LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1927, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The New Plymouth Motor-Cycle Club discourages the use of noisy motor-cycles. At a recent meeting the club decided that unless it has an efficient silencer a machine will not be allowed to take part in club runs.

Rain fell heavily and almost continuously in North Taranaki throughout yesterday, necessitating the abandonment of all outdoor sports. Rivers rose rapidly, but the waters soon receded after the rain ceased in the evening. No slips of any importance on the main roads were reported.-

The “largest eel’’ competition seems to be the latest vogue. So far Inglewood has apparently established the record, as there was on view all day Monday at Reesby’s, a monster 4ft. 9in. Tong, 15}in. in girth, and tipping the scales at 2811 be. This eel was hooked in the Manganui at Kaimata during (he week-end by a party of three boys named E. Blanchard, D. and L. Ryan, but it took their united efforts to land their capture on the bank.

What is believed to be the first shark of the season in Auckland was caught off Rangitoto on Wednesday. While emptying refuse on the Harbour Board’s launch off the Rangitoto beacon a party of three men sighted several sharks and immediately threw out a line. After putting up half-an-hour’s fight one was finally brought aboard. It was 9ft. 9in. long and contained the bodies of 25 young sharks, each of which was not less than 2ft. long.

Members of the Newmarket Borough Council caused a diversion in Broadway on Monday in their search for a solution of the car-parking problem (states the New Zealand Herald). Tests were made by parking alternatively at angles of 45 degrees and 60 degrees to the kerbing. The demonstrators were divided on the most desirable method of pulling into the footpath. It was argued on one side that it was preferable for the motorist to back up to .the kerb at the approved angle. Other drivers contended that less traffic confusion would result bv parking the front of the car at the kerb. The desire of the council is to prevent the congestion which parking in double lines has caused in the thoroughfare. The Auckland Automobile Association has agreed to make a suggestion for more convenient parking. The Melbourne, Ltd., are offering special bargains in useful remnants of sheetings, calicoes, etc., etc., all of excellent qualities and useful lengths. Some are slightly shop soiled, but at half-price to clear, they will be speedily disposed of. Light, weight coats are essential this season. Besley's, Ltd. are now showing a large selection in neat tailored designs. These include Charmelaine Repp and Kasha Cloth, in all the wanted shades. Also a smart range of black silk coats in figured and plain effects. ;

The annual examinations for Senior National Scholarship and Public Service entrance and the Intermediate examination for senior free place commence to-day, and will continue daily until next Wednesday. There are three examination centres in Taranaki, namely, the Agricultural Hall, New Plymouth, with Mr. H. W. Insull as chief supervisor, the Manual Training School, Stratford, with Mrs; M. -Tj’rer as chief supervisor, and the Presbyterian Hall, Hawera, with Mr. J. A. Valentine as chief supervisor.

Matters of interest to photographers were discussed at a recent meeting of the New Plymouth Amateur Photographic Society. Mr. H. Bennett presided over a good attendance. The month’s competitions for the best child study were won by Miss Reid in the advanced section and Miss Evans in the novice section, while V. Hellyar won a competition for the best humorous sketch. During the evening Mr. Rupert George gave an interesting lantern lecture on the method of making lantern slides. Practically all the slides used, as well as the lantern, were made by the speaker, and those present were afforded an illustration of what can be done in this respect by anyone interested. At the conclusion Mr. George was accorded a vote of thanks. Several accidents of a more or less serious nature have occurred throughout the Dominion in the last few months owing to explosions Crem coa l hr ranges. At Wen<(on, noutliland, last week, Mr. William Anderson and his daughter had a miraculous esca[>e When a kitchen range was blown to pieces as the result of such an explosion. Miss Anderson and her father were standing close to the range, just as a shovelful of coal had been put on the fire. Suddenly there was a terrific explosion, which hurled pieces of the range and portions of the cooking utensils in all directions. The kitchen is rather small, and Mr. and Miss Anderson had a remarkable escape, as neither of them was struck. Miss .Anderson, as a result of the explosion, has become deaf, but it is hoped that this will prove only a temporary disability.

“The finest war memorial I saw in the course of my travels was in Edinburgh Castle,” said Major-General J. Paton, of Newcastle, New South Wales, who is returning to Australia by the Niagara after attending the Rotary Convention at Ostend. He say many memorials, including that at Menin Gate, during his stay on the Continent and in Great Britain, but that at Edinburgh Castle, because of the fineness of its conception, impressed him most. It was a chapel, approached by a flight of steps, and was situated on the highest point within the castle walls, and on brass plates on the sides of the building the sacrifices of the famous Scottish regiments were poignantly told. “To commemorate the 10,000 men of this regiment who gave their lives in the Great War,” read one inscription. The chapel was surmounted by a beautiful dome, and was in every respect an exceedingly fine memorial. Being placed in one of the “show places” of Edinburgh, it was a constant and striking reminder to all visitors of the great sacrifice Scotland made in the war years.

“The opinion, sometimes expressed abroad, that Great Britain is becoming a back number does not commend itself to anyone who has had the opportunity of studying conditions there,” said Mr. G. C. Codlin, manager of Wilson and Horton, Ltd., who returned from ' a business trip to England by the Niagara. “There has been, undoubtedly, a period of depression, but it has given way now to a wave of optimism,” Mr. Codlin said. “There is a marked keenness for business and a desire to meet the wishes of customers, however exacting the requirments may be. This cheery optimism, so much in evidence, is a characteristic of the average Briton, who creates the impression that he is fighting a losing battle with grim good humour, and, to the surprise of his friends, emerges' triumphant. But it is also based on improved conditions, coupled with great confidence in the future. Everywhere there is ample evidence of the spirit to win and the feeling exists that the most acute period of depression is past. A factor that impressed me very strongly is the manner in which Labour is responding to this feeling. There is a decided change, rapidly becoming more manifest, in the attitude of workers toward their work. This newfound satisfaction in the doing of a job and the pride in the result is, in my opinion, one of the most healthy reactions possible.”

On Friday last an accident resulting in a farmer named Roy Coplestor.e being seriously injured, occurred at Pukengahu. He was engaged with two other workers, MacKey and Jones, in logging, and had a log 15ft. in length and 3ft. in diameter, jacked up, with horse and chains attached, when the log slipped. Coplesfone crawled under the log, which rolled on him, fearing the flesh from his chest bone, breaking a rib, rendering one arm powerless, and injuring. the other. Coplestone was immediately taken to an Eltharn private licxspital. -—Argus. . The New Plymouth Plunket Committee would Ire pleased if all school children would take their eggs to school to-day and to-morrow morning. Hie children’s eggs have been part of Baby Day for six or seven years, the idea being first suggested by Mrs. Hickman Russell, since then the children have always given generously to the babies.

A reminder is given of the grand dance to be held in the Oaonui Hall on Friday night. 18th inst. The committee has made splendid arrangements to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable evening for everybody, and therefore anticipate a crowded house. Gibson’s bus leaves Opunake at 8 p.m. sharp.

Now that spring cleaning time is here many ladies find that they require new curtains, coverings, etc. For best value and the largest selection visit Messrs. C. C. Ward, Ltd., the busy cash drapers, Devon Street, New Plymouth. Our stocks are replete with a great assortment of this seassn's latest hangings.