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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144429, 17 July 1914, Page 2

Mr. H. Benson, caretaker of the bowling greens at Napier, is spending a few days here.

AVe havo received, through Air. Ewing, a further donation of £1 10s towards the High School Cadets’ Shooting Fund from Air. E. Dingle.

A Sydney cablegram reports that Thursday was tho coldest day recorded there for three years. The frosts were severe and snow fell on the mountains.

Mr. F. N. AVhitcombo, dental surgeon, has decided to commence tho practice of his profession in Now Plymouth, and has secured rooms in the promises of Mr. AA 7 . Fraser, chemist. These aro now being altered to suit his requirements. Mr. AVhitcombo, who is an old Now Plymouth boy, hopes to commence practice in about two weeks’ time.

AVhilst handling a consignment of bananas from the Islands a couple of days ago, a Gisborne fruiterer was bitten by a centipede which came in the fruit, Tho centipede was about four inches in length, of a brownish colour, and is the, third that ho has seen during tho time ho has been importing fruit from the Islands. Notwithstanding the fact that immediate precautions were taken much pain resulted. A motor-car driven by Air. Donald, of Stratford, who was accompanied by Mrs. Donald, failed to negotiate a curve on the road at the Manutahi Gorge on Tuesday evening, and after tearing through a wire fence came to rest some 40ft. below the level of the road in a considerably damaged condition. Both occupants were thrown out, and severely shaken, in addition to which Mr. Donald was a good deal cut about by wire as the car went through the fence.

—Hawera Star. Tho half-yearly weighing of the gold on hand on Jnne 30 at the Royal Alint in Melbourne was carried out last week by the officers appointed by tho Govern or-in-Oouncil to be present to witness such weighing. According to tho latest figures published, the output of tho Melbourne Mint since its establishment in 1872 has consisted of 126,632,340 sovereigns, 1,767,895 half-sover-eigns, 2,479,163 era. of gold bullion, tho total value of the coin and bullion being £137,879,450.

Operations at the Terawiuti gold mines will shortly be in full swing. Tho services of Mr. L. 0. AVilkmson, who pioneered lew-grade ore at “Big Hill,” Stawoll, New South Wales, havo been secured, and work is to be proceeded with immediately. Already at Terawbitl drives have’ been made and sites cleared for the erection of batteries and workmen's cottages. Tho site of the present mines is between tho famous, old Caledonian and Queen workings, to which a rash -was made many years ago.

An incident which shows tho marvellous powers of endurance possessed by tho old-time Maori has been reported from Kakahi. Recently an aged Maori was missed from Tercua, near Kakahi, and after some days had been spont in an unsuccessful search/for him it was concluded (says tho Tauniarnnui correspondent of the Now Zealand Herald) that he had been lost and had perished in tho intense cold. For three days and two nights tho old man was missing, but ho ultimately returned to tne settlement along tho river bed. When quCiStioned as to his absence, ho said ha did not remember much about what happened after he left homo. Ho woke up on tho Sunday evening,, he said, and finding himself near the river bank followed the course of the river until he reached the kainga. Although the man's accurate age cannot be ascertained, it is fairly certain that he is in the neighbourhood of 100 years, for Ids daughter recently died at the age of 80 years. Though bent and decrepit, ho is mentally alert. At intervals, however, ho shows a strange lethargy and a disposition to sleep. It was, apparently, during one of these periods that ho wandered away, but after his exposure in most sovero weather ho showed no signs of it having affected his health.

Ail those in want of good warm colonial blankets will .be interested in the Melbourne’s special bargain purchase of 200 pairs of ono of our best mill’s finest productions. A largo warehouseman was overstocked; the Melbourne came along and for cash secured at a big discount. Tho savings will be passed on to tho firm’s customers, but you’ll not need to delay. Three-quarter size finest long-stapled wool colonial blankets, usual price 23s 6d, bargain price 17s 6d; full donhlo-bed size, usual

AVe have received a parcel of books for busbmon from Mrs. AA 7 . Batten, Molesworth Street. The Taranaki Garrison Band..is holding a concert in tho Theatre Royal on Sunday evening. The proceeds will be devoted to a very deserving case which has come under the band’s notice. Tho Theatre Boval will no doubt be packed, for the public of Now' Plymouth aro not slow in according generous support to a worthy cause. Reply to a question in tho House on Wednesday, the Minister of Railways said that the petrol railway-car now on trial lias not boon in commission a sufficient length of time to enable a definite opinion to bo formed as to its utility for suburban lines in tho vicinity of the larger towns of the Dominion where the traffic is heavy. Tho text of a motion parsed at a-meot-ing of the Land Values League in AVellington on Tuesday night is as follows: “(1) -AA’hcroas the steady increase in the cost of living is pressing more and more heavily upon the wages of the workers, and having regard to the enormous increase in the profits of mere land speculators, this league demands that a plebiscite of the electors bo taken upon the issue; .That the ordinary land tax be increased to 2d in the £, and that the Customs duties on the necessaries of life he reduced by the, amount of revenue so raised. (2) That arrangements bo made for a deputation to the Right Hon. Mr. Massey to place the, matter before him.”

