LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 272, 29 August 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The wholesale r>rice of butter in W ellington will be reduced to-morrow by a halfpenny a lb (says a PreSs Association telegram).

The Otago Chess Association has decided to accept the offer of the New Zealand Chess Association to hold the annual congress at Dunedin, commencing on Tuesday, December 26 next (says a- Press Association .telegram from Dunedin).

A “Marlbroough Express” reporter was informed recently by a merchant interested in the sawmilling industry that an immediate effect of the Transport Authority’s decision in regard to haulage from the hush will be substanincrease the price of timber in Blenheim. He indicated that in his view the increase would be as much as 4s to 5s per 100 ieet.

Recent representations made to the Government by the Hastiiuis Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that the Government should issue periodical supplements of the Post Office Telephone Directories, were answered in a letter received bv the chamber at its hist meeting (reports the “Hawke s Bay Herald”). The letter stated that in future the directories will be issued twice yearlv, and the chamber therefore decided to take no further action in the matter.

“How many of us try to realise wliat the world would he like to-day without newspaper advertising?/’ asked Mr It. H Whiting, in addressing.the Wanganui Rotary Club last week. ‘‘Most of the things that help to make life pleasant have been brought to our notice bv advertising—and more particularly newspaper advertising. Think of the many people who have secured their present position ns a. result of applying to an advertisement they saw in their daily paper. Mass production and lower prices, were never possible withcut advertising. Without it the manufacturer could not possibly get into touch with enough consumers to get rid of his output.”

Hundreds of Auckland schoolboys invaded the Japanese training ship Shintoku Main when she was thrown open for their inspection yesterday morning (says a Press Association telegram). They took charge of the ship and their hosts did everything possible to show .them all there was to be seen. Many of the boys appeared to be more interested in improving their collections of matchbox tops than in learning how the young Japanese is taught the ways of the sea. Exhibitions of kendo, Japanese fencing, and judo, or ju-jitsu, given on the wharf were loudly applauded. Too . ship will be open to schoolgirls to-morrow morning and to adults in the afternoon, and is expected to sail for Kobe, the home port, on Saturday.

Spurious half-crowns were in circulation at Waipukurau last week, tAvo having been passed in three days. The original coin used is a penny, which is merely silvered over. As the edge is not milled there should not be much trouble in detecting the fraud.

An interesting exhibit at the Wanganui Magistrate's Court the other flay was a gold six-and-eight-penny piece (says the “Chronicle”)*. -Detective J* Walsh, who produced it to support evidence in connection with a case taken under the Pawnbrokers’ Act. said that coins of this nature were rarely seen these days. Mr J. Hussey: .It must be something they used to give to lawyers. (Laughter.)

A telegram states that Wellington city and suburbs will be revalued by officers of the Valuation Department this year. The previous' revaluation took place during the period of high values following the post-war boom. Today’s task of the valuers will be made more difficult by the absence of any indications due to sales, which have been very infrequent. This, however, does not prevent them assessing relative.values and securing more uniformity in the rating burden than prevails to-day.

With the craze among schoolboys for flying kites at its height, kites of all shapes and sizes are very much in evidence this week. Instead of going to the Domain Avhere there is plenty of room *to fly them, most children are content to try them out in the streets, with the result that they get caught in the telegraph and, electric-poAver Avires. There are pieces of kites strung over such Avires in yarious parts of the Borough and there is always an element of danger in such a practice.

During recent geological investigations on Mayor Island, Dr. P. Marshall (petrologist to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) discovered a ucav mineral. To this he has given the name of tuhualite, Tuhua being the Maori name of Mayor Island. This new ; silicate, which in sections under the microscope reveals the beauty of its intense violet colour, is apparently confined to Mayor Island, and is a neAvcomer to the list of knoAvn fifty or sixty rock-forming minerals.

A noticeable stimulus in decisions for small buildings and proposals to erect larger structures in the city and suburbs is reported by Auckland architects. ft Avas stated that since the Dili, lding subsidy scheme had come into operation a distinct improvement had resulted. “After experiencing nearly three years with little business' to do and less to look forward to, the situation Jit the present moment is more than Avelcoqie,” Said an architect on Friday. “There is no doubt that the subsidy scheme .is .moVifig .Many-people to action, AV.hen othenvi.se they would be waiting for copditidns to improve,’ he added.

Electric hair-drying machines provided an innovation at the Auckland amateur boxing championships at the Town Hall the' other evening (says the “Star”). The machines, lent by a friendly hairdresser, Avere used between rounds to play cold air on to the icstincr contestants, and appeared to fill the bill splendidly. The introduction of the driers meant a comparatively easy ei'oning for the seconds, who.in past tournevs have been, obliged to create a breeze by the vigorous flapping of. towels. There was a laugh early in the evening when a surprised boxer momentarily thought that an oversize revolver Avas being leA r elled at him. ancl jerked his head out of the line of fire.

