LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During 1922, CIS operations were performed at the New Plymouth hospital, with 609 recoveries, and nine deaths.

The primary schools in the Taranaki Education District re-opein after the summer vacation on Thursday, February 1.

Writing to a New Plymouth resident, a Gisborne business man says: “Ae a sequel to the recent wool sale ar Napier the farmers of this district have become changed men. They are actually smiling again and rubbing their hands. It is pleasing now to run up against them. You cannot realise what a bump the slump had given this district. Now things will be much better.”

A 24-year old girl, named Doris Walker,'lost her life by drowning at Pukearuhe, near Urenui. on Tuesday afternoon. It appears that the child, who is a daughter of William Walker, surfaceman, wandered from her home and was found a short time afterwards in a neighbouring river. Life was then extinct.

The lack of wireless is a serious handicap to ocean going vessels in these modern days. This fact was brought home to those on board the Pukaki, which arrived at New Plymouth from Walpole Island yesterday. The ship spent the week-end tossing round CapeMaria van Diemen, having been intercepted on route to Auckland by flag signal. The vessel was obliged to remain near the Cape from Saturday to Monday to await instructions, being then diverted to New Plymouth. Had the vessel had a wireless equipment, thus delay in a heavy running sea would not. have been necessary, as the desired message could have been communicated direct.

The Taranaki Education Board have a considerable number of appointments to fill for the beginning of the new school year. There are itoouc 20 positions for head-teachers and assistants vacant, and applications for these closed to-day. About 100 applications havfe been receiveci, but ■some of the vacancies did not occur until Close to the holiday period, and others Ijavo taken place since the holidays commenced. Some 30 pupil teachers and 23 probationers have also to be appointed, but the pupil teachers’ appointments cannot be made until the annual examination results are known. The appointments will be dealt with iby the board on Monday..

An enjoyable picnic for the children of the district was held at Okau yesterday under the auspices of the New Plymouth Victoria League,, and in fine weather, the young people, who gathered in force, were entertained wirn sports, competitions, etc. Okau, which is a somewhat isolated settlement in the north, possesses a branch of the Victoria League, which, the help of the parent body in New Plymouth, has done a lot of useful service for the settlers, and the arrangement of yesterday’s picnic, was the outcome of- a desire by the league that a share of thfc joys of the town children should be given to these young folk of the back-blocks. Mrs C. H. Burgess, (the president of the league), accompanied by two motor car loads of members, went to Gkau and though the weather was unsettled in town, it was fine m tne country. Generous supplies of toys,, sweets, etc., were taken from New Plymouth, and in many entertaining ways, a day crammed with amU-scinents wils provided. The settlers entertained the visitors to afternoon tea.

A meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies Association wa» held at Eltham yesterday, primarily discussing the forthcoming appeal against the Magistrate’s decision in the case, Stratford County Council versus Archibald and Blackwell. The chairman (Mr C. J. Belcher) explained that the defendants had been convicted unaer uie joint county by-laws, and in the appeal an attempt would probably be made to prove the by-laws concerned were invalid. Since the matter affected all the counties joining in the by-laws, it was thought advisable it should be discussed by the association. The matter was discussed in ’committee, and it was decided that the association would fight the appeal, and endeavour ro have the by-laws and the magistrate’s decision upheld. •

Scots and lovers of Burns will be celebrating January 25 in honour of the birthday of Robbie Burns, and the New Plymouth Caledonian Society have endeavoured to arouse interest in the anniversary by holding a dinner in the Workers’ Social Hall. It is over twenty years since a similar function has been held here,, and the arrangements are ensuring that it will be a success.

The public are notified that the Melbourne Limited are preparing for a gigantic summer sale to commence on Tuesday next, 23rd inst. The pruning knife is being applied to everything in ail departments; consequently patrons of the firm’s stores may safely anticipate obtaining many genuine and wonderful bargains. Particulars will be advertised later.

Beautiful Foulard silks at 14/6 yard can be bought for 8/11 at C. C. Wards, Ltd., clean-up sale. Best quality cotton Foulards reduced from 4/6 to 2/11 and 2/11 yard to 1/11 yard. Wonderful value in Jap. crepes, 1/6, i educed to 1/-, 1/9 reduced to 1/3; beautiful colors. «

New Plymouth was in darkness for about ten minutes last night ow'ing to a temporary dislocation of the electric light service. As far as can be gathered one of the lines at the hydro works came down, inducing what was practically a short circuit. The trouble was quickly righted* The rain which descends on New Plymouth is apparently no lover of politicians. When Mr. Massey spoke in the Coronation Hall during the election campaign, it abruptly shut off his remarks as lie was reaching a climax in his denunciation of the Labor Party. Last night it was no less unfair to Mr. 'J'. M. Wilford as it threatened to prevent him speaking altogether, but it relented and he was allowed to continue to the accompaniment of a gentle patter on the roof.

Some touches of unconscious humour have enlivened the story of their trials and troubles by Auckland soldier farmers to the investigating board recently appointed to report upon their affairs. One ex-soldier, in narrating his “misfortunes,” said that, whereas he and his wife, although married for several years had no children when they took up their farm, they now had two. When the members of the board visited the farm they saw two of the healthiest and most attractive “misfortunes” that any couple could wish for. Incidentally it has been noted by the board that bonny children are very plentiful on most of the farms so far visited by them.