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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144083, 30 April 1913, Page 2

Australian mails, ex Manuka at Wellington, will arrive here on Thursday afternoon. Wo have to acknowledge a donation of 15s towards the funds of the Pukekura Park Board from the refinery employees of the Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Wells, Ltd. School concerts are generally particularly interesting from the energy and enthusiasm put into the work of preparation, and the Boys’ High School concert on Friday promises to bo no exception to the rule. The first part of the programme will be taken up by the farce “Bombastes Furioso,” and the second by nigger minstrolry, gymnastics and hosing.

Two men who were rivals for a girl’s hand at St. Louis, Missouri, settled their claims hy walking 800 miles, the first man to arrive in the city from New York winning her. Good practice! Porpoises on the French const have almost ruined the sardine industry. To remedy this condition the French Government has ordered the torpedo boats at sea to make war on the porpoises. Mr. Archibald Walker, surveyor to Lloyd’s Register, has advised the underwriters that it is quite practicable to raise the sunken steamer Manaroa at D’Urville Island. As the vessel is insured against total loss it is probable that the underwriters w'ill consider a plan for refloating the boat. The discount-stamp transactions in the post offices of the Dominion have dwindled down to nothing almost. Last quarter only three offices reported transactions, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and the total stamps sold only amounted to £221, of which Wellington accounted for £2ll ss, Christchurch for £6, and Auckland for £3 15s. Is it not time they were done away with ? They are not worth the trouble given to the accountants to make up the quarterly returns.

A man unfamiliar with London went into a restaurant of the less fashionable type. “Now, waiter,” he said, “I want an oyster stew, and I want you to mvc the cook particular directions. The milk must be carefully heatc ed first—just short of boiling. Then the oysters must be added without the juice. That must not be put in until the seasoning, is added. As for the oysters, I want Whitstables. Use the best milk and butter. Now, do you think yon understand?” “Yessir,” said the waiter. And he went to the kitchen wicket and yelled “One oyster stew.”

A schoolmaster is telling a rather funny story against himself. He begins the story with the significant remark that one Saturday he paid the last of a scries of visits to his dentist. On the following Monday morning one or two of his pupils looked at him curiously, but, of course, nothing was said. He makes a point of trying to interest his pupils in the current affairs of the world, so when his class assembled he opgqfid his newspaper and, as usual, asked the question:—“Well, children, what is the chief event that has happened since Friday?” Quick as lightning came the reply from a little girl in tie front row;—“Please, sir, you’ve had a set of false teeth.”

Ysaye, the violinist, is a shy and quiet man except when ruffled or annoyed, and then ho becomes sharp of tongue. Ho was playing at a private house, and an elderly lady, a passionate lover of music, drew closer and closer to him as ho continued to play. She was so interested in reading the score that finally her head almost touched his. Ysaye, who had been growing angrier every moment, suddenly ceased playing, and, pulling out his handkerchief, seized the amateur musician by the nose. The lady was furious, and her fury ..was not diminished when the violinist said: “I beg your pardon, but your nose was so close to my face that I thought it was my own!” Hie time of the court was taken up nearly all day on Tuesday with the hearing of a case fhvolviug- the settlement of accounts between two farmers. After a four hours’ discussion of the matter the Magistrate (Mr. A. Crooke) stated that the case might have been settled out of court. Defendant, who was in tbo witriees-box, remarked: “Oh Paul and 1 (referring to plaintiff) could settle it in five minutes; we are still good friends.” It appeared that the coming into the case of a third party had led to the litigation. The Magistrate adjourned the court for half-an-hour, and as a result of a conference of Che principals and their legal advisers, an amicable arrangement was arrived at. ' Costs were allowed against defendant.

What bacon means to the average householder is brought home to him when the. price ranges in the neighbourhood of tho present high figures. Many private households long ago, perforce, deleted tho tasty ham and eggs from tho matutinal meal, and it as now not an unusual position even in better class boardinghouses to discover that the orthodox place in the menu knows them no more. • Retailed, as much as Is 3d per lb is asked for bacon, while for its concomitant on the plate 2s 3d is required to pay for a dozen. There is no saying to what price bacon will rise in the spring, hut it is significant that at Mr. Newton King’s pig fair on Saturday, nine weaners only five weeks old brought 15s each. Tho highest bidder evidently has great faith in the market, as he took the bunch.—Stratford Post.

