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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16822, 21 August 1920, Page 2

“We have under construction 24 railway lines—being constructed very slowly most of them. Three hundred miles of railway arc under construction.” These words were used by Mr. Massey on Thursday in replying to a deputation which advocated ihe deviation of the Wellington-Wairarapa line in order to avoid the Rimutaka incline. If the people of the country would only grasp the utter inefficiency of a system which can permit such a state of affairs to exist it would be dealt with drastically, but the proposal to postpone work on any. one of these two dozen lipes would raise a howl and flood Wellington with deputations. There are even demands for the starting of more now lines which are being pressed by strong political influences. To complete the 800 miles now under construction will, at the present rate of progress, take 10 years. During the war no one expected much work to be done on the railways and the average addition to the length of open lines was about nine miles per annum. Conditions then were admittedly abnormal, and wo can get a better idea by referring to the five years before the war. During this period the average addition ro open lines was 45 miles, and there were 24 lines under construction. Such a state of affairs is an absolute disgrace and shows the result of building railways on political grounds rather than economic. Mr. Massey told the deputation on Thursday that the Government had under 4000 men on public works as against 8000 1 before the war. Many of these men are not working on railway construction, indeed most people will consider that at present the completion of the Mangahao hydroelectric scheme is the most important public work in the Dominion. Judging from the number of men available the amount of railway constructed this year will not he more than half the pre-war average beral estimate. The problem for the Minister of Public Works is where the money to produce this 25 miles of railway can best be spent, and it is to be hoped he will resist all pressure to go mi playing at railway construction all over the country and concentrate on

essential lines. The press in some districts complains that too little money has been provided in the estimates for railways, but what is the use of a forward policy when there are no workers to be had. In the past far too much money has been put on the estimates which it was known could never be spent and it only helped to swell the surplus. Such unbusinesslike methods should be abandoned once for all.

According to the Gazette j the notice declaring measles to be an infeetiefus disease has been revoked. Sixteen Chinese arrived.at Auckland from Sydney by the Maheno on/ Tuesday. Tire total number of Chinese who fyave landed there since the beginning of the year is 526. The cost of the various receptions tendered tire Prince of Wales in Auckland is £2469. An application has been made by the City Council to the Government for tho subsidy on the expenditure. The Auckland City Council’s share is 60 per cent. The Auckland City Schools Committee has undertaken another experiment in the interest of tho children at the three city schools. It is supplying the scholars with nailbrushes and soap. Tho result of the experiment will be watched with interest.

Tho supply of cement was referred to on Wednesday by the chairman of the Board of Trade, Mr. W. G. M'Donald. He said that as a_ result of a steady supply of coal for Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement Company’s works, an increased output of this commodity was becoming available. Evidence of wbat a heavy rain may do in one night is to ho seen at Five Kivcrs, Southlands. To the east there is a range of steep, bare hills, sloping to a great western plain. In a few hours a heavy domvpour rushing off the hillsides scoured out alcn.g the roadside a gully nearly a mile long, 6ft. to 10ft. deep, and 10ft. to 12ft. wide.

'“I think that there is a distinct lack of parental discipline in New Zealand,” said Mr. H. E. Longworth, chief physical training officer, in the course of an address to the Wellington Educational Institute. ‘T noticed that fault in 'the schools when I arrived in the Dominion. Tn England the school children are not nearly so “cheeky” as scholars attending schools in Now Zealand.”

A meeting of tho Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth was held on Friday night. The first business was to dispose of two appropriations of £l5O each by ballot, and two appropriations of £loo each by tender. No tenders were received, and the four appropriations were ballotted for, Miss A. M. Bony and Mr. Geo. Back being successful. As each hold two shares they were entitled to the full appropriations of £3OO each. The next business was the disposal of two appropriations of £250 each in No. 3 Group by tender. The highest tender was £l3B for the £SOO, and this was accepted. A meeting of tho New Plymouth branch of the R.S.A. was held on Friday nigiit, Captain Mac Diarmid presiding. Tho delegate to the recent conference at Palmerston North (Mr. G. E. Roper) submitted his report, and was congratulated on its excellence. Ho also explained tho new system of control by district committees. Tho amended rules wore discussed and suggestions made ■prior to their being put in order by the association’s Solicitor, after which they will be presented to a general meeting. The chairman of the ball and dinner committees reported that arrangements for both gatherings were well in hand.

