LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Two men who were arrested by the New Plymouth police last night for drunkenness will appear before the court this morning. Mr. Massey’s electorate of Franklin has been as much cut about as any by the electoral commissioners, and he loses some places he has represented continuously ever since he entered politics. The inquest on the death of the boy George Ferguson, whose body was found hanging to a tree at Okau on Sunday, was opened yesterday, but was adjourned sine die owing to the illhealth of the deceased’s father. There has not beejZ an inebriate lodged in .Masterton police cells for over a month, a record that possibly could not be eclipsed by any other town of similar size in the Dominion (states the Wairarapa Age). A Press message from Wellington last night stated that the re-trial of Theodore Woodward, formerly driver for the Petone Fire Brigade, upon a charge of having caused actual bodily harm to James Doogan, has been deferred until the next criminal sessions d the Supreme Court in February. The estimated population of the Dominion on September 30, according to the returns of the Government Statistician, was 1,294,79’3, of which 661,940 were males and 6132,853 were females. The excess of births over deaths was 4(1'80, and the excess of arrivals over departures 2524. The net increase during the September quarter was 6713 persons. The total area of land occupied in the land district of Taranaki is 1,711,730 acres. In the province 193 acres are devoted to fruit growing, 43 acres of which are used for commercial purposes. The area of the whole of the market gardens in Taranaki is 45 acres, and nurseries and seed gardens occupy an area of 16 acres. The private gardens comprise 2016 acres. “VWiat is going to happen to our foreshore?” asked Mr. Davies (East End Reserve Committee) when conferring with the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. He said the committee did important work at the reserve, and they wanted some guarantee that what they did in the future was not going to be lost by erosion. The Mayor promised the council's assistance and co-operation, and Cr. Dingle will confer with the committee at its next meeting. After making due allowance for the current rate of exchange, the cost of a British gallon of petrol in the United States is about Is lid. Following the ' arguments applicable here—and making all allowances for shipping and insurance charges, it is undeniable that we are paying at least Is 6d per gallon in excess of what would be reasonable (says an Auckland wri> r). High operational costa are holding motor transport back, and during the present slump it will languish badly under the influence of the promised motor tax, tyre tax, and increased vehicle import duty. So, on the grounds of equity and business, the price of petrol ought to be substantially lowered.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the Paritutn troop of the Legion of Frontiersmen, held last night, TroopLeader G. Bertrand presided over an attendance of about a dozen members.

A balance-sheet was presented showing a cash balance of £2B Is 3d. Outstanding accounts amounted to £l9 10s, and when these were met the cash surplus would be £8 Ils 3d. It was also stated that the troop had assets in the shape of members' subscriptions due. A member, expressed the op-inion that steps should be taken to put the troop on a better basis as regards membership. There were many members who did not attend, and some were unfinancial. The chairman said it was intended to do something on thpee lines, and he favored developing the social side of the troop’s activities. A resolution was carried authorising the troop leader and f secretary to revise the roll of members and present the list to a future meet-i ing. Subsequently the meeting discuss- j ed ar. •’igements in connection with trie , annual re-union dinner, to be hold on i Eyiday, 25 th lust*

Settlers in the Wairarapa are reported to be signing up freely under ithe new rural delivery system. A resident of North Invercargill was arrested a few days ago on a charge of cruelty to a cow. The animal had broken into his garden, and he fired a charge of shot into it. ‘•Free trade,” said Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., in the House of Representatives, “is like Christianity. It would be a very good thing if everybody practised it. But if you are a really good Christian, and you arte living alongside a chap who Jias no principles, it will take you all your time to hold your ovzn with him in this wicked world.”

A Hastings business man received a letter on Wednesday from an old apprentice of his, who went farming, saying that after twelve years’ hard work 'he had lost his money, amounting to about £13,000, from the wreck of which he just managed to scrape £5OO, with which remnant of his fortune he is about to start again at his old trade.

An abandoned female infant was found on the verandah of the Rev. H. Williams’s residence, Opawa (Christchurch), late oh Friday night last. A doctor was summoned, aaid gave attention to the baby, which, though only about an hour old, was found none the worse for its experience. The child was kept at the vicarage all night, and next day was admitted to the Christchurch Receiving Home. When found, the baby was clad only in a singlet and a rag, and there was nothing to give a clufe to its identity.

