LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Times are apparently improving. At the first day of the Hawera races yesterday the totalisator handled £25,861, compared with £23,443 last year, an increase of £2418.

In the Navy League junior essay competition for 1922, first place in the boys’ division was filled by Harold Keith Gonszning, Fitzroy Road, New Plymouth. The subject of the essay, which was for the Palmer prize, was “The Age of Drake.”

Taranaki is to be well represented at the Toronto exhibition by samples of hand-work done by Taranaki primary school students. These samples include raffia work, poi pois by Maori children, and books containing collections of ferns and native shrubs.

“Still missing!” is the only information concerning the Rev. W. Murray, who disappeared from a mountain party on Mt. Egmont on Tuesday of last week, and has since remained undiscovered, despite vigorous searches for him. Parties were again -out yesterday.

A motor trip over the back block roads of Taranaki has just been completed by Messrs. H. Derby and T. V. Simons, of New Plymouth. Leaving New Plymouth the party travelled t«» To Kuiti and then on to Hamilton and Tc Arolia, returning through to Ohura. They found the roads fairly good, despite the prevailing rains, although there were holes in the road on some of the saddles big enough to bury the car in. The party speak with enthusiasm of the scenery, .particularly in the magnificent ■ Tangarakau Gorge. In all, about 600 miles were covered without trouble of any kind.

The forty-second anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone in epnnection with the New Plymouth harbor fell yesterday. The intervening years have witnessed the developmnt of the port from a road-stead to a safe berthage for liners up to 10,000 tons. With the completion of the new wharf, the preliminary work of which is now well under way, the advance of the port will bo still more evident, especially as additional deep-water accommodation will then be provided. The proposal that a motor mail delivery should be established between New Plymouth and Marton was brought before the Stratford Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday by the Taranaki Chamber. It was urged that such a service would save time, the north mails at present being delayed at Marton for five hours. The Stratford Chamber decided to state in reply that it considered the speeding up of the ail trains was of greater importance and more likely to be accomplished earlier.

At a meeting of creditors in the estate of M. J. Lynskey at Hawera on Monday, the Deputy Official Assignee (Mr/ R. S. Sage) presiding, the following resolution was passed: “That in view of the confidential report of the investigating accountant, it is the opinion of the meeting that further investigation of the points which come within the range of the Act should bo made, and that if these points prove tn be available, the D.O.A. be authorised to proceed with a public examination.”

A visit of inspection to Lake Rotokare was paid, by the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and a number of councillors yesterday afternoon. The party was accompanied iby Mi,. V. C. Davies, secretary of the scenic reserve committee, who pointed out the scene of the recent means for raising the lake to its former level. The bursting of the dam has had the effect of lowering the lake by about six feet, and unless the water is raised again the spot will lose much of its charm by reason of the uncovering of old tree stumps and mud, which were previously hidden. A walk through the bush along the paths constructed by the committee revealed many charming views of native bush and delightful picnic spots. Near the lake side native trees not indigenous to the locality have been planted, and if the committee keeps up its work it should soon be. as Mr. Davies said, second to none in New Plymouth. A delightful afternoon tea beneath the trees, provided by Mrs. Davies, added a finishing touch to an enjoyable visit.

The annual picnic in connection with the West End school takes place on Saturday next. Given fine weather it is expected there will be a very large attendance at the popular pleasure resort, which is now looking at its best. The train will leave New Plymouth at 5.45 a.m., returning from Ngaere at 4.30 p.m. Fares are fixed at the moderate price of 1/6 for school children, 2/- for senior scholars, and 3/6 for adults. Hot water, tea, milk and sugar will be provided.

To-morrcAv Webster Bros, are holding a big sale of 800 boxes of choice assorted fresh fruits, including 80 boxes Roxburgh apricots, the last of the season.

The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation notify present entries for their' annual Upper Waitotara sheep fair, at Mr. John Peats yards at Ngamatapouri, behind Waverley, on Tuesday, February 31. The .sheep off this country are noted for doing well anywhere, and aS lots will bo sold to suit purchasers there, should be a large attendance of buyers. Details will be found on page 8.

Mr. D. D. O'Connor was in New Plymouth yesterday arranging for the farewell visit of Miss Rosina Buckman on February 21.

The Melbourne’s great sale positively ends on Saturday next. Every purchaser of drapery and men's and boys’ clothing and mercery should strain every point in order to take full advantage of the great savings which this sale affords. Judging by the trend of affairs it will be many a long day before prices . agaia-touiib »a low» hvd. .