LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1926, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The New Plymouth Fire Brigade held a “dry” practice outside the fire station last night, when an inspection was made by Inspector T. Hugo. Business firms generally are again adopting their own systems of daylight saving this summer. Already in New Plymouth a number of firms commence work at 8.30 a.m. and finish at 4.30 p.m., while a number contemplate doing so. The funds already in hand for the erection of a Seamen’s Rest at New Plymouth amount to £4BO, according to a report presented at the annual meeting of the Taranaki branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in New Plymouth yesterday. Following the example of several other New Zealand schools, the New Plymouth Boys’ High School has instituted an annual churqh service for past and. present boys, the first of which is to be conducted by the Rev. E. H. Strong at St. Mary’s Church next Sunday.

Through a portion of the bank of a gravel pit in which he was working at Rahotu giving way and burying him, Mr. Edward Carroll sustained a dislocation of his left hip''on Tuesday afternoon. He was removed to the New Plymouth Hospital, where he underwent an operation the same night. His condition is reported to be satisfactory. Fire broke out in some grass near the oil wells in Harbour Street, Moturoa, at about 4.45 p.m. yesterday. For a time it was feared that the fire would spread to four oil tanks close by, but the danger was averted by the prompt arrival of the fire brigade, who quickly suppressed the outbreak. It is believed that the fire originated through a lighted match being dropped in the oil saturated grass.

A contrast between prison methods now and in the old days was made by Mr. G. Cruickshank’, S.M., at a meeting of the-Prisoners’ and Patients’ Aid Society in Invercargill (reports the Southland Times). Youths sent to the Borstal were not convicted; they were merely “ordered” to the institution where they became not prisoners but “inmates.” In the early days prisons became more or less pigsties ami convicts in their cells had their food thrust at them as though they were animals. In the Borstal Institution now the boys sat down together at clean tables with cutlery and so on before them and were waited on by several of their number. They were all very well behaved, and there was no chance of their becoming hogs through evil associations. “Teach a boy good manners and the first step in the task of reformation is undertaken,” said the speaker. He added that a recent innovation in the life of the Borstal was a “pleasant hour” on Sunday. At one time the inmates were locked up early on Sundays and left to their own devices. Now they assembled and listened, to addresses, not necessarily on religious subjects, or to music

On Saturday last the junior associates I of the Victoria League, New Plymouth, visited the Old People’s Home and entertained the inmates with songs, recitations and choruses. The children had much pleasure in taking gifts of flowers, fruit, cake and tobacco. Mrs. Bishop Martin, the organising secretary, who was in charge of the arrangements, considers that the young people enjoyed the afternoon quite as much as the old people. The performers were: Misses A. White, M. Hine, A. Eberlet, J. Henderson, N. Martin, M. Carroll, B. List, B. White, E. List, J. Collins, AL Ramson, J. Rennell, B. George, B. Mclntyre, and Master B. Martin.

The principle that the influence of a woman was not in the eyes of the law a justification for a man’s fall from grace was briefly expounded in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday by the Chief Justice (Hon. C. P. Skerrett). It was during the hearing of a charge of bigamy and making a false declaration. The accused stated that he had filled in the word “bachelor” on the marriage registration form instead of the word “widower,” because the girl to whom he was getting married wished to keep from her father the fact that her husband-to-be was a widower. ‘The woman tempted me ann I did eat,” • observed. His Honour.' “I don’t think even Adam made that a justification for his action, even if it was urged in palliation.”

A very successful kitchen evening and social was held in the Frankley Road gymnasium on Tuesday evening. • The gathering was organised for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Boivin, whose home was recently destroyed by fire. A large number attended, and a fine array of gifts resulted. At intervals during the dancing the following musical items were given: Song, Miss P. Baker; duet, Misses L. Gilbert and N. King; song, Mr. J. Lovell; song, Miss Brown; recitations, Miss Reid; song, Mr. V. Baird; vocal quintette, Misses Brown and Baker, Mrs. Thomas and Messrs. Gilbert and Baird; song, Mrs. Thomas. Mr. R. Day presented the gifts during the evening, while Mr. F. Lee thanked all who had helped to make the gathering such a success. The music for the dancing was supplied by Miss Lee and Mr. Guseott.

