LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1932, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Pit. Hon. J. G. Coates, replying to Mr. W. J. Polson in the House last week, said the question of a subsidy from the Unemployment Fund on exports other- than timber was, being reconsidered ■by tlie Unemployment Board. Falling five or six feet when a ladder slipped from under him yesterday morning, Mr. L. 0. Sladden, New Plymouth, injured his left shoulder. He was taken to the New Plymouth hospital, whence it was reported last night that he was progressing satisfactorily. When returning from North Egmont on Saturday evening a car driven by Mr. Ivon Watkins, New Plymouth, skidded and overturned on the road between the reserve gate and. Egmont Village. The car, it is understood, was not seriously damaged. Both Mr. Watkins and his passenger escaped injury. Half of the offering at the combined New Plymouth High School old boys and present boys’ church service in St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, yesterday morning went to augment the funds of the church and half was handed to the headmaster of the school, Mr. W. H. Moyes,» as the nucleus of a fund for a memorial to be decided on in commemoration of ( the jubilee of the school. Visiting fire brigade&men were enthusiastic regarding the appearance of ■'Oamp Reserve, Waitara, which, _ thanks to the hard work of enthusiastic Waitara residents, backed by the Domain Board, is now one of the finest’sports arenas in Taranaki. Indeed, as far as cyclists are concerned, with its banked track it is certainly the best. That it is appreciated and made use of was evidenced during a recent week-end, when about 40 hockey players, 9 cyclists, three»runncrs, 11 footballers and 12 firemen were training there in the morning, while in the afternoon two visiting brigades were practising and the Waitara. Municipal Band was training for th# .march at th® band contest.

Damage estimated at about £2O was caused by vandals who slashed the canvas of nine canoes belonging to membeis of the Hamilton Canoe Club last week. It was discovered that pieces, of canvas measuring about ’Sft by Ift“ had been cut from the bottoms of the canoes, which were stored at a residence.

A fast trip, from Auckland was made by the Aorangi, which reached Vancouver on Thursday. Although tho vessel experienced stormy weather on the voyage she arrived a day ahead of schedule. The stormy weather included two cyclones, one during the passage from Sydney to Auckland and the second between Suva and Honolulu.

A mihah whose plumage is predominantly white with dark feathers flecking its head has - been seen in New Plymouth. The bird has been frequenting •the Government offices about the courthouse and the post office. The normal colouring of the bird is dark brown with a blackish white-tipped, tail and white wing markings. It belongs to the starling family.

Fire caused slight damage to a sevenseater motor-car at the corner of Queen and Wyndham Streets at nine o’clock on Friday evening, says the Auckland Heraid. The car, which was driven by Mr. A. H. Trotter, of Stratford, was proceeding down Queen Street when the battery fused, and set fire to the The alarm jvas given, but Mr. Trotter' was able to extinguish the flames before the arrival of the brigade.

■Cycling from Auckland to Wellington, Miss V. Baird, Auckland, arrived in Hawera about 3.45 p.m. on Saturday. She left Auckland at 3 p.m. on Thursday and was about an hour ahead of schedule at Hawera. Three local cyclists, Messrs. L. Marker, R. Kelsen and Cate, rode out several miles and accompanied Miss Baird into . Hawera, where she had a short rest. Miss Baird left Hawera at about 4.50 p.m. with the intention of riding throughout the night as far as Foxton. Cycling with Miss Baird is her brother, while Mr. J. C. Stewart, Auckland, is following by car. .

