LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1926, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Taranaki farmer has been employing many sharemilkers for many years past. This season he provides 1200 cows for this purpose. After 44 years spent in its service during 14 of which he has been manager of the Wanganui branch, Mr. C. N. Raine has retired from the staff of the Bank of New Zealand. On Monday he was the recipient of a silver salver from the citizens.

The Government has declined to entertain tlie proposal of the Waitemate Bright Committee for legislative authority for a million pounds lottery to construct a bridge across the Auckland harbour.

Whilst playing on a railway turntable at New Plymouth yesterday, n little girl named Nancy Andrews slipped and her legs were entangled in the woodwork, which inflicted several severe cuts and bruises. She was removed to the hospital. That her husband left home for apparently no reason was the extraordinary story told by Mary Ann Reid in seeking an order for restitution of conjugal rights at Wellington the other day. “He just went,” was her cryptic explanation. The Chief Justice: "Had there been any quarrel between you?” Witness: “No, sir.” "Was there no reason at all?” queried the Judge incredulously. The petitioner replied in the negative. One night when she went home to their furnished flat after work she said she was surprised to find that her husband had called for his coat and disappeared. An order was granted.

There is still a good deal of unemployment in Wanganui, says the Chronicle, and very little work is offering for unskilled men. The local Government labour office has added 12 names to its list since last Monday, bringing the total up to 25, and work was found for only, one man during the week. That this office is performing a very useful work, however, is shown by the fact that since the beginning of May 70 men have been placed in employment, 18 privately and 52 on various public works. Of the number now on the department's books, 16 are listed as labourers.

The scarcity of tissue paper used for the making of cigarettes from loose tobacco continues, and it would appear that those who do not indulge in “tailor-mades” are going to be faced with difficulties (says the Lyttelton Times). When a big fire broke out in the French factory where a certain brand is made, it was feared that there would be a shortage. Then, when the Port Kembla went ashore, tobacconists and. a section of their customers were filled with misgivings, as it was announced that the ship was carrying a big consignment of tissue papers to New Zealand. It will be some time probably before the situation is eased.

The Okato old timers’ ball, organised by the Hempton Hall Committee, was held last night. Favoured by excellent weather, the hall was filled to overflowing, the attendance including visitors from as far north as New Plymouth and as far south as Kaponga. George’s Ambassadors’ Orchestra supplied the music, and the ladies’ committee in charge of the supper did everything to ensure the success of this part of the function. Mr. L. Hickford, the hon. secretary, was untiring in his efforts to make the evening enjoyable for everyone, and. the great success of the gathering must have been most gratifying to the committee? who have put in a good deal of hard work. A certain firm recently found itself without the services of that unit essential to good business organisation—the office boy—and the manager proceeded to select one from a number of young hopefuls. The lucky applicant lie called into his office, and as he seemed. a bright lad lie gave him quite a lot of advice on how to get on in the world, especially stressing the fact that his rise to affluence was due to his making a prisoner of every penny when very low on the ladder of progress. The boy listened with interest, and that he took the chief’s advice very literally was borne in upon sundry members of the staff later in the morning. The boy was given quite a tidy little sum to get lunches for several; but as time slipped by it slowly dawned upon them, as no pies, no eash, and no boy returned that he had already made a start for the Rothschild fortunes. Now they have a new message boy—but they get their own pies.

The question of what to do about husbands who go to Australia and. “forget” their wives in New Zealand Is sorely agitating the minds of the Social Welfare Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board. The cost of bringing back to New Zealand such an absentee was stated to have gone up, like other things, and was now quoted, at £45, and the question arose, apart from that of justice, whether it was worth it. The cost of maintaining a certain deserted family mentioned was stated to be £3 a week, and it was doubtful whether the husband, if brought to book, eould pay anything, so was the expenditure of' £45 justified? Reciprocity with Australia on this question, it was said, was being aimed at, and Government co-operation was wanted, as boards by themselves were not likely to make much progress. “Of course, we never get the reverse —wives deserting their husbands,” added one member with an olive branch look at the lady members of the board. “No,” added another,

“women know a good thing when they have got it, and stick to it.” Tenders are invited by the Lands Department for the purchase of a small farm at Midhirst. See advertisement in this issue.

Saving money by buying better goods at a cheaper price can be accomplished at MeGruer's, who are making a further reduction of prices for the last few days of their sale.

“The Only Way” to save money is to economise by having your Suits, Costumes, Dresses, Hats, etc., equal to new. We have the most up-to-date Steam Dyeing and Dry Cleaning Plant in Taranaki lor doing this class of work. Look over your wardrobe and let us have your soiled or faded garments to renovate. "Do it Now.” Our address is: J. K. Hawkins and Co., corner Devon and Liardet Streets, New Plymouth. Telephone 685. Stratford agent, Mrs. Rudkin, the Loßie Shop.

Now is the time to purchase those new hearthrugs in preparation for spring cleaning. Messrs C. C. Ward, Ltd, the busy Cash Drapers, New Plymouth, have a wide range of serviceable rugs on view, in their Currie Street windows. At the prices they are marked they are sure to prove ready sellers, so do not delay in selecting yours. Tlie Jumper Suit will be popular with the ladies this spring, and a very fine range is showing at Besley’s. They are in Silk and Wool and All-wool Stockingette, ill the latest shads. The prices range from 29,'fi to 72/6, the 29/6 line being very special. There is a fine display in their showroom and windows.