LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1928, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A large plate-glass window in the premises of Messrs Arthur’-, Ltd., New Plymouth, was broken in the early hours of yesterday morning. A man was subsequently arrested, and will be charged in the court this morning.

An addition of about £l6O to the New Plymouth Presbyterian Church building fund will probably occur as the result of the spring fair held last week. At the conclusion of the fair Miss Abram gave an exhibition of Highland dancing, and Master Geddes recited. The half-hour daylight saving, whicn was adopted by the House of Representatives on Saturday, comes into operation at midnight next Sunday, and continues until the third Sunday in March.

The one-legged ex-soldier cyclist, Rihari Heke, who is touring the North Island for a wager, expects to leave New Plymouth to-day for Stratford. He set out from Auckland on September 22, arriving at New Plymouth on Friday, and hopes to reach Wellington and return to Auckland by the end of the month.

Agriculture has been taken up seriously by Maoris at the Ratana pa, where a large area has been cultivated. The last of the wheat was sown this week, making 475 acres. In addition there are 50 acres of oats, 50 of barley and 60 of potatoes. The activity indicates a revival of industry among the Maoris.

A car driven by an elderly man came into violent contact with an electric light pole in John Street, New Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon. Apparently the steering gear locked but, fortunately, excepting a few cuts caused by the flying glass, the driver escaped injury. One lamp and the windscreen of the car were shattered, and the post splintered.

A big run of whitebait was experienced in the estuary and lower reaches of the Waikato River last week. In the first part of the week very heavy catches were taken along the banks by the natives who engage in whitebait fishing, but they had the unusual experience of finding the big supply was glutting the market. One day’s catch was estimated at 400 benzine tins full and some were sold wholesale as low as 3d per lb. All the bowling clubs in New Plymouth will open the new season next Saturday, according to a decision reached at a meeting of the club presidents last Saturday morning. Invitations will be sent to clubs outside New Plymouth to send representatives to the opening ceremonies, but there will be no official interchange of visits amongst members of the clubs themselves. At present the greens are all in splendid order. When one of the cars carrying the Kempthorne Prosser Soccer players from Wanganui stopped at Waverley for refreshments on Saturday, out tumbled a small boy from an obscure corner in the car. The passengers were considerably surprised as the boy had, they thought, fare welled them on their departure from Wanganui. He had been a kin spectator at all their matches, and was regarded as the team’s mascot. Being determined to see this important game also he decided to stow away on one of the cars. On the discovery of the boy the manager of the team sent a telegram to the lad’s father advising him that his missing son was safe and well, enjoying his joy-ride with the footballers. He came on to New Plymouth, witnessed the game, and returned home yesterday. In the opinion of Mr. Cecil- Ollivicr, who returned to Christchurch last week from a business trip to Sydney, the control of the city's affairs by commissioners is having a good, effect and great economies are to be expected. “Things have improved in New South Wales without any apparent reason except that confidence has been restored owing to the change of Government. The present Government has already been able to reduce income tax. The placing of the control of the affairs of the city under a commission is already having a good effect, and although a reduction of rates has not yet been made, it is anticipated that this will be brought about,” said Mr. Olliver to a representative of the Press. “It is rumoured,” he said, “that the commissioners will effect economies to the extent of £500,000 per annum. Owing to the absence of rain, people are becoming nervous about the future. If rain conies shortly things will boom. Australia, like New Zealand, is groaning under the heel of bureaucracy, but, being a larger country, the effect of interference with business by the Government is not so keenly felt.” A carrier pigeon, No. 6772 ARP, landed at Mr. R. O’Donnell’s home, Tongaporutu, yesterday afternoon. On account of the 7th of this month falling on a Sunday, interest will be allowed by the New Plymouth Savings Bank for the month for money deposited commencing from Monday, the Bth inst. Yes! The town and country are talking as they are good judges of value. The fact must be true, but oue should judge for oneself. So call when next in town and see the exceptional values McGruer’s are offering in new season’s goods. There is something about a well-dressed man that instantly commands respect and attention. Have you conside: :d this aspect of your social and business career? Now then is your opportunity to secure one of Besley’s smart Made-to-your-meas-ure Suits at a special discount of £1 off each suit.

An average of from ten to fifteen men a day require attention for minor injuries at the Auckland wharves, while an ambulance is always in readiness to convey serious cases to the hospital. A young roadman, Robert Cameron, employed by the Rangitikei County Council, was the victim of an unusual accident on the Ruanui Road, near Taihape. He was riding on a motor-loi y when a mob of bullocks rushed past and in doing so one beast struck one of Mr. Cameron’s legs, which was badly broken. The injured man was admitted to the Taihape Hospital, where he is likely to remain for six weeks. The work of disconnecting the damaged propeller of (he tramp steamer Antonio at Auckland is progressing. After the tailshaft has begn withdrawn inward the propeller, which weighs about seven tons, will be lifted from the aperture by the Harbour Board’s floating crane. Early this week the crane will transfer the spare propeller from the ship’s deck to its place in the stern. In addition to the fitting of the propeller the main engines are to be overhauled. Consequently the vessel will not resume her voyage to Lyttelton before Wednesday.

Considerable discussion on the relative merits as farm' hands of New Zealand boys and those brought from England was heard at the meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at Hamilton, when the secretary announced that 30 boys ivere expected to arrive at Auckland this month under the Church of England scheme. One member said in almost every ease the English boys made better farm hands than the New Zealand boys. They were more willing to take orders and did not mind correction. Further, they came out to New Zealand with the determination of making a success of farming, and usually did so. This opinion received general confirmation.

A private cable message published last Monday relative to the New Zealand missionary, Miss Blanche Tobin, who has been kidnapped by bandits in China, mentioned a “Mr. Watkins,” who was stated to have been travelling with Miss Tobin at the time and to have been released by the bandits, while Miss Tobin was detained. A relative of Miss Tobin’s writes to state the person referred to was not a man, but Miss Rhoda Watkins, an Australian nurse who has been working since 1922 in the C.M.S. hospital at Kweilin, to which place she was travelling when captured. SiS> and Miss Tobin were passengers by .the steamer Taiping, which left Sydney for Chinese ports on August 18 last.

The best of values are to be found at The Hustlers. Low prices convey nothing, but when quality is specified the Real Value is conveyed in low price. All the newest dress fabrics in smartly distinctive colours and designs are now being shown at prices that will command a speedy clearance. The Hustlers, Devon Street.

There are a few money-savers to be procured at The Palatine, New Plymouth. Men’s holeproof working trousers, 8/11; men’s gaberdine riding breeches, 19/6; men’s black Italian cloth shirts, 6/6; men’s English saddle tweed, 10/6; men’s all-wool cardigan jackets, grey and heather, 8/11; men’s felt hats, latest shapes and colours, 9/6; men’s flannels, trousers, in the newest fashionable shades, from 10/6; men’s khaki gaberdine trousers, 13/9; men’s canvas coats, 34/9; men’s odd tweed coats, 17/9; men’s double breasted serge suits, 82/6; men’s pyjamas, 6/11. These bargains are to be procured only at W. H. Broome’s, The Palatine, Devon Street, New Plymouth. The show of beautiful frocks, coats and new season’s dres fabrics at the Melbourne is causing quite a stir. The new goods are extremely pretty, particularly the figured rayons, voiles, and spun silks. Inspection cordially invited.

Mr. W. J. Polson will deliver an ad dress in Albert Road School at 7.30 p.m To-night.