That the Methodist Church should lend all its support to the New Zealand Alliance was urged by the Rev. E. T. Cox, M.A., of Wanganui, when moving the special committee’s report on public morals at the meeting of the TaranakiWanganui district synod in New Plymouth yesterday. He had. no objection to ministers deciding who should speak in their churches, but he did think that when arrangements had been made for an address from an Alliance representative repudiation should not be made after he had arrived. Their church and its members were solidly behind the movement. Mr. E. Dixon, of Hawera, strongly recommended the whole-heart-ed support of the church. The Alliance had engaged organisers for a three-year period, and it could not hope to retain the best men for the work unless it had real backing from the religious bodies in sympathy with it.

“New Plymouth has a great drawing power, and many people have told me they hope to retire here,” said Mr. E. Dixon, of Hawera, when speaking for the visitors in reply to the welcome extended the members of the TaranakiWanganui district Methodist synod yesterday. He congratulated, the town on the v ry rapid strides it had made during the past ten years and in the improvements of its streets and parks. At one time it was said that South Taranaki had finer buildings than New Plymouth, which was considered a bad, number, but he did not believe that could apply to-day, when the town could show something to be proud of. “I don’t thiak the people of this town appreciate to the fullest extent those lovely gardens, despite the fact that they possess civir pride in a great degree,” proceeded Mr. Dixon, who added that those who had travelled knew that they were most beautiful compared with similar places in the Dominion. He had been greatly surprised that more residents did not visit the park.

Again fine weather favoured the working-bee of the Beautifying Society on Saturday last and there was an attendance of eight men and five lads. Of these two only besides the president were volunteers, the rest were on wages. Finishing touches were put on Baines Terrace and then the eastern slopes of the Huatoki along the Carrington Road received some attention. Mrs. Cresswell, at her residence in Carrington Road, kindly entertained the workers at afternoon tea. Next Saturday will be the last day for this season.

To-mo4*>w auction sales covering all classes of goods will be held at Webster Bros.’ big auction rooms. The first sale is at 9 a.m., following at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Full particulars are advertised.

In connection with the massed pipe band concert to be given by the New Plymouth and Taranaki Pipe Bands in Pukekura Park next Sunday afternoon, it might be of interest to mention that in olden days the pipes served to arouse the courage of the clansmen to battle; to alarm them when menaced; to collect them if scattered; solace them during long dreary marches or in solitary painful bivouacs; to preserve, in times of peace, the memory of their ancestors, and impart to the minds of the young those feelings and generosity which distinguished them. The pipe music composed after memorable victories or well contested but hapless fields, served to form foci for their recording.

The improvement in the weather is having a good effect upon the attendance at the baths. Among other improvements made this year is the provision of hot, fresh water for the private baths.

A large variety of goods suitable for Christmas gifts are now being displayed at the Melbourne, Ltd. The new handkerchiefs in pretty boxes, in a great assortment of kinds from !/■ to 12/6 per box, make ideal presents. The price is plainly shown on every article.

It is not often that, almost at the beginning of a season, one gets an opportunity to purchase new season’s goods at great reduction. A large London job purchase by Messrs. C. C. Ward, Ltd., the Busy Cash Drapers, New Plymouth, enables them to offer a range of Summer Dress Goods at very special prices.

Besley’s, Limited, are offering a 10 per cent. discount on all this season’s goods. This is a fine opportunity to secure quality goods at cheap prices.

The prize money won at the recent Fitzroy flower show will be available at Knox Church on Saturday between 2 and 5 p.m. The committee is searching for a linen teacloth lost from the show.

Don’t sizzle over a hot stove this summer. Serve cold meats, etc., with Hay ward's "Military” Pickle. They prefer it See that you get “Military.”—ll