A rather amusing story is told regarding tlie congestion of business at present being experienced at tho Auckland Magistrate’s Court (says the Star). Thq court had a very busy day in front of it, and two well-known lawyers had before them the prospect of waiting all day for the case in which they were engaged to bo called on. In their restless perambulations they came upon an equally impatient brother practitioner. His appearance was hailed with delight, as the first two legal men had a plan to set up a “magistrate” of their own, and, the position being explained to him, the newcomer consented to act. Accordingly a “court” was set up, the witnesses examined, counsel’s addresses delivered, and judgment given. Subsequently, when the case was called in the Magistrate’s Court, judgment was entered, by consent, in the terms of the decision arrived at by the amateur magistrate.

A party of three Sydney fishermen broke all records in the way of tunny catching at Port Stephens (N.S.W.) one d a y last week, securing with rod and line no fewer than 14 fish, weighing between 401 b; and 601 b. each, “I hooked the first, using a rod and line, the latter being finer than a medium solmapper lino,” stated Mr. C. H. Gorrick, one of the party, to a representative of the Sydney Morning Herald. “The experience was remarkable. It was as if I had tied that line to a tramcar and the latter had set off at full speed. The fish went away at a great pace, and with irresistible force, for some 400 yards before stopping. The speed was so great that the barrel of the reel was actually smoking from the friction, and when,the tunny slackened it swam round in slowly narrowing circles, boring and sounding all the time. It took an hour and 20 minutes to land it, and it kept me fighting all the time. Dr. Maitland hooked the second, which was settled in just over an hour, and in all we caught 14. This catch of tunny with rod and line has never been equalled anywhere in the world before—not even on the Californian coast.” ,

Although the price of leather has advanced considerably during the last two months, the quality of the 16s 6d boots at The Kash remains the same. »Tliey were fortunate enough to place their orders seven months ago at firm prices. This 16s 6d men’s boot can be had in seven distinct shapes and weights, and every month sees a great advance in the number of boots sold. Get a pair. You’ll he perfectly satisfied with the wear.* • '

Two great four-sided standards built of steel have just been completed by S. Luke and Son for the wireless station at Chatham Islands. When the telescopic masts are added the standards will be 170 ft. from the ground. When the various parts were finished the two structures were put together and erected for Government inspection. They were then taken down ready for shipment to the Chatbams. This loneiy group will now very shortly be in direct wireless communication with Wellington.

The Berlin education authorities have issued an order enforcing attendance at continuation schools upon all firls up to 17 years of age. The new ecree, which took effect from April 1, holds the employers of juvenile workers responsible for their regular attendance, and compels mistresses of young domestics to allow them at least six hours a week free for cdntinuation studies. This ordinance testifies to the increasing importance of girls’ education, ana brings it in line with that of the boys, who for years past have been obliged to continue school attendance until 17 years of ago. Mr. J. East, hon. sec. of the Taranaki Football Association, lias received the following letter from Mr. J. Henry Scott, hon. secretary of the H.M.S. New Zealand’s Association football team:—“Captain Halsey has asked me to reply to your kind letter asking whether we could play the Taranaki Club at Association Football on our visit to Now Plymouth. As there Will bo sports on at the samo time, I fear that we shall not bo able to raise a very strong team, but it would give us great pleasure to play the match. 'Will you therefore arrange the time and let us know all details on our arrival on Juno 17. Thanking you for your kind challenge.” Twenty thousand persons in England and Wales were without a birthday this year. This estimate was carefully made at the end of February by a census official with the aid of the available census returns. The exact number of people then alive who wore born on February 119 within the last 100 years could not, of course, bo given. Among the famous men born on a leap-year day was Rossini, the composer, who was born on February 29,1792. Burke’s Peerage provides a modern instance in the case of James Edward, Marquis of Hamilton, son and heir of the present Duke of Abereoru. He was born on February 29, 1904, King Edward standing sponsor at his baptism. “1 am sure that the declarations made by solicitors in issuing judgment summonses are too often made without regard to tlie truth,” said Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court on Thursday of last week. “The declaration says that to the beat of the applicant’s knowledge and belief the defendant has had, since the date of the judgment, sufficient money to pay the debt. I have warned the legal profession on this point before, and unless something is done I shall endeavour to have an end put to the practice of bringing debtors into court when there is no reasonable prospect that tlie money will be forthcoming. Many debtors are brought here at the loss of half a day’s or a day’s pay, and in addition to that they have to pay Bs, the cost of the judgment summons. No judgment summons ought to b,e issued unless there are honest and reasonable grounds for the belief that the debtor is able to pay.” A great deal has been written and printed with regard to the “cycle car,” a small edition of the motor car. The first “cycle car” to appear on the Nelson roads was in evidence the other day (says the Nelson Colonist). The new motor vehicle is a true motor car in miniature. With a three-speed forward and reverse gear it is indeed a motor car. Developing 8.10 horsepower on a petrol consumption of one gallon to fifty miles, and a maximum speed of something over fifty miles per hour, it is no compromise. In appearance the cycle car has nice clear lines, is fitted with wind-shield, lamps, etc., on the same scale, in proportion, as the large high-powered cars, and to the casual observer appears to absolutely fill the bill of the requirements of those who do not wish to incur the expense of a full-sized car and who are content with a seating capacity of two passengers. We understand that the price of Sic cycle car in Nelson is something under £175, with all accessories.

