LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“It isn't an easy job and .1. am very glad you have got it and not myself,’’ commented Mr. Justice Reed in the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, yesterday, in asking the jury to consider their verdict on a case which concerned a dispute over an agreement for the building of a house. His Honor said there was a great conflict of evidence, and quite a number of points to consider.

Mr. R. Masters (Stratford) has given notice in the House to ask the Minister in charge of the Board of 'J’rai* 1 whether he will in future insist upon seeing documents setting out detailed cost of production and have reasons submitted before he sanctions any increase in selling price for any commodity to the public. Mr. Masters states that the chairman of the Board of Trade in his evidence before the Cement Commission stated clearly that such a course had not been adopted before authorising a rise in the price of cement. He further stated that while he sanctioned the rise in December Sie did not see the documents until February.

Sir E. Mitchelson’s Gaming Amendment Bill proposes the repeal of section 28 of the Gaming Act, 1908, which prohibits officers of racing clubs from accepting telegraphic instructions as to investments on the totalisator. It will amend section 29 of the Act to read: “No telegram relating to betting or investments on the totalisator shall be delivered on any racecourse unless such telegram is addressed only to the secretary of the racing club under the control of which race meetings are held at such racecourse.” Another clause of the Bill provides for the reinstatement of the double totalisator.

The box-opening of the Fitzroy habitation of the Young Helpers’ League (to provide funds for Dr. Barnardo’s Homes) took place on Tuesday. The membership lias nearly quadrupled this year,, increasing from fourteen to fortynine, and the collections amounted to over £25. I addition to this, a further sum of £1 was realised by a competition for a doll brought by Miss Aroha Parkinson. Mr. Deare kindly donated prizes to the children who collected the largest amounts, these going to Masters Arthur Alsop and Mervyn White, who collected over £2 each, while Misses Gertrude Skelton and Nellie Taylor each gained prizes for having next highest collections. Several other pupils had over £1 in their boxes. Miss Rita Fenwick has gained a silver badge, and Master Roy Locke a silver pocket knife, prizes sent from England to those members of the league who have collected steadily over a period of years. The Counties Amendment Bill was taken in committee in the House on Thursday. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) pointed out that county councils had no power to hold over the payment of rates in cases of ratepayers who were in financial difficulties. In some cases county rates amounted to almost as much as the land tax, and many ratepayers could not readily find the money. He thought there should be some power given to countv councils to suspend payment for a time before penalties were inflicted. The Minister said no representations had been made to him by counties on the point, but he would consult with the department and representatives ot the counties to see whether the proposal was feasible, and if so a clause could be put into the Bill in another place. The Bill was reported without amendment, read a third time and passed. The N.Z. Ixian and Mercantile Agency Co Ltd., wish to draw clients attentio' to their Stratford sale, which they are holding on Tuesday, December at 1 n.ra. Full particulars oi entries will be found on page 8 of this issue.

A recital of organ music will be given in St. Mary’fl Church on Tuesday next, bv Mr. A. N. Renaud,, when the beautiful churcn organ will be heard at its best Included in the programme is Widors “Finale” from Organ Symphony No 1 end Schuberts beautiful S? ri ? n " ade” Isom Swan’s Songs, arranged by the organist. Mrs. Wilkes, who is well known US a soloist in New Plymouth, will assist. There will be a collection .in

A movement is afoot ’to start a chamber of commerce in Manaia. Recently Kaponga established a chamber. “When I went to school we were taught to ‘do unto others as ye would be done by,’ but now the education seems to teach to ‘do others and mind others do not do you, ” remarked a speaker at the public farewell tendered Mr. F. A. Tyrer, retiring headmaster of the Stratford school at the Stratford Town Hall on Thursday evening.

In the Arbitration Court at Auckland Mr. Justice Fraser mentioned that he •had drawn the attention of the Minister of Labor to the fact that the first bonus legislation expires tentatively, on January 10. He had reason to believe legislation would be introduced this session with a view to carrying on the 'bonus.

Responding to the toast of the Parliament of New Zealand at a Post and Telegraph function last night, Mr. W. T. Jennings referred to the difficulties which confronted the country at present, and questioned whether any men in New Zealand to-day were more earnest or sincere in their desire for the welfare of their country than the present members of Parliament—with all their deficiencies.

