General News.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18550, 27 November 1925, Page 8

General News.

"I am going to knock off half a day because I am sure the case lasted half a day longer than necessary," said Mr Justice Kced at the elose of a case in bankruptcy in the Auckland Supreme Court, -when fixing costs. The case in question commenced on Friday morning, and gave every appearance of being concluded that afternoon. It was adjourned until Monday, when it went the whole day, and it was not until almost 1 p.m.*on Tuesday that it was concluded. Charles Larsen (pilot) and two fishermen, Charles Dawson and Ernest Shortt, of Manawatu Heads, left to sound the bar and go on a fishing expedition in the pilot launch on "Wednesday mrtrning. There was calm weather then, but a westerly gale rose three hours later and they were unable to return. Early this afternoon advice wavS received that the three men sheltered all night under the lee of Kapiti Island" and landed at Paraparaumu at noon. When running for shelter at Kapiti, mountainous waves were experienced, and the partj had a trying time. In some optimistic romarks last week regarding the future of New Plymouth, the Mayor of that town, Mr P. E. Wilson, said that ho believed that New Plymouth would become shortly the fifth largest town in New Zealand. An American geologist, when visiting the town some 18 months ago, had said that if oil wero fouud the Americans would give Taranaki a town of 100,000, but would destroy its beauties. Mr Wilson said that he did not know, therefore, whether the advent of an oil industry could be greeted as a blessing. He believed that the precious fluid would be struck shortly and it would mean a great future for New Plymouth.

A cablegram received from the Hiirli Commissioner says H.M.S. Diomedo, New Zealand's second cruiser, sailed on November '23 rd. She is scheduled to reach Auckland on January '2lst. All officers and warrant officers of the Permanent Force and of the Territorial Force, when in uniform, will wear a mourning band on the left arm until further order?.

The Hinemon. with the hulk Tabrao in tow, arrived at Waikokonu o'i Wednesday. The Talune will be filled with boulder; and concrete ar.d Mink. Anchors have been laid and a tunnel driven into the cliff to provide material for hliina the of fifty-six feetInHween the Talune and the shore. The sinking of the vessel will probably take plaeo some time next- week. A record number of grey flannel trousers is reported to have been sold in England this year. It is stated on good authority in London that next year even more men will wear grey flannels. That British manufacturers believe this will be so is evident from the preparations they lire already making for next spring and summer. One clothing house lias planne.l to treble this year's output, and is calculating on selling half a million pairs of its grey flannels during ll'2'i. Even though the English summer had, by the calendar, only just ended, the factories were fully engaged producing flannels for sale in the shops next April, May. and June.

Inspectors of the P. and T. Department from all over the Dominion met in conference in Wellington—the first for five years—and will continue deliberations during the present week. The proceedings are devoted to a general discussion on Departmental routine and management of the service generally. The necessity for keeping in touch with local bodies and Chambers of Commerce, with a view to ascertaining how the service can be most advantageously run to meet the needs of the public, will play a big part in the proceedings this year, and it, is understood that a request will go forward to the inspectors in conference —who are the eyes of the Department at every office in New Zealand —to give effect, to this co-ordinating effort. The chief inspector, Mr M. B. Esson, is presiding over the conference. "Of the amount of fruit at Rarotonga waiting for shipment to NewZealand only about, half could be taken," remarked Mr J. K. llornblow, of Foxton, on his return this week from a trip abroad. "The complaint -was voiced at Earotouga that the shipping facilities were quite inadequate. Tomatoes, oranges, pineapples, bananas, etc., were available in great quantities, and to tho people desiring to place them on the New Zealand market the lack of shipping space was very disappointing. If shipping facilities could bo improved if, would be better not only for Rarotonga but aiso for New Zealand.'' From the point of view of the tourist, Rarotonga was a most charming resort. Another matter of notice was that the people there were taking full advantage of the opportunities for providing the children with a good education. Some parents were sending their children to New Zealand to eugage in special studies, mostly relating to agriculture.

Of the 300 and odd acres that have been reclaimed from the sea on the Auckland waterfront the Auckland Harbour Board still owns about 175 acres—the rest has been taken by the Eailways and other Government Departments. The unimproved value of the Board's endowments, which are almost wholly reclaimed land, ruus into the large sum of roughly £2,750,000, which gives the Board a very handsome rent roll, and helps to make it the wealthiest Board in the Dominion. Thanks to the foresight of the first chairman (Captain W. C. Daldy), the Board was endowed by tho Provincial Government with largo areas of the bed of the harbour, amounting in all to over 5000 acres. If one connects the points of laud from Kauri Point to North Head, on the north, and from the Watchman to Kohimarama on the south, all the bays and inlets inside those two lines respectively form tho underwater endowments of the Board.

Tho Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Ship 318 has written from California to the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. in appreciation of what was clone for two of his men who missed their ship at Lyttelton. He writes: "Thank you so much for your letter regarding behaviour of Webber and Churchwell. I can say it came as a distinct shock that they should desert, as I regard them as good men. I know you are entitled to credit for helping them out in many ways, and I know I appreciate it as well as they do. Time goes on and we are far removed from New Zealand, but we often think of the splendid times we had and the many friends we made. Everywhere I go people say to me 'All we hear from you Navy people is the wonderful time von had iy Australia and Now Zealand.' "We can show our gratitude here by telling our country of tho glories of your country. Thank you very much for your kindness to our two men. We are indeed deeply grateful." Alleging that tho workers of Now Zealand nave been deprived of over £66.000,000 during tho last three years, and are now losing ,-C4] ,-GcO a month through wages not being increased ns they should have been, the Wellington Union of Engineers are out to agitate for tho extra penny an hour given by the Arbitration Court on September- 18th. This was made clear at their meeting held in the 'Trades Hall on Tuesday evening, when Mr Bromley, the secretary, read a circular he is sending out to various unions. The extra penny an hour, suggested by tho Court for the three' sections of workers —unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilledit was stated, met with point plank refusal from employee. In Auckland, Christchurch, Duncdin, and Wellington, representations were made to ironmasters, but all without, success. The union states that the matter was beiifg considered until the day after tho elections. Then it was definitely decided that the rise in wages could not be given for various reasons. Sufferers from Rupture will find tho new English Elastic Trusses a greas improvement on*older patterns —lighter, more effective, and more comfortable. All sizes —prices: single 17s (kl, double 255. Truss-iitting is a special study at Mi-Arthurs,' Ltd., Chemists, 'McArthurs' Corner," Colombo street. —(i Armstrong's two busy bargain stores aro recognised among smart dressers as- headquarters for everything new in hats, dresses, costumes, gloves, hosj iery, jumpers, and dress accessories. A visit to all these departments is well •worth while. The low pricings for spot cash are so acceptable. — 5 "Keid and Gray" Tractor Ploughs, new Drill, Lime Sower, all best Farm Implements, and spare parts, consult Mr Harry Anderson, 193 Cashel street, Christchurch, and Reid and Gray, Ltd. Ashburton. —2