The quarterly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held last evening, Byo. A. Garriock, A.D., presiding. The A.D. bards reported on sick members and sick pay was passed. An invitation was received from the Success of Ashburton Lodge to attend a social evening on Monday next, and the Hibernian Society issued an invitation to a match. The invitation was accepted and Monday, October 9, was suggested as the date for the match. The. Lily of Teipuka Lodge wrote asking if it was possible to play the annual football match with it at Temuka this season. The matter was left over till next lodge night, Bro. R. Chambers being asked'to arrange for a team in the meantime. Two candidates were initiated. Bro. Garriock reported on the social attended by the lodge last Wednesday evening, which proved a very enjoyable function. It was decided to meet in future at 8 p.m. instead of 7.30.

The distinction of being the first organisation m New Zealand to introduce the fipjile, or reed pipes, the popularity of which is rapidly increasing in England and other countries, is claimed by the Masterton branch ot the British Music Society. The pipes which produce soft and gently melodious music, are simple, probably the mostnotable feature being that they can be made in the home at a cost of threepence each. Several members of the local Music Society are already fairly accomplished players, and at a recent concert delighted and surprised their audience with pleasing and well-known airs. It is the intention of the society to later form a group of pipers, ancl when sufficient players have attained proficiency, to arrange for a performance. It is interesting to recall that the secret of pipe music lias long belonged to the European peasant. In various parts of the Europe and Russia, and further afield in India, shepherds and boatherds for hundreds of years have found a delightful mellow tone in the hollow cane and reed stalks. The beauty of tone and the many ways in which pipe music may be used, turn the adventure into true musical education.

“There is no doubt that as far as these clubs go Taranaki is leading the whole Dominion,” stated Mr S. G. Smith, M.P. (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) at the Korito School during the ceremony of presenting certificates to the successful competitors in the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club competitioiiLS (reports the “Taranaki Daily News”). “The movement, which commenced 12 years ago, lias been fathered by the Taranaki Agricultural Society,” said Mr Smith, “but the Boys’ and Girls’ Club executive now! seeks funds and help elsewhere. I may say that the Taranaki Education Board is proud to be. able to associate itself with this movement, and will always do its best to further its ends as far as the Board’s funds will permit.” Mr Smith proceeded to give some interesting figures. “The Taranaki clubs have prospered most,” be continued. “Last year there were no less than 846 calves judged—just double the number judged in Wanganui, which was next highest with. 423. In fact we in Taranaki supplied some 40 per cent- .of the total number of competitors in New Zealand. According to the remarks of the judges the progress made is qualitative as well' as numerical. The advice of the executive is being sought from all over the country, and it is being given freely. The movement is spreading, but we are the leaders, and intend to keep our proud position,”

An Auckland Press Association message states that representations were made to the Tariff Commission yesterday on. behalf of the Master (Printers’ Federation of New Zealand. Four departments of ..the industry submitted statements and most of the evidence was heard in camera. In general the maintenance of existing duties Avas asked.

The statement that after his arrest and Avhile Jie Avas walking to the Police Station, a young Maori sAvalloAved four coins, including three florins and a shilling piece, Avas made, bv Constable A. Dodd, at Cambridge,' Avhen Frank Wood Avas charged Avith stealing £1 7s 3d from a widow. Accused pleaded guilty and Avas admitted to probation for tAvo years.

“'Jhe butcher, baker, greengrocer, and milkman have hoav all taken to horses,” was a statement contained in a report tabled at a meeting of the Marlborough Hospital Board which was yet another pointer to the fact that the horse is once again coming into its own (says the “Express”). The report dealt Avith a suggestion that cattlestops be provided at the entrances to the Wairau Hospital.

T imaru fishermen are experiencing a lean time at present, Since the coast was sAvept by heavy seas about three Aveeks ago, fish have been scarce in waters in the immediate vicinity and catches are composed mainly of flat fish, although groper are to 'be found about eight hours steaming off the coast. The Timaru fleet is concentrating on th© southern grounds about 15 miles away,, but the catches have been so poor that many of the boats are operating at a loss.. The-, ruling price for flat fish is 4d per lb, and one man avlio returned yesterday Avith only one case did not receive sufficient to pay for the petrol he had used.

The unusual case of a civil claim in whic-h neither the plaintiff nor the defendant could apparently state the amount of the debt oAvirig arose during the hearing by Mr A. M. Mowlem, S'.M., of a civil action in the Napier Magistrate’s Court. The claim Avas for £2O, but it was stated by the plaintiff, a dental surgeon, that all his books had been lost in the earthquake, and although particulars of the debt had been supplied to the defendant, these could not noAv be produced. The defendant Avas also unable to say hoAv much, he OAved the plaintiff, and judgment was entered by consent in favour of the sum of £8 15s 6d and costs.