TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 156, 20 March 1923, Page 3

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

A recent advertisement for a baker’s carter on the North Shore (Auckland) brought replies from forty applicants. Most of tho men (states the “Star”) were returned soldiers.

The sawmill industry is again in a flourishing state throughout Southland (states an exchange). Tho demand for sawmill hands was more than equal to tho supply, while a number of new mills were going up.

Somethiifg in the nature of a record has been established by the Rongokokako School in connection with the recent horticultural show (states the Auckland “Herald”). There are 27 children attending the school, and they took 35 prizes in the children’s classes at the show.

It is said that a farmer had a cow that was always straying (remarks the “N.Z Observer”). Ho painted his telephone number in big figures on the cow, with the result that when anyone discovers a strange cow on his premises he at once calls up the owner, who thereupon sends for her.

“They are taking soil from Blenheim to dress the bowling greens in Wellington,” stated Mr. A. D. Loe at a meeting of the Blenheim branch of the Farmers’ Union (states the “Marlborough Express”). The chairman (Mr. 11. J. Stace): I suppose it is silty river soil they are after-

As instancing the necessity for propaganda such as that of the Tourist and Expansion League, the “Taranaki Daily News” relates that a New Plymouth resident was recently-in Christchurch One evening there was a party of five girls, who had all passed the sixth standard, and one boy who was imhis second year as pupil teacher. Not one of them knew where New Plymouth was. One gave the locality as Auckland, another as Hawke’s Bay, and another as “in the South.”

Inspector Hugo, in his opening remarks at the recent firo brigades’ demonstration in Dunedin ' mentioned methods of fire prevention (states an exchange). He said they should begin at the root by teaching fire prevention in the schools. This was being carried out in America where lectures were delivered regularly in the schools by fire brigade officers. In Canada October 9 was set aside as a “Fire Prevention day” by proclamation by the Governor-General.

The effect of the Otira tunnel upon the Southland timber, industry, was mentioned by a man interested in the timber trade recently (says the Westport “Times”). He said that when the tunnel was completed the West Coast mills would be able to compete, on an equal footing, with the Southland mills as far south as Oamo.ru. Tho tunnel would mean a difference of about ss. per- 100 ft. in the price of West Coast timber in Christchurch.

“This man earns his living by contracting,” explained solicitor for a bankrupt who was making an application for discharge at the Auckland Supreme Court (states the “Star’’). “Contracting debts, and not paying them,” was the prompt interjection of the solicitor for a creditor. His Honour Mr Justice Herdman was of the same opinion regarding the bankrupt’s shortcomings, in money matters, and accordingly refused the application.

A farmer who knows Otago familiarly says he believes the remainder of the corn crops will be .harvested successfully (states the Dunedin “Star”). Though there has been a lot of wet weather, March so far has not proved so wet as the March of last year, in which there was only one fine day. Ajiyway. the farmers are verv hopeful, being encouraged to save the wheat, oats, and barley, as far as possible, by the fact that the yield is promising as to quantity and quality. There are fields in the. middle districts that carry what may turn out to. be record crops, and North Otago is sure of a bountiful yield

A movement is on foot in Invercnr-o-ill to secure a poll on the half-haliday question (states the ''Mataur/i Ensign”). Two years ago Invercargill changed over to Saturday from Wednesday. and opinions are divided as to the success of the change from a business point of view, many retailers holding that it has been disastrous, while others say little difference is to be noticed.

A recognised authority in the meat trade (states the Oamaru “Mail”) says that latest advice from London shows a difference of 2d. per lb. between first and second quality lamb. In face; of this buyers do not want second quality, and he strongly advises tho producers not to be tempted to buy stores at the present high prices, but to pay special attention to tho finishing of lambs, so that they will have as few seconds as possible.

“The day is fast approaching when men and women in good positions will bo compelled to support their parents when they need help.” said the chairman of the Relief Committee of the iVuckland Hospital Board (states the “Star”). Several eases were brought under the notice of members where young people were shirking their duties and responsibilities in regard to mothers who had fallen into ill-health and were not receiving a penny from those upon whom they had a just claim and who were able to contribute if they were more economical and did not spend so much upon themselves. The great tendency seemed for young people to want to indulge in evep sort of entertainment that is going, instead of showing a little affection to those who brought them up, and to whom they owed everything.

The serious effects of the bruising of fat stock in transit to the markets and freezing works were emphasised in a letter received the other evening by the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Onion from W« and 11. Fletcher, Ltd. (states an exchange). The letter gave statistics showing that the damage caused in the Auckland district was much greater than in other localities, both in respect to cattle carried by rail and driven on tho roads. Remedies suggested included dehorning, greater supervision in loading and carrying cattle on the railway, and the provision of better trucks. It was added that stock driven by road from Waikato had to travel 90 miles over the worst roads in the Dominion. Some peoplo thought Now Zealand would have to go out of the beef business altogether, but this need not bo the case if attention was paid to the points mentioned. The matter was of immense importance to the Auckland province. In a general discussion on the subject Mr. J. Trcwin said that in his experience lack of dehorning was not the great cause of the bruising of cattle. His cattle were all dehorned, and still some of them suffered from bruising. Tho manner in which tho trucks and i loading yards were constructed had much to do with the injuries sustain--IGd bv the cattle. It was decided to i appoint a committee to confer with ■ the freezing companies and others in - • forested with tho object of effecting iniI provemonts in tho system of handling | i’at stock.

