Provincial Section

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 286, 29 August 1933, Page 4

Provincial Section

HOUSEBOAT BURNT Well-known Landmark Destroyed WANGANUI RIVER LOSS Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, August 28. Fire destroyed the well-known houseboat on the Wanganui River, near Whakahora, early on Saturday, morning. Two men, Messrs. J, Jackson and P. Ropihia, who were on board, had a narrow escape, just scrambling , ashore before all means of retreat were cut off. They lost all their belongings. The glare attracted settlers, but they were powerless to check the flames, which soon enveloped the wooden vessel from end to end. It is thought the «« originated in the kitchen, which is situated in the stern of the vessel. Of n picturesque design, the houseboat was built over thirty years ago by Mr. Alex. Laird, of Wanganui, at Taumarunui. The task of bringing the vessel to her first permanent resting place, just below the Ohura River, was accomplished by Captain Marshall.. This was no mean feat of skill, as various rapids had to be negotiated. It was while near the Ohura River that the houseboat became one of the best advertising mediums for the river, as it/™ 9 I’ l ’ o ™' graphed by tourists from all parts of the world, and figured in countless scenic.advertisements overseas. To keep pace with the inarch of progress, and altered transport, the houseboat was moved to Whakahora (Retaruke River), seven years ago, so as to be linked by road with Tonganro National Park. The fate of the houseboat will 5e regretted, not only by New Zealanders, but by tourists m all parts of the globe. With its destruction the Wanganui River loses one of its bestknown landmarks. THE GAME OF GOLF Wanganui Club Match .■> Wanganui, August 23. Following are the results of a medal match iplayed by members of the iiangnnui Golt Club at tho week-end:— A Grade—J.M. Hussey, .4-4-70; A. Woollams 84-14-70; B. M. Silk, 70-plus 2-72; K. McFarlane, 80-14-72; F. Melody, 80-14-7-; H fi Carver. 80-7-73; R. Meldrum, 81-8-73; pj a: O'Nein, 101-27-74; M. Earle, 83-0-74; D. L, Blyth, 91-17-74; L. Bassett, 87-13-74; W. Robertshaw, 80-6-74; D. G. Voting, 84-10-74; R. Lawrence, 80-14-75; V. B. Haworth, 77-2-70; .1. B. Jack, 90-14-76; A. Hunter, 80-12-77; M. Hunter, &>-8-7<; P. G. Jackson. 02-14-78; I. Saunders. 81-2-<9. B & -C. P. Brown, 91-24-67; P. Graham, 91-22-00; P. Hartland, 92-22-70; L. Brinkman, 90-20-70; P. Hlggcnbottom, 98-2S-70;;W. C. Grumitt, 92-22-70; H. R. Dlx, 110-28-71; E. McDonald, 99-28-71 ; A. Holrovd, 91-20-71: O. Burford. 101-30-71; H. J. Grieve, 91-19-72; B. L. Roberts, 92-20-72; .1. Purcell, 94-21-73; H. Holroyd, 100-26-74; R. Brown, 96-21-75; J. S. Deem, 103-28-15; F. J. Hill, 98-23-75: A. H. Boyes, 100-20-7.>; G Burgess, 97-22-75: I. Wallace, 9-1-18-<6; H. Wotton, 96-24-77; R. Robson, 104-25-70. Seafield Club A bogey match for the vice-captain's trophy was plaved by members of the Seafleld club. The boat cards returned were: Ivan Manley. 1 up, A. Lamont -1 mp, S. S. (Friend all square, A. G. Mackay 1 down, K. V. Broughton 3 down, N. S. Delves 3 down, F. (H. Holl 3 down, G. Darby shire 3 down, L. C. Young 4 down. Castlecliff Club • Following are the results of a medal match .played by members, of the Castlecliff club:— Seniors. —A. A. Gerrie. F. 5VWagstaff, 80-8-72; S. D. Clark, 80-6-74; R. •R. Dawson, 88-14-74; J. H. Dean, 89-15-74; F. V. Wlggeus, 89-15-74; A. J. Russ, 92-18-74; J. Wilson, 78-3-73; W. B. Smith, 91-15-T6* R, T. Greenhill, 86-10-76; M. Wilson, 89-13-70; J. I. McNeil, 82-5-77; J. C. Brown, 98-19-77; J. Ruan, 93-15-78; L. King, 90-12-78 juniors.— J. W. Clark, 93-27-66; W. J. ■Dean, 88-20-68; C. C. Smith, 90-20-70; H. Wood, 103-32-71; N. G. Owen, 101-30-71; L. Dowling, 96-22-74; J. Jenkinson, 110-36-74; J. Cosgrove, 95-21-74; I. D. Bassett, 105-29-76; J, Godwin, 110-83-77; F. Godfrey, 104-27-77; D. J. Hulbert, 112-34-78. Play at Masterton Masterton, August 28. Members of the Masterton Golf Club played a football bogey competition on the Lansdowne links on Saturday, when some good scores were recorded. The weather conditions were all that could be desired, and tho greens and fairways showed a eon•siderable improvement. Following are the best cards handed in:— A. C. Gawith and Kingdon, 7 up; F. M. Cunningham and Stowell. 6 up; Divers and Wickens, Irvine, and Esau. BOrrle and Moore, 5 up; Mackie and Gordon, 4 up; H. F. and J.' Coom, 3 up. Eketahuna beat Solway Playing on the Solway links at the weekend, a visiting team representing the Eketahuna cluib defeated the home team by 20 games to 11. The visiting women won all the fonf-ball games, and all but one of the singles. Honours were easy in the men's singles, and in the four-ball Solway won four to their opponents’ three, one being halved. Following nro the results:— lien’s Singles.—Bell lost to McGregor; Peterson lost to Dickson; Sherratt halved with Ross; Evans boat Pryde; Makgill halved with Walton; Jones beat Lowes; Ball halved with Wicks; Johansen beat Nicholson; Whiteman lost to Stonewigg: Collins lost to Simpson; Jackson halved with Aldrich; Robinson lost to MeLauchJln; Reid lost to Stewart; Colvin beat McGill; A. Robinson beat Tuckett; Greer beat Mnrenzl. / Men's Four-ball. —Bell and A. S. McGregor beat McGregor and Dickson; Evans and Sherratt beat Ross and Pryde; Makgill and I. Jones lost to Walton and Lowes; Ball and Johanson lost to Wicks and Nicholson; Whiteman and Collins beat Stonewigg and Simpson; Jackson and H. Robinson lost to Aldrich and Stewart; Reid and Colvin halved with McLaughlin and McGill: Robinson and Greer beat Tuckett and Maronsl. Women's Four-ball.—Mrs. Sherratt and Miss Hubbard lost to Miss Lowes And Mrs. McGregor; Miss M. Chapman and Miss Wyfoer lost to Miss Greathoad and Miss Angus; Miss Frost and Miss Diggins lost to Mrs. Dickson and Mrs. Nicholson; Miss Smith and Mrs. Hamfaer lost to Miss Wicks and Miss Anderson. Women's Singles.—Mrs. Sherratt lost to Miss Lowes; Miss Hubbard lost to Mrs. McGregor; Miss 51. Chapman lost to Miss Greatliead; Miss Wyber lost to Miss Angus; Miss Frost lost to Mrs. Dickson; Miss Diggins beat Mrs. Nicholson; Miss Smith lost to Miss Wicks; Mrs. Unmber lost to Miss Anderson. Solway Club’s Competition The results of a bogey competition played by men members of the Solway club on Saturday are as follow:— Sherratt, all square; 0. Jones, 1 down; Johansen, Sellar. 2 down; Makgill, Greer, Yates, Jago, 4 down: Whiteman, 5 down; Hendry, 6 down; F. R. Evans, 7 down. Manawatu Bogey Handicap Palmerston North, August 28. Members of the Manawatu Golf Club played in the August bogey handicap at HOkowhltU during the week-end. the best A grade cards being handed in by R. Hatch and J. B. Stevens, both 5 up. T. Loulsson, 3 up. filled third place. E. R. Winisett .and J. B. Danka returned all square in the B grade, J. Barraud and W. H. Hall being one down. The Palmerston North club received a visit from a Shannon team at Te Matai, the visitors winning 6 games to 4 in the four-balls, while the home team won 11 of the singles to 9. Carterton v. Rototawai Carterton, August 28, In the match played. against Rototawai at Middle Run on Saturday, Carterton won 9 games, Rototawai 5 games, two games being halved. Following are details, Carterton players being mentioned first In each case:—H. -T. Dudson lost to p. C. Collins: B. Booth lost to C. BldwMl; J.