The decreasing supplies of white pine, owing to its extensive use for butter-boxes, and tho discovery of a suitable substitute, are among the important questions being inquired into by the Forestry Commission. On Thursday Mr. David Goldie, in giving evidence at the Auckland sittings of the commission, said that it would bo very unwise for Now Zealand-to allow the export of white piu-- for such use as making piano-cases. Later on in tho proceedings Mr. Alexander M‘Ca.ll was giving evidence. He referred to. the fact that tawa wood was found to be very suitable for butter-boxes,' as it had absolutely no odour, while even white pine had an odour which sometimes caused trouble. In this connection, tawm needed no waxing, while white pine did. Dr. Cockayne remarked that they had been given to understand that white pine was the only timber suitable for butter-box making which did not need paraffining, yet apparently this process was necessary.

A great dearth of officers for the mercantile marine is being experienced in British shipping circles in the Old Country. In order to secure the full complement of officers for the palatial Western ocean liners the companies are having to reduce the staff of officers in their purely cargo-carriers. The big White Star liner carries three deck officers, whereas she previously carried five. Though the ship’s officers are very reticent in the matter, other members of tho crew 7 unhesitatingly state that it is because the big Western ocean liners are drawing on the cargo-carriers for officers that tho Zealandic’s complement has been reTho reason given to account for this difficulty experienced in getting sufficient mercantile marine officers is that tho sea attractions are unable to draw the young men from tho more remunerative prospects of shore professions. Officers, wages have recently been increased substantially, and it is hoped to thus induce more young men to adopt the profession of seafaring.

At the Melbourne.—Ladies’ felt slippers, carpet soles, Is pair; ladies’, coloured felt slippers, cord soles, Is 3d pair; men’s black felt slippers, Is 6d; ladies’ leather slippers, sewn soles, 3s lid; ladies’ chrome slippers, sewn soles, 4s lid; ladies’ twin-bar shoes, sewn soles, 6s lid; ladies’ ward .shoes, os lid; men’s strong bluchers, 4s lid and 6s lid; grand values.*

New Plymouth is proud of its beautiful scenery, and any attempt to improve the beauty of the town should meet with liberal assistance. The public will have the opportunity of showing its practical sympathy to-morrow night, when the West End ’ Foreshore Improvement Society holds the first of its winter series of euchre parties and dances in the West-' End Gymnasium, South Road. Excellent prizes will bo given,, and the good Hoor, music, and supper should make the evening an enjoyable one.

The Pukekura Park Board acknowledges a donation from Mr. 0. Hoby, of a variety of seeds of African plants and flowering shrubs, which he procured from the curator of the public gardens ,Bulawayo, South Rhodesia. Five brief flights On a monoplane were made on Monday morning at Pigeon Bush by Mr. Reginald White, of Wellington. The machine with which the ascents were made is a local-ly-built one, designed by Mr. Percy Fisher, and was taken up to the Wairarapa some months ago to Mr. Barton’s property at Pigeon Bush, where the experiments with it have been conducted. Tire weather has been somewhat too windy to permit of much flying being attempted, and it was not until yesterday that the monoplane was got fairly into the air. The five flights were each of about 200'yards, and were made at an elevation of from 20ft. to 30ft. The machine is stated to have behaved admirably and to have proved its stability. An interesting statement .was made before the Forestry Commission _ on Thursday by Mr. W. A. Gumming, president of the Auckland branch of the Institute of Architects. Mr, Gumming told the commission of an oak tree, fifty years old, which had been cut down in the grounds of Government House, Auckland. The wood was sappy, and four years afterwards it was riddled with worm. A discussion amongst the members ensued later in the proceedings, and it was agreed that the oak could not have been of .the British variety, but was probably an American oak, notorious for its poor timber.