“The only fly in the ointment now is the price of cattle,” said a prominent farmer to a “Southland Times” repeller the other day. He went on to say that the wool had sold well, while sheep and lambs were commanding good prices. Should tho weather keep up for a few weeks then the farmers would be able to face the winter with confidence.

“I will walk towards you standing up,” was one of the many subtle metaphors with which the Maori race abounds, evidenced at the Auckland Supreme Court during the hearing or the election petition (states the “Star”). “Does that mean he would not crawl?” interposed Mr. Justice Stringer. Sir Maui Pomare, who was giving evidence, stated that was not the meaning. “It meant that the person who made the statement would not be ashamed to approach me because ho knew that if he voted against me I would not hold it against him. J was (jn his eyes) a man of justice.

At a meeting of the Otago Labour Council the executive presented its report in relation to the formation of a federation of trade councils throughout New Zealand (states the Dunedin “Star”). Tho report was unanimously adopted, and it was decided to forward it to the Wellington Trades Council. It is understood that the councils in the metropolitan centres throughout the Dominion are much in favour of the establishment of a federation, and locally it is confidently, expected that such an organisation will shortly be in operation. The Government’s emigration policy and its recent communication to various manufacturers’ associations were also discussed, and were referred to a sub-committee to draft a report giving the council’s opinions in the matters.

The Chinese regarded the Westerners as rude, said Mr. J. Thompson in his address to the Palmerston North Lunch Club, and went on to refer to the manner in which tho Chinese could not tolerate our music, which, of courso, was reciprocated (reports an exchange). As for dancing, the very act of men “dragging women round a ballroom” was regarded as immoral. The Chinese would not, in. giving a present to a ladv. dare touch her hand. When in China the speaker said he asked them why they bound the Chinese women’s feet, but the question had been turned on himself with, “Do not your women bind their waists?” (Laughter).

The Union Steam Ship Company has intimated to the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce (states an exchange), that it will be able to send the Marama to New Plymouth on May 18, to convey the party being organised by tho chamber to Sydney, returning from Sydney by the Manuka on June 14. The suggested itinerary drawn up includes a civic reception by tho Lord Mayor at the Town Hall, a luncheon given by the citizens of Sydney in honour of the New Zealanders, special trips to the Hawkesbury, Bulli Pass, the Ulawarra districts, tour of the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves, tours to Canberra (Federal capital), the great Burrinjunk dam and irrigation areas, the Murray River, and the Northern rivers (the chief dairying district), anil other points of interest.

The lease of a pastoral run of 11,694 acres, an Otago University endowment. in the Ohau River and Benniore survey districts, was offered by auction at the Lands and Survey Office the. other day (states the- “Otago Daily Times”). The term of the lease is 35 years and the upset annual rental £4OO. The run is of class A land about 26 miles from Omarania, and it rises from 1600 to 6000 ft. above sea level. The valuation for improvements, which had to be paid on the fall of tho hammer, was £733 Is. The sale attracted considerable attention, and about 30 gathered to watch the proceedings. Before putting the run up to auction Mr. Archibald drew attention to the fact that with the incieased value of primary products we could now be said to have safely turned the corner of the depression. Apart from the value of the run itself, which was a very fine one, there was the sentimental consideration that it was part of the endowment of the Otago University. which was the leading educational institution of the Dominion. In spite of the appeals made, however, no bids were forthcoming from those present, and the run was passed in unsold.

It is well known that during the war aeroplanes played an important part in detecting the presence of submarines. those craft being easily seen in the depth of tho ocean from rhe height of the air. It seems possible that a similar method might be adopted by anglers who find some difficulty in locating the shy trout, remarks Use Christchurch “Press.” This is suggested by an experience which befell a company of electrical engineers, including Messrs. L. Birks, chief electrical engineer, Public Works Depart.merit, E. Hitchcock, manager 'of the Christchurch Electrical Department, and H. V. Schrieber, representing Messrs. C. B. Hawley, of 'Washington, D.C., U.S.A., whilst on a visit to the site of the dam for the proposed Waimakariri hydro-electricity scheme. While lying flat on their bodies at the top of the cliff at the site of the dam they were able to see. quite plainly, a number of fish swimming about in the river, 150 feet below them. They particularly noticed one which seemed to be between 18 inches and two feet in length. The fish were in close proximity to the pontoon from which boring operations are being conducted, but the engineers ascertained afterwards that those on board the pontoon did not see the fish.

“I can’t see why some of the people in tho town could not build a number of small dwellings which could bo let at a reasonable rental to tho poor,” said Miss Brown, acting-inspector for tho Canterbury Hospital Board, when speaking on tho matter of high rents in the city, relates tho “Lyttelton Times.” ‘Miss Brown has many opportunities for judging tho evil effects which arise through high rents, and she is convinced that many families are being kept back solely by' reason of the rents they have to pay. In other cases, she said, real hardship was caused. In .Sydenham there was a, family upon which a great misfortune had come. Tho husband died recently, and the wife was still seriously ill in tho hospital. Tho eldest son. aged 15 earned a week and his was the only source of income that tho family had at present. Tho house they were living in was condemned, and at present tho rent was 30s. a week. It was impossible for them to pay this rental, and at any moment they were liable to be turned out. In another case, Alisa Brown said, a. poor family was paving £2 10s. a week for a house which lot in tho rain, and they were behind with the rent. It was the same sad storv over again. Unless thov kept up the payments they would be ejected. In stressing tho necessity for working men’s homes, .Miss Brown .-■.id that only that morning she had visited a. little hovel of a. place where a mother was making an effort to bring no ten children. “It’s a pity some of the big mon don’t take tho matter up,” sho said.