LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14266, 17 January 1920, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

When you come up to the mark set For yourself, it is safe to conclude that the standard was set too low. A technical high school is to be • erected in Stratford at a cost of about V 17,000. Alterations are to be made to the Wanganui Opera House at an estimated cost of £3500.

The concert by the New South Wales State Orchestra in Now Plymouth attracted an overflowing audience, between 1500 find 1600 people being present. The members of the Orchestra were cordially entertained during their stay in the centre bf Taranaki. ' . ‘ *

At present (says a ManawatU paper) Wairoa is afflicted with a beer ‘■drought,” there being no sunplies obr tainablc. Napier also reports a shortage. It might be added that the annual race meeting took place at, Wairoa on Tuesday, and the sudden influx of visitors perhaps accounts for the “drought” occasioned to Wairoa’s settled population.

The recent rise in the price of tobacco and cigarettes (says the Poverty Bay Herald) has caused much comment amongst smokers, and i! has been a common occurrence during the •past two days to hear men about town remark that they were not going to be •exploited by the trusts, and had accordingly stopped smoking. One old resident of the town who, for over 48 years lias been a heavy smoker, to-day remarked that he was “fed up” with the way prices were rising, and now that the cost of his tobacco had again increased he had given up his habit of such long-standing. Whether those who, in their indignation, have deckled to do without tobacco will keen lo their resolution remains lo be, seen.

• At the Hamilton Police Court this morning, before Messrs W. F. Mason and B. F. Haycock, J’s. P., an old man. named Patrick Smith. GO years of age, was charged with vagrancy and with travelling on I lie railway without a. ticket. He pleaded “not guilty.” Constable Warnford gave evidence which showed that he found the old man pulling up vegetables iu the gar- i den of a Frankton resident, and taking; the milk from a billy at flic same place. He also ascertained that the defendant, had travelled from Te Kuili to Frankton without a ticket; and that Smith had been in a menial hospital for some years. When arrested lie had Old in his possession. The old man, in.the course, of a long and wandering statement. said that the police at Te Kuiti bad told him to get on the train and ■that they would make it ad right with the guard. Ho said he had been working for the Public Works Department, bid since December 18 had been doing nothing but walking the streets. He. admitted that he had been in a mental hospital. As defendant’s manner was very peculiar, the Justices remanded •dm for a week for medical observe.tion.

The greatest sensation of tec Ne.v Year will take place next Tuesday morning, January 20th. when Homier and Kingston’s open their door- at half-past nine to the Colossal M’dsummer Sale. Hit' sum nl €.• 1,1 i. ( . offered to anyone who cannot m e a bargain, for goods throughout whole store arc being slaughtered ric»n, raid left We arc ahsolntely -ylermined to make a clean sweep ■ am summer lines, and at these ma -w" are sure to tm• eai,. "Smart costumes, usually 09s C-. are nit down to 19s Hd, and so on ; several frocks at 79s fid for 9s lid: „“■ washing skirts, l/s fid lor /a l-d . lad ; e S ’ /-otton hose for Is 3d a m.r: holts, fid: and so on. See the an( l r m-mher that 9.30 is the hour on Tuesday morning next.* Thousands of mothers know the value of SWand’s Magnesia. Thev have proved how readily it corrects the stomach troubles of children. . old ■everywhere.*

Mr G \V. Hyde, Government Valuer, is at present engaged in a re-valuation of the Hamilton Borough, which will probably take about two months. A meeting of Allied delegates has completed the list of war criminals demanding from Germany a total ol oS of whom ll.hO are claimed by France. Explorers have discovered that as a result of the earthquake in Mexico, the volcano of Popocatepetl has been completely altered by huge fissures. The (loath roll exceeds 3000.

Arrivals in Hamilton by yesterday’s Main Trunk express report that several inches of snow lay on the grouM at Waimariiio, and they had the unusual pleasure at this time of year of indulging in snowballing.

The Burns’ concert, advertised by I»1 f 1 Waikato Caledonian Sports and Social Society, to take place on January 21 th, lias been postponed until further notice, in view of Hie early opening of ,1 l icdoniaii Social Club. The total contributed to the revenue of the country by the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting was £llBO 3s Id. The chib’s quota (21 per cent of the 10 per cent lotalisator return, 21 per cent of gates and per cewf of privileges) was £(108 18s 7d; the dividend lax £538 6s; lax on stakes, £l2. 10s, and the amusement. lax £2O Ss 6d.

F. .1. Needham, manager of thcShipping Department of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company at Christchurch, has been summoned to defend a charge under the War Regulations. The terms of [he charge arc not slated, but it is understood (hat it is connected with the disaster to the coastal steamer Tainui. A similar charge is being laid against (•Jamie Smidlie, shipping clerk to the Shaw Saviiie Company.'

The Conciliation , Council for the Northern Industrial District will hold a silling in the Courthouse, Hamilton, on Monday next, commencing at 11 a.:n., when the country hotel employees’ dispute will ho heard.' On Tuesday, at 10 a.m.. the building trades dispute will be taken. Persons interested are invited to attend and give evidence. A cottage hospital for Matamata is practically assured. An anonymous donor has given land worth £SOO and £SOO in cash towards the project, if the residents subscribe £SOO. An active canvass is being made, and it is certain the amount will be raised. As the money subscribed will be subject to a subsidy of 24s to. £l, sufficient will be provided lo build and equip a suitable institution.

The usual supply of the Blue Bath at Rotorua has failed owing to the continued dry weather, and the water from ill,. Rachel Spring is now being utilised to keep the bath going, so the visitors may not be disappointed of a swim. The Malfroy Geyser and the Rachel Spring have both been getting lower for a considerable time past, especially the former, which supplies the Blue Rath. The lowness is more pronounced at present than any qf the bath attendants '-remember before. The Aix Baths at the new buildings have had to he curtailed at times.—Chronicle.