LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlie Waikohu County valuations have been increased from £2,600,000 to £5,500,000. The (lower show at AVhiteloy Hall was concluded on .Saturday afternoon. The day was a most successful one, and the total takings for the three days, including a few donations, amounted to approximately £l7O. The practice of using the roads for grazing purposes was referred to at the Eltham County Council's meeting on Saturday. It was stated that a Kaponga man had had 2">o head of cattle on the roads for a week. * The meeting announced by the New Plymouth branch of the Labor Party for last night had to he abandoned owing to Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert, who was to have been the speaker, being indisposed. Mr. S. W. Fitzherbert, in making the announcement, said that those who had contributed to the collection at the door could get their money back if they so desired.

A meeting of the Star Motor Club was held on Friday night, at which the resignation of Mr. Harvey as secretary was received with much regret and Mr. Townslev was elected to fill the vacancy. An interesting programme of, events was submitted to the meeting and approved. The first will be a hill-climbing contest, which will take pluce at an early date, for which several trophieß have been donated.

Owing to the Moa Eoad Board objecting to the New Plymouth Borough Council supplying electricity to Tnglewood and the surrounding districts included in the Moa Eoad Board area, the Governor-in-Councii has appointed Mr. V. Short, Under-SecTetary for Public Works, as a commissioner to hold an inquiry at New Plymouth on Wednesday, 24tli inst., when the objections of the Moa Egad Board will lie considered.-

Mr. Jennings is asking the .Minister of Defence whether attention has been called to the disability that returned soldiers who were law students and clerks prior to the war are placed under now owing to the restricted interpretation placed on the amended University Act, which granted to the New Zealand Senate various powers conceding certain concessions. There are about 120 students and law clerks affected by this restriction. They went to the war, many being wounded. The interruption caused to their studies by the war entitles them to consideration. He was one of .the bonnie soldier hoys who had seen the game through, and had returned to New Zealand. Like all good soldiers he had a lady-elect, who was down at the port to meet him. At such ft time it was quite natural that the young lady should be somewhat excited. The ship came into the wharf just as day was breaking. In her eagerness to be on time to give her adored the glad greeting she had dressed herself hurriedly. As the daylight increased she was horrified tn find that she had put on her skirt "inside out.'' Fortunately, a friendly house near by gave her the required opportunity for setting her dress aright, and she was just in time to extend the true welcome that only years of parting could justify.

Two men who were engaged in an altercation in Devon Street on Saturday evening came to blows near the corner of Ciirric Street, just outside Sole Bros' shop. They moved a little way down Ihe street in the scuffle and eventually landed inside Howlett's billiard saloon. Here matters took a new turn, and of course the proprietor endeavoured to get the men outside. This they were not so ready to do, 'but, in their sparring at each other nearly effected an exit through one of the large front windows, which was badly shattered. This had the effect of ''calling the fight off," and though a crowd quickly gathered nothing further exciting happened. It is understood the matter was placed in the hands of the police. The New Plymouth Citizens' Band, under the baton of Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, bandmaster, visited the Rangiatea Home yesterday and played a programme of music, which was much appreciated by the inmates and by n number of visitors. .Mr. Md.cud selected a programme comprising well-known airs and songs, the majority of which wore familiar to the audience. At the conclusion Mr. 0, Andrews, a member of the Hospital Hoard, and Mrs. Bayly, matron of the i Home, briefly expressed their thanks ! and appreciation of the hand's visit, i The members of the hand were conveyed ! to and from the Home in cars supplied | by Messrs IV. 0. Reid, J. S. Connett, W. 1 Outfield, E. Oilmour, Spedding and Stainton, K. Jackson, and C. Andrews. The outing was arranged by Mr. W. 0, Bawl

A London cable states that Lord Lascelles lias purchased Chesterfield .House,

Many of the wooden ships built by the Americans during the war for their own and other Governments now lie rotting in harbor. The green timbers used 111 their construction are said by Popular Mechanics to have shrunk so much on their maiden voyage that the vessels are totally unseaworthy. It is currently reported that business premises in High iStreet, Hawera, being sub-divisions of the Empire Hotel property and the Egmont Hotel property, have been acquired by present tenants (says the Star). It is also understood that, the Governor-in-Oouncdl has approved the plan for running a street through the latter property from Princes Street to Regent Street,