A Hastings resident has received a letter ’from the widow of a prominent engineer, who died recently and who was the head of a large firm in Sydney. The following is - an extract: "The depression has made things very hard tor us all. The business has paid no dividend for a long time, and never will so long as Mr. Lang is in power. We are really under Soviet rule from the Trades Hall. Every law to ruin industry and cause unemployment is made. There never has been, such a time in New South Wales; all the other States . are flourishing in comparison.” The insistence with which public holidays this year fall either on a Monday or a Friday is certainly unusual, says the Auckland Star. Commencing with Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 1931) as opening the 1932 holiday season, “there follows New Year’s Day on Friday, Anniversary Day (January 29) on Friday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day (Monday, April 25), King’s Birthday (Friday, June 3), Dominion Day (Monday, September 26), Arbor Day (Monday, October 24), and Boxing Day (Monday, December 26). “I also respectfully report that the Railway Department, Post and Telegraph Department and other defaulters are gradually clearing their sections,” was a paragraph contained in the noxious weeds inspector’s report to the Mount Albei t Borough Council last week. The reading of it brought smiles round the chamber, says the Star, and one councillor remarked that the inspector was not without a sense of humour. ‘‘lt’s a sign of the times,” said, the Mayor, amidst laughter.

A greater quantity of potatoes has ■been grown in the Waikato this year than ever previously, stated a Hamilton merchant on Thursday. He had been beSeiged with offers of potatoes from farmers tliroughout the district. In previous years most farmers grew only sufficient for their own requirements, but this season the area devoted to potatoes had been greatly increased on most farms. The Waikato usually depends on l’ukekohe for early potatoes and on Canterbury for late supplies, but this year there will be ample available locally to meet all requirements until the end of May.

A young bride arrived at Sydney from Malta recently on her way to Ingham, Queensland, where she was to meet her husband, to whom she was married by proxy at st, church at Malta, little moi-e than a month ago. Mrs. Mary Zammit had not seen her husband since he visited her at her home a year ago. He went to Queensland and when he had bought a cane farm he arranged for their marriage. The marriage papers Were prepared and a Ronjan Catholic priest performed the ceremony, with one of the bride’s friends to make the responses for tho absent bridegroom.

Mr. E. F. Healy asked the Minister -of Public Works in the House of Representatives last week whether, in view of his statemept that jiublio works would be brought under relief measures, he would reconsider now the question of placing a,, large number of relief workers on the earth-construction work, cuttings,, and tunnel work on tlie South Island Main Trunk Railway, in conjunction with the approval of the Railways Board. Mr. Coates replied: "Even after allowing for the decrease in cost due to reducing all public works workers to relief work standard, it will be necessary to considerably reduce the numbers. A suggestion to increase numbers, unfortunately, cannot be entertained.”

Some of the visiting fire brigadesmen competing .at Waitara on Saturday found the pressure disconcerting, particularly in the afternoon, when at the Camp Reserve it Was over 1051'b. to the square inch. The pressure ultimately proved too much for the plug that was being used for the hydrant in the "wet” events. While the Waitara team was competing in the five-men. hose, reel and ladder event, a particularly spectacular event, one of the lugs of the plug was blown off, releasing the ball and providing a thrilling climax by shooting a column of water into the air. It proved the finale, for after trying to insert another plug which would not fit, a second one of the right size was procured, but it unfortunately had a fault and while it was being screwed on it, too, broke. It was deckled to call the demonstration closed without completing the last three events.

“J cannot understand why cities anj boroughs are not taking any notiee of the derating proposals of tlie Government,” said a business man to a Wellington Post reporter. “Last year the counties of New Zealand received a cash rebate out of motor revenue, and I understand that this year the counties are seeking a similar grant, which no doubt would also be paid out of motor revenue. There are small boroughs in New Zealand whose rating burdens are just as }ieavy as, or heavier than, those of ma o ny counties, and some of the ratepayers of these smaller boroughs are feeling it just as difficult to pay rates’-'as county ratepayers, farmers appear to think that debating is purely for the assistance of farmers, but jt has a much wider scope than that in England. The farmers, through their organisations, are, I believe, seeking a further rebate this year.” The Okato Cricket Club has post-' poned, because of the death of Mrs. R. Roebuck, the dance to have beep held in . the Hempton Hall to-night.

