and the maximum grade 1 in 20. The work on the new Mohaki bridge is going on rapidly, although frequent freshes in the river have hampered the men considerably. The two piers on the northern side are completed, and work is now being concentrated on the two big concrete cylinders which are Ibeing sunk in the middle of the river to a depth of 20ft. They will be filled in and the bridge piers will then be built. The bridge will, be about 30ft above flood level. At the Napier end the concrete \Vork is going on well, all the timber is on the spot, and the carpentry work Of preparing the timber is well under way. A considerable amount of work has been done on the wooden framework of the bridge. It is confidently anticipated that the bridge will be ready for traffic by the end of December next. This evening an address will be given to the New Plymouth Accountants’ and Students’ Society by the president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce (Mr. T. C. List), on “Some Things that Matter.” Che first new potatoes of the season (Arran Chief) from forward seed, made 54d per lb at Webster Bros.’ fruit and produce sale yesterday. Ladies should call and inspect the new cream dress materials at Morey’s. They make a very beautiful display at this popular fashion centre, and are most reasonably priced.

On page 8 of this issue will be found the sale advt. of pedigree Jersey yearling bulls, tp be held at Blenheim on Thursday, October 26, 1922, by the N.Z. .Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., on account of Charles Goulter, Esq., of Hawkesbury, Blenheim. Mr. Goulter’s herd is 'well known to all Jersey breeders, and intending buyers can include in their visit a day at the Blenheim Show, the sale being held on the day following People’s Day. Catalogues of sale are obtainable from all offices of the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd. The thrifty man is ever on the lookout for chances to procure his requirements in the way of clothing at reasonable prices consistent with goodwearing qualities. Here’s just such a chance for you. N. B. Howell, clothing specialist, announces the arrival of a special line of men’s light rainproof coats, which are priced vijry moderately at 45/- each. You are well advised to take advantage of this wonderful offer and see this line to-day. Don’t, forget it is N. B. Howell’s for value in men’s wear.

Particulars of a clearing sale, to be held at Kaimata on Friday next, on account of Messrs. Clifford Bros., are advertised in our auction columns. The herd consists of over GO young cows, mostly in milk. There is also a full range of farm implements and machinery, included in which is a four-cow Ridd milking plant in first-class order. Buyers of dairy cows and implements should attend this sale. Attention is drawn to an announcement in another column in regard to the reduced prices for Ford cars! The rates for these well-known motor vehicles are now much below pre*war level.