Untitled

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16724, 27 April 1920, Page 2

Influenza in a mild form is still prevalent in tins district. The committees of the Fitzroy and A 7 ogeltown schools decided on Monday to close the, schools as a precautionary measure. The closing of tho Bell Block School was considered, hut tho chairman.of the committee said this morning that it had nob been found necessary to dose.

The shortage of cement in Canterbury is becoming exceedingly acute, and' many essential public and private works arc being held up in consequence (says a telegram from Christchurch). The organiser of the Canterbury Progress League has telegraphed the position to the secretary of the Board of Trafie at Wellington. At tho weekly meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee on Monday evening it was reported that the committee had loaned to ex-sol-dions £22,000, and that the arrears were only £2. Tho secretary also instanced one case of two men who had been granted a loan of £6OO, and who at the end 1 of tho first quarter had repaid £2OO and at file end of the second quarter £3OO. A Stetson hat, alleged to have been stolen from a mercery shop in Auckland in February, was produced in Court the other day, and the manager of the shop concerned was asked to put a price on that kind, of article. “Five guineas at the time it was stolen, but six guineas to-day,” was the reply. It looks as if men of moderate means will soon have to buy their millinery on tho instalment plan, comments the Auckland Star.

A povcl mode of “making the punishment fit the crime” was announced at the Dargavillo Police Court recently by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in connection with the illegal appropriation and use of a motor-car and bicycles. The Magistrate, in dealing with a Maori who had taken a “joy ride,” said that in future he would inflict imprisonment upon such offenders, the term to be calculated on the basis of one day per mile ridden, up to three months’ imprisonment. In that way he hoped to put a stop to the practice, which was far too common, of unauthorised persons using motor-cars and other vehicles. Tho Commissioner of Pensions has written to the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee stating that the Pensions Board has decided that in every case where it is advised by tho medical authorities of the hospital that a soldier who is undergoing out-patient treatment, and is precluded thereby from following any occupation, there is to be granted the maximum scheduled pension, plus tho full suplemontary pension of 20s. per week. The initial grant is being made for three months only.

The fifteen Chinese who arrived from Sydney by tho Riverina at Auckland on Wednesday included an infant whose age is less than a fortnight. As tho child was born in Sydney, the argument has boon raised that in the eyes of tho law it is an Australian and not a Chinese, and that therefore tho parents, are not liable for the pyament of the poll tax of £IOO. Tho money was paid on deposit yesterday to tho collector of Customs, and the question of whether ho tax must bo exacted has been referred to tho Minister for Customs.

Treasury officials in Melbourne sYvcep aside the Sydney objections to the proposed adoption of the square coin with the reply that the existing copper penny will not be withdrawn, but will have ji. .simultaneous currency with tho proposed nickel substitute, probably' for the next 10 years. By that time the existing slot machines will have been supplanted. The specimen new nicTfcl penny supplies its own answer to tho statement that it would affect the wear and tear of the pockets. In size it amounts to no more than a square taken out of a shilling with the corners rounded. Two or throe dozen of the coins could ho comfortably carried in the waistcoat pocket. New shipment of ladies’ and gents.’ tan and black brogue shoes just to hand at The Regal. Quality the best, at prices within roach of all. tjAlso to hand, a very smart line of ladies’ black suede court shoos, with tongue and buckle. — Regal Shoo Store.*

Now Plymouth grocers contend that tho present time is niOvSt opportune for circulating tho now “Keep Smiling” Boot Polish; price 8d per'tin.—Newton King, Wholesale Agent.*

The Mayor (Mr. J, Clarke) has received a telegram from Mr. Collins (secretary of the Board of Trade) stating that the board is doing its utmost to increase cement supplies for Now Plymouth.

It is understood that the Post and Telegraph Department has recently given an order to an Australian firm for 100,000 hardwood polos to develop the telephone and telegraph service in the Dominion.

