LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Whakatane Press states that cattle ticks are appearing in various places in the district.

Electors should remember that the hours of polling to-morrow are from I) a.m. to G p.m.

When the first white men landed in New Zealand the Maori population numbered 200,000, said the Rev. R. C. Haddon, in an address at Palmerston North. Through drink, the war, and diseases contracted from the pakeha, their numbers had dwindled to 57,000.

There is now showing at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, a picture supplied by the New Zealand Government in. the interests of public health. It illustrates the danger of the rat menace, and shows the most up-to-date methods of dealing with this plague.

The number of men out of work in the New Plymouth district appears to be dwindling considerably, judging by the lessened number of inquiries being made at the office of the Labor Department. Only nine men called last week, five of these being general laborers whilst the remainder comprised a cabinet-maker, a driver, a painter and a chef. A vigorous commencement was cnade at cutting down superflous trees and rank undergrowth in the municipal grounds on Saturday last. Sufficient was accomplished to prove what a beautiful little park may be made there. The workers were indebted to the kindness of Mrs Christopher Carter, assisted by the Misses Carter, for afternoon tea. Work will be resutmed next Saturday at one o’clock.

Sixty-seven owners of private telephones and 36 .business houses submitted a petition to yesterday’s meeting of the Inglewood County Council asking for a continuous telephone service. The clerk stated that he had not gone into the matter of the majority necessary. but he believed the signatures from private owners were sufficient, though the business subscribers on the petition were not nearly sufficient. It was decided to forward the petition to the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department.

.Evidence of increasing prosperity in the Taranaki district were noted by Mr. Alfred Nathan, who, with Mrs. Nathan, has just returned to Auckland from a holiday visit to the southern province (says the Auckland Herald). Mr. Nathan stated that although in the Taranaki district for nearly a fortnight he experienced very little rain, yet the country was looking at its best, with an abundance of feed, while everywhere the sheep and cattle in great numbers were in excellent condition. The good prices being realised for wool, and the better prospects for the dairying industry, was reflected in the more buoyant spirit of the farmers, said Mr. Nathan, and the indications generally were that Taranaki and the country to the immediate north was rapidly returning to its normal state.

The criminal business on the calendar of the current sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth was concluded yesterday, when Charles Goodall was acquitted on two charges of indecent exposure and Andrew Leslie Young was convicted and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labor for breaking and entering at Manaia, and with being in possession of instruments of housebreaking, via., an. electric torch and a bunch of keys. This morning the civil business will ibe commenced, when the claim of Henry Huckstep for £4041 from John Atkinson as damages for alleged misrepresentation in the sale of a farm will be heard before the judge and a jury of twelve. This case will be followed by a breach of promise action brought by Hannah Gavin against Edward Elliott Snowball, the plaintiff claiming £lOOO as damages. The Court will not sit tomorrow (election day). On Saturday morning, between 9 and 10, a*> many as possible of the undefended divorce actions will be taken.

An application that a £5 note found on William Wilson, who was sentenced on Monday to nine months’ hard labor for theft from .the person, be refunded to William Cheffings, the victim of the robbery, was made by Mr. C. H. Weeton (Crown Prosecutor) at the Supreme Court at New' Plymouth yesterday morning. Mr. Justice Chapman said he did not think he could make an order in the absence of evidence identifying the note, but Mr. Weston pointed out that evidence had been brought to show night .before he robbed Cheffingß. His that Wilson was without funds on the Honor then intimated that he did not feel disposed to make an order in the absence of Wilson or his counsel. Mr. Weston, however, mentioned that Mr. L. M. Moss, counsel efor the defence, had agreed, and an order was then made as requested. Two charges of forging and uttering cheques were preferred against Alfred Joseph Lance Ryan, who appeared before Mr. T. Furlong, J.P., at the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday. Ryan was charged with, on July 4, 1922, at New Plymouth, forging the name of lE. J. Davis to a cheque drawn on the Union Bank of Australia at Auckland for £2O and uttering the same to Edwin Whittle, and, also, with, on July 11, forging the name of J. C. Logan to a cheque drawn on the Bank of Australasia at Auckland for £l2, and uttering the cheque to Edward McGinty. On the application of Detec-tive-Sergeant Cooney, Ryan was remanded until next Tuesday, when a further remand till the following Friday is to be asked for. Two other charges of obtaining money by false pretences were withdrawn by the police. Mails which left Auckland on October 31, via Vancouver, by R.M.S. Niagara, arrived in London on December 3.

The New Plymouth Lawn Tennis Club will hold the usual fortnightly social tonight, at the Burwood tea rooms. Instead of the usual games, the whole evening will be devoted to dancing.

Residents of Okato and district are reminded of the dance to be held in the Hempton Hall to-night, in aid of the hall funds.

Particulars of seven New Plymouth freehold properties to be sold by public auction by Messrs. Newt,on King Limited on Friday, the 15th December, 1922, will be found in the auction columns of this paper. These sections comprise both residential and business sites, all centrally situated. They are well worth inspection, and the auctioneers will be pleased to arrange this for prospective buyers, and, at the same time supply full particulars. The Severest Cold on the Chest is averaome by the proper use of Naaob 9