The Dunedin Star records something in the nature of a comedy, which had its beginning on a tramcar. A lady who had been shopping put her dress basket containing the purchases on the front platform. Three men who were starting for a week-end crib deposited their dress basket in the same place. On alighting they lifted their baskets in a hurry, with the result that an expectant mother was gravely handed a present consisting of fishing tackle and whisky, whilst the week-enders on cutting the cord found that they had laid in a stock of baby linen.

A cable was received last week from Mr. W. Goodfellow, managing director of the N.'Z.C.D.C., in which he said the action of Australia in quoting as low as 150 s had partially wrecked the market, and it was impossible at present to give a reliable forecast of what would be the position even in a fgw weeks’ time. Mr. Goodfellow also said that the company’s new make of butter, if on the market to-day, would sell at 210 s, and he emphasised the fact that in view of the large stock of inferior Imperial Government butter there would be a poor demand for secondary qualities this season, and only the superfine article would command the best prices.

What the new 7s 6d tariff will mean to buyers of bananas and oranges can be easily arrived at when added to the following prices. The other day an Auckland fruiterer landed a consignment of bananas, the average being about 701 b per case, and these, with freight, etc., cost 26s per case. A consignment of Australian oranges cost 22s Gd. Add the 7s 6d to this, and then take into consideration that the retailer has to fix his selling price so as to allow for waste and also to ensure himself a profit, and the public can easily realise why imported fruit is so dear. It is also interesting to note that the shrinkage in a case of bananas amounts to approximately 101 b. from the time it is shipped till it lands in the shop. The question of free advertising on the tram oars was discussed by the New Plymouth Borough Council last night when an application was received on behalf of a local function for the display of advertisements on the trams free of charge. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said this .opened up the whole question, for as concessions had been granted in the past, others were now seeking similar concessions, and he thought that the council should decide a definite policy on the question. After a brief discussion the Mayor moved that in future no free advertising should be allowed on the trams, and this was carried on the Mayor’s casting vote, four councillors favoring the proposal and four voting against it. The application before the council last night, which was on behalf of an entertainment for the Clarke Memorial Hostel, was approved on certain conditions, but no free advertising will be granted in future.

A proposal for lawns on the East End Reserve for the New Plymouth Croquet Club was mentioned at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council. The club, which for many years has had lawns in conjunction with the tennis club in Vivian Street, was recently compelled to find a new home owing to the expansion of the tennis club. Last night Mr. Davies (East End Committee) waited on the council and briefly outlined the proposal, stressing that the club required some guarantee of tenancy, as it was proposed to acquire an acre of land and lay down lawns, etc. The Mayor said the 'council was always •ready to assist anyone desiring to improve the reserves of the town, and in this case the club could rely on the council’s favorable consideration of the matter. It was desired, however, to have fuller details from the chib, and the matter was deferred.

The New Plymouth Beautifying Society, whose annual meeting will be held next Thursday evening, deserves the support of all citizens, and it is hoped that there will be a good attendance. Although hampered by want of funds, the committee has shown much energy during the past few months in cleaning up and improving Baines Terrace and the banks of the Huatoki between Vivian and Courtenay Streets. The excellent results which have been produced by the services of a few people show what could be done to improve the town if more townsmen gave some of their spare time to this good work.

At the card party at May's tea rooms to-night there will be bridge and progressive euchre, for which beautiful prizes will be given both -for ladies and gentlemeh. A delicious supper is being prepared for the occasion. As the proceeds are in aid of the Plunket Baby Day, the organisers anticipate liberal patronage.

A sale of considerable interest to all wood workers is advertised in this issue to take place on Friday morning next at the Bonithon Estate, Devon Street West. The lot to be. submitted comprises a complete joinery plant, and is in good working order.

Towels, duty free, is the tempting offer this week made by Rennie and Co., the Big Store, Waitara, on page four. It’s a splendid opportunity for hotels and housekeepers to stock up for the coming summer and save money on these necessary furnishings. Buy freely; you’ll be glad afterwards. Two exceedingly cheap sections are offered for sale in this issue. See new advertisement of Mr. R. A. Large.

The New Plymouth Chbral Society invite the assistance of other vocalists in the production of the “Messiah” concert, to be given on December 14th.