LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1932, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“Yes, our financial year commences on Aprril 1; I suppose we all are, eh?” said Mr. F. Langstone, M.P., while attacking the Government’s financial policy at Stratford on Saturday. There was a special offering for the building fund at the opening service of the new St. Andrew’s Church, New Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon. The collection amounted to £92.

Hawke’s Bay would be a wonderful province if it had the rainfall that Taranaki has, for it certainly has the land, remarked a Taranaki man who has spent some months on the east coast. Hawke’s Bay experienced a wonderful autumn, he added, rain having caused the pasture to grow so luxuriantly that for a time the stock was unable to cope with it and farmers converted much of the surplus into ensilage, which was being made in the latter part of Marcn.

in view of the controversy that is sure to occur during the coming Rugby football season over the relative merits of the 2—3—2 and 3—2—3 scrum formations, and the vital effect the rulings of the referee will have on the question, it has been suggested that the referees have lectures from acknowledged authorities before the season commences so that the rulings will be consistent and the players will know just where they stand.

. Not for a long time has Taranaki enjoyed two such pleasant days as Saturday and yesterday. The rays from the beaming sun were tempered with the sharp tang of the approaching seasonal cold, and there was almost an entire absence of wind on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday afternoon many people visited the port to see the shipping or enjoy the pleasures of a walk along the beach, and others again patronised the 'band concert at the East End reserve.

“A valued worker in the congregation of old time who has passed the age of four score years • and ten and has been bedridden for about three years, and who draws near to the gates of the celestial city, has sent greetings,” said the Rev. J. D. McL. Wilson, minister of St. Andrew’s Church, New Plymouth, at the opening service of the new church on Saturday. She had asked that the three roses she sent might be used in the decorations that day. She would be satisfied to die, she said, when she heard the bell ringing out from St. Andrew’s on the “day of God.”

A course of machine-gun training, concluding with night firing operations, was carried out by 25 members of No. 4 platoon, Taranaki Regiment, in camp at the rifle range at Hawera during the week-end. The men were in charge of Capt. A. W. Lawn, while W.O. A. E. Stevens, N.ZjPjS., was also in camp.

A formation flight by three federation aeroplanes was carried out over New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, the pilots being Flying-Officer I. Keith and Messrs. B. Haybittie (Hawera) and W. Stanton (New Plymouth). It was. remarked by spectators that the machines kept excellent positions. The Western Federated (N. 1. Flying Club’s aeroplane which has been at Hawera for a time was taken to New Plymouth oh Saturday by Mr. B. Haybittie, who had as a passengei’ his father, Mr. R. S. Haybittle. They returned to Hawera later in the day with another aeroplane. Miss Jane Winstone yesterday flew this machine to Wanganui. An endeavour is being made to encourage inter-club visits by aviators. From Wanganui next Saturday three Western Federated aeroplanes will fly to the Masterton aerodrome for the week-end. One will be piloted by FlyingOfficer I. Keith and the others by two of his pupils. Before Captain Hewett left Auckland on Friday to fly to Wellington he sent a telegram to Flying-Officer I. Keith announcing that he would call at the New Plymouth aerodrome en route. The “handed in” time was 1.16 p.m. Half an hour after Captain Hewett had resumed his flight south from New Plymouth, at 3.30 p.m., the telegram was telephoned to the aerodrome from the chief post’ office.

The small boy pest was very much in evidence at the football matches in Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon. To make matters more unfortunate the offenders- were not by any means all small boys, and many of them betrayed an irresponsibility little becoming their years. From wellfilled pockets they pelted all and sundry on 'the southern terrace throughout the afternoon with karaka .berries, acorns and similar missiles. Ladies were not exempt, and in the end the assistance of the arm of the law had to be sought.

The commissioner of police, Mr. Wohlman, piloted, by Captain Stedman, flew from Wellington to Auckland on Saturday. En. route the aeroplane called' at the New Plymouth aerodrome at Bell Block early on Saturday afternoon. The commissioner and Captain Stedman again called at New Plymouth on their return flight south yesterday. They had luncheon at New Plymouth and expected to reach Wellington shortly after 4 o’clock.

What might have been a manifesta■tion of the aurora australis was noticed from New Plymouth between 8 and 9 o’clock last night. Above the southern horizon the sky was suffused by a dim greenish light. From this three narrow ribbons stretched across the heavens. The most easterly streamer resembled a thin white film of transparent vapour and extended about half-way across the sky. The other two streamers, which had the appearance of thin clouds, reached the sky and met on the northern horizon.

“I wish you to accept my little donation towards the beautiful church which, when I see it standing there looking so noble in its height, reminds me of Dunedin, which has for me so many lovely memories,” wrote an anonymous woman in making a handsome donation at the opening service of the new St. Andrew’s Church, New Plymouth, on Saturday. “I love the Scottish people amongst whom I was brought up, with their great and fine traditions,” she continued. “In that atmosphere I had a background, the influence of which lias been to me a guide and help all these long years. I trust that your little church will become a great example and a moral and intellectual force in this little town, which I think needs it so much.”

