LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9290, 11 August 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

" What was the retail price of that overcoat; three year's-agx)?" asked. Mr Justice Chapman of a witness who was giving evidence in the JYellington Supreme Court. " Eight^four shillings," replied'the, witness,' a man of some experience*" in the clothing trade. "And what would be the price of it now ?" pursued Ms' Honour. "Probably nine guineas," the witness responded.; - . • , ■■'fJ: („<■{■ ' ■;::.■■.■'

.- While in the country (Australia) re-, centiy, I Vas shown a little hut attached -to which was a, rather sad fitory (writes Arthur JL in the "World's New®"). , The owner had been a ne'er-do-well of the 1 district, but, on the outbreak of hostilities^ he had hung his old coat on a nail outside, tightcned-^his belt, and t enlisted, leaving his dog as sole custodian of his property. The dog, growing despondent at its. master's continued absence, pined away and died. The young fellow himself was killed in action,, but the coat still liangs there as a mute testimony to the eccentricities of the one who had proved himself to be a man.. .■..•,,'. ;

A story is Hold in connection with the'"accent appeal -for funds , for the Y;M.O.A.. at Hamilton. _ Asked foi 1 a donation, a certain: citizen n 'suggested that 1 the Association should sho^Vso^e desire to help iWlf, and:off^^^re;i|. V(f i^| members would • dig ■; his^, gara&ti/ ~it& giysh£lo^ioy!&v&§A "The 1 offer, was.. acaepted^ but -lihe v 'n.fecessiaay work was not carried' <ou-ti,' the'excus^ being that the weather) .was too wet.' "Then hea-eis £2 for.'the g^d.;inten- :- tionv" said .the citizen an qii^stioii?. A!* few- \d-ays J^ter <i. a prominent' solicitorcanv.ass^d{tie ; s^me m'a# j for. 'help, towards the '■■gaVe-the-CffildreA;''F : und. who offeli-ed £8 if his. garden;,wa^ dug. Nothing daai^ted the solicitcfr/and 'a few frienas^set'-'fo work in earnest to mptufe, the,,£B^bi|t, ( ,the reward■ for their energy'on'Denalf'of the fund, sras j a cheque.for £50.,. ; .

' "If you increase prices all round in all industries,* .then .;these ,must inevitably be reflected in.increased prices of goods,, unless yoti can in some way keep prices down, which, according to *the authorities you quote, is, impossible,'' remarked Mr Justice Stringer in" the Arbitration Court, in Wellington, in replying to Mr M. J; Reardon's contention that prices were not .controlled by the local market, but by, the" 1 wbrld market, -and that the rise in. the-cost ,of living was independent, of the in-cidence-of wages.- "You . can r'; only control prices," continued his Honour; "by economy in spending less. If' people would only wear their cloi/hes and boots for a much longer period than at present,- prices would have to; come down. Ploole could not afford to hold goods :at permanently high, prices. But while everybody is' seeking to maintain the same standard of' living, prices will not come down;" Mr Reardon: " Shouki the workers alone practise economy?" His Honour: "I think everybody should do it." j

The following weather lorecast was issued to-day:—The indications are. for freshening winds, northerly 6trong to gale. < The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled,' with. rain following. Barometer falling shortly. ... '

. The Auckland sugar workers, are endeavouring to enlist the sympathy of Parliament in their endeavour to secure higher wages and better working conditions. ' A circular letter, covering various phases of the dispute, which threatens to culminate in a stfike at midnight on Saturday next, .has been drawn up, and will be circulated amongst members of the House.

A Wellington association of superannuated public servants was formed yesterday to assist in the movement to secure superannuation allowances more in line than at present with price levels. The speakers complained that while the cost of living had gone up on every hand, the superannuation of public servants remained in the same position as before the war.

Replying to Mr H. Atmore in the House of Representatives yesterday, Sir Heaton Rhodes said" the committee appointed' to report on sites ' suitable for the r national; • war memorial had looked at three sites; and rwoxild. report to' the iwairi" committee on Friday next. A decision would then be-come to, and would be reportedl to- Cabinet on Saturday. , -• . - ■ The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill was introduced' by Governor-General's message in the House yesterday afternoon. Mr Massey said the Bill Was not a consolidating measure, but included a large number of amendments that had been found necessary from time to time. Replying to Mr McCbmbs, the Hon. C. J. Parr said it would not cbe possible to nationalise our system of hospitals except under an additional expenditure of half a million, and he was not disposed to go to Cabinet and ask for that sum to do it. The present system of subsidies to local bodies was working out unfairly, and a new schedule would be submitted to the House this session* The Bill was- read a first time. / .

At the monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board, Mr F. Frampton presiding, it was decided to increase the poundkeeper's allowance by 10s per month. The question of govsi growing on the sides of roads was discussed, and it was agreed to make a tour of inspection of the district wttb a view to issuing notices to offenders In connection with a recent comolaint concerning the state of Le Britten'^ Road, it was decided to have the rood graded when the weather improves. Accounts-amounting- to £108 14s were passed for payment. The following alterations on the valuation roll; were. approved-:-r-R.S.: 26495, 26909^ 1085' acres 2'roods, Ashbutfton, B. Hampton to C. H. Hampton; Lot 25. D.P. 289, and' Lot 1, D.P. 4747, 493 .acres 2 ' roods 23 perches, Wakanui, T Stewart to W. W. Foster; Jits 24 ancf 26\ D.P. 289, 359 acres, T. Stewart to H. Brown; .■■-. .=.' :,-■■■ :. , ,-.•■... '.. ■'": -•" ;

Requiem mass was celebrated at the Church of the Holy Name, this morning in memory of the Rev.'Mother Marie Annunciation, who died at the "Convent on " Monday, aged 68 years. His Lordship the Rev. Dr. Brodie. Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christohurch, officiated; at the cluiroh and at the graveside, assisted by the. Very Rev. Dean ! O'Dohnell. Visiting prelates from the diocese included Dean Bowers, of. Geraldine, and the' Rev. Mother 'from * Christchurch, with several sistei;s who had beeif associated with' the 1 deceased.' 'weri^ 'present. _ Dr. "Brodie^ delivered a eulogy I'o}i!'';the l- life"- service to the,, church ' Mnarte* Annunciation; ""'who had'- 1 been », r/eli-, gieuse foiy^S^yetars^dhitefly^at Nelson' and Napier,' and during the la&t^ 12 'months' 'at AshbuTtoh. The ". funeral corfege "wW'led by the children'of the' Convent School, and the Children,. of. Mary wearing regali'a°and .medals. Tjie J pall-beafer'-'wcre- Messrs'" M.. J. Bui*-, gess; S. 'Madden,* T.^Brdphie,, „snd, ]W..' Jf'Cunningham. '■'' ' ' The Mint is turning out £2000 worth"! of bronze, coins every.,, day, and yet there is always a shortage,, although scarcely; any of these pennies, halfpennies, or farthings are ever withdrawn, from circulation.