LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Asked whether he had anything definite to say regarding the return of the political leaders, Sir James Allen said that he had nothing definite, except What might be inferred from the fact that Parliament would be summoned a month later than usual, namely in July, —Press Assn. * ' ,

Only one tender was received by the Clifton County Council for the 'lease of its Waihi toll-gate. After discussing the matter in committee, it wds resolved not to accept the tender, and to institute a system of toll tickets. When several communications from the Government, relative to subsidies on moneys donated for peace celebrations, were read at the meeting of the Clifton County Council yesterday, members considered that to expend money on a few chains of metalled roads would be more useful than blowing the money away in gunpowder.

One of the many tasks performed by Base Records, Wellington, is the checking of all accounts in connection with the four weeks' free railway travelling and free meals at the railway refreshment rooms, which comprise one of the, veturned soldier's privileges. The payments under this heading to the Railway Department during a recent month amounted to £41,060.

Mr. W. J. Freeth, of Pukearuhe, has decided to start a stud Hereford herd. He was present at C. A. J. Levett's clearing sale at Feilding, and purchased Ave of the cows sold there. Four of these had been pasturing with the bull President Wilson, that later brought 200 guineas—a record for the Southern Hemisphere—being purchased by Mr. Moore, of Ksii Iwi. The other cow was pasturing with the imported bull Persimmos, which brought 970 guineas, Mr. Freeth also secured a heifer by President Wilson and a yearling heifer by the imported bull Great Gun. An 18-months bull by President Wilson out of one of the cows purchased by Mr. Freeth realised 320 guineas, and another bull brought 210 guineas.

In reply to strong representations on the matter of the present unsatisfactory tram services into New Plymouth and to the suggestion that a motor train might be utilised to meet the demand for a better service, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., has received a communication from the Minister of Railways (Mr. W. H Herries), in which it is stated that the petrol cars referred to, which were taken out of traffic during the war period on account of the impossibility of securing repair parts', will be reinstated as soon as such spares are available. The Minister states, however, that the cars will be used in the suburban services on the more populous lines, and he regrets that they will not be available for the suggested experimental service between Stratford and New Plymouth. Mr. Smith has written further to .the Minister, urging the necessity for immediate improvement in the service.

The Melbourne, Ltd., arc offering a stunning line of men's gaberdine raincoats at flss, in assorted shades of browns and fawns. The value is superb and the coats compare favorably with similar goods on the market by at least ten shillings. Can be had with slop or military collar. GBRSTENA for BREAKFAST.

A gigantic hapuka, weighing nearly laoibs, was caught oft Patea on Wednesday.

At Stratford yesterday morning a shed, valued at £SO, 'belonging to Mrs. A. Collins, Rosalind Street, was destroyed by fire. The rainfall at Inglewood for last month was 3.28 inches. There were nineteen dry days. A recount of the Stratford municipal votes placed Mr. VV. H. H. Young in as a member, in lieu of Mr. Richardson.

At the New Plymouth District Lands and Survey Office yesterday the timber rights for three sections situated in the Taranaki Land District were disposed of at public auction as follows: Section 3, block V., Ohura Survey District, 158 acres, to Messrs. Meredith Brothers, at £215 (upset); section 28, Mock 11., Ohura Survey District, 45 acres 2 roods 10 perches, to G. J. Ryan, at £230 (upset); Section" 2, block XIII., Mapara Survey District, of 546 acres 0 roods 29 perches (upset £1500) was passed in.

A half-caste Maori named Hui Kai Thompson, alias Hui Kai Rahu, was before the Court at Hawera on Thursday morning on a charge of issuing a valueless chesue for i& to Mr Shaw, of Hawera. Senior Sergeant Till asked the presiding Justice, Mr W. K. Wallace, for a remand until to-morrow, in order to be able to look into other cases that were pending. It is alleged that Hui, who has been recently wearing a returned sergeant-major's uniform with D.C.M. and military medal ribbands, has issued various valueless cheques in ftnd around Hawera within the past few days, and when arrested by Constable Nuttall at Patea, was negotiating for the purchase of a new Buick car.—Star.

