LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Taranaki Daily News will not be published on Thursday (Christinas., Day) and Friday (Boxing Day).

Three applicants for work, a clerk, a driver, and a labourer, visited the New Plymouth office of the Department of Labour last week.

The condition of the road between 'New Plymouth and Te Kuiti is "fair,” according to a week-end /bulletin, issued by the Taranaki Automobile Association.

A miscellaneous assortment of live stock, including two calves, five cows, 30 horses, four mules and four donkeys was impounded from the Stratford roads during November. The inspector explained tiie unusual variety by stating that a. circus had been at Cardiff.

Rabbits appear to have multiplied with unusual rapidity in Canterbury this season, states the Timaru Herald, and in all •the river beds and other waste 'lands, ’as io hiilier districts, there are abundant evidences that swarms of young bunnies are threatening potential lofs to pastoralists and farmers.

Anticipating unseasonable weather on account of the recent unsettled conditions, the Taranaki Automobile Association decided on Saturday not to hold the proposed run to the Cape Egmont lighthouse, yesterday, but to make the trip at a later date, probably towards the end of January. As it happened yesterday was a perfectly fin e day.

The new band of the Ist Battalion of the Taranaki Regiment made its debut yesterday, when it gave a very enjoyable’ recital in Pukekura Park. A large attendance of Jhe public gave the band a most encouraging reception, which was well deserved by the creditable manner in which the various items were played. The collection amounted to £l5 16s 3d.

As showing the value of the railway to the settlers of Ohiira, it was stated by a deputation to the Minister for Railways last week that the ordinary freight on the Public Works Department line from the Main Trunk to Toi Toi (two miles from Ohura) for turnip fertiliser was 17s 6d a ton, whereas, prior to the advent of the line, the cost for the same distance was £3 10s a ton.

In interesting fossil, a moa’s thigh bone measuring 2ft 7A inches in length, is on view in Purser Bros.’ window in High •Street, Hawera. The bone was found by Mr. Tim O’Neill, of Manutahi, at the Forty-Mile Bush, Wairarapa. Some idea of the tremendous age of the fossil may be guaged by the fact that it was found under the roots of a giant rimu tree measuring five feet in diameter, and growing in a swamp.

A young lady got into difficulties while bathing yesterday at a point known as “the caves,” about a mile west of Faritutu, but she was brought to shore by the prompt and plucky action of Mr. C. D. Collins. There wa ß a full tide at the time, and although the young lady was no great distance out she encountered a strong undertow and immediately found herself in difficulties. Mr. Coiling plunged in and after a struggle was successful in bringing the lady ashore in rather an exhausted condition. His action i s especially commendable on account of the choppy gea.

The question of railway freight charges was discussed when members of the Ohura County Council waited on the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister for Railways) at Ohura on Friday, dissatisfaction being expressed regarding the delay and expense of bringing goods from Auckland. The position was discussed in detail, and Mr. Coates agreed to instruct the station official at Okahukara to telephone advise of the arrival of goods to consignees in Ohura. Afterwards a Daily News reporter interviewed leading, settlers on the matter and in all cases a desire to trade with Taranaki and to make use of the port of New Plymouth was expressed.

To-day, December 22, is the longest day and although no appreciable difference will be detected in the hours of daylight for the next week or two the minutes lost will soon amount to hours. To-day the sun rises at 4.18 a.in., and sets at 7.29 p.m., giving altogether about 15 hours 11 minutes of daylight. To-morrow th e gradual decline in the hours of sunshine will commence, when the sun although setting at the same time, will rise a minute later, namely 4.19 a.m. Next day, Wednesday, December 24, the hours will remain the same, but on Christmas Day with the sun rising at 4.20 a.m. and setting at 7.30 p.m. another minute will be dropped. An enjoyable little function was held at the home of Mrs. Dickson, Vogeltown, on Saturday afternooij, when about fifteen to twenty members of th e New Plymouth branch of the W.C.T.U. attended a golf croquet afternoon. During the day the sum of 14s was realised and this will be devoted to the ladies’ rest room in Devon Street. A jumble stall conducted by Mrs. Wilkie was well patronised, and the proceeds from it will be devoted to th e general fund. The golf croquet competition was won by Miss Spence, with Mrs. Wilkie runner-up. During the afternoon a jumble word competition was held and was won by Mrs. Ruebe. Tea was provided by Mrs. Dickson.

A very successful open-air concert ■was held by the Pipe Band in Pukekura Park on Saturday evening. Despite the keen southerly breeze, there was a large attendance, and the programme provided was much appreciated. Three items were contributed by the pipers, in addition to which Pipe-Major A. B. Mac Diarmid gave a pipe solo. Vocal items were rendered by Mrs., Ferry, Mrs. Osborne, and Mr. Gohn, encores from whom were demanded and responded to. Mr. Frederic acted as accompanist. The Chief of the New Plymouth Caledonian Society (Mr. M. G. Nasmith) expressed his thanks to the public for their attendance and to t'he singers who had contributed to the evening’s enjoyment. He announced that the society intended to hold a .series of out-door concerts 'during the summer months.

Here are acceptable inexpensive gifts for men and boys at the Melbourne Limited. Pretty silk ties Is 9d to 5s fid, handkerchiefs plain? and initial Irish laiwn 9d, Is and Is fid, mercerised with large silk initial Is 6d, pure linen Is lid and 2s 6<l, plain white silk handkerchiefs 3s lid, silk with large initial 5s ‘fid, coloured bordered handkerchiefs Is each are wonderful value. Fancy socks in great variety 3s fid t,o Oft fid.