A burglary took place in Patea on Tuesday or Wednesday last, the tea rooms in Egmont Street belonging to Mrs. Lawrence being entered. So far as can be gathered tile burglar did not gain veiy much by his escapade,, onlj some its* filing left in the till. By a strange stroke of luck he overlooked a small bag lying on the counter in which was some £l6, which Mrs. Lawrence had intended taking home but unfortunately forgot at the last moment; says the Press.

Shortly before 9.30 yesterday morning the New Plymouth Fire Brigade received a call, a fire having been discovered in the second storey of the Royal Hotel in Brougham Street., The brigade quickly responded to the alarm and Uie fire was extinguished before any very serious damage was caused. Painters are ■engaged in removing the old paint from the building preparatory to re-painting, and it is thought the fire originated as the result of the flame from one of the lamps getting between the weatherboarding and one of the bedrooms. Last evening at the Post and Telegraph social evening, Mr. H. E. Fookes remarked that he had been in -all parts of New Zealand but had found no place better to live in than New Plymouth. Another speaker said that many officers of the Department had a preference for New Plymouth and desired when changes were made, to be sent to th? town. One officer present, however, did not share this good opinion of the town. “I must eadidly tell you/’ he said, “that I don't like it :• bit Tt is too wet!” He is being shifted to dry Hawke’s Bay, and his fellow officers showed their sense of the fitness of things by presenting him 'with an umbrella!

In imposing new rates of amusement tax a fresh provision is introduced to cover cases where patrons of any entertainment or series of entertainment are admitted by the payment of a lump sum as a contribution to a society or for a season ticket. In that event the amusement tax has to be paid on admission whether any money actually passes at the time or not. The rate is to be that which is charged for patrons in the same part of the house who are paying for admission in the’ ordinary way. The present arrangement under the Finance Act of 1917 is that the tax is payable upon the amount of the lump sum for which the season ticket or right of entry is obtained. The exemption from amusement tax in the case of agricultural shows as set out in the Finance Act of 1918 is abolished

The provision for revising the increased taxation of totalisator dividends and the stakes at race meetings is embodied in the following terms: The new rates are to remain in force until March 31, 1924. They shall then be deemed to be abolished unless an order in council shall have been issued before that date extending them for a further six months. In. the event of non-extension, or at the end of the extended period the duties in force at the present time are to become automatically re-imposed, and to remain in force until varied by legislation.

New Zealand’s national debt is now 206 millions, of which 104 is held in New Zealand, 190 in England, and l’/j in Australia. It is likely that the New Zealand debt will eventually be transferred to London (said Mr. Harold Beauchamp at Wellington yesterday)for as the local loans mature the money will most probably be called in. Thoso who took up war certificates and short dated Post Office stock and bonds will doubtless require the money, and those who contributed, at considerable inconvenience, under the compulsory clauses of the Act, will also be anxious to get their capital back. ]n a country where rapid development is in progress this is to be expected, as the funds will be wanted for development puiyoses. However, The Government will have ample time to prepare for eventualities, and perhaps in the end the difficulties may not be very great.

In paying a compliment to the efficiency of the Post and Telegraph Department at a function held by tne New Plymouth Post Office staff, last night i» honor of Mr. FT. E. Fookes (who i* about to retire), Mr T. C. List, pre jddent of the Chamber of Cbrnmerco, said the business people appreciated very much the work done by the exchange attendants,, sometimes under difficult, and trying conditions. Touching on the work of the telegraphic branch as affecting newspaper work, Mr. List said that on a recent night the local telegraph office at New Plymouth received for the News on telegraphic and cable messages a total of ten thousand words, which, in newspaper form, was equivalent to two and a half pages of a paper. The fact that this had been handled by the Post Office operators without a material error,, he said, was a striking tribute to their efficiency.

Weather permitting, a Wellington Regimental band recital will be held at the East End Reserve to-morrow (Sunday ).

A memorial to> the Brothers Salisbury, who were killed in France during the Great War,, will be unveiled by Archdeacon Evans to-morrow afternoon, at •2.30 p.m... in the Wells Memorial Church, at Upper Mangorei. The Rev. Air. Martin will assist at the service.

It is remarkable how the old-fashioned method of washing clothes with bar-soap, washing soda and wash-board drudgery has been displaced by the modern scientific dry soap known as “Fairy Wonder” washing powder. The new way has proved more economical, quicker and less laborious, whilst the hands remain soft and smooth. Buy “Fairy.” It is the best of all laundry helps. All grocers.

If you get a chill with sore throat and tightness of chest, tackle it at once with Nazol. It grips quicker and more effectuaUy thjui most remedies,