LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8015, 29 December 1905, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An interesting short story, "A Voice from the Bed," and other reading matter appear on the fourth page. Mr 11. Carrick, of the Napier " Daily Telegraph" staff, has issued a writ against Mr lan Simpson, a Napier civil servant, chiming £250 damages for an alleged assault. A local business man was found on Christmas morning peering into nooks and corners. But for his general appearance of dejection, one would have thought he had bought an advance ticket in the " treasure hunt," but it was nothing of the sort. His Christmas dinner—or, at any rate, the big item in the fare—had run away. His fattened fowl had fled, and he was left disconsolate, lamenting. The Taranaki Kegatta, to be held on the Waitara Kiver on New Year's Day, lias for years been steadily increasing in popularity. This is the first occasion on which the fixture has appropriated any of the mid-summer holidays, and it is expected that the change will result in very large numbers visiting the river port. The enfries for the various events are fair, and good sport is promised. Sideshows of all descriptions will vary (lie amusement, and the regatta this year should be a great success. This week Mr E. Van Delden, oftha Arcadia Cigar Store, is holding a big sale of New Year Gifts. Prices are such that business is assured. To every customer Mr Van Ilcldmi extends heartiest good : wishes for the New Year, and includes all ' readers in extending here the compliments ! of the season. The reading room, writing room and store are open from 7 a.m. till j 10 p.m. to all who like a quiet read, smoke or chat. Call in some time this , ; week at ■ the Arcadia: there's a welcome" for you '. —and the tobacco you like.—Advi. . ' ». A '■''■: -,'• '

There will be no issue of the Taranaki Daily News on Monday (New Year's Day). An attempt is to be made to navigate the Patea river for about twelve miles from the mouth by means of an oil launch. Patrons are reminded that tickets for the dress circle during the Floral Fete are charged sixpence above the price of admission downstairs.—Advt. At the Moturoa petroleum bore yesterday the five-inch casing was still further lowered, as it was found the water had not been entirely cut off. TheElthain Brass Baud has made enough cash out of two concerts to pay off the debt on' their instruments and to invest in uniforms.

When a tramping crowd of young men hurried past the Daily News' ollicc last night, we scented pie. It was only half a score of treasurehunters who had received their " clues" at the Catholic Fete.

Detective Bodham made a haul of jewellery on the Rotoiti on Thursday. It probably represents the plunder from Auckland houses during the holidays, for a man was arrested for something of this kind just as the steamer left.

The dust beat the New Plymouth water-cart yesterday. It put in an appearance when the dust fiend had exasperated the business people almost beyond endurance, and the sprinkling lessened the inconvenience spasmodical-

The amusement caused by the hunt for the escaped prisoner in the Theatre Royal last evening was greatly increased by the fact that the printed " description" seemed to apply to two gentlemen. Within an hour after the prisoner was liberated, 1 Mrs Emery made the capture, and received the monetary prize. Confidence is a true child of success, and accounts for the marked improvement and proof of ability shown by the members of the Christinas Floral Fete Company last evening. Many items are worthy of professional praise : all, indeed, should be seen. Mrs I. Connop should be proud of the satisfactory results in this connection.

Some of the enthusiasts of fifteen or twenty years ago met on Thursday afternoon on the cricket field, a:id compared the '■ then and now." There was a consensus of opinion that cricket lin Taranaki was infinitely better in I those days than at present, and that south Taranaki easily leads the north.

During the four days preceding Christmas Day there were posted at the Wellington Post Office 248,754 letters and cards, 110,143 books, 33,772 newspapers, and 1460 parcels, whilst 167,800- letters and cards, 39.700 books, 52,317 newspapers, and 2370 parcels were received. Telegrams forwarded were 13,516, received 14,185, and transmitted 20.42 G.

To-morrow Mr Newton King will sell without reserve the thorough-bred racing mare " Marvin." As Marvia is a well bred marc, being by Sylvia Park, out of Maratau, in good condition, and only five years old, she should prove a good investment to the purchaser. Maratau (Marvia's dam) was a good performer, having won the Waitara Derby, the Dargaville Cup (2 miles), and several other races.

The matron of the hospital desires to acknowledge the following kindly gifts:—Magazines, Mrs Mannering; muscatels, Messrs Burgess and Eraser and Mr G. Boulton; ham, Messrs Sole Bros.; turkeys, Mr Coultor; wine, Messrs Gold water Bros.; sucking pig, Mrs Rowe, (Urenui); Christmas cards, Mr T. Avery. Also gifts for the children; Balloons, Mr Drake; toys, Messrs Fitzherbert, Oswin, Hemptou and MorgaL, and Master Oswin.

" All or nothing " seems to be the motto of the principals of the Bazaar and Floral Fete. With Mrs. C. Clarke and Mrs Bennett it most assuredly has been "all." Their hearty assistance, so cheerfully given, without stint of any kind, is greatly appreciated, and has done much to make the amusement at the Theatre Hoyal this week so keen and the stall arrangements so well worth seeing.

"Phorosphous Jack," it appear, lias made liis appearance at Elthani. The other ereuiiig two young men, accompanied by two ladies, were driving from Eltham to Hawera, and when near the Bacon Factory's premises, a figure illuminated by phosphorus, sprang out of the fence and made a dart for the trap. The ladies were greatly frightened, but the specimen of inanity, dressed iu his illtiinination, soon made himself scarce.

In a challenge sawing match at Eltham for £sl) a-side, the judges gave the first contest a dead heat. In the second attempt Carson and Mcintosh (Invercargill) won by a fifth of a second. The " Argus" says that photographs specially taken of the event show clearly that Casey and Pretty won the first bout, their log being almost on the ground when the Invercargill men's block commenced to fall. The next go just reversed the order. The camera docs not lie.

The business management of a successful bazaar as complete in every detail as that now in full swing at the Theatre Royal is not easy. Mr Ernest Carthow has been well backed up by the member* of St. Joseph's Fair Committee, but this gentleman's zeal and thorough methods have had much to do with the satisfactory bunk balance already showing on their hooks. The novel competitions, advertised as the " Prisoner Hunt," and the " Search for the Hidden Treasure," have, we hear, created all the inttvest and excitement anticipated by Mr Carthow, who introduced them.