In tho House this week Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) asked the Government if they would take steps to get tho subsidised mail steamers to call alternately at North and South Island ports. Tho Postmaster-General replied that he had not Considered tho matter. He did not think there was anything to be gained from the point of view of the_ delivery of the mails, because tho mails were sent on by tho Main Trunk railway, which was faster than tho boat, and Auckland was tho nearest port. The matter of freights to the principal ports was, however, at present under consideration. • The first aerial flight from Auckland to "Wellington was completed on Wednesday afternoon, when the de Haviland 90 h.p. aeroplane, belonging to the Auckland Flying School, arrived over the city. Leaving Palmerston North at about 10.30 a.m. the machine, with Mr. M. H. Oram,' a Palmerston North solicitor, as passenger, and Captain R. Russell as pilot, flew across the ranges to Masterton, and then came on to Wellington, the whole journey occupying only a little over two hours. The aeroplane has travelled from Auckland via Gisborne, Tokomaru Bay, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, and Palmerston North, flights having been made at Feilding as well.

The need of an anti-dumping law to protect New Zealand industries was urged in the House of Representatives on Thursday night by Mr. Veitch (Wanganui), and Dr,' Dewman (Wellington East). The Canadian anti-dumping Jaw, said Dr. Newman, was a short measure and could easily be adopted ‘by this country during the present session. Dumping undoubtedly was proceeding to the detriment of 'New Zealand industries. Ho quoted the use of an article sold in Australia for £4O and In New Zealand for £2O. Surplus stock was being sent into New Zealand. Mr. Massey said ho was aware that dumping was a danger to local industries. If necessary, lie would introduce legislation to check it.

The shortage of oyster pickers is one of the latest phases of the labour difficulty in Auckland. When the present oyster season was opened there were 16 to 17 pickers providing oysters from the beds in the Hauraki Gulf. Thera was sufficient employment for about 20 pickers, but the number at work met requirements fairly well, N6w, however, the number has fallen to seven, owing to several' having transferred their energies to the fishing industry. Consequently the difficulty of meeting the demand for oysters has been considerably increased. Picking at the Kaipara beds wall he commenced next week by men in that locality, but this will not augment the supply, as picking at the Bay of Islands beds will be discontinued about the same time.

-W.C.T.U.—The usual monthly meeting in connection with tho Pay-up Subscription Social will be held in the Lower Room, Workers’ Social Hall, Wednesday, 25ih, at 2.30 p.m. Members please make an effort to attend this meeting.* Train arrangements are advertised in this issue for the North Taranaki Hunt meeting, to be Held at New Plymouth on Thursday next, August 26. Excursion fares will bo issued on that day to New 'Plymouth from as far south as Hawera.

An unique opportunity is afforded the ladies of Taranaki for spending a pleasant and profitable few hours. Millinery artists, the world over, have been vieing with each other in creating the most beautiful models. The result of their artistic creations are now on view at Mrs. Fellow's, Devon Street-*

At Newton King, Ltd.’s New Plymouth Haymarket to-day weaner pigs made 18s to 20s 6d, small slips 25s to 265, good slips up to 345. The rate of subscription to the Taranaki Friendly Societies’ Hospital Association has been raised from 14s to £1 per annum, the rise to take effect from the December quarter.

At the annual meeting of the Taranaki Employers’ Association held on Friday night the chairman mentioned that the nightwatchmau recently found ,ono of the banks of New Plymouth open.

The first flying hearse, capable of carrying a coffin and 15 mourners will, says an exchange, bo launched at New Jersey during the TJndertakc-is’ Convention next month.

When the Rimu left the New Plymouth wharf for Onehunga on Friday afternoon she passed out of sight with unusual rapidity, as a sail was set to take advantage of the strong wind which was blowing from a favourable quarter. With a view to encouraging the fishing industry the Government has decided to make advances under the Fishing Industry Promotion Act, 1919, for the purpose of erecting and equipping cool storage plants for fish or fish canning, or preserving plants, and for equipping, or altering, or putting machinery in fishing boats. A Press Association telegram from Wanganui says that with reference to the statement by the Premier doubting whether the embargo on Newcastle coal applied to Now Zealand, the Wanganui Borough Council, which .has a contract with a Newcastle firm Tor the supply of coal, has been advised that the authorities refuse to allow a steamer to load coal for Wanganui. The gasworks have only enough coal to last until Tuesday. In addition to the directors only one shareholder was present at the annual meeting of the' Manutahi Co-operative Dairy Company on Wednesday. There are only about twelve or thirteen farmers supplying the factory, and most of these only supply through’sharemilkers. The smallest herd owned is over 50 cows, and the largest owner has about 460 cows. There are cases in which farmers employ two and three sharemilkers on different areas.—Hawera Star.