The number of passengers carried on the Wanganui tramways during the past year was 3,233,050, as against 3,247,555 for the previous year, a falling off in number of 14,505. The total revenue showed an increase of £167, the receipts being £34,909, as against £34,802 for the previous year. The expenditure was £35,886. This was an increase of £3243 over that for the previous year, when it was £33,884. Revenue from fares obtained in the Borough was £21,328, as against £21,186 for the previous year. Gonville and Castlecliff revenue was £6682, as against £6653, making a total combined revenue from fares of '£28,011, as against £27,840 for the previous year. In no instance since the beginning of 1916 has the Base Records casualty staff left the office until all the work on any casualty list received up till 8 p.m. has been completed, and the telegrams notifying next-of-kin lodged at the post office. This is one of the features of the war work performed by Base Records, the first director of which, Major Norton Francis, is about to retire. He explains in a report on the office that the casualty ■ section has had to deal with as many aa 2000 names in a single day, and when the cables were received in the late afternoon or evening the work had to continue until long after midnight. In abnormal times volunteers were drawn from the whole of the Base Records staff for overtime assistance, and thus the next-of-kin of our soldiers were relieved of anxiety at the earliest possible moment. No casualty report was sent out until the cabled information had been carefully checked with the information on the Base Records history sheets regarding the soldier's initials, unit, and number.

Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., has received from the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister for Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce, an acknowledgment of his letter in reference to the suggestion of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce that a commercial agent should be appointed to represent the Dominion abroad, in order to ascertain the possibilities of obtaining additional markets for New Zealand primary products, and the Minister states that the matter will receive attention. In regard to the question of fruit growing, the Minister states that the Government is in full sympathy with the growers, and is desirous of assisting them to obtain better marketing conditions for their crops in the Dominion, and to encourage the opening of new markets. The Assistant Director of Horticulture is at present'on his way to America, and will investigate such matters in that country. He will also inquire Jnto the possibilities of placing New Zealand apples and pears on the American market during the offseason for fruit in that country. On account of the abnormal demand for shipping space, it has not been possible to ship any fruit to American ports this season.

It was generally thought by members of local bodies, and also by business men, that, at the conclusion of the war, it would be passible to secure cheaply some of the numerous motor lorries that have been used for transport purposes, but a letter received by the Clifton County Council from the Minister of Public Works completely (a 9 » member put it) disposes of the theory that there would be any snips. Tho letter included an extract from a report of the General Officer Commanding the Administration of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in London, which stated: "Every endeavor has been made to obtain information ftom the War Office as to the conditions under which motor -lorries and cars can be obtained for New Zealand on demobilisation, but the department concerned will not supply the information. I am informed that this is owing to the fact that the makers of,iVehicles are arranging for the War Office to return to them all vehicles on demobilisation. If this is true, the New Zealand Government will require to purchase its requirements from the trade, and not through tho War Office." The Minister also stated that he. had learnt that second-hand lorries were nearly as expensive as new ones, and he was of opinion that it would be better to make their own arrangements.

Whoever invented the blouse deserves the everlasting gratitude of the world of women. Nothing is so suitable for all times or places, and nowhere- is such an attractive selection offered as by the Big Store, Waitara, on page four. Eead it.

At the conclusion of Mr. J. T. Ward's lecture at the High School on Monday evening it was decided to take steps to form a local astronomical society. To further the movement a meeting of persons interested will be held at the Soldiers' Club on Tuesday evening next, at eight o'clock. Mr, Newton King advertises 120 %\ to 3-year in-calf heifers, to be sold at his Ingle wood sale on Wednesday next. Particulars appear in our auvertising column. Land buyers who wish to secure a farm on easy terms should read W. H. and A. McGarry's advertisement on page one. GERSTENA for BREAKFAST. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. For Bronchial Cough, take