LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CC, Issue 5, 6 January 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Evening Post Almanac will be circulated with the issue of The Post to-morrow.

During the Auckland Racing Club's and the Trotting Club's* -Meetings at Auckland, concluded yesterday, the sum of £702,097 10s was put through the totalizator, being £92,922 10s in excess of the 1919-20 carnival week._ The amount, paid in dividends during the seven'days was £627,381.—Presfs Association.

The Customs revenue and beer duty collected at Auckland during 1920 totalled £2,192,741, an increase of £950,0&5, compared with the previous year.

As an interesting example of how some European countries are recovering .from the effects of the war, Mr. C..L. Duigan stated to the Wanganui Hergld that the ship on which he came out from Home brought to Australia and New Zealand 200 motor-cars, mostly of French make, a lot of other French manufactured goods, and. several hundred'tons of Belgian plateglass.

On Sunday afternoon, states the Otago Daily Times, a party of Milton motorists, consisting of four adults and a number of children, had an experience they are not anxious to have repeated. A small distance past the Mount Stuart railway station.there is a very fine grove of pine trees along the roadside. When the car was approaching the crossing, an overhanging; branch, some thirty or tliirtyfive feet in length, was seen to break and fall from a height of about thirty feet. The brakes were immediately applied, but the car was too close, and did not stop until it crashed amongst the fallen branches. A broken number-plate and slightly damaged radiator were the only visible signs of the collision, but, had the passage of the car been hastened one second, further casualties would have been added to the -list of hoiiday accidents,

The Westport Times says that the coal-mine deputies and under-viewers of the West Coast have signed a new. agreement with, the various coal companies for twelve rossths, and are looking forward to a long and prosperous neriod of coal-winning.

No trace has so far • been discovered of the man who disappeared from the Sumner Pier on 29th December, after leaving a note to the effect* 1 that he intended to commit suicide. From the contents of a notebook left in. his ooat it is believed that his name was John Baird.

Mr. A. G. Cate, manager of the Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd., in New Zealand, has decided that all permanent employees in the Dominion, who have given loyal service throughout the year 1920, shall receive a bonus equal to one month's salary for a complete year of service, or a pro vata sum in the case of those employees who have served leas tbaa twelve mouths. This will be tho fifth Christmas bonus granted, similar payments having been made at the-end of" 1916, 1917, 1918, and. 1919. The payment of this bonus is made quite apart from, and does not affect, the granting of salary increases to employees.

When a case of shop-lifting was being heard in the Auckland Police Court yesterday counsel for the' accused asked the Magistrate to direct that the names of accused, who were first offenders, should not be published. Detective-Sergeant Hammond, who- was prosecuting,, pointed out that, the case having been previously before the Court, the names had already been published. Apart from that, however, he said that the strongest deterrent in cases of shoplifting was the publicity afterwards given in the Police Court. "It is really. the greatest deterrent we have," he added. The Magistrate (Mr. M'Kean) said it was only ml exceptional cases that he would give a direction in regard to the non-publi-cation* of names.

'Resentment was expressed by the annual meeting of the New' Zealand Educational Institute yesterday at a recent regulation of the Department affect-, ing the organisation of the teaching staffs of large schools, and to the motion of Mr. W. H. L. Foster (Wellington), the meeting decided unanimously : "That this conference of the .New Zealand Educational Institute.enters its emphatic protest against the recently-gazetted regulation No. 28, staffing of schools, as being a distinct infringement on the freedom hitherto accorded, as of right, to head. teachers of organising their schools to the best of their ability, subject to review by the Departmental inspectors, and asks . the Minister for Education to have the regulation at once rescinded." ...

