LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The two visiting planes piloted by Captain M. C. Macgregor and Captain N. E. Chandler did not leave New Plymouth yesterday but arc expected to depart to day if the weather conditions are suitable.

Uncommon visitors to the New’ Plymouth wharves on Monday were a. trio of sooty albatrosses which stayed near the ships during the whole afternoon, disappearing at evening. These birds are not often seen so close inshore except during very rough weather. • Labour gangs were busy at the railways yards yesterday, but they were regular casual workers at the yards. There had been work for the unemployed in discharging 60 wagons yesterday morning, eaid an official, but only one man had turned up. The erection of a new brick post office at Waitar.% is to he started very soon, it is understood. The tender of Messrs. Boon Bros., Ltd., has been accepted, the price being about £6OOO. It is reported that the department has decided in favour of the site opposite the public hall for the new post office -at Urenui. Should the man on the right or the man on the left have preference al intersections, or should some other - form of traffic regulation be adopted? This is the question to be debated at the Automobile Association’s meeting at New Plymouth to-night. All motorists whether members or not are invited to attend.

’lt is just like a game of draughts,” said a New Plymouth railway official, looking at the sidings lined with wagons yesterday. “We have not been so busy for months.” There were wagons loaded with timber, phosphate, coal, ears and general cargo. The previous day a total of 500 wagons had been in use on the stretch of line between tlie wharf and the station.

Four first prizes, one second and three cups, including the North Island championship, were won by the team of White English Leghorns exhibited by Mr. J. Mclntosh, New Plymouth, at the Wellington Poultry Show last week. Mr. Mclntosh's winning hen was described by the judge as a perfect bird. Mr. Walter Jones. New Plymouth, was another successful poultry exhibitor this week. At the Hastings show ho won outright the Thornton Rose Bowl, for the best English Brown Leghorn and a first, and special prize. In addition Mr. Jones secured a second prize for a utility pullet in the Brown Leghorn class.

When black swan rise from the water they make a noise that can be heard a great distance under favourable^,circumstances. Mr. Edgar F. Stead, the wellknown naturalist, who is at present on a visit to Auckland, has photographs, says the Star, which explain the -quite unexpected fact that the birds make the noise with their feet. Their wings never touch the water, but in skimming along the top of the water the birds help themselves to gain speed by hitting the water with their, strong webbed feet. The black swan is common in some parts of Canterbury, particularly round Lake Ellesmere. Mr. Stead says he has heard the noise of a flock of these birds rising from the water quite a mile away from where he was standing.

To save people trouble by finding the penny stamp machine out of commission the New Plymouth postal authorities have had a second machine installed in the front portico. Week-end letter writers who wish to catch the Vancouver or San Franeisco mails arc being helped by the fact that the main doors are being left open on Sunday evenings until 12 o’clock. Stoppages in the Robe Street machine had been almost invariably caused by the. use of sticky pennies, tokens or bent coins, said the postmaster (Mr. F, E. Beamish) yesterday. There had been only one occasion when the machine had legitimately run out of stamps.

Warm dependable clothing at greatly reduced prices is now obtainable by virtue of the Melbourne Clothing Company’s Great Winter sale of Men’s and Boys’ clothing which commences this morning. Amazing all round reductions are the order of the day and patrons of the sale can- count on effecting great' savings*

The fanciful operetta/ “Princess of Poppyland,” to b© presented at the Town Hall,' Kaponga, on Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1, by the Kaponga Amateur Theatrical Society, promises to be an entertainment which will long be remembered. Rehearsals are now in their final stages and the members of the company are working hard. The operetta is very tuneful, the dressing will be on a lavish scale, and there are to be some vfcry pretty ballets by juveniles. The humour has not been overlooked and patrons can look forward to a good laugh. The Hustlers opened a branch shop at Inglewood on Wednesday, July 15, with an opening sale showing tremendous bargains. Prices are cut very drastically at both their shops. An inspection cordially invited. You will be well satisfied if you do your shopping at The Hustlers, Drapers. Udder Troubles banished with Lissainan’s Mammitis Paint. Recommended by leading farmers. Send 5/6 for bottle. S. L’ssamnii, Chemist, Box 63A, Kaponga. One can always do' with a new hat provided it is smart and at a price. Owing to exceptional purchase of ladies’ millinery McGrucr’s, New Plymouth, arc offering on Friday three special lines. See window. The second of a series of chamber music concerts arranged by Miss Evelyn Dow ing io to be given on Monday evening at the Y.W.C.A. Hall, New Plymouth. The items will include a violin and piano eonata by Schumann and the Beethoven Appassionato sonata by Miss C. Leathsm. lhe pro gramme is varied and interesting, and should appeal to music lovers. One hundred choice dairy cattle and 150 mixed cattle are included amongst the entry'at Newton King, Ltd.’s Kaponga sale, for‘Friday