SMALL SUPPLIERS Dairy Company Problem DISCUSSION BY FARMERS Dominion Special Service. Hastings, August 28. One of the topics discussed at the annual meeting of shareholders and suppliers of the Heretaunga Dairy Co. was the cost of collection in respect to the small suppliers. The chairman, Mr. D. G, Begby, said there was a tremendous number of small suppliers, and they would have to be taken into consideration if it was decided to raise the minimum above 3001 b. “Many dairy farmers have got to start small and many of the small men aim to become Big,” he said. “I would like to point out also that there was once a time when the factory welcomed the small supplier. If shareholders felt that some change should be made, then the directorate would welcome any suggestions, but at the present time it was loth to depart from the policy laid down and perhaps impose hardship on the small supplier.” . , ■ Mr, Hird suggested that it might be possible to persuade the small supplier to cart his can to where there was a bigger supplier or have an assembly place for small suppliers. In this way costs of collection might be reduced. The chairman said that the company had already arranged for tenders to be let for the collection in certain parts of the district, but this was not always possible. He contended that what concerned the supplier most was the service provided from “the gate to f.o.b. ’ “There is a tremendous loss to the factory on these small lots,” said Mr. AEdgar, who suggested that it might be advisable to ascertain how much butterfat it took to make a supplier’s account pay, with a view to bringing the minimum supply up to a fixed amount. A Voice: If you cut out the small Supplier, they’ll sell it to the stores in direction opposition to the company. _ After further discussion it was decided to make a recommendation to the directors along the lines suggested by Mr. Edgar.