Traffic was very heavy on the Main North Road on Good Friday, Saturday and yesterday. On Friday hundreds of cars passed through the Awakino Gorge. Insisting on looping the loop, Mrs. Pitt, aged 80, thoroughly enjoyed her ■first flight with Flying-Officer lan Keith at the Wanganui Airport on Friday, says the Chronicle. Several other minor “stunts” were equally enjoyed by the old lady. The receipt of £47 as conscience money was acknowledged by Government departments in the Gazette issued last Thursday. The contributions consisted of £2O for-the Income Tax Department, £25 for the Railways Department, and £2 for the Post and Telegraph Department. Food for thought for those contemplating embracing the teaching profession should be afforded by the fact that the Southland Education Board last week received no fewer than 94 applications for tho vacant position of solo teacher of the East Limehills School, which is Grade I. (the lowest),- carrying a, salary of £lOO per annum.

A scheme which aims, in the course of time, to develop in Wellington a miniature kauri forest and also a North Auckland coastal forest, besides many other features of the kind, is at present being carried out by Mr. J. MaeKenzie, director of Wellington city parks .and reserves, and Dr. L. Cockayne, honorary botanist to the Wellington City Council.

A protest from the North Canterbury Hospital Board against the new relief scheme under which married men were being asked to leave their homes and work a forty-hour week for 37s 6d was sought by Mrs. E. R. McCombs. Mrs. McCombs said, that the effect of this would be to increase the responsibility of Hospital Boards. Mrs.'T. Green seconded the motion, but it was lost without further discussion.

A remarkable yield of oats was obtained by a Charlton (Souhtland) district farmer from an area of approximately eleven acres which threshed out at 135 bushels to the acre. The oats weighed 451 b to the bushel and were a good sample, although in common with the district oats they’were slightly discoloured owing to fogs and dampness, The area was sown five bushels to the acre, half each way. A serious fracture of the skull was received by Arthur Leslie Hill, Hamlet Street, Stratford, abotit 11 p.m. on Thursday when the motor-cycle he was riding skidded and capsized when he tried" to recover at a bend in upper Hunter Road, Lpwgarth. Mr. Hill was employed’ by Mr. A. Bulmea, Lowgarth, and accompanied by Reg. Orton and Eric Bulmer he was leaving the residence to proceed to . Stratford. ■ He received medical attention and was removed to Hawera hospital. Mr. Justice Herdman, at Auckland, refused custody of a boy aged thirty-two months to a father (aged thirty-four), to whom his Honour said: “You have just told me that the boy should have gravy and meat and vegetables and heavy food, a light* meal in the middle of the day and a heavy one in tho evening. That, in effect, is your idea of dieting a child of two years.” The father said he was interested in child education dnd had read books on psychology. The custody was left with the mother, aged nineteen. The parties are separated.

It was not so much its venerable antiquity as its untisual design which attracted public, attention to a vehicle makiiig its way along the city streets on Wednesday, says the Southland Times. Im one breath it was suggestive of an old Roman chariot and a modern racecourse sulky, incorporated with which was a vague resemblance to an Irish jaunting car. ■ The bodywork consisted of the back portion of an old motor-car, the bloom from which had long since departed. This was ingeniously attached to a framework of sorts, mounted on two motor-car wheels, similarly decrepit. A pair of shafts sprouted out in front and in between these faithful old Dobbin slowly ■but surely plodded his way.

The final of the scries of dances ■organised by the Grand Dance committee took place in the Agricultural Hall, New Plymouth, on Saturday night, when there' was a large attendance. During the evening several competition and novelty dances were held. Boulton’s Dauce Band provided the music.

The bargain wise shopper will readily recognise the splendid values that The Hustlers are offering, in every department. Come early to-morrow and secure your share of bargains. Our lay-by system will help you these hard times if immediate payment is not convenient. A small deposit and monthly instalments will secure the goods until paid for. The Hustlers, Devon Street.

Human beings can now be- rejuvenated by having new glands fitted, thereby lengthening their fives. The same applies to suits, costumes, dresses, coats, etc., which can be given a new lease of fife by renovating or re-dyeing them. The cost is only a few shillings and you will save pounds by sending your soiled or faded clothes to j. K. Hawkins & Co., Steam Dyers and Dry Cleaners, corner Devon and Liardet Streets. New Plymouth. ’Phone 685. Stratford depot, Mrs. Rudkin. “Everybody’s.”*