LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

No objections were lodged against namea being on the Taranaki roll for the approaching general election and licenaing poll. In connection with the recent purchase by Messrs. Hadley and McDonald of the oil wells at New Plymouth, it is reported that several thousand gallons of oil will be shipped to Sydney during the next few days. The annual sittings of the TaranakiWanganui District Synod of the Methodist Church take place at Wanganui next week, the ministerial session opening on Tuesday and the general session on Wednesday. The Rev. W. J. Elliott leaves on Monday to attend the meetings. At dead low water the Union Company’s overseas cargo steamer Waihemo (5627 tons) was berthed at New Plymouth last evening, on the departure of the New Zealand ‘Shipping Company’s Otaki, for Sydney direct. The Waihenio was drawing 16ft. 7in. forward and 18ft. 7 in. aft., which is the deepest draught of a ship brought in at low water. The Otaki, when she left the harbor, was drawing 15ft. 3in. forward and 18ft. Sin. aft. Mr. Percival Witherby, Hon. Dominion Organiser of the Boy Scouts’ Association, remarked yesterday to a News’ representative that he was surprised to hear sometimes that the sea scouts was supposed to be a separate organisation. “Thia is not so," said Mr. Witherby. “The sea scouts movement is a very important and valuable branch of the Boy Scouts’ Association, and is part of the work which the association is endeavoring to carry on.” A big ealp of second-hand timber and iron will be held at the Haymarket toTO&rraw. Sfc» aAvt.

“Mr. Massey is coming later on into this district to talk to the intelligent people, but you also can come if you dike!” was Mr. Potter’s retort to one unfortunate heckler at Auckland the other evening.

“All my business life I have spent more money for advertising whenever a business slump catne along than in normal times and if I didn’t get ahead in the race I kept from slipping back and was in a position to shoot ahead of iny competitors the moment conditions changed.”—Cyrus C. K. Curtis, owner of the Saturday Evening Post.

“You see, Auckland has been having rather a good time,” said Mr. F. Cooper, in the Arbitration Court in Wellington, when the provisions of the Auckland engineers’ award, were under discussion. “They have been having some good wrecks up there, and they have become a bit reckless.” “Oh, I see, and. in Wellington they are wreckless in the other sense,” replied Mr. Justice Frazer. Mr. W. D. Adnams, the Independent candidate for Manukau, in opening his campaign stated that he was a New Zealander by birth and a public school teacher by profession, that he believed he was the youngest candidate now seeking Parliamentary honours, having just celebrated his 22nd anniversary, and that he would exercise the franchise for the first time on December 7.

At the Palmerston North Gjrls’ High School last week, during the course of a general knowledge examination, a girl was asked to write down what she considered a “court-martial” was (states the Manawatu Times). The written reply was: “A court martial is the man who takes care of the court, and when anyone makes a qoise he calls out ‘Silence!’” This was not the only “howler” revealed in the papers returned.

The Weatoftn Progressive Association has been advised by the Taranaki Education Board that the department has authorised the board to exercise its option over the Westown site for the new school, and that negotiations are in progress. At a mee+ing of the association last night, various schemes were discussed whereby the Westown people could assist the board in its purchase, but, owing to the small attendance, final consideration was deferred, pending a general meeting to be held, as soon as possible. During the past week or ten days it has become patent to land and estate agents in Wellington that money has become easier. ‘Some more or less mysterious influence which has pulled the purse-strings tight and double knotted them for a couple of years past, has eased the knots, and allowed one to peep at the wealth within. At any rate, . money, only available for gilt-edged securities, is actually being offered for first mortgages, not alone on city property, but on broad acres—and that at per cent. One city land agent informed a Dominion reporter that he had been able to float a big mortgage on farm lands during the past week, and knew there was money offering for similar investments.

Several dairy -companies have approached Mr. O. Hawken, M.P., with complaints concerning the rates of bank exchange on London. Mr. Hawken has obtained the following information on the subject from the secretary of the Treasury. Money can ibe remitted from London by telegraph at 25s per cent, or by post at 17s Gd per cent. If the bank is required to purchase in Wellington bills on London, they will be discounted at 35s per cent, on demand. There appears to be some variation of these rates, but dairy companies should see that the rates they pay are relatively the same. A settler in the ißahotu district met with an alarming experience recently. He had been sitting down with his family and left his chair to get something from the next room. On his return he was in the act of removing his chair preparatory to reoccupying it when there was a peal of thunder, a flash of lightning, and. a splash on the floor where the chair had been as if molten lead had dropped. The electric discharge, for that was what it was, jurit missed him. Had he not moved a minute or two before he must have received the full shock, with fatal results. It was a very close call. A peculiar coincidence is that about thirtyfive years ago the same settler was standing alongside his horse near where the Opunake saleyards are now situated when there was an electric discharge alongside him. The horse was killed outright, and he escaped with a slight shock. (Evidently the settler was not born to be killed by lightning!

•Record figures in butter production in the Auckland province continue to be established week after week. The highest weekly return of butter for export yet received at the Farmers’ Freezing Company’s grading stores was made for the week endel November 15, during which 45,320 boxes were received. The previous record for one week was made at the peak of last season, when for the week ended January 14, 1922, 39,166 boxes were received for export. During the current season to November 15 the quantity of butter received for grading totalled 442,122 boxes. To the end of (November, 1921, the output for that season was 384,164. At the present rate of production by the end of this month the output will be swelled to approximately 530,000 boxes, giving a margin of increase for this season of approximately 146,000 boxes.

Weather permitting, there will be a band recital at the East End Reserve tonight, at 7.45 p.m. The collection will be in ai-d of the East End Reserve funds.

“Quite captivating,” sums up the new blouses at Morey’s. Ladies of particular taste will find the display everything that “captivating” implies—new delightful materials, latest styles, and moderate prices. See these blouses at Morey’s early.

Residents of Rahotu and district avticipate a very interesting ceremony on Sunday next, when the soldiers’ memorial will be unveiled by the Ven. Archdeacon Evans. The New Plymouth Military Band has kindly promised to assist, and a considerable number of returned soldiers from New Plymouth have intimated their intention of being present. The general public are cordially invited to be present, and a special invitation is given to relatives of fallen soldiers and to returned men.

The Farmers’ Co-op. advertise in this issue particulars of a sale of cows, etc., they arc holding to-morrow on behalf of Mr. John Twigg, of Tariki.

The Melbourne, Ltd., have opened up several new numbers in the famous and popular D. and A. Corsets. These are t.ll in the newest shapes to‘ suit al', figures, and are also extremely moderately priced, from 6/11 to 27/6. See window display.