LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1924, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The section of the Main North Road between New Plymouth and Te Kuiti is in fair condition, states the road report. issued yesterday by the Taranaki Automobile Association.

In conversation with a representative of the North Otago Times, the Hon. A. D. McLeod. Minister for Lands, stated that the dairy produce exported from the North Island for the first four months of the present season was onethird in excess of the quantity exported for the same period last year. “I always ascribed the prevalence of diphtheria and scarlet fever to the number of cows in the district,” said Dr. W. M. Thomson, when giving evidence before the Nolantown merger eommiss’on at Hawera yesterday. He believed the diseases would always be epidemic in the district, but during the last few years they seemed to have died out to a large extent. The rise in wool (remarked a wellknown Palmerston North stock agent recently) will just about wipe out the losses of sheep farmers in the "slump.” The banks or stock agents will get most of it this time, but if we have another year of prices like the present then the sheep men of New Zealand will really be in a sound position. Now, with the rise, they are just about as they were financially before the slump. Unemployment amongst general labourers is reported to be greater than is usual at this time of the year (says the Christchurch Press). A job of garden digging was applied for by no fewer than twenty men. Quarry hands are reported to have decreased recently. The opening of the freezing works and the start of the wool season are expected to relieve the present conditions considerably in the near future. "I believe that if the Auckland University C ollege were to discover a really first-class liquor it would gain more

repute among the public than if it were t« discover the theory of atomic structure,” said Professor F. P. Worley, when speaking at the Auckland Institute’s final meeting of the year (reports the Star). The remark occasioned a good deal of merriment. The following clause was included in a report submit ted by the Hospital Committee to a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board: •“rhe medical superintendent has felt it necessary t.> call attention to the la r ge number of recommendations being rec-ived i’or admission of case.s suffering, fr.nn ordinary ailments connected with old -go. The general- hospital is not an institution for dealing with such cases, and it is daily becoming more necessary that persons should recognise their responsibility by caring for ihe.r aged relatives. A '///ge number of the cases ‘being recommended are “hose that may be suitable fcr an old persons’ home, but certainly not for a genera i li.’.spital.” Jn presenting the report, Mr. 11. Holland said bethought the Hospital Board would have to look into the matter of providing an infirmary for old people. The report was adopted. The attention of breeders of purebred Friesian cattle and other persons interested in the breed is directed to (he dispersal sale of the “Van RaceJands” herd, to be held at Lepper ton on December 1,1. The herd is to be sold in its entirety, as the stud farm of “Racelands” has been sold and the owners, Messrs. Clifford Bros., are leaving Taranaki. Buyers will have a splendid opportunity of securing some splendid Fri’esians at this sale, as the herd contains many cows and heifers that arc outstanding. The herd sire, Dominion SharpnOl Wood, is also a rare specimen of the breed, and he is leaving stock of the desired type and m ilki ing qualities. Catalogues of the sale can be obtained from all branches of the auctioneers, Messrs. Newton King, Ltd. i The whole world appears to be seething with discontent, and we are supposed to be living on the edge of a volcano. Everybody knows too much about other people’s business, and every man has a’ grouch because he is not making as much money as the next one. Why not forget i.t all for a day or two, and visit the Horticultural Show, where the beautiful bldbms create an atmosphere of peace, quietfress and harmony, which is very soothing to frayed and shattered nerves. Keep next Thursday and Friday free. A quantity ,of new timber will he sold at Stony River sale next. Tuesday. See sale advertisement for full particulars.