An Ashburton deputation waited upon the Minister of Education on AA'edaesday with a view to getting a Government grant of £ISOO and authority to borrow up to £4OOO. for the purpose of building a school hostel to. be attached to the i)shbuvtou High School. Mr. Allen, in reply, said that this question of hostels was coming before him almost every week. The whole matter resolved itself into one of expenditure, and he could not -give them a definite answer at present. Indeed, he was afraid it would lie a difficult problem to face. He would go into this application along with others that had come before Kim, and see if it were possible to adopt a uniform principle in tho matter. In regard to the authority to borrow £4OOO, he saw no difficulty in tho way, and if they would send in their application he would endeavour to secure the necessary Order-in-Council. Tho question of the merits and demerits of the hire-purchase system and the suggested registration of the agreements was again discussed at the last meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. It was pointed out (says tho Herald) that many farmers beginning life on the land had plenty of grit but little money. The hire-purchase system was of great benefit to them in procuring the necessary implements, A'ery often, it was said, tho registration of the agreement would bo detrimental to the buyer. Many people, too, did not want to disclose the state of their finances by the registration of agreements, but, on the other hand, it was rather unfair that the sellers of goods on the hire-pur-chase system should rank_ as secured creditors without registration of xheir security. A resolution was finally passed to the effect that although much could be said for the proposed change, the council did not see its way to make a move in the matter.

For failing to attend Matarao camp a Gore youth when asked his reason for non-attendance at the camp, replied that he had never taken the oath, and had never been sworn in. In reply to questions by the magistrate (says the Mataura Ensign) defendant said, that he did not intend to attend drill until he was sworn in. He had attended the camp last year because his mate did. Ho received his uniform the day he went into camp. He had been working durihg the last five months in North Canterbury and had been unaware of .the time fixed for the camp to bo held. He had returned to Tuturau only a month ago. Defendant stated further that he did not intend to drill. “You are fined £4 and costs 75,” said the Magistrate. “What' is the alternative?” asked the youth. “It is 28 days at Taiarqa Heads. Have you any money?” replied the Magistrate. “Yes, a little.” “How much?” “Oh, a few pounds.” “Have you £10?” “Yes. “Well, there will be no alternative,” was the reply, and the youth departed rather crestfallen. Considerable interest was caused on the waterfront at Auckland on Monday (the Star says) by the arrival of the TJnited Tyser liner, Star of sagland, which is on her maiden trip to the colony. The new boat is capable of carrying 13,000 tons of cargo, and she embodies all the latest improvements to be found in tho best class of cargo steamers trading out of England. A novel feature of the steamer is the fire-detecting appliance. Tubes from ninoteea different parts of the ship, including all tho holds, lead to an indicator m the chart-room. An electric fan sucks a current of air from the various tubes, and the first appearance of smoke is detected by the officer on duty, who, by an ingenious application of steam hoses can at once connect up with the seat of the trouble and extinguish the fire. The Star of England made excellent time on the trip out from tho Old Country, averaging 13.32 knots per hour. She can be fitted to carry nine hundred thirdclass passengers, and has accommodation for fourteen in the saloon. In Melbourne no' taxi-cabs ply for hire in the streets, because the legal faro is too low to enable the cars to bo run at a profit. Patrons of taxicabs must, therefore, hire from the garage. A system, now in vogue in Germany, if adapted, would enable a taxi to be called to any pc’.nt in the city streets (says the ;■' ciorist). Machines bearing an external resemblance to letter boxes have been placed in all parts of the city of Hamburg, and are connected by wire with a central office. These machines servo as cab-stands, though it frequently happens that there is no cab at the stand. In the latter case, a customer who wants a cab deposits a coin (one mark) in the machine, and his call is automatically signalled to the central office, which sends him a cab from tho nearest stand or garage at which one is available; the money deposited is credited towards his fare.. The presence or absence of cabs at every stand in the- city is indicated on dials at the office by an automatic device, and each of tho machines is provided with a calling horn and a telephone, by means of which orders are transmitted from headquarters. Gabs summoned by telephone to a customer’s home, office, etc., are also sent from tho nearest stand by this system. The whole plan ensures both economy and efficiency of operation, as it enables cabs to be moved about promptly wherever they are needed, and reduces the total number necessary for the business of the city. It no longer happens, as formerly, that some stands have a long string of idle vehicles, while others, where cabs are urgently wanted, are hare.

Some seasonable bargains at “The Nash” : Men’s navy blue jerseys 5s lid, brown or whito sweaters 6s 6d, all-wool underpants 4s 6d, woollen socles 3 pairs f or ,2s 6d, boys’ oilskins 7s lid, men’s canvas coats from 19s 6d; also big bargains.jinJi±tlo hoys’ coals.*

Mr. B. Tippins has received from a friend in Cape Colony a magnificent selection of ostrich feathers, which are the finest we have ever seen* some of them being of enormous size and perfect shape. He does not, we understand, propose to wear them himself. Mr. T. Petty has just returned from Wellington, whore he was. the successful tenderer for over £SOO worth of carpets, furnishings-, etc. These goods are now arriving and include the biggest and best selection of carpets, carpet epds, and runners ever seen in Taranaki. Mr. Petty intends to offer the lot at prices that will suit every pocket. Early shopping is advised, as the best will soon go.* After an energetic search had been carried on for several hours, a child two and a-half years old, who had been reported to the police, as missing was, at 11 o’clock at night, found asleep in a cupboard at its home in Newtowr( Sydney), cuddling a Teddy Bear. The district was scoured before anyone

thought of looking in the cupboard. The child merely remarked, '‘Been ss’eep wiv Teddy.”