GENERAL NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1916, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS

In New South Wales, the Necessary Commodities Control Committee, instituted as a result of the war, is a very active body. Last week coal merchants were called upon to show cause why the price of coal should not be reduced. A great deal of evidence .on the subject was taken, and finally the Commission decided to permit the present prices to remain unaltered pending the result of an exhaustive enquiry to be held on the subject in the course of the next few •weeks. The Commission next considered an application by the merchants for a reduction in the price of butter, and this was agreed to, the retail rate being fixed at Is 3jd. . At the same time the Committee lessened the margin of profit by id per lb. The merchants stated that there had been a notable decline in the Melbourne butter market.

" I arrived in England about the 20th of June last," writes Mr. H. D. Vavaso%r to his fellow members on the New 70' aland Advisory Board of the Bristol and Dominions Produce Association, " and very shortly after went down to the docks to see how wool was handled (having seven years ago confined myself to the meat business). I found a. state of things which" was truly awful. As a result of the congestion of the storage space (owing to the war and the shortsightedness of dumping everything into London irrespective of where it had to be consumed), a. large quantity of wool, estimated at from four to five thousand bales, was on the open wharves. This was supposed to be covered with tarpaulins, but in some cases they had blown off; in some there were large holes; and generally the tarpaulins only came down as far as the top ;of the bottom tier. As it had been very wet weather for sime time before my visit, the state the wool was in can be imagined. There was insufficient dunnage under the bales, and !n some 'cases none at all. Some of the New Zealand brand* I noticed were the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Co., the Papanui Company, and the Chvistchurch Meat Company."

The local ceremonies in connection with the death of the Hon. Wi Pere having concluded, says the Gisbome Times, it is now necessary, according to native custom, that " the ashes," or mementoes, of the late chief should be carried' to the tribes who sent representatives to his tangi. It is reported that the first party sets out in motor-cars and other conveyances for Wairoa, where great preparations are being made to receive them— incidentally. they will visit Nuhaka and the other Native settlements en 'route. It is expected that the journeyings will extend to .the Wairarapa and other distant parts, and the party will probably be away about three months. During the various proceedings'gifts: of valuable mats and other articles will be exchanged, according to olden- customs, but in these latter days there are'mutual understandings by which ; the gifts are not always accepted,' or, if , so, are returned to be used at the.next stopping place. In addition to these ceremonies there will be much speech-making at the different gatherings, not only concerned with the merits of the deceased but also with many topics of interest amongst tho Natives - respecting their lands and other subjects. It is merely a coincidence that the party will be at Wairoa during the district's annual carnival, but even if it were not.so the late Hon. Wi Pere was such a good "sport" himself that he would not mind the mourners having some relaxation. '

At an early date a fine block of about 15,000 acres in the Tahora district, near Matawai will be opened for selection, reports a Gisbome paper. . The land, which is in virgin forest, is described as first-class sheep country, and its opening for selection will be eagerly awaited. It is understood that after the initial 15,000 acres has been disposed of a further area will ba cut up.

A systematic "cleaning up" of the town is now being made by the police, in order to get rid of bad characters. One of the "catches," Jeremiah Brosrahan, an able-bodied young man, apg eared before the Magistrate (Mr. D. . A. Cooper) yesterday, charged with being an adle and disorderly person. The evidence of Detectives Mason and Carney showed tha;t Brosnahan loitered about the town, and did no work. His movements in crowds were always suspicious, and,he had been seen in an hotel, endeavouring to rob half-drunken men. Apparently he paid special attention to men in khaki. Brosnahan said he was a flax-miller,- but had been out of work for two months. He had enlisted, and had been called up for Bth February. The Magistrate : "I'm afraid you won't get there. The soldiers have quite enough to do to compete with.you in town, without having you amongst them." Accused was sent to gaol for three months.