WAIRARAPA jottings

Accident at Masterton ' Mastertoil, August 28. A collision occurred at the corner of Archer and Church Streets about noon to-day between the Masterton Borough refuse truck, driven by Mr. J. Cane, and a motor-car driven by Dr. J. C. I’orsytn. It is understood that the truck was turning into Church Street from Archer Street, and the motor-ear was proceeding alonv Church Street m the direction of CoJombo Road, when tho accident occurred. Both vehicles were damaged and had to be towed away, but tho drivers escaped injury. Work of Mission to Lepers. An interesting lecture, entitled Sunshine for Shadowed Lives',” was given in tho Masterton Methodist Hall by the Rev. F. A. Crawshnw, Dominion secretary of the Mission to Lepers. L’he speaker dealt with the work carried out by the Mission to Lepers in 20 different countries, and at 112 different homes, Racing Club Officers. The following officers wore elected at a meeting of the stewards of tho Carterton Racing Club:—Ground committee, Messrs. A. C. Feast, P. Bum, J. C. Harp, A. E. Booth, A. 0. Abbott. V. L. Robinson; hon. judge, Mr. J. W. Card; hon. clerk of scales, Mr. W. C. Deller; hon. timekeeper, Mr. E. J. Matson; handicappop Mr. J. E. Henrys; stnrtcr. Mr. H. h. Connop. Hockey Player Injured. , When playing hockey tor the Kiwi A team against Carterton, at Lansdowne, Masterton, on Saturday, L. Brooks received nn injury to his hand. Brooks was selected as a member of the North Island team, which is to meet the South Island representatives next Saturday, but will not be able to take hisi place in the team now.

Steel lost to G. Fenwick; G. S. George halved with W. H. Rowles; A C. Aplin beat N. C. Shepherd; J. Duncalf lost to K H. Allen; G. Hart beat H. R, Bioxam; W. Moroney beat E. F. Trustrum; G. Brown beat J. W. Card; W. H. Booth beat T. E. Lang; P. Shanlrfand beat De Sharp; B. Feast lost to H. Lawson; L. H. Smart beat A C. Pearce; C, K. Goodin halved with Russell; I. Aplin beat Rankin; 11. Harrington beat Pearce. The result of tho flag competition on the Taratahl links was a win for A. Krahagen, who was successful in almost reaching the 20th green. Otaki Defeats Levin A match between the Levin and Otaki Golf Clubs on Saturday resulted in a win for Otaki by 23J games to 7|. Following are the scores in detail, Levin players being mentioned first: — Singles.—C. It. Hosle lost to Winterburn: 11. Bull lost to C. C. Holmes; D. P. Todd lost to D’Ath; W, G. Phillips lost to Tahiwl; It. Webb lost to Wills; J. M, Brown lost to Sweeney: K. E. Adams lost to J. D. Brown; W. Bull boat James; G. W. Wilson lost to. Dr. Milne; H. Nicholson lost to Grey; W. Smalll lost to Ilov. Leonard; Dr. S. J. Thompson boat Atmore; V. G. Astley beat’Bishop; C. Sherwood beat M. Holmes; A. Challles beat Ryder; S. Bradford lost to St. George; J. Urquhart lost to Morton; J. D. White los-t to Young; Father Breen lost to Benge; F. Laiigelan halved with Morgan; G. P. Kennedy lost to Harper. Four-balh—Hosle and H. Bull lost to Winterburn and C. C. Holmes; Todd and W. G. Phillips lost to D’Ath and Tahiwl; Wdbb and J. M. Brown lost to Wills and Sweeney; Adams and W. Bull boat J. D. Brown and James: Wilson and Nicholson lost to Dr. Milne and Grey; Smalll and Dr. Thompson lost to Rev. Leonard and Atmore; Astley and Sherwood beat Bishop and M. Holmes; Challles and Bradford lost to Rvdor and St. George; Urquhart and White lost to Morton and Young; Father Breen and Laucelaix lost to Bengo and Morgan.