In connection with the forthcoming Catholic Bazaar it has been decided to run a tug-of-war, seven men a-side, for which substantial prizes have been allowed. A strong committee has tlio matter in hand and has received promises of entries for several teams. The event is certain to create keen competition, and already at least one team has gone into training, olthough the event does not come off until February. The early lambing season has commenced under conditions which, according to the manager of a leading city auctioneering company, are wonderful, says the Auckland Star. "It's great weather—nice and mild," he said, and the mortality should be particularly light. This is proved by reports from districts in and around Auckland, which show that lambing is general and that the lamb 9 are doing well. A very good report comes from Motuihi, where lambing is taking place on a large scale. A parade of the New Plymouth branch of the Xew Zealand Veterans' Association took place .yesterday to commemorate the battle of To Ngutu o te Manu, in which some very brave deedß were done and the lives of a number of gallant officers and men lost. Amongst them were the following well-known names: Major von Tempskey, Captains Buck, Hunter (2), and Captain Rowan was severely wounded. There was an attendance of about 25 veterans yesterday. under Captains Black and Mckellar, with the vice-president of the branch (Lt.-Col. Chaplain Evans) also present. The sermon was given by the Rev. A. H. Barnctt, of Urenui, Missioner to the Backbloeks, who made suitable reference to the men who fought and died on that -occasion. At the conclusion of the service Bugler Walker sounded the "List Post." Bugler Walker, who took part in the engagement, is credited with having rescued several wounded comrades in a most courageous fashion. Mr. Jennings is asking the Prime Minister whether, as the policy of the British Government lias not yet been decided on in regard to the claims by British subjects against our late enemies, and as claims have been registered with the Public Trustee of New Zealand in the hope that such claims may be paid out of the proceeds of German property liquidated in this Dominion, the head of the Government will come to a decision in regard to settling these long-standing claims. A case in point is that of W. 11. T'itzpn trick, of New Plymouth, a waterside worker, seriously injured on the German steamer Walkvrie. This mail was hurt through rotten gear used oil the vessel, and obtained judgment in the Supreme Court of New Zealand for £450 compensation. The vessel made a hurried departure from New Zealand a month before war was declared, the shippers paying about £2OO, leaving the balance to he settled by the West of Shipping Company, but so far Fitzpatriek has not received the money. [ A very pleasant function took place on Friday night to mark the conclusion of a fortnight's science course which has been held for the teachers of the Taranaki .Education Board who intend to sit for the teachers' certificate examinations in January next. The instructors were first entertained by the teachers at Everybody's Theatre and later to supper at May and Arrowsmith's tea rooms. During the evening Mr. A. E. Mills, on behalf of the teachers, expressed gratitude and appreciation to the instructors for the valuable help they had received. Mr. 11. C. Johnson, on behalf of the instructors, thanked the teachers for their kind words of-appreciation, and pointed out that the best way they could show their appreciation would be" by carefully pursuing their studies and gaining success ill the examinations.

Several Auckland banks and insurance offices have during the last few weeks dispensed with the services of a number of girls employed during the absence of their male employeea on active service." Six girls in one of the leading banks have lately been given notice on account of men from the war having returned to take up their positions, while in another large office there are only eight left out of a recent stall of fourteen girls. One bank which employed forty-six girls during the war now has only thirty-five on its staff, and .others will be leaving shortly. In some cases where the girls have proved themselves competent and specially adapted to the work, they have been retained, although it was distinctly stated by the authorities interviewed that in no ease was a girl being retained at the expense of any returned soldier. A number of girls have lately left of their own accord, having intended all along that their work should be only temporary. Others are marrying, and, generally speaking, there seems to be little evidence to support tlie plea that Auckland girls have crowded men out of their positions. It was definitely stated by several bank managers and others that every man's place was waiting for him, no matter whether he resigned and volunteered or whether lie was railed up in the ballot. A considerable number of men had already returned to work, and it was expected that all would be back in the course of a month or two, by which time the number of girls employed would 110 doubt be still further reduced.

Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (Second Group) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable to-day (Monday, September 15), at the Secretary's Office, Curric Street, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. —Advt A five-seater motor eftr, and billiard E-nloon business are advertised on page one by \V. H. and A. McGarry, Eltham.

TIIK LIQUOR QUESTION.

At the approaching general election the people of New Zealand will for the first time have an opportunity of voting on the issue of State purchase and control of the liquor trade, and in view of this the New Zealand" Moderate League is organising in support of the new proposal as a practical measure of temperance reform. The Dominion Secretary of the League, Mr. R. A. Armstrong, is : visiting Taranaki, and will address a | public meeting on the subject of State j purchase at the Empire Theatre on j Wednesday evening. All citizens are ia< ) ifitsd and fliiwtioaa, will by Wltoflatd. ,