LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 88, 25 March 1902, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

" he attention of our readers is called to the announcement o£ special services on Sunday next in connection with th» Whiteley Memorial Sabbath School, The preacher ori this occasion ia the Rev. A. 0. Lawry, ofSandoo. He comes with a high reputalion as a live man, and a children's can at J that. Large attendances are hoped for. Mr Lister, superintendent of the Old Men's Home, wishes to acknowledge With j thanks a donation of hsts and ties from the New Zealand O.othing factory.

The Ventura with British mails of March Bth left San Francisco for Auckland at 10 p.m. on the 2Cth, due date.

The daughter of Mr Kdward Patton, of Murchison, near Westport, was stuck up by a man on the Matakitiki road and robbed with violence.

At a meeting of the Barrier Reefs Geld Mining Company it was resolved to voluntarily wind up. Mr. W. A. Parkinson, editor of the Hawera Star, is staying a day or two in New Myaiouth on hid way back from Rotorua and Auckland.

Mr. J. G. Harkness, chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Association, is in New Plymouth on business of the association.

We are glad to report that Mr, A. 0. Fookes received word yesterday that the whole o» thj N-.w Zealand woaa-Jed at Harlismitli waie progressing favourably. TUo work >it the railway station is proceeding satisfactorily, aad although ttiere are many iuconveniences the length of the new platform is very greatly appreciated.

Edward Williams was committed for trial «fc Wellington on Monday for forging and utteiirg a cheque for £5 10s to a draper who supplied him wi'.h clothing. At Wellington on Monday Douglas Humphries, a irain-car cond«ctor, was admitted to probation after pleading guilty to the theft of a purse containing £1 9s. In this case a woman found the purse in a car and handed it to Humphries to give to the authorities. He did not oo this, but divided the contents with the driver of the car, David Anderson. The latter, who was coupled on the charge, pleaded not guilt v. | Humphries in evidence stated that he had given Anderson 14s Bd on the lattar's suggestion, Oouosel for Anderson asked that ihecase should go to a jury, as Humphries was an incredible witness, he having had a prospect of lenient treatment by probation if he incriminated the driver. The magistrate decided to grant the application for committal.

A prospective marriage to have been conducted by the Registrar at Auckland on Saturday morning was frustrated by the brother of the bride elect. The brother suddenly appeared from Wellington and too'« his sister away. The bridegroom, who had taken a house and partly f uraißhed it. was on the way to the Kegistrar's office to meet his bride when he w«s informed the bird had flown. Ic transpires the girl came recently from the Old Country, and the bridegroom (it is alleged) is just out of gaol, having served 12 years for serious offences.

The directors of the Manawatu Railway Company have received a letter fivm the Minister for Public Works suggesting to meet the supposed difficulty pointed out bj them that a provision could be made in the agreement for the sale of the railway indemnifying the shareholders from any supposed liability- on account of their uncalled capital with regard to debentures, and intimating at the same time that if any of the debenture-holders so desired they could be paid off at par.

The procsssion of decorated bicycles should be one of ihe most interesting items at the Baster Fete. The committee are offering three small prizes for the three best decorated bikes, and a good many cyclists should enter. A small entrance fee of 6d will be charged. Uaster Fete.—A meeting of all the committees will be held this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 o'clock in St. Mary's Hall.—Advt.

The Hatter Fete committee have sent out a programme of events which shows what a splendid day of amusement has been provided for the pablic. Boating' on the lake, Aunt Sally, a small merry-go-round, shooting gallery, Mr Boulton's gramaphone, exercises by children in fancy costume, ure among the items on the programme. Easter Monday, the tilst anniversary of the Province of Taranaki, is likely to be a red letter day. Tenders ara invited by Mr Frank Messenger for the erection of a residence in Devonstreet east.

1 Ameeting of all the committees connected with the Baser Fete at the Recreation Grounds is called for this afternoon at 8 o'clock, in St. Mary's Hall. 1 Messrs Myers and Oompany announce that the Gold Flake cigarettes, which are now so deservedly popular, can now be obtained at Mr T. Furlong's, and Mr H Bennett's.

The following particulars from the " History of Methodism," by the Re* W. Morley, D.D., concerning the Kev J. G. W. Ellis, whom the last conference appointed to the Opunake circnit may be of interest to our Methodist readers. " He began to preach at sixteen, and entered the Bible Christian Ministry io Victoria. In 1886 he came to New Zealand, and started service ia the Cromwell, Oourtenay, and Palmerston district, and whilst in the latter place the Cuba street Church was built. He is a fluent preacher, a strong temperance advocate, and a skilled horticulturist." In this latter connection Mr Ellis has a colonial reputation. He is a fellow or the Royal Horticultural Society of England, and the writer of several useful articles on horticulture. He is also a j capable lecturer on subjects of historical! interest.

The latest big thing under way in the dairying line is a proposal by the associated dairy farmers to purchase the Kltham Butter-box Factory and make their . own boxes. We are informed that negotiations for this are almost completed. The Kltham Company, which bas the contract for butterboxes for all factories south of Midhirst from the association, estimate that before the end of the season it will have made over 200,000 boxes. The Eltham Timber Company will keep on the sawoiU on its own account.

A rather interesting casa oooapied the S.M. for some time yesterday afternoon. Mr P. Raill was sued and judgment obtained ajainst him by Mrs Wright, of Auckland, for £3. The claim not being; paid, a horse, trap and harness were seized by the baliff in satisfaction of the claim and costs, in all £S. The proceedings yesterday were in the nature of an interpleader summons, Mrs Faill claiming ths property as hers. Mr Hutchen, of Wright and Hutchen, appeared for Mrs Wright, and Mr Quilliam for Mi Raill. After a lengthy hearing the S.M, gave jucSgrmnt for Mrs Raill, with costs £5 13s and ordered tha goods seized to be returned to her. Mr Hutchen said his object was to test the soli.lity of certain transfers but the S.M. held that to do that he must seize articles mentioned in the deeds referred to, which was not the case with the articles before the Conrt.

! Captain Edwin predicts heavy gales from (south to south and west with very high tides land heavy sea, ani much rain and colder weather.

The total quantity of butter passed through the Patea grading works from November, 21st, 1901. to March 20th, 1902, was 46,477 boxes, valued at £110,192, and representing about 1300 tons |gross weight. The figures for New Plymouth to the 30th April were 1'!2,510 toxes. valued at Dmiog March over 12,000 boxes have been shipped Members of the late MouHted Rifle Corps are invited to attend a meeting on April 2«th at Mr. J. O. Davies' office to consider ths question of a parmanent resting pl&ce for J the colours of the now defunct corps. There appears to be an idea that the Museum would be a fitting place in which to hang up these colours, with other suitable memorials of the existence of this fine body of men which did such «xcßllent serrise in dealing with th« natives some years back when they started ploughing the sutlers' laud.