TARANAKI NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1611, 14 January 1903, Page 65

TARANAKI NEWS

(From Our Own Reporter.) The proposal to send a New Zealand Band Home, in which New Plymouth well-voiced by Mr McKinnon Bam — has shown a keen interest, has now reached a successful issiie, all the necessary funds being provided, and after the Master ton Bands’ Contest the members selected begia a hard four weeks’ training in Wellington. There is considerable novelty in the idea of sending a band to Great _ Britain, and as the colony has shown its mettle in warfare and oratory, there is no reason why it should not blow its own trumpet in other departments. The scheme has been viewed favourably in the Old Country, the' Directorate cf the Crystal Palace having made a very satisfactory offer for a five weeks’ performance —a splendid introduction to English audiences in itself. This must be very encouraging to promoters and men alike. Messrs Besson and Co., of London, a firm well-known for their skill in the manufacture of band instruments, have placed over £7OO worth of instruments at the service of the bandsmen during the British- tour. The Promoters are considering the advantages of a trip through the States, and already overtures of a very gratifying nature have been made them, but no action will be taken until the circumstances and conditions are more generally understood, and such proposals will therefore be considered in EuEngland. These encouraging offers cannot fail to give the _ men selected confidence, and it is to be hoped they will further add to the prestige of this colony by showing her skill in a new direction. Dr. Walker, who proposes visiting Great Britain shortly, will be represented by Dr. Bennett —a recent arrival from" England—-during li,is absence. An ingenious scheme for the insurance of land against depreciation has been devised by Messrs Callaghan and Co., the well-known land and estate agents of New Plymouth, and if successfully! arranged, should (have considerable influence in investments. In ' a premium of - something like 2 per cent. Messrs. Callaghan and Co. are prepared to make good losses in ’land speculations, and the method of treating clients has the merit of simplicity. The land is valued by competent valuers, and the premium based entirely on their valuation. Should the owner consider the investment bad, and falling in value, he gives the promoters of tlio land insurance due notice, and the property is placed cm the market, and any loss resulting from” the sale made good. Policies will be issued presumably setting forth such conditions as will prevent any illtreatinent of the land by the assurance, and should the scheme give all-round satisfaction it is possible its operations will not be confined to New P lymou tb.

Crops of wheat and oats, which have been planted extensively this season in the Manawatn and Rangitikei districts, are looking remarkably well, despite the continuous and heavy winds, with occasional rain, which have lately been experienced. A few days of summer weather is all that is required to furnish a fine harvest®