LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A severe electrical storm passed over New Plymouth in the early hours of yesterday morning. The storm seemed to come up from the south and pass .over to the north, and the vivid flashes of lightning and the reverberating crashes of thunder were sufficient to awaken many residents. The lightning interfered with the electric power supply and the town was in darkness for a few hours. The Education Board staff have commenced the erection of the two class rooms and cloak room on the Fitzroy school site, which are to form the nucleus of the new building ultimately to be erected. It is hoped the new rooms will be available for use after the Christmas holidays.

■Speaking at Hawera on Friday Mr. L. A. Bone, who has just returned from a trip to America and England, gave an interesting account of how the people lived in America, and detailed the scenes in cafetarias, restaurants, cabarets, cafes, automats (where one helped oneself and there were no waiters). The food was good in all these places, and they were noted for their efficiency and quickness. The dancing at the cabarets he did not think was in any way objectionable, and they were different from what he had been led to expect. The home life of the Americans seemed to 'be drifting away; there were so many of these places in ’Frisco —about 1000 —where meals were served. Then there was the grocetaria, where every one passed along and helped himself, paying at the office as he left the building. Again there was the “pigly-wigly,” where all sorts of cooked and uncooked food was sold. He found that these various food establishments existed all over the United States, and were very popular.—Star. Professor C. A. Chant, professor of astrophysics at Toronto University, told an Auckland Star reporter the other day Niagara that no definite scientific pronouncement concerning the effect of the eclipse observations on the Einstein theory would be possible for a considerable period—-probably six months—as the photographic plates had to be measured with such very great care. That in itself would take some months and after that there would be the mathematical computations which would also take a considerable time. To enable the measurements to be made a micrometer eyepiece is used with the microscope, but even with this aid the human factor comes in and the measurements have to be made over and over again. It requires the most infinite care and skill to get the exact distance from the centre of one little speck on the plate to the centre of the next. It does not mean simply one measurement. The plates will be turned all ways, and measured backwards and forwards so as to eliminate all possibility of error. In addition to testing the Einstein theory there are other points about the eclipse to be considered, but never before has so much labour and skill been bestowed on the apparatus used in connection with this predicted change in tko relative positions of the stars. The annual conference of the New Zealand Veterans’ Association was held in Hastings last week, Colonel Goring, of Hastings, presiding over the following delegates: Veterans W. Y. Dennett and W. Heslop (Hastings), R. Tingey (Wellington), S. Neale (Wairarapa), Adlam and Billing (New Plymouth), Major F. W. Garner (Gisborne), Captain G. A. Preece (New Zealand Cross), and J. A. Carson (Manawa tn). Major Lomax (Wanganui). The chairman, in his welcome to the delegates, traversed the early history of the Maori War. Sir Andrew Russell was present, and, in reply to references to his political candidature, replied that he looked upon himself as a connecting link between those who had fought in the early wars and those who fought more recently. The annual report presented to the meeting stated that seventy-one Maori War veterans had died during the past year. The total number of Maori War pensions originally was 1791; of that number 1091 had since died, and the : total alive to-day stood at 700. It was decided to hold future conferences at Palmerston North as being more central. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, V'scount Jellicoe; vice-president, Major 11. A. Lomax; secretary, Major E. W. Garner. Major Garner was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services during the year. The membership of the various 'branches was reported to be as follows, the figures in parentheses representating the | deaths during the year:—Gisborne 25 (1), Hastings 12, Manawatu 12 (1, Mas* terton 5, New Plymouth 02(10), Wanganui 26 (5), Wellington 36 (9). Dinner was partaken of in the evening, Captain Preece presiding. Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Third and Fourth Groups) are notified that subscriptions will be duo and payable today (Monday), Nov. 6, at the Secretary’s Office, Currie Street from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.—Advt.

Miss Newton-Smith, Dr. Scholl’s special representative from London, is at present in New Plymouth, and may be consulted free at the New Zealand Clothing Factory boot department until to-morrow (Tuesday), the 7th. This affords a splendid opportunity to all sufferers to have expert advice, and remedial appliances fitted if necessary. Intending callers are advised to make time appointments. ’Phone 282, New Zealand Clothin® Factory, New Plymouth.*

“I am always doubtful about giving probation to Maoris if they go back to their tribes,” commented Mr. Justice Reed in the Wellington Supreme Court on Monday, when sentencing prisoners. “They are inclined to think that they have won their case.”

Coogee Beach, where the sharks killed two bathers last season, is to be made the safest in Sydney by the erection of a. steel shark-proof net across the bay. Provision will be made for a guarded outlet for fishermen’s boats.

“Zamiel,” in the Auckland Star,” remarks that a dear old lady who saw “Othello” during the week was very much interested in Cassio’s outburst about drink: “O God, that men should put an enemy to their mouths to steal away their brains.” She thought it awfully clever«of the Prohibitionists to have got this passage put in.