A Supreme Court action which will cause considerable interest in legal and judicial circles has been instituted by Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert, barrister and solicitor, against President Acheson of the Aotea District Maori Land Board. Mr. Fitzherbert is claiming £3OOO damages for alleged slander, which is said to have been uttered by Mr. Acheson at a sitting of the Native Land Board at Hawera last month. The action' will come on for hearing at the December sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. The writ was issued by Messrs. Johnstone and Croker.

The acuteness of the newspaper situation in the Homeland is reflected in the statement that since the war the cost of paper has risen fivefold, while printing charges to-day approach a rise of 200 per cent. This has necessitated a large increase in the price of many popular papers. The price of the Nation and of the Spectator has gone up from 6d to 9d, whilst other weekly journals have been increased from 6d to Is. The price of The Times has risen from Id to 3d, and of The Times Literary Supplement from Id to 6d.’ The Manchester Guardian has increased from Id to 2d. and this example has been followed by a number of other daily papers. It is reported that the prosecution heard at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court on Monday against a country storekeeper for failing. to send in a telephone bureau return is likely to have a more far-reaching effect than at first anticipated. Apparently the system of postal employees obtaining free 'bureau communications has been in existence for years, and the prosecution has now brought matters to a climax. It is understood that an inquiry will have to be held regarding the Wanganui office, and this in turn will probably implicate employees in Wellington, and will probably involve the whole of the telephone service in the Dominion.

Considerable interest is seemingly being evinced among returned soldiers in Canada regarding the prospect of New Zealand as a home for immigrants. By tho last overseas mail between 20. and 30 letters from discharged soldiers in Canada were received by the secretary to the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. E. F. Andrews. In response to these communications, which requested an opinion a.s to conditions prevailing in the towns, Mr. Andrews replied stating that there was little unemployment among returned soldiers in Auckland, and that prospects were good, but that a large number were experiencing difficulty in securing housing accommodation. Writing from Vancouver, Mr. Ernest Short, the Squire of Parorangi, says: You ought to see the effect of Prohibition in the United States and Canada. Every worker is driving his own motorcar. These workers also, have nice homes and fine families. And all are prosperous looking, with clear minds as to helping their nation. They have twice the energy of the other days. . . Wo have just spent three days going through some of the finest Holstein herds in tho West, near Seattle, and saw some very fine cattle. One cow, which is giing to beat the world’s record by several thousand pounds of milk, has just done 194 days’ milking for 22,0001 b., and has half the time to go to beat about 33,2001 b. We met Mr. Auckland here, from the Waikato. He has just bought a nice farm, and has started a herd of Holsteins, near V ancouver—Star.

A sharp conflict of opinion was disclosed at Wednesday’s conference of acclimatisation societies i-elative to the destructive tendencies of shags. In opposing a remit that a uniform premium be paid for shag heads, Mr. E. F. Stead (North Canterbury) contended that the association was pursuing a suicidal course in advocating the destruction of shags. Fish food in the rivers was becoming scarcer every year, and the wholesale destruction of shags would result in destroying the only remedy that nature had got of preventing the over-stocking of oui- fishing gx-ounds. Shags were the ideal agency for bringing about the survival of the fittest among trout. In Canterbury no premium had been paid out for shag heads for a number of years, and in consequence the fishing had improved. Another point made by Mr. Stead was that shags favoured eels as a food in preference to trout. After considerable discussion the remit was withdrawn.

