LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Four bankruptcies were recorded in the New Plymouth district during last month, compared with three for the corresponding month of 1921. 'St. Andrew’s Day was observed in New Plymouth yesterday 'by a bank holiday and the flying of the flags on the Government buildings. The number of motor vehicles registered in New Plymouth is 1844. During last month the registrations comprised 16 motor-cars, 10 motor-cycles, 2 motor delivery vans and one motor truck. The liner Middlesex, which arrived at New Plymouth yesterday afternoon io commence Homeward loading, is said to be one of the most expensive vessels in the England-New Zealand service, her construction having cost £750,000. Patrick O Reilly, who was arrested for drunkenness on Wednesday, was convicted and fined 10s and ordered to pay cab hire of 2s 6d at the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Finality was reached in the tenement case, W. J. Shepherd v. R. Lumsden at the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when defendant offered to give up possession by January 15, 1923, an agreement which was accepted by counsel for the plaintiff. The membership of the Methodist Church of the Taranaki district stands at 2324, and is an increase on last year of .132. The denomination has throughout the district 56 churches, 37 other preaching places, 18 schoolrooms, 21 parsonages; ministers and probationers 16, Home missionaries 8, deaconess 1, local preachers BS.

The Taranaki-Wanganui Methodist Synod ended its session at Wanganui yesterday.

For a casual position in a manufactory at Hawera there were no less than 46 applicants.

“My position is something like that of Micawber,” explained a defendant in a tenement case to the Magistrate at New Plymouth yesterday, “but while Micawber never tried or worried 1 have been both trying and worrying.” The allusion , prompted the Magistrate to remark that the proceedings, by their length, were also assuming a Dickensian character.

“May I ask that bail be renewed?” asked counsel of His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday, when the further hearing of the charges against the accused men was adjourned till the morning. “I never consent, to that,” replied His Honor. “At least, I never consent unless there are very strong reasons Winy I should do so. I should suppose that every counsel in New Zealand knew that,” he added. “Belle of Friesland,” the second best cotv in Mr. C. H. Steadman’s herd of Friesians, having just completed her milking period, has a remarkable record, under semi-official test, to her credit. She produced in 365 days, 21,'5291b of milk of an average test of 3.81 b fat, and a total output of 8'22.67 lb. of butter-fat. This, states the Northern Advocate, will entitle her to be the champion butter-fat cow of the Auckland province. Tenders are about to be called by the Wellington Harbour Board for what will be the largest, and certainly the strongest, wharf store. This is the shed which is- to cover the major part of the new Pipitea wharf. It will be the first steel and reinforced concrete shed to be erected on any wharf • in Wellington, and as the Pipitea Wharf itself is of reinforced concrete, the two structures will be one complete and con. crete whole. Eighteen months is the period allowed for construction. The shedi's to be 760 ft. long by 107 ft wide, as measured between the centres of the corner colums, with a height in'hie to the underside of the ties of about 24ft. A young man named George Coxon was drowned at Whananaki Beach Whangarei, recently. At the inquest the evidence showed that Coxon was one of a picnic party bathing at the time of the accident with a girl aged 17, named Lily Jones. The latter got into difficulties and cried for help. Coxon was not a good swimmer, but nevertheless promptly dashed to her rescue, but was unable to battle against the under-tow. John Hamilton plunged in and succeeded in the girl ashore in a state of exhaustion. Meanwhile Coxon had disappeared. The New Plymouth Beautifying Society will to-morrow break new ground, when they intend to cut out useless timber and undergrowth in the plantation adjoining the municipal buildings. This evidently once formed part of the beautiful grounds of the late Henry Weston, who went to much trouble and expense in laying out and planting them. On the western slope there was a small lawn upon which a military band used to play. Now the whole place is an unsightly jungle. If a few citizens will join the four or five voluntary workers it is possible that the place can be put in good order before Christmas. The committee will cease operations about the middle of the month.

Consideration of applications for positions generally provide refreshing variety. At last night’s meeting of the Ngamotu Seaside Resort Co., Ltd., applications for the position of caretaker at the pavilion were received. One applicant, an ex-naval man, forwairded recommendations from Sir Lionel Halsey and Admiral Fawkes, while his discharges were all marked “very good.” Another man, who served in the war and had worked in English mines, submitted a testimonial from a firm of wine merchants. Yet another had served with the Welsh Guards in India and iEgy.pt, besides having been in the South African police. Many of the men were returned soldiers. One was a roadman, whilst another claimed that he was a life long abstainer. After eliminating the single men three names were sorted out and a vote, taken in order to reach a final selection.

For the fourth time within ten days the overseas 'berth at the port of New Plymouth is occupied, the latest arrival being the liner Middlesex, which arrived at the port yesterday afternoon in continuance of Homeward loading. Her allotment from this port comprises ] 0,000 carcases from the Waitara freezing works, 250 carcases from the Inglewood Bacon Co., 2000 boxes of butter and 2250 crates of cheese, all for Avonmouth, 250 crates of cheese for Glasgow, and an unspecified quantity of butter and cheese for London. The Middlesex is expected to be in port till Monday, when the Trematon, at present en route to the port with 500 tons of slag from Texas, will berth. Other overseas vessels due at New Plymouth during the next two weeks include the Taitoa and the Suffolk. ‘The hearing of the charges against James Richard Slight and Charles Arnold Slight for the alleged theft of a Jersey bull and a cow was commenced at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday. The greater part of the day was occupied in taking the evidence of the numerous witnesses for the Crown. The defence was contented with two witnesses, the Court rising after they had been heard. This morning at 10 o’clock counsel will address the jury and His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman will sum up. At the conclusion of this case the same accused will be arraigned on a charge of an alleged breach of the Chattels Transfer Act.

•It is not often that spectators in the Supreme Court have the temerity to come forward and speak to the prisoners in the dock during the trial, but a departure, from this rule was observed at the. Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday when a whitehaired ol<l man was seen to be pressing his head against the bars at the back of the prisoner’s box and excitedly whispering to its occupants. A sharp word from the attendant warder and a hurried move to the vicinity on the part, of the usher was sufficient, however, to make the venturous man return with considerable alacrity to the obscurity provided by the rear of the court.

Mr. C. E. Bellringer will address the electors to-night at the Coronation Hall. Special seats have been set apart for ladies and their escorts and will be available until 7.55 p.m. The meeting commences at 8 o’clock. Ample seating accommodation has been provided but in view of the increasing interest in the elections those wishing to have a good seat should come early.