In Dunedin on Monday Arthur Lloyd was lined £IOO for street betting. The magistrate, Mr. Bartholomew, in inflicting the. maximum monetary penally. said the bonkmuking profession seemed so lucrative, that it was questionable if even a substantial penalty was much of a deterrent.

. Some apprehension, says the N.Z. Times, is being felt by farmers at the early closing down of the Wahganui Freezing Works, and it is considered that in the, Rangitikci and Wanganui districts a good many thousand sheep will have to ho carried over the winter. Fortunately, the season has been favourable, and there is an abundance of feed. Stormy weather conditions since Sunday night havo led to a further encroachment of the sea at the East End Reserve. The protective works carried out after the original erosion have secured the battling pavilion from present danger, but this morning it was found that tlio sea was eating its way into laud west of the pavilion and' that further work was necessary there. It is tho intention of members of the local Masonic lodges to present Brother H.R.H. the Prince of Wales with an illuminated address upon bis arrival at Now Plymouth on Friday. The presentation will take place at teh Boys’ High School Assembly Hall at 10 a.m. Brethren will not be admitted after 9.50 a.w. Tho residents of Moturoa beach are quite convinced that “tho sea hath its pearls.” This morning the “gems” were cast up on tho beach in the shape of logs of firewood. The breaking ot dawn revealed a large number of persons securing supplies of firewood, which will materially assist in keeping the “home fires burning” during the approaching winter, and to some extent reduce tho high cost of living.

Tho East End Committee is celebrating the visit of the Prince of Wales by a groat ball in the pavilion on Friday evening. The men’s bathing shed has been converted for tho occasion into a supper room, and there will be room for 200 persons to sit down to the excellent' supper which tho ladies are providing. The floor is recognised as the best in the district, and Mrs. George’s orchestra will provide excellent music. At a meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation. Committee on Monday evening, Mr. J. W. Chaney presiding, tho executive’s action in granting a loan of £75 for furniture was confirmed, as were recommendations for tho granting 'of loans of £l5O each to two partners in a business, and a £6O loan for the purchase of motor tyres. Financial assistance for seven months was granted to a trainee. Three names wore on the unemployed list, all _ requiring light work. Two applications for loans for the purchase of a motor car and horses for contracting wore referred to tho executive 'in order to obtain further information, with power to act. Five, furniture loans of £75 and onq of £25 each were granted. Farm training to a returned soldier was granted for a period of six months. A Palmerston North High School pupil draws attention to a conspicuous absence of the ordinary powers of observation in some of the members _ of Parliament who were chosen to visit Samoa at our expense because they were supposed to possess that very essential qualification. Several newspapers report that members were so much interested in the curious properties of “Kava Beer,” that some of them not only brought back a small supply, but also secured a number, of growing roots, with tho object of introducing tin's beautiful plant to New Zealand. This sumo plant, which is commonly known hero as Kawa Kawa, or pepper plant, is about the most, plentiful in New Zealand. * Macropiper excelsmn is its botanical name. A decoction of the leaves was used by the Natives to allay toothache, to cure rheumatism, and to reduce inflammation; but has not been converted into beer as with tho Samoans.

The house steward at the New Plymouth Hospital wishes to thank Miss A. Wilson for a gift of apples. Tho soldiers in the hospital wish to thank the New Plymouth Patriotic Association (through Miss Winnie Sole) for gift parcels on Anzac Day. Men! Wear an English hat on tho occasion of the Prince’s visit. The Melbourne has a good line of pure fur felt hats, all British make, in king brown, nutria, nickel and black shatßp, at 29s 6d. They’re stunning value.* Webster Bros, advertise a sale of new and modern house furniture, etc., on account of Mr. Denny-Brown, who has sold his residence. Full particulars and place of sale will be advertised in a few days. The sale takes place on Wednesday, May 5. “Fear” is the most successful agent for spreading influenza, but “No Rubbing” Laundry Help is the best invention for washing all clothes dean without rubbing or injury; Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings.* For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods’ Groat Peppermint Cure, 1/9, 2/9.