FAILURE TO ACCOUNT Art Union Ticket-seller Convicted PALMERSTON NORTH CASE Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, August 2S. Joseph Lahood, married, aged 24, an art union ticket seller, appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning to answer a charge of failing to account to Andrew Swan for the sum of £26/8/-, representing the proceeds from art union tickets sold by the accused, who pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. Accused sold penny art union tickets during the months of April, May, and June. His commission was 1/- per 100 tickets sold, but as his living and travelling expenses exceeded his commissions he resdrted to the racecourse in an effort to rehabilitate himself, and as a result he placed himself in further difficulties. He was eligible for relief work in Wellington, and to give him an opportunity to refund the amount his Worship convicted accused, ordering him to come up for sentence'within eighteen months and to repay the sum in' question. CYCLE ROAD-RACING Palmerston-Feilding Event Palmerston North, August 26. The Counties’ Cash Cycling Club’s road cycle race this afternoon provided a further reduction, in the record for the Terrace End (Palmerston North)-Feilding and return route, M. Luxmore covering the ground in 61min. 14sec., an improvement of Imin. 18sec. on W. Collins’s time recorded the previous Saturday. Saturday’s race was won by' C. Bailey (lOmins.). His time was 63min. 12sec. Second place went"to M. Mcßrearty (Hi min.), and A. Ganderton (Oniin.) occupied third place.

MEMBERS IN ARREARS

Farmers’ Union Problem Hostings, August 28. A proposal that tho arrears in subscriptions be wiped off was made at the meeting of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday, when it wari reported that resignations were becoming too frequent. The suggestion was made that many members in arrears, with their subscriptions weye reluctant to take an active association with the union on account of the arrears which they were unable to pay. It was contended that if the arrears were .written off, and a member allowed to start off frosh again then tile number of resignations would decrease and greater interest would be taken in the union. . , t , The secretary mentioned that the subscription was £l, with a 50 per ceut. rebate, and he suggested that the members be written to drawing their attention to this fact. \ Tho question of whether the New Zealand Union would hold the branch responsible for levies in arroar if the unpaid subscriptions were written off was raised, and it was decided that this matter be taken up with the head office. It was also decided that the whole question be referred to a committee composed of the chairman (Mr. R. E. Tnlbot) and Messrs. D. J. Boyle, A. R. Wilkie and T. Priest to report back to the executive.

BUILDING ACTIVITY Increase in Taranaki New Plyinoutli, August 28. A revival in' the building trade is reported from various parts of Taranaki. No doubt the stimulus provided by the No. 10 scheme of subsidy sponsored by the Unemployment Board has been largely responsible, but an eneduraging feature of flie movement is that not all the work is being carried out with assistance from that source. There are signs that confidence is reawakening. Since August 1 the number of applications received by tho Labour Department at New Plyinoutli for subsidies under the No. 10 scheme has increased from 61 to 83, and of these 64 have been approved. The total estimated cost of the won: covered by the applications is probably now in the vicinity of £40,000. WAIRARAPA HOCKEY Bannin Shield Competition Mastertoll August 28. Playing in the semi-final of the AVairarapa Ilockey Association’s knock-out competition for the Bannin Shield on Saturday, Carterton defeated Kiwi A by 3 goals to one. The game was productive of a high standard of hockey, and was fast and spectacular throughout. Messrs. G. Ilayne and S. Moor controlled the game. Carterton will now meet Dalefield in the final. TO PLAY AUCKLAND Palmerston North, August 27. The following eleven will represent Manawatu against Auckland at 1 almerston North on Tuesday. Goal, Ward; full-backs, Hansen and W. Sutton; hnlvcs. Harris, ’Eckersley. Pratt; forwards, O’Brien, Lundy, R. Hoare (captain), Nesbit, D. Hoare.