Doesn't the floorcloth look lovely after you’ve polished it with “Keep Smiling Lino Polish”? It takes less time, too, and saves backaches.*

Great as are inventions like electricity and the telephone, it is doubtful if cither of these has proved such a boon and a blessing to the busy honsewife as “Fairy Wonder” Dry Soap, the magic cleanser. Clothes become white as snow where “Fairy” -waves her wand. At all stores.*

Ten cases of pneumonic influenza have been notified in the Auckland health district since Monday. Mild influenza is very prevalent at present. A return of £Bl received by a Levin dairyman for six cows for July has bean beateu by a To Horo supplier to the Wellington City Council, whose July cheque for 12 cows was £BO. A man who sought to divorce his wife in the Court this morning on account of her desertion of him, told the judge he supposed his wife was tired of being poor. Petitioner had four children and was a railway servant earning 9s per day when his wife was living with him.

The Victoria Racing Club has informed Federal politicians that_ they must pay when attending races in future, states a cable from Sydney. It is understood that complimentary tickets have been stopped in consequence of the recent increase in salaries or members of Parliament.

It appears to come as somewhat a* surprise to the Acclimatisation Societies’ Conference in Wellington that the hedgehog is a “beastly nuisance.” _ He will eat eggs, young birds or old birds, and Mr. E.'F. Stead (Canterbury) told the members that he had frequently got up in the middle of the'night and found a hedgehog “nosing” a setting hen off her eggs.

The Palmerston North newspapers keep a careful watch on the mistakes and mis-statements of each otter. The morning paper recently commented on an article which appeared in the evening newspaper, the heading being “Busses going out” and the subject being means of street transport. A touch of humour lightened the proceedings, as each used the word “busses.” The dictionary tells us that, though a “’bus” is a conveyance, “buss” is a kiss, preferably a rude or playful one.

The following letter from a ' correspondent of the Liverpool Mercury is of interest;—“l am willing to risk my reputation as a public man if the worst case of smallpox cannot be effectually cured in three days, simply by cream of tartar. This is the sura and never-failing remedy: One ounce of cream of tartar dissolved in a pint of boiling water, to be drunk when cold at short intervals. It can be taken air any time, and is a preventive as well as a curative. It is known to have cured in a hundred thousand cases without a failure. I have myself restored hundreds by this means. It never leaves a mark, never causes blindness, and always prevents tedious lingering. If people would only try it and report all cures to you, you would require many columns if you gave them publicity.” Hapid progress is being made by the Thames Valley Electric Lower Board. A total of 1000 poles are now being erected at Paeroa and Netherton. Orders have been placed for poles and motors valued at over £12,000. A concrete depot will be constructed at Paeroa, while plans for the main office and depot, to be erected at Te Aioha, will be considered at the next meeting. Depot sites have been purchased at Pae10a, Te Aroha, Kopu, Morrinsville, and Matamata, and others will be purchased at Tirau, Putaruru, and Turua. The reticulation of Paeroa and Matamata, which will be the first towns connected, is about to be, proceeded with.

In a statement in the Christchurch Press Miss Jessie Mackay, in reference to the appeal for funds for the starving children of Central Europe says:—“lhousands of (refugee) adults and children have not tasted any normal food for weeks, but have existed on roots and leaves and dandelions. The olive-green colour of their skin and deep-sunken eyes testify to their ghastly sufferings. Mad with hunger, they have in some oases eaten the flesh from the bodies of their dead comrades. In some towns in Central Europe there is no milk, no fats, no meats. Babies who are not fed by their weak, halfstarved mothers, have no food but frost-bitten potatoes. Most die, but far greater the tragedy of those who live on.”

Reminiscent of certain comic kinema films were efforts which were made to extinguish a fire in the roof of the engine-room at the Wairau Hospital a few days ago. There was no conveyance in Blenheim to take the town’s fire-engine and brigadesmen out to the fire. So the hospital motor,-lorry was sent into the town. However, it was not powerful enough to draw the engine and carry 14 men all the way, and the firemen had to drag the engine for some distance. In the meantime, the hospital staff.had found im- 1 possible of solution the problem of how to play upon the fire a plentiful supply • of water, from wells, without any hose or other fire-fighting apparatus. So the fire had a merry time with the engineroom and laundry, and only tho absence of wind saved the hospital itself. Flannels! Flannels! The Melbourne, Ltd., have stocks of the famous “Doctor” flannels in the piece or made up. These goods are famous for durability, and are practically unshrinkable. ' Price per yard. 4s lid. Men’s underflannels, in natural andi navy, 13s 9d.*