LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The death of Mr. Tom Smith, who was injured through a premature explosion at a quarry at Uruti on Tuesday, occurred at the New Plymouth public hospital yesterday. His injuries consisted of perforations of the arteries and veins.

A well-known farmer in the Ruatangata district, states the Whangarei Advocate, took over 700 sheep, including a large proportion of choice lambs, to the eale held at Kamo this week. His cheque was £BO. Being faced with shortage of feed during the coming winter, he had no option but to let the sheep go at a price which, a short time would have been obtained for a small leg of mutton.

The opinion that motorists and local fiodiefc should unity to bring pressure on the Government for the increase of the petrol tax by 2d to benefit roads was expressed by Mr. M. H. Wynyard, motorists’ representative ■ on the Main Highways Board, speaking at a conference with the Waikato County Council. Only by this means would it be possible to provide relief to the county ratepayers by better roads or a reduction in rates.

Taranaki teachers this year will have to teach larger classes than before, owing to the fact that in view of the economic conditions the Taranaki Edu. cation Board is appointing 12 or 14 fewer additional assistants than was tho case last year. Members of the hoard agreed at a meeting yesterday that ifl times of stress it wab omy fair to expect teachers to do a littie mote, but they thought it was rather unfortunate that the saving might have a disadvantageous effect on the children, who would suffer by the economy.

A motor collision occurred in Rata Street, Inglewood, near the post office at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday. A private motor-car was backing out of the service car stand when a service car coming from the south turned the corner to pull up. The driver of the Service car tried to swing clear but could not avoid a collision. Tho luggage racx and box at the fear of the private car werfi badly damaged, while the rear mudguard and body of the service car were badly* dented. No injuries were sustained.

Football on motor-cycles, Or polo played, from motor-cars has been heard of before to-day, but buckjumping with a motor-car as a steed is a new sport for NeW Plymouth. Small wonder then that everyone in or neir Devon Street about mid-day yesterday turned to stare and laugh uproariously at a decrepit, mudgiiardlesS, bonnetless model of a well-known make of car which periodically reared its front wheels into the air while the back scraped jerkily on thfi roadway. Three passengers, one of whom was forced to clamber over the side at intervals in order to start the engine, served to weigh downline back seat and 'balance the car co delicately that with any slight acceleration •the ■ car sat upon its haunches. Hie whole performance was a method of advertising an event shortly to be ■in New Plymouth, and an excellent 'method it proved. The "learn to swim’’ week is meeting with the whole-hearted approval of members of the Taranaki Education Bpafd, which at its meeting yesterday plafied on record its appreciation bf the steps taken by the Taranaki Ainatetir Swimming Centre and the teachers in instructing pupils in swimming Members referred in eulogistic terms to the value of the movement, and of the keenness displayed by pupils And teachers. It was pointed out that at Fitztoy, under the supervision of the teachers, the boys had banked up a part in the Waiwakaiho River, making a pool where over 100 children are being taught to swim. As showing the need for the instruction’' Mr. W. H. Jones remarked that at the West End School, which had for years taken a prominent place in swimming circles, there were 120 pupils who were unable to swim.

Members of tlie Taranaki Education Board are by no means enamoured of the proposal made in some quarters ■that the midsutnftier vacation should be taken in February instead of as at precept starting about December 19. ■Mr. P* J. H. White expressed the opinion at a meeting of the board yesterday that such a ehahge would lead to considerable disorganisation in home life. It was niost important that the school Vacation should be co-incident with the holidays of the parents. There might perhaps be a few hot days in February in the Auckland district, but they would not be felt in Otago, or even in Taraiiaki. In any case lie did not think the human race was growing so soft that it could not 'do a little work in February. The acting-chair-man (Mr. J. A. Valentine) considered that such a proposal would throw society out of gear. The board unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that in its opinion there was no necessity to alter the existing holiday arrangements.

Mr. D. D. Ince, who is lecturing in New Flymouth to-night on “The Resumption of War,” is _ a prominent member of the British Israel Federation aiid has spent 28 years in the East, two in the Sudan, eight in Nigeria and 18 in Malaya. The proceeds of the leetiire will be given to the Earthquake Fund. Owing, to the onavoidable absence of the M&yor Archdeaeon F. G. Evans will preside. The last two weeks of Madame Betty’s sale are well under way now, abd the remainder of her stock of hat® being cleared at 10$ and 5s each, the original prices being from 19s lid V p to 39s fid. Thoge ladies who have not already availed themselves of this “give aWay” prices to secure another hat to see them through the remainder of the summer, are advised to do so at their earliest convenience. Madame Betty, Imperial Hotel Buildings. Courtesy and personal attention always. Throb thousand boxes of choice assorted fresh fruit will be. sold at Webster Bros.’ rooms, New Plymouth, tomorrow, commencing at 1.30 o’clock. A dance and social held by the New Plymouth Lodge of Druids on Monday in aid of the earthquake relief fund, provided an enjoyable evening. Martin’s Orchestra supplied the music and Hooker Bros, the hall, and Mr. L- Haines donated prizes for novelty dancea.