WITH THE HARRIERS Wairarapa Championship L. HACK RETAINS TITLE Dominion Special Service. Masterton, August 28. Showing a pleasing return to form, L. Hack (Masterton) retained the Wairarapa harriers’ live miles district championship title on Saturday, leading his club mate C. Talbot home by 50 yards. The race, which was held under the auspices of the Masterton club, was run over the club’s Sanders Cup course of two laps. Given ideal weather and a dry trail some of the runners recorded splendid times. A fast pace was set from the start, and when the first lap had been completed L. Hack was in the lead, with Talbot, M. Quayle (Masterton), A. Burns (Kiatere), L. Rutherfurd (K.), J. Burns (K.), E. Cresswell (M.), W. Hack (M.), J. Mulvey (M.), and J. Mackay (M.j, all fairly handy. At one stage Hack had a lead of 100 yards, but Talbot gradually made up some of the leeway. Hack, however, managed to maintain the lead to win in 33 minutes 32 seconds. A great tussle was seen between Talbot and Rutherfurd for the second position, the former eventually winning by two yards. Rutherfurd’s time for the distance was 33 minutes 39 seconds. Fourth position was filled by A. Burns (K.), 34 minutes 3 seconds, who narrowly defeated M. Quayle (M.) by three seconds, while J. Burns (K.). 34 minutes 16 seconds, headed J. Mulvey (M.) to the tape by half a second, to take sixth position. The Kiatere Harrier Club held its fiyemile championship in conjunction with the district event, the winner being I/. Rutherfurd, who also holds the club’s 6Jmile championship title. Sealed handicap runs were also held for both the Masterton and Kiatere clubs. P. Halso (8.30). 32.8, won the Masterton event, with L. Waters (7.10), 32.20, second, and Baikie (7.10), 32.55, third. Tho winner of the Kiatere event was A. Burns (35sec.). 33.30, while L. Fitzgerald (3.45). 33.33, was second, and L. Rutherfurd (scr.), 33.42, third. Next Saturday’s Races A party of members of the Hastings Harrier Club will visit Masterton next Saturday, and will compete against the Masterton club’s team o.ver a 6i-mile course. The visitors will he entertained at lunch at the Empire Hotel and at afternoon tea in the Arcade Hall. In the

evening they will be the guests of the club at n dance to be held in the Arcade Hall. At the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Laing, Upper Plain, tho Kiatere club will hold a run from their residence next Saturday. WANGANUI ACCIDENTS Three Men Injured When •Lorry Overturns Wanganui, August 28. The week-end in AVanganui was marked by a number of accidents. Tho overturning of a lorry on the Fordell-Wanga-nui road yesterday caused severe injuries to three men, two of whom were admitted to the Wanganui Public Hospital. When the lorry, which was travelling toward Wanganui, skidded at a sharp corner it overturned. The driver, Mr. James Young, of 42 Purlri Street, suffered slight concussion, and injuries to the wrist; Mr. C. S. Smith, of 15 Balgownie Avenue, dislocated his right shoulder; and Mr. L. Follett, of 1 Hutchison Street, Durie Hill, had minor cuts about the head, but was. able to proceed home. The condition of the two men admitted to hospital was reported to-day to be satisfactory. Sustaining injuries as a result of n fall from his bicycle in the city, a Putiki resident named J. Marsh was admitted to the Wanganui hospital suffering with a cut face. An elderly woman, a resident of Harrison Street, was knocked over in the street by a dbg yesterday and suffered injury to a wrist. REFEREES COMPLAIN Hastings Rugby Dispute Napier, August 28. A complaint that the penalty imposed on a Rugby player who had been ordered off for using" indecent language, had been “nothing short of a vote of noconfidence in the referee,” .was received by the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union management committee at its weekly meeting from the Hastings Rugby Referees’ Association. The letter containing the complaint stated that in the match between Hastings and M. 8.0.8. on August 5 last, in which the referee was Mr. D. P. Dinnan. H. Wilson had been ordered off for using insulting language. When asked at the time for nn apology for the language used in the first instance, Wilson, it was alleged, used further similar language, at the same time throwing the ball at the referee. When he was dealt with by the Hastings SubUnion, Wilson had been reprimanded. The referees’ association appealed against the punishment meted out on the grounds that it was totally inadequate and was nothing short of a vote of no-confidence in the referee. It was urged that the union should re-open the matter. Mr. B. Tweedie moved that the Hastings Referees’ Association be advised that the letter should have been sent to the union through the Hastings Sub-Union. This was agreed to.