The Nemesis which seems to follow the Hapsburgs has shown its hand again in the collapse of the Palffy Bank of Budapest with a deficit of 500,000,000 kronen. The former Empress’ Zita had 5,000,000 kronen on deposit in the bank, all of which is lost. The owner of the bank is the scion of a prominent and aristocratic family, and closely related to Countess Palffy, formerly lady-in-waiting to the Empress Zita. The depositors were mostly aristocrats of Christian and Nationalist tendency, who wished to avoid patronising Jewish bankers.

The General Manager of Railways (Mr. R. W. McVilly) addressed a meeting of farmers at Taihape last week, when he was asked a number of questions relating to freights on farm produce (states the Manawatu Standard). In reply to a question why the freight on a truck of timber was £7 less than on a truck of wool he said that the low rate had been allowed on timber many years ago with the object of preventingfarmers burning aft’ the valuable timber and encouraging them to rail it to ports. They also had to consider the value of wool as compared with the value of timber, neither of which would be worth very much if they could not get railage to the ports. Cream was also being carried at a nominal rate, which did not pay. If there was a uniform freight rate for all classes of goods, there would then be some goods which could not be railed. He pointed out that increases in the rates since 1914 were only 33 1-3 per cent, which was the lowest rate of increase in the world.

■Little Barrier Island, is considered by Mr. R. P. Greville, Commissioner of Crown Lands for North Auckland, to be a valuable national asset. It is, he states, an ideal place for a bird sanctuary, and it should be jealously guarded. Bird-life is very plentiful on the island, and, although when Mr. Greville paid a visit recently the day was not a good one for birds to be on the move, many pigcans, makomako (bell birds),, kakariki, native robins, fantails," tuis, and tomtits were seen, the makomako being particularly plentiful. The object of Mr. Greville’s visit was to report on the kauri gum deposits on the island, repeated applications having been made to the Government for the right to collect kauri gum there (states the New Zealand Herald)‘ The island contains approximately 7000 acres, and is of a rough, hilly nature, the highest point reaching an altitude of 2400 ft. The only landings are near the south-west cornel, where "there is a rough boulder bank, about 200 yards wide and extending for a distance of over a mile. The island is all bush-clad, with several fine clumps of kauri.

Farmers, farm workers, and workers in general will appreciate’ the offer made by W. T. Hookham, men’s wear specialist, New Plymouth. Having secured from the manufacturers a line of hardwearing saddle tweed trousers in dark grey, Hookham’s are prepared to forward same to any address, postage paid, for 16/fi per pair. Men will be studying their own interests by securing one or more pairs of these trousers, specially and strongly made for the Taranaki wearer. Hookhams advt. on the top of the first column of page 4 gives full particulars.

A meeting of importance to those holding land under the West 'Coast Settlement Reserves Act, will be held in the Opunake Town Hall to-morrow afternoon.

When a business finds an ever increasing demand for its goods and this is supplemented by many complimentary remarks from the general public, it has to look around and find more space to carry on the good work. Messrs Besley’s Ltd. have found themselves in this predicament. Day after day the ladies and gentlemen of New Plymouth are demanding the good service of this firm, and the ladies’ costumes department is getting an unprecedented run. In other words, the business has outgrown the expectations of the management. However, there is always a way out of any difficulty in this world, and Messrs Besley’s Ltd. have overcome the trouble by taking additional premises further up the street on the other side of Devon Street, just below the Post Office.. “The Don” is a very suitable name for the new store, as it is expected that several of the men of New Plymouth will ‘get the habit’ of donning the ‘good value clothing’ that will be offered to the public at prices within the reach of all. It has to be admitted that prices are falling, and any new enterprise is able to pass on the benefits to the general public, thus laying the foundation of a prosperous and popular business. “The Don” opens this morning, at 9 o’clock, and will be under the control of Mr. Townsley. The tailoring department will still be carried on at the old premises (just above the Union Bank of Australia) and Mr. Besley will continue to oonttfol and supervise this important department. The showroom will be replete with the latest styles in ladies’ costumes and tailored suits. Special fitting-rooms are being prepared, and nothing will be left undone which will make the service rendering power of this establishment second to none in Taranaki.

“Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap is the great discovery of the age, and before long will be in the home of every up-to-date housekeeper in Australiasia. It does its work cleanly and effectively. Besides that, it is the most economical in use, makes the clothes beautifully snow-white without the slightest injury and leaves the hands beautifully soft and smooth. Be sure and give it a trial. All grocers have it.

The best value in Stratford in cotton dress fabrics is offered at Amesbury’s—materials that make up becomingly, are light and airy and very attractive. You will surely find a pattern and colour to suit you. Prices are low and are mentioned in Amesbury’s new advertisement in this issue. Mr. C. <E. Bellringer will speak at Tataraimaka schoolhouse to-night and at Burford Road on Tuesday evening.