A 'charge of breaking, entering, and theft was made against Edward William Slattery Corliss at '. the- Magistrate's Court yesterday aftenoon. „ It was alleged that, on 17th December, Corliss (for whom Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell appeared) entered the house of Donald Gillies and stole a gold wristlet watch, a gold bangle, two gold rings, and 50s in cash, the total value being £5b 10s. ChiefDetective Ward prosecuted. When the case was called on at 2.30 p.m., Corliss, who was on bail, was not id attendance. Mr. P. X: Hunt, S.M., waited .a minute or two and then left the Bench, saying that vinless defendant was present by 2.45 p.m. the bail of , £200 would be estreated and a warrant-for his arrest would be issued. Corliss arrived just after 2.45 p.m.,. and, through his. solicitor, expressed regret that missed, trams had made him late. Mr. Hunt: "It would have been a case for regret if he had lost the £200. Proceed with the case."

The extreme heat in Christchurch on Monday was reflected to no inconsiderable, extent by the sands .at,the various seaside resorts, and some rather laughable incidents, as a consequence, resulted' (says" the Press), Two very buxom matrons at New Brighton made particular fun for the spectators. They had been enjoying the cooling influence of the waves for some considerable time, and they ultimately decided to journey shorewards, taking no notice of numerous suggestions that they should put on sandals or sand-shoas. They stepped the sands where the tide touched easily enough, but on reaching the really scorching-dry sand, they . found . themselves very much in the "torrid desert." When their feet touched the hot sand, their evolutions were ludicrous •to behold, and their impromptu dancing powers would have made the champion High-land-flinger glare with envy. After a purely unrehearsed version "of the "Buck and Wing." one of the ladies conceived the idea of tempering the.sands by placing down her towel, with that of her companion before it, and so transposing them that the distance to their clothes could be covered • without further discomfort. ■ .

The news that an Australian cricket team is to visit the Dominion this season comes as a pleasant surprise to all cricket enthusiasts, and in view of the present high standard of play in. Australia, as shown by the matches against the Englishmen, the tour will prove a spelndid substitute for the proposed English team's visit which was not found possible this season. When this proposal fell through the New Zealand Cricket Council took steps' to arrange a visit from an Australian team, Messrs. Beathcote Williams (president of the council) and C. G. Wilson (ex-chairman of the Wellington Association) boing deputed 10 negotiate in Australia. These representatives recently met a special meeting of the Board of Control in Sydney, with the result that a tour has been arranged. It is. considered that the team will be a strong one, the idea of the New Zealand Council being that a second-rate team would not be accepts able. There was also a desire that M. A. Noble or Clem Hill should captain the visiting teach, but advice concerning anything in this direction has not been forwarded. Details of the personnel of the team will be awaited with interest. The visit of the Australians will give New Zealand cricketers a good try-out for the tour of an English team next season. .

Prospects are bright, for a plentiful supply of b"qth stone'and pip fruit In Auckland this season, f.a.yt. tho Herald. Though tli® crop on the whole will not be quite so heavy as last season, there will bo sufficient fruit to satisfy the demand, and the crop is of good average quality. Tomatoes also wili be in goo(| supply. About 1000 cases were sold oii Tuesday, and the supply will increasedaily for a period. There is a heavier crop.of outdoor grape* than usual, .yrliilo there is also.a good supply of the hothouse varieties. 3trawbi.-iries are'still, plentiful, and if the weather holds'good the supply should be maintained for at lease two weeks. Island fruit should also be plentiful. The Navua, with a carrying capacity of 20,000 cases, is engaged on, the Fiji run, and her last shipment .of bananas was the finest : landed in Auckland for a considerable time The Tahine* which is engaged in th» Cook Islands trade, is due witb a shipment of fruit, principally oranges. Heavy crops.of both oranges and bananas are reported. Firms interested in the fruit trade have received % request. Jot » steamer from Norfolk Island, where there is stated to be a large, supply of fine oranges, banaras, and kumaros available for the Auckland market. Formerly the residents, shipged their fruitto Auckland by th<j mission steamer Southern Cross, which made periodical visits to the missio'i station on