LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tig? hide and skin sales which were to have been held at New Plymouth and Stratford yesterday were postponed indefinitely on account of the waterside deadlock.

During the December quarter of 1920 the amount required on the average to purchase in each of the four centres that amount of food which would have cost 20s on the average for the four chief centres during the years 1909-13 was 38s Oj|d. Expressed in other terms, the average worth of a sovereign, for the purchase of food, was, during the period under review, 10s

A paper advocating light railways for New Zealand, under special conditions, was given by Mr. G. T. Murray at the Civil Engineers’ Conference in Christchurch last week. Light lines of standard guage, he stated, were to be advocated, especially in level or easy undulating country such as the Waikato, the Hauraki Plains, and the Rangitaiki Swamp, but to lay two feet or two feet six-inch lines with 201 b. rails was, in his opinion, a proceeding that in future would be regretted.

At a sitting of the Conciliation Council at New Plymouth yesterday, the Commissioner (Mr. T. Harle Giles) presiding, an agreement was arrived at in regard to the application of the Grocers’ Union for a new award. This is the third settlement effected by the Conciliation Council this week, other disputes which have been arranged being the butchers’ and bakers’ applications. Today the Commissioner will be occupied with formal work in connection with the final confirmation of some matters, and to-morrow the dairy workers’ application will be heard.

The committee appointed to go into the question of promoting a scheme for raising funds for the Central and Courtenay Street schools met last night. Mr. 11. A. Stratford (headmaster of the Central School), on behalf of the staff, suggested holding an “at home” about the end of April, to be followed by a musical festival in May. This suggestion was agreed to, and Mr. Stratford was appointed secretary and treasurer, and Mr. R. Cooper was appointed to manage the musical festival. Dates will be fixed later. A meeting of mothers .of pupils and friends will be held on Friday afternoon at the Central School to’ make arrangements for the functions.

An amusing repatriation problem was cited by Mr. E. F. Andrews at a luncheon tendered to the members of the Auckland District Repatriation Board. He said a man with a long list of convictions for breaking and entering had appealed to him for assistance from the Patriotic Association, and had said that if he could not obtain money immediately he would have to return to his profession of house-breaking. Amid laughter Mr. Andrews told how he pointed out that the Repatriation Board" was there to help him make a new start, but, if requested so to do, it would be bound to furnish him with a set of first-class tools for his old trade. “Whether or no his request came before the Board I cannot say,” concluded the speaker.

Freezing buyers in the Canterbury province have concentrated upon lamb since the opening of the .season, and as large numbers of lambs are offering, they are likely to continue handling this class of meat. In consequence of adverse market reports, buyers have restricted their figures for lamb in the past two weeks. The probable solution of the problem which confronts the farmer with regard to the disposal of fat stock will no doubt be by storage. The larger graziejs will be disposed to put their stock into store for a few months, rather than sacrifice it. The indications are that the New Zealand consumer is likely to benefit during the coming autumn and winter through the lower prices. Feed prospects were never brighter at this time of the year in Canterbury, and it is certain that a very large quantity of fat stock will be turned off the plains in the next few months.

A public address on poultry-keeping was given by Mr. E. C. Jarrett (Government Instructor) at a meeting Held in the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, last night, when there was a large attendance. Mr. J. Eva presided. The speaker dealt fully with the various phases of the subject, and at the conclusion of the address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The meeting also passed a resolution expressing the opinion “that the attention of the Government should be rjrawn to the very unsatisfactory method adopted for the season 1920 in the matter of distribution of supplies of fowl wheat, and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture; also to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., with a request that he should take up the matter and make strong representations to the Minister on behalf of the poultrykeepers.”

Tn the Workers’ Social Hall on Friday next, L. A. Nolan and Co. are conducting a sale of furniture on behalf of Mr. P. Jackson. Particulars are advertised in this issue.

A notice appears in another column stating when the Horticultural Society will pay the prize money. Prize-win-ners are reminded to read it and act accordingly. Prizes not claimed within a month revert to the society.

At the New Zealand Express Co.’s sample rooms, St. Aubyn Street, New Plymouth, a sale of interest to ladies and gents is being held by Messrs. Flacksou and Co., Ltd; The goods offered include ladies’ costumes, coats, blouses, camisoleis, furs, etc., and stocks of suits and other men’s wear. Particulars are advertised elsewhere.

What a good opportunity just now of securing men’s and boys’ clothing, shirts, hats, etc., at greatly reduced prices. The Kash Big Discount Sale of 3s in the £ off every purchase means a great saving. This is indeed great news for all thrifty people. Remember, no faked prices, a straight out reduction of 3s in the £.—J. J. Lomas, The Kash.

Patrons of the Melbourne, Ltd., are being well catered for, as witness the •following bargains: Ladies’ cellular cotton singlets 3/11; ladies’ new crepe de chine blouses, 35/-; ladies’ fine longcloth camisoles, 7/11_; ladies’ longeloth nightdresses, 19/6; fine longeloth knickci’s, 5/11; ladies’ heavy-weight white silk blouses, 19/6.

If you soak soiled clothes overnight in water to which lias been added a tablespoon or so of “Fairy Wonder” washing powder you’ll he agreeably surprised to find in the morning how little work is required to complete the washing. “Fairy” does all the hard work while you sleep. Isn’t it simple Try it. Of all grocers.