“If some of you men are tired of sitting,” said the Rev. Professor W. Hewitson half w r ay through the opening service of St. Andrew’s Church, New Plymouth, on Saturday, “I am sure some of the women standing would be pleased to take your seats.” There was an exchange of positions in the crowded church for a moment. “If you find it somewhat tedious standing while I am giving my sermon,” resumed the professor, “I can offer you one consolation.” There was a general impression that the professor was about to say his sermon would be brief. “However long you may have to stand,” continued the professor, “remember that I have to stand just as long myself.” The final municipal recital of the season was given by the Taranaki Regi-mental-Municipal Band at the East End reserve, New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon. The weather was fine and there was a good attendance. Lieut. F. W. G. McLeod conducted the following programme: Contest quickstep, “Rimutaka”; overture, “Poet and Peasant”; hymn, “Eternal Father”; march, “The President”; selection, “Norinanhurst”; cornet solo, “Londonderry Air” (soloist, Corporal Munns); euphonium, “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eye 6” (soloists, Bandsmen J. Lowe and F. Sykes junr.) ; popular number, “Miss Elizabeth Brown” (introducing “My Margherita”); quickstep, “Queen of the North.” The collection was in aid of the reserve funds.

There is an association of unemployed relief workers in New Plymouth, with the Rev. R. B. Gosnell as chairman and Mr. Ben Thorne, who has had much experience in trade and labour circles in England, as honorary secretary. The object of the association is to work amicably with all sections of the community during the times of depression. The meetings held in the past have Been well attended and much good has resulted. It is stated that owing to the influence ,of the officials of. the movement, two orders for eviction which would have caused much trouble and no little heartburning, were arranged last week to the satisfaction of all concerned. In addition extra -work has at intervals been found, homes provided and advice given to people in distress. On several occasions the officials have received the thanks of the police and business men of the town for the work done. The association, which makes no financial demands .upon the unemployed, is doing good in a quiet manner.

, This season has been a splendid one for rye in Hawke’s Bay, where the dry season has been, favourable to the see<r and the yield and germination particularly of the first crops have been very good. So, too, has been the purity of the machine-dressed lines. In all the seed of over 5000 acres has been certified this year, which is about 1000 acres of an average yield of from 18 to 20 bushels an acre in excess of last year’s figures. The high price ruling for certified rye was the cause of some complaint last year, but the market nas been even firmer this year and the demand also if anything greater. Larger quantities of certified rye have also been exported to Australia.* The fact that already over £30,000 has been brought into Hawke’s Bay shows the value of the certified, rye industry to that province, and it has certainly helped the farmers in tiding over a difficult period.

I Suffering from injuries to his nose, a footballer named Edward Tippett was admitted to the New Plymouth hospital on Saturday. His condition was reported to be comfortable last night.

■ Methylated spirit-drinking is on the increase in. Wellington, according to one who has a good deal to do with social activities in the city. As nothing can be done with those subject to this demoralising habit, its victims are not to be dealt with so generously in the future as in the past by at least one 'organisation. It has been suggested that steps should be taken to prevent methylated spirits from being obtainable as easily as at present, which would probably call for some form of legislative control.

The claim put forward on behalf ol a 2Jlb tomato grown by Mr. J. Caskill, of Waiawa, has produced a rival in one grown by Mr. John King, of Kutarere, says the New Zealand Herald. The specimen grown by Mr. King was 21b 9Aoz, and 21in in circumference, or 3Jin greater than that produced by Mr. Gaskill. Mr. King said his seed was imported from America and he had had a wonderful crop this year, some bunches of nine tomatoes weighing up to 211 b.

A-suggestion was made by Mr.' F. >W. Johnston, president of the South Island Motor Union last week that motorists should be forced to have their windscreens equipped with double wipers in the winter time, a second ■one to the left of the driver. ‘‘By this ■means,” said Mr. Johnston, “the driver is enabled to pick up cyclists and other ■traffic on the left before he reached l them, instead of picking them up on ■his bumper-bar.” The daring theft by a woman in broad daylight on Friday of a pair of shoes from the doorway of a boot shop near the corner of Queen Street and Customs Street West, Auckland, has been reported. An eye-witness of the incident stated that the woman sidled >up to where footwear was hanging, slipped one pair under her coat and quickly cut the string from which the shoes w;ere suspended. The theft was carried out in the presence of several bystanders, who appeared either oblivious to or unconcerned at what happened. Although enthusiasts are well aware of it, probably only a small numlber of the general public know, says the Gisborne Herald, that a local grower of chrysanthemums is working on a large scale and has a covered-in enclosure in which there are some 600 or 700 blooms growing to perfection. Mr. Richard Stevens, of Sheehan Street, is an ardent admirer of chrysanthemums who is being rewarded for the many hours of careful attention which he has given to his plants, and it is probable ( that he ranks among the largest amateur growers of chrysanthemums in the Dominion. , .