LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1929, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Overhanging trees at Taumata Park, Eltham/will continue to overhang as far as the Eltham Borough Council is concerned, despite requests that they be cut down.

By-laws are io be prepared, in accordance with ft decision of the Eltham Borough Council last night, aiming to prohibit the planting of unsuitable shrubs on graves in the Eltham cemetery.

“Farmers live the same as other people; they do not live on grass,” remarked the Opunake harbourmaster last night in stressing the possibilities of the port of Opunake. Road signs are to be obtained and erected by the Eltham traffic in sP on the Mountain Road near the Eltham school.

After continuous unpleasant weather the sunshine has effected a welcome change on the mountain. Visitors find the atmosphere remarkably clear and the snow pleasant. Many have climbed as far as Humphries’ Castle from Noith Egmont and enjoyed glissading.

Cars speeding across the ConwayMountain Road intersection at Eltliam are being watched by the Eltham traffic inspector, who was authorised by. the borough council last night to take action against offenders.

Improvements and alterations intended to be carried out to the grandstand at Taumata Park, Eltham, were discussed at a meeting of the borough council last night, when the matter was left in the hands of the chairman of the reserves committee.

Something should be done,” considered Mr. R. Gooding, Eltham borough health inspector, reporting to the council meeting last night, “in connection with the old stables now unoccupied in Bridge Street. Thes® premises are getting near tfie demolition stage.”

In enumerating last night the imports likely to be handled at the port of Opnnake, Mr. Hardy, the harbourmaster, mentioned 13 tons of beer weekly, a statement that evoked some laughter. He added that this served the whole district and that by ship’s measurements 2} hogsheads were calculated as a ton. The true spelling of “Otago” is about to have its due in the name of the Otago Harbour Board’s new dredge Otakou, now undergoing trials at Paisley. The harbour and province were named after the principal Maori village on the shores of the harbour, but at that time the settlers knew little' or nothing of Maori phonetics, as systematised by certain missionary scholar’s in the North. Consequently “Otago” was the best they could make of the name, and so it has remained, though the spelling of most other Maori place-names throughout New Zealand has been reformed, these many years.

Support of the Bill proposing to repeal the compulsoiy military training law was expressed by the union of the New Plymouth acid and fertiliser workers yesterday. The union-contended that compulsory military service was harmful to the youth of the Dominion in that it took them away from a healthy homo environment and suspended their education at its most useful period either by taking them •from-secondary schools .or from the .trade or profession to which they might be apprenticed. It was considered wasteful in that the methods existing for individual training would under the natural development of military science be obsolete before they could be applied.

A meeting of the New Plymouth Acid and Fertiliser Workers’ Union, last night passed the following resolution: “This meeting of industrial workers supports whole-heartedly the continuance and extension of the present hospital system whereby every class of patient has equal facilities for treatment, regardless of financial position, and views with alarm the proposals of the Government as expressed by the Hon. A. J. Stall-worthy, Minister of Health, at the hospital board conference, which in effect would introduce separate types of treatment for the working class, for the middle class and for the well-to-do, according to the patient’s surplus of wealth or lack of it.”

Writing to the Wanganui Chronicle, a correspondent says: “Recently a note appeared in your paper, purporting to be from the report of a Government official, ‘that after careful examination, the writer of that report had come to the conclusion that the pretty little bird known as the <r black fantail/ which a one time was in fair numbers in bew Zealand, was now extinct. This is not quite correct, as the black fantail nas lately been seen in Wanganui, and on y last season one nested and ultimately reared a family in. Upper Aramoho. It is pleasing to note also that one of such birds was seen a few. days, ago in the same locality, evidently looking for a nesting place. I also notice , that an effort is to be made to ascertain n any huias are still existing in the Ruahine forest ranges. Thirty-seven years ago 1. traversed these ranges from the back oi Rangawahia to tho lower slopes, and saw a number of huia birds. About five years later I saw two birds captured in the Pohunui Block, at lluntcrville. Later on an expedition under the late Mr. J. Stevens, M.P., was sent out by the Government to capture huias at tlie back oi Pukeokahu. This expedition, after several .weeks, returned, reportiug no sign of huias. I had reason to believe at tho time that huias were in that vicinity, but no direct proof. I still believe there is a probability of huias living there, and can only wish that the proposed expedition will meet’ with the success it deserves. The rarity of these birds places a high value on them.’ An extensive alteration scheme is nearing completion at the Imperial Hotel, New Plymouth, and in place ot an obsolete hostelry there will soon be a hotel replete with all modern conveniences, on a par with any structuie of its kind in Taranaki. Tho public and ptivate bars will be ready to be opened on Monday and then tho erection of. -h' business premises in the front poition of the building will be begun.

Au anonymous woman donor lias given £1 Is to the, Boys’ and Girls’ Club u 1 North Taranaki.

Dairymen are reminded of toe sale of 140 dairy cows on account oi Mr. J J. Patterson on Tuesday next, lliese cows are nearly all young and arc good tyney Jerseys and Jersey cross breeds, and are all close up to profit, ihe sale will be conducted without reserve as the vendor’s lease of three properties has expired. The above is a great opportunity for dairymen to fill their requirements for the coming season.

The Hustlers’ eale which is now in full swing are now offering, bargains at prices far lower than cost. . Grasp your opportunity by securing some of these snips for yourself, and benefit by our loss. ' At Mr. J. F. Young's homestead, Lincoln Road, Inglewood, on Tuesday, July 30, Messrs. Newton King, Ltd., are in" an unreserved dispersal sale of the whole of the “Lincoln Dale” stud. It is only for the reason that Mr. Young has disposed of one of his farms that tlnf opportunity of securing stock founded from some of the best strains of the breed is offered to ..those interested in Jerseys, and prospective purchasers can confidently be recommended to attend this fixture, full details of which are displayed in our advertising columns ot this issue. Musical enthusiasts should look forward to the concert to be presented at St. Mary’s Hall on Monday by the New Plymouth Orchestral Society. The orchestra will be assisted by a quartette of assisting artists. Miss Edna King, Wanganui, comes to New Plymout fresh from tho Christchurch ffi« competition, where she scored two firsts, three seconds and other awards m addition to being runner-up for tho scholar ship. She has a pleasing mezzo-soprano voice. This will be the only opportunity of hearing Miss King before her departure for Australia.

Remember: “The early bird catches the worm.” J. F. Stevenson's sale commences at 10.30 a.m. sharp, Wednesday, July 24. The largest sale of its kind in the .Southern Hemisphere —J. F. Steicnsonfi Annual Sale of 400 two and'thrce-ycai heifera and 50 g. 3. cows, Wednesday,

July 24, at 10.30 sharp. AH roads lead to Manaia on the 24th (Wednesday), J. F. Stevenson s annual Unreserved Sale. Sale at 10.30 a.m. sharp. The first are always the cheapest, so bo at Manaia early on Wednesday, July 24, J. F. Steveiifiou’s Annual Unreserved Sale of in-calf heifers find G.S. cows.

Wintry weather is likely to continue for some time yet, but the problem of how to meet thia wea,ther will ; be solved If you buy now at MeGryer s-Winter Sale.