TOWN AND COUNTRY

“Sulphur Rain” Falls in Masterton TOPICS OF INTEREST Following warm rain on Sunday night a phenomenon was seen in Masterton. yesterday morning, many of the asphalt footpaths and roadways being covered with a yellow sediment like sulphur. Such “sulphur rains” are of fairly common occurrence, and are usually explained by the fact that large quantities of polleu from trees in flower has been lifted into the air by the wind, and is washed down by a shower. Injured Boxer’s Condiitiiyi. Steady improvement is reported in the condition of the Taihape boxer, E. Dillon, who was admitted to the Wanganui hospital last Monday week, after collapsing during the boxing tournament. When inquiry was last made Dillon was much brighter. Interest in Harriers. Over 100 motor-cars and numerous cyclists followed the New Zealand crosscountry championships at Wanganui on Saturday, while the line of route was marked by groups of people who cheered on their favourite contestants. Despite the large amount of traffic, no serious mishaps occurred. ’Fireblight in Hawke’s Bay. Satisfaction with the position in the Hawke’s Bay district as far as fireblight is concerned was expressed in the report on the incidence of fireblight in the Hawke’s Bay district during the 1932-33 season, presented by Mr. A. M. Robertson, chairman of the fireblight committee to the provincial conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, held at Hastings on Saturday. Attack on Thistle. A widespread offensive is to be launched upon variegated thistle throughout Hawke’s Bay this season. According to Mr. H. E. Allen, Government Stock Inspector in Hawke’s Bay, the Department of Agriculture intends to take action to ensure that the thistle is cut during the present spring and in cases where farmers whose properties are infested' fail to cut the thistle after a warning has been given, action will be taken by the department to enforce the Noxious Weeds 'Act. ( Bobby Calf Season. With the bobby calf killing season at the Tomoana works only half finished, already 3100 calves have been handled from this district and Central Hawke’s Bay, and it is considered' likely that by the end of the season last season’s total killing of 5000 calves will be easily eclipsed. The better prices ruling—up to 7/6 for really big calves—have undoubtedly had the 1 effect of bringing more calves forward this season, and the average of calves put through the works is better grown and in better order than last season. Early Birds. Hardy is as hardy does (observes tho Napier "Telegraph”). Sunday in Ndpier was so warm, the breeze so kindly, that upward of 100 people found their ways to the Breakwater and at. various times during the morning plunged into the sea, subsequently airing their disregard and their bodies by promenading the wharves in their bathing costumes. As they cleaved the water at the first plungCj then came spluttering to the surface, several heartfelt “Oh’s!” came from somewhere between their teeth, thus showing that although the swimmers relished their bravado, they liktxl to think that rather than suffer in silence the onlookers should know just how early was this first swim of the season. By two o'clock the wind had changed, and there was little to indicate to Sunday afternoon promenaders that the swimming season was just about to start. Contractors’ Difficulties. “I suppose it is a bit of a worry to you when a tender price is low?” t asked Mr. Justice Blair of an architect giving evidence in the Supreme Court at Napier. “Yes, we have to keep the contractors up to the mark, at the same time knowing that they are working at a loss,” was the reply. The witness added that frequently during the extraordinary period in which the building trade had been working in Napier during the past two or three years work 'had been commenced on a contract well below cost, and halfway through the work the contractor had gone bankrupt. -“I suppose that is why you say. ‘the lowest or any tender will not necessarily bo accepted’?” asked his Honour. Witness replied that it was.

MID-WEEK BASKETBALL Pahiatua, August 28. The following senior B and junior basketball teams have been chosen to represent the Bush District against two Foxton teams at Woodville on Wednesday:— Senior B.—Goal, L. Jensen, J. Lovell, M. Mules, emergency H. Kershaw'; centre, 0. Williams, A. Davis, E. Krlven, emergency M. Brltland; defence, R. Peebles. E. Osborne, G. Blatchford, emergency F. Whittington. Junior.—Goal, B. Wiffen, P. Miller, F. Swainson, emergency K. Mabey; centre, M. Oashin, W. Tucker, C. Boyd, emergency ■N. Squires; defence, M. Martin. J. Gardiner. G. Colling, emergency A. Mabey.