LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is understood, states the Wairarapa Standard, that a number of Wairarapa farmers are still further dispensing with employees, retaining those only ab. solutely essential. A great deal of interest is naturally being taken in the Second Test football match at Auckland to-day. As the results come to hand they will be posted up at the News office, Preece’s (Devon Street), and at Pukekura Park, where the Wellington —Taranaki match is to take place. The value that an adequate supply of hydro-electricity would be to Taranaki was stressed by Mr. Arthur Morton at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Pro. ducers’ Freezing Co. yesterday, when he said that the manager estimated that the saving on the year’s working by using hydro-electric power from New Plymouth was £523, as compared with what it would have been with all steam driven machinery. The brown trout eyed ova recently placed in the hatcheries at Pukekura Park have hatched out and grown into good lusty fry. At a meeting of the council of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society held yesterday, the following allocations were made for distribution of the fry, which are now ready to leave

the hatcheries :■ —Warea river, 20,000; Waiweranui, 5000; Kaihihi. 5000; Oaonui, 8000; Waiongona, 25,000; Ngataras (2 and 3) 35,000.

Thirty-six sections, each of a quarter of an acre, in a southern suburb of Rotorua and belonging to the Catholic Church, were auctioned and quitted at £l2O to £240, the purchasers having the option of converting Government leaseholds into freehold. Thirty-two sections, varying from an eighth to. a quarter of an acre, and belonging to Mr. P. M. Stewart, were quitted on a rental basis at renr. ranging from 25s to £6 10s n. year.—Press Association.

A meeting of the New Plymouth District Repatriation Committee was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Messts. C. H. Weston (chairman), W. J. Chaney,. T. Furlong, H. R. Cattley, G. 'E. Roper and the secretary (Mr. A. S. Allen). The secretary reported that the department’s tuberculosis officer (Mr. H. J, Aikins) had recently visited New Plymouth and had interviewed some 25 returned soldiers suffering from chest disabilities. The majority of the men were progressing favorably and appeared to be engaged in suitable occupations. Arrangements were made to have several of the men examined by a specialist and others medically examined for pension purposes. Since the last meeting of the committee five loans totalling £320 had been repaid. The executive committee’s action in granting seven furniture loans of £5O each and. one of £2O was confirmed. An application for training on a State farm, recommended by the executive, was confirmed. Five loans of £5O each for the purchase of furniture and one of £35 for plant were granted. A farm training subsidy was also approved. An application for a loan of £3OO for a taxi-car was recommended for approval. An interesting fact is related in connection with the family Bible taken from a Boer farm during the South African war by a member of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, and last week restored to a member of the Springboks’ football team, who is a relative to the original owner. The veteran who had the oook in his possession for over 20 years states that had he not picked up the Bible it would have been destroyed, for shortly afterwards the farm-house •vas blown up by the engineers. This

v. 1.1 in. accordance with Lord Kitchener’s orders that all farm-houses should be demolished.

A good story is told of Roberts, the billiard champion, when he was in the Dominion. Some time ago he was sent up to Stratford to oversee the installation of new tables and to perhaps give an exhibition or two. While in the billiard room a Maori came in, and asKed him casually to have a game. Refusing at first, Roberts eventually agreed provided the Maori, who sa,id he was Taranaki champion, gave him 50 in 100. The conxlition was that 'the Maori should break them up. This he did. and sat down while Roberts began and made the 100 before he stopped. Then said the "Maori, ‘‘Have you ever played Roberts?” “No,” said the other.” “Do you know him?” said the Maori. “I am Roberts.” Then added the Maori: "When you go to England you tell all the people there that the Maori champion of Taranaki gave you 50 in 100.” It was »i most clever answer.—Star.

An announcement of considerable interest to ladies is made on page 11 of this issue by Mrs. Mary K. Chapman, hair and skin specialist. Auckland. Particular attention is invited to the offer of free samples made by Mrs. Chapman.

A musical recital will be given by the New Plymouth Citizens' Band in Everybody’s Theatre to-morrow (Sunday) night, at. 7.30 p.m., in aid of the band contest funds.

The Melbourne, Ltd., are making an advance showing of ladies’ fine longcloth camisoles, knickers, night-dresses and underskirts. Many of these are finished with real hand-made lace, and are very attractively priced. Inspection is cordially invited.