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Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14344, 24 October 1910, Page 2

Messrs. H. Ward and Co. were tho successful tenderers for the supply of ironmongery, etc., to the New Plymouth Harbour Board. On a charge of having suffered a chimney in her dwelling-house to be on fire on the 7th instant, contrary to borough by-law No. 288, Elizabeth Ann MTvoy was fined os and costs 7s in tho Magistrate’s Court this morning. Settlers on the Upper Carrington Road are fully expecting tho loan of £SOO, which has just boon sanctioned for extending the metal, to carry Government subsidy of £ for £, and have asked the Taranaki County Council to make application for same. Discouraged by the meagre public support the trustees of the Wanganui Museum are considering the question of closing the institution. Surely there is interest enough among the generally progressive Wanganui people to keep this really admirable and valuable Museum open. In the Magistrate’s Court last Thursday the borough inrpector proceeded against Alexander iv. Peduie on a charge that, being the owner of a dwel-ling-house in lime Street within 100 ieet of a sewer, he did iail to connect \. j. house with tho borough drainage .system, after receiving notice to do so, contrary to the borough by-laws as amended in August, Dciendaut then stated that his house was not within lUO feet of the sower, and Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., adjourned tho case until this morning to allow the borough inspector to measure the distance between defendant’s house and the sewer, and also (o produce a copy of the amended by-laws: In tho meantime it was discovered that a mistake had been made in tho information laid against the defendant. The information was laid against Peddle as the owner of a house within IUU feet of a sewer, whereas tho by-law- (No. 235) affects all persons who own houses built on sections within 100 feet of a sewer. When tho case was again called on this morning the inspector thcreiore withdrew the first information against Peddle, but proceeded against him on a second one which was drawn in conformity with the by-law. Defendant admitted that his section was within 100 feet of the sower, and pleaded guilty to tho charge, lie was lined os and costs 7s. One of tho principal attractions at the Melbourne this week will be a special sale of tbe famous “S.S.S.” Drill. This drill is known the world over as the very best produced, and customers can rely on tho dyo being absolutely fast and tho wear almost endless. Special price per yard 10pl.*

From March to September inclusive 221,965 ft of timber were carted from the Carrington Road sawmill. Experiments are being made in Christchurch with an insulating material which, it is believed, will enable electric current for power and light to bo transmitted much greater distances than are possible at present. A man who was about to be married at Regensburg, Germany, had entered the church and taken his place beside the bride, when ho was suddenly seized with terror, and, rushing out, took a cab to the station and jumped into' a moving train.

In Switzerland clocks are now being made which do not require hands and faces. The timepiece merely stands in the hall, and you press a button, when, by means of the phonographic internal arrangements, it calls out, “Half-past five,” or “Five minutes to nine," as the case may lie.

Writing of the report that Sir Joseph Ward’s health had broken down, the Lyttelton Times says : There is no need to make any secret of the tact that Sir Joseph is working far too hard and that his intimate friends are constantly urging him to accept more relief from Ids colleagues, but this docs not mean that his health is so far impaired by following the had example of his predecessor that- his early retirement from public life is inevitable. An amusing incident occurred on the Addington tram recently. A lady passenger alighted, and as she was heavily loaded with parcels and a well-filled sugar bag, her descent was not easy. As she placed her goods and chattels on the ground the car passengers were aetonished to see the sugar bag jumping round the roadway in excited fashion. Tim brand of quadruped inside could not, be ascertained before the conductor’s insistent whistle blew ( and the travellers were left to imagine that the lady on reaching home would “let the cat (or dog) out of the bag.” The tnntara lizard is apparently getting a chance to flourish on Stephen Island, though it has generally been considered that this creature was doomed to early and complete disappearance. Mr. £ll, who made inquiries from the Minister of Marine regarding the destruction of wild cats on Stephen Island, has ascertained that none have boon seen by the light-keepers since December. Possibly a few remain beneath the cliffs, where they cannot be got at. The cats killed and paid for in 1908 wore twenty-two, and the number diminished to six last year. Judging by the tnataras seen by the lightkeepers, they are of opinion that the number on the island is increasing. The annual report of the Department of Agriculture states that the great increase in exports of dairy produce has intensified the necessity for improved shipping facilities, not only in the provision of a regular weekly dispatch of an oversea steamer, hut also in the better Jjandliug of produce on the coast. The dispatch of a steamer from Auckland between the regular fortnightly sailings from Wellington did not result satisfactorily, and the trade is now sufficient to claim a regular weekly service during the height of the season. The insufficiency of the accomodation at Wellington and Southern ports for holding cheese awaiting shipment :demands immediate remedy.

