LOCAL AND GENERAL

Patea Mail, Volume XLVI, 27 August 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Whites' have an important advertisement in this issue with regard to spring millinery, etc.

"Each European nation would be glad to have peace if it had some assurance that peace wouldn't benefit the other fellow," says an American paper.

In the House of Eepresentatives the Minister mentioned, in response to suggestions, that the Supreme Court bench was unable to keep pace with the work, and that the appointment of an additional Judge was under consideration.

The Alton Football Club are holding a masked plain and fancy dress ball on Wednesday, September sth next, when prizes will be offered for the best fancy dresses. An advertisement appears in another column.

"It is fairly certain that the Eight Hon, David Lloyd George will make a lecturing tour of New Zealand towards the end of the year," said Mr Victor Beck to a representative of the "Oarmaru Mail."

The “Times’ ’ complains that there is growing up in Opunakc ‘‘ a sort of Star Chamber" system of transacting public business. Special meetings are held on the quiet, the newspaper man not .being notified. More than one New Zealand town has been brought to the verge of ruin by a similar system.

The General Manager of Railways reports that it has been decided to substitute electricity for gas lighting on the Auckland-Wellington Main Trunk express trains, and an order for the necessary material has been placed with the British manufacturer for early delivery. A reminder is given of the Druids’ annual dance, which is being held in the Town Hall to-morrow night. The services of the Premier Orchestra have be*n engaged, and the music is said to be well worth the price of the ticket. As the object for which the dance is being held is a most worthy one, there should bo a record attendance.

Mr C. A. Larcombe has an interesting adcvrtisement in another column with regard to men ; s boots of all kinds.

In her own crisp dialect the Lancashire housemaid explained to her sympathising neighbour what happened when the Mormon canvasser called. “First ’e knocked at t’ door,” she said. “Then ’e talked an' talked until I was tempted ” “Dear me,” interrupted the other, “an' you fell for him?” “Sweet mercy, nay!” answered the other ,shaking her fist. “ ’Twas ’e that fell. I ’it ’em,”

On Wednesday next, commencing at II o’clock, at D. Kerrisk and Uo.’s auction rooms, a gigantic auction sale of high-class English drapery stock will be held, under the hammer. Some £875 worth of this magnificent stock has been allotted to Patea and district for disposal, and ladies of the district are asked to so arrange their appointments as to enable them to spend one day, at least, on a visit of inspection.

“I desire to preach against the filthy and disgusting habit which is carried on in our midst each day and every day, ’ ’ said Dr G. de Clive Lowe, in addressing the Auckland Centre of the Mew Zealand Sanitary Inspectors’ Association. “I refer to the horrible practice of women carrying about and fondling and cuddling those hateful pet dogs. No matter how clean a dog’s coat is kept, the dog itself is a dirty animal, and a carrier of disease.’’

Mrs Eosita Forbes, the intrepid woman explorer, tells this story against herself: —When lecturing in the north, on her visit to Kufara, a slide was shown out of order, and without noticing anything amiss, she announced: ‘ ‘ This was the kind of dress I wore in the desert for six months. ’ ’ There was a howl of laughter. She turned afterwards to the screen to find that the operator was showing a picture of a little naked black boy. Now she always looks at the screen before maxing i liniments.

“Last month I referred to the danger of boys hanging on to motors, either on foot or on bicycles. Since that time two children have been killed in the Dominion from this cause. Notwithstandying the publicity given to the warning, the practice is still in vogue, and as an additional warning I took a boy to Court this week for the same offence. It is my intention in future to prosecute all such cases. " Extract from the borough inspector's monthly report to the New Plymouth Borough Council.

Taranaki possesses a “wonder boy," named Brown, who attends the New Plymouth High School. He -is a very lino cricketer, but in Eugby he excels. So good is he that he was chosen to represent Taranaki against Wellington at Hawera, and he really won the match for the home team. Three days later ho appeared with his school team against the Wanganui Collegiate School, and he registered a very fine performance, scoring 15 of 18 points made against the Wanganui boys, whose aggregate was 11. Brown plays centre three-quarter, and is one of the greatest players Taranaki has produced for years. New Plymouth High School had another very fine boy last year, Brodie, who is now playing for Canterbury College. When Brodie and Brown got going properly, toll was invariably levied on the opposing side. —“Waikato Times."

There seems now to be a feeling in the political atmosphere that the session will end suddenly, and perhaps a day or two earlier than was anticipated (says the "Eltham Argus" Parliamentary correspondent). It is recognised on all sides that it is only fair that Mr Massey should be given the opportunity to have at least one day at his home before taking his departure for England. If the House closes before the 25th he may have two or three days at home. Mrs Massey, to everyone's great regret, is very ill. In fact, her condition has been so serious that it was quite "on the cards" that the Prime Minister might not go to the conference. Within the past few days, however, there has been an improvement in her condition, though she is still very ill. , ,

A largo and curious crowd gathered around the end compartment of a firstclass bird-cage on the express at Dunone morning last week, the reason being that the two prisoners who received each a term of seven years' imprisonment at the recent criminal sittings were in the compartment, bound for Paparua prison. The ex-missionary, Lind, took an affectionate farewell of his wife and children on the platform, while several people shook hands with the ex-chemist. Inside the compartment the two sat for a while with the blinds up, but a few minutes before the train started the ex-missionary shut himself out from the view of the crowd by xmlling down thej blind. On the other hand, the ex-chemist preferred to look out of his window, and when the train moved off numerous hand-waves were directed towards him, the reply being a wave of his handkerchief.