LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Palmerston North’s dream of an elec-tically-lit town and cheap power is within measurable distance of realisation (says the Manawatu Times). Within twelve months we may expect to see the miracleworking “juice” running through the cables from the borough-owned power-station. Tenders for this and the gasworks are to be called almost immediately. “The bells of St. Mary’s” did not “ring out” yesterday, at any rate as far as New Plymouth was concerned. The reason was because the heavy iron clapper fell to the ground a few days ago, owing to the fastening which secured it to the pendulum of the bell wearing out. The clapper, which is made of solid iron, weighs 11 lb. A new clapper is to be procured. The first prize in the Wanganui Amateur Boxing Asociation’s art union, drawn on Friday night, was a gold specimen, valued at £lOO, and the winning ticket was held by Mr. J. L. Mander, Fitzroy, New Plymouth (No. 32,952). Saturday’s sports fixtures were marred by the wet weather. Football enthusiasts who braved the elements got w?t through, the matches being played in the rain and slush. All hockey fixtures were postponed, while the hunting at the Kennels, Lepper ton, was not held, but will probably be arranged for Thursday afternoon next. The club also meets at Waihi on the Saturday following. The “snapshots” entertainment company played to a good house at the. Empire Theatre on Saturday night. A popular innovation was a competition for stage aspirants, which attracted about a dozen entrants. The winners of the prizes offered by the company were: Fir Miss Annie White (soprano singer) ; second, Miss Rogers (pianiste).

The possibility of motor-cycle taxis coming into use in Christchurch is said to he by no means remote. Questions have been asked regarding them in the City Council motor inspector’s department, and there is evidently nothing in the by-laws to prevent their use. The lighter vehicle would doubtless undercut the ordinary taxis, both for short and long distances. They have been in use in France and England for some time. The question of stand accommodation in Christchurch would be difficult.

While he was in Australia recently, the Minister of Customs, and Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. D. Stewart, did not press the Commonwealth Government to pass an Act similar to one already on the Statute Book of New Zealand providing for reciprocity in the matter of old-age pensions. He explained to the House of Representatives that he had examined the question and had come to the conclusion that it would not be advantageous for New Zealand to persuade Australia to pass such legislation at this juncture. Experts had advised him that the basis of reciprocity was not fair to this country. Moreover, he had to some extent been influenced by general considerations*bi finance.

Mr. R. Masters, M.P. for Stratford, in conversation with a News reporter regarding the omission of his name from the list of voters in connection with the amendment moved protesting against the second “cut” in Civil Servants’ salaries, stated that Mr. O. Hawken, M.P., who was leaving the House, asked him to pair in the. event of a vote being taken. This he agreed to do, and the respective party Whips were notified. Accordingly when the vote was taken he remained in the House, but to his surprise found that Mr. Mitchell was paired with Mr. Hawken. The latter, seen afterwards, could not understand why he was not paired with Mr. Masters, who wishes it definitely understood that his vote was in favor of the amendment.

At Hawera, on Friday, William Arthur Woods, who was remanded on Tuesday last, appeared before the court on a charge of stealing two revolvers and a rolled-gold watch, of a total value of £2l, the property of Percy Vincent Catling. Sergeant Henry said that Woods had been employed by the Kaponga Town Board. A man named Catling had also been employed by the board, and had left a lot of his personal effects in boxes in one of the board's sheds. Catling left Kaponga, and subsequently the shed was burnt. Later the Hamilton police interviewed Woods in regard to two revolvers and a gold watch which had been amongst Catling’s propertyin the shed. Woods, however, denied having any knowledge of the articles, but later the police learnt that a certain young lady in Hamilton knew something about the misinsg revolvers and watch. The police again interviewed Woods, and he made a statement admitting having stolen the property. Constable Anderson said that accused had appeared to be quite a well-conducted person. Accused pleaded guilty to the charge, and was committed to the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. Bail was fixed at self £5O and one surety of £lOO.

Entries for the practical examinations of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music close to-morrow (Tuesday). See advertisement in this issue.

Motorists! Cook’s Gear Lubricant clings to teeth and deadens noisy gears. Also improves gear boxes and differentials. Don’t be without it. Obtainable from R. P. M. Manning Co., 139 Albert Street, Auckland. 5

“While visiting the backblocks recently, I saw working on the roads men who had forsaken their farms, because they did not pay,” said Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P., at the public servants’ meeting in Masterton.

“How much is half-a-gallon ?” asked counsel of a witness in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, in an attempt to visualise in practical form just exactly how much the quantity would be. “Perhaps it would be easier to judge half a pint,” put in the magistrate, and a smile went round the court. “Yes, that would probably be On easier standard of measurement,” admitted counsel.

The Provincial Convention of the W.C.T.U. is to be held at Whiteley Hall on Wednesday next, July 5, at 9.30 a.m. On Tuesday evening a reception of delegates will 1 take place at St. Andrew’s Hall. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to preside. On Wednesday evening a concert has been arranged at Whiteley Hall. At all functions a collection in aid of expenses will be taken up. Prospecting for gold is being carried out in several parts of the Taumarunui district. It is reported that two Government officials arrived at Taringamotu from Wellington this-week to report on a discovery in the vicinity. A new syndicate of prospectors have struck what they called the “real thing.” Samples of stone have been sent to Waihi and favorably reported on. Particulars of this find should shortly be made public. “We have so many purposes for which we urgently require money that it is quite impossible to add to them in existing circumstances,” was the reply of the Prime Minister to Mr. Clutha Mackenzie (Auckland East), who asked him whether the Government would in the near future float a loan for the payment of local bodies’ “antecedent liabilities.” How soon a copy of the tariff agreement with the Commonwealth will be placed before the House of Representatives depends, according to the Minister of Customs, upon, how soon the Address-in-Reply debate is concluded, upon what are the wishes of the deader of the House in regard to the order of business, and upon when the Commonwealth Government will find it convenient to present a copy to its Parliament. The Minister wishes, of course, to lay the agreement before the New Zealand Parliament at the same time as it is laid before the Federal Parliament.

A social will be held in the Warea Hall to-morrow, night, in aid of the shurch funds.