According to a report by the American‘Consul at Catania an English syndicate has made a proposal to tho Italian Government to rebuild the Government properties in tho Messina district destroyed by earthquake in December 1908. It seems that the syndicate is ready to undertake the construction of tlie port (piers, breakwater, ferry slips, etc.), military barracks, university, Court building, gaol, post office, Governor’s offices and residences, city ball, sewerage, drainage, etc.., all of which are to be completed within five years’ time. A London banking firm is ready to advance the Government £23,000,000 at 3 per cent, per annum to carry out the work. So far as can be learned (says the London Daily Telegraph) the matter has not yet taken the form of a definite resolution before the Italian Chamber of Deputies. An invention by Mr. P. H. Suisted, a former resident of ’Wanganui, for the coaling of ships is favourably commented upon by Engineering ol August 20. It is intended for lifting coal _ direct from, barges and shooting it into a steamer’s bunkers, thus obviating the slow and dirty system of coaling by hand with' baskets or bags. The elevator proper is carried on a superstructure built above two pontoons, which lie parallel to each other and 28ft apart, so that coni barges when being unloaded can lie between them. The elevator buckets each hold oewt. of coal, ami the machilme can from 100 to 150 tons of coal an hour down any of- the chutes, or tbe throe together. After successful trials with a working model the inventor formed a company— Suisted’s Patent Coal Elevator, Ltd., of London. Since manufacturing the elevator has worked very successfully, and one of the huh vessels coaled by it was tho lluahine. In an address delivered at Christchurch a few days ago Mr. Opio (Chairman of the Education Board) said that ho had recently received a copy of the Japanese Times, which contained a summary of tho views of JO eminent men of Japan on the probability of an overflow of Asiatics into the attractive countries in the South Pacific Ocean, These public men of Japan said that there were in China •100,000,090 people, and that vast population was rapidly increasing. f i ho Chinese were an intelligent and industrious race, and already they had moved out into Cochin, Burma ,Siam, and the Indian Archipelago. 'Hint great wave of foreigners was already beginning to wash upon the shores of Australia, and it was only a question of time until it- would sweep over .New Zealand as well. From the Japanese Journal it appeared that their ambition would find an outlet in an endeavour to found a groat empire in the south that would rival the importance of Britain in tho north. The Director of Fields and Experimental Farms Division, Mr. E. Chiton, reporting to the Minister on the question of larm training, remarks: “The proposal that has berm for some time entertained to take young men and youths’ on to ’ experimental farms Impractical training will shortly come into being with improved conditions. The building at 11-uakuva for accommodating these young men is erected, am] will be early ‘in readiness lor their reception. During the past three years from five to seven young men have been at Iluakura, living inkier somewhat rough conditions. taking their place, at nil larm work. Son'ie have now gone on to farms of their own, some are in situations, and some at home. They all express themselves ns satisfied and pleased with their time at this farm. It is assured that, with the improved conditions that will apply, associated with some simple course of reading and lectures, farm training at the experimental farms will be one of the most useful undertakings of the Department of Agriculture.” White and Sons have a replace advertisement dealing with their summer gloves and a line of colonial linens which are specially reduced.*

Superintendent Bellringer has made the following report, to the Fire Board with reference to Whiteley Memorial Church:—“As directed by the board I have inspected tho means of egress from the gallery of the Whiteley Church, the stairs from which arc far from satisfactory. The angles are extremely dangerous, hut tire- unfortunate position will be that it will cost a considerable sum to bring them to anything like a state of safety. Tho exit doors facing Liardet Street should lie made to open outwards. When this is completed, and no obstructions are allowed in the aisles, the risk will be considerably reduced. Tho sauco that is served to tho individual gooso ought to bo served to tho Government gander; but it isn’t, at least not always. An investigation conducted by the Sydenham Burgesses’ Association at tho railway yards has disclosed a most disgraceful state of affairs in connection with the sanitary arrangements. Some 300 or 400 men are practically unprovided with any of tho ordinary sanitary conveniences that working men have to bo provided with by their employers, and such accommodation as exists is said to bo in an indescribably filthy and insanitary condition. The Lyttelton Times endorses tho reports in strong language.

The Inspector of Fire Brigades, in his annual report to the Minister of Internal Affairs, says of the Now Plymouth Brigade that ho made two inspections during the year. On the first occasion there wore present —tho Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, 22 firemen, and o auxiliary firemen; with one on sick leave; total strength accounted for. At tho second inspection all wore present except two firemen absent on duty, one on sick leave, and three on leave. The various drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner ; any • omissions being mostly due to tho positions of the hydrants not being marked, or clearly marked. (The Fire Board has since had this attended to.) The stations and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. Tho inspector recommends the installation of a street fire alarm system, and also the provision of more hydrants in tho centre of the town. The ever welcome Christmas number of tho Auckland Weekly Nows, a copy of which we have received from/the publishers, is better than ever this year. The first thing that strikes the eye is the handsome cover, tho design of which is a koa, with outstretched wings, perched on the branch of a tree, against a background of Southern Sounds scenery. The illustrations, which arc all beautifully printed, are very varied in their nature —Maori life, .yachting, fishing, shooting, rural industries, landscapes’ seascapes, mountain, lake, and river scenery, all , receiving attention, and a very fine collection of pictures they arc. Accompanying the number are two pictorial supplements, one a scene near Ohakuno, on the Main Trunk Railway, the other a pretty scone on the Wanganui River. We can scarcely conceive a better advertisement for Now Zealand than this number , will form when posted beyond the Dominion, since it brings to the notice in a very striking manner our scenic attractions, the facilities offered for sport with rod and gun, as well as tho more material advantages the Dominion can offer to settlers. We strongly advise our readers to purchase a copy or copies and post it right away to friends at Home or elsewhere beyond our shores.

A remarkable invention is . now on view in the Boyal Warwickshires’ drillhall nt Birmingham. It is a target, invented by Mr. B. W. Bates,, a South African war veteran. Based upon the cinematograph principle, the object of the invention is to provide snapshotting practice at objects which move naturally than do those which are governed by the mechanical and electrical appliances at present used at the great rifle ranges. A cinematograph apparatus throws a picture of an infantry charge in open formation upon a*"screen, which consists of two rolls of heavy paper, one placed less than half an inch in front of the other. Immediately a shot is fired a red light appears on the screen, indicating the spot where the bullet Ims perforated the paper. Instantaneously with the report of the shot the picture is fixed, and a glance is sufficient to determine whether or not the marksman has succeeded in wounding or killing one of the onrushing foemen. The touch of a button and the rear paper-roll moves across half an inch, the front one remaining stationary. _ In tins way the perforation caused by the shot is concealed from the-marksmen. The same action restarts the cinematograph, and once again the soldiers are charging down upon the marksmen. The films need; not be limited to those picturing infantry. Anything from a war ship to an aeroplane may bo thrown upon the screen.

. Mr. P. M‘Connell, of, Apiii, has just returned from a trip to England and Ireland. Aske'd by a Feilding Star reporter if he saw any New Zealand produce in the Irish market, Mr M‘Connoll said ho had seen mutton and beef and butter. There was a singular prejudice against Now Zealand mutton. Though it could be purchased at 5Jd per lb., against Is Id for tho local grown mutton, people would not have it in . tho house, tire general opinion being that it was no good. Air. APConnell stated that Ills own sister was one of those obstinate people who would not touch some New Zealand chops which ho had purchased in a shop and taken home. So ho resolved to play a joke on her. Next dav ho wont nut and bought some more chops, handing them to his sister, with the remark that they were the best Irish-grown he could get. “How much did you give for them?” asked tho suspicious lady. “One and a penny,” replied the' Apitian. , Tim chops were cooked hv Airs. A;'Connell and pieced on the table. The sister was loud in her praises. “There’s a chop for you! Beats all your New Zealand stuff easily!” When the meal had been quite, finished, tile visitor let out the secret. They were New Zealand chops, at flld per lb.! The sister now buys no other brand, so that Mr. M‘ConnolTs jaunt through the Old hand will malm at least some slight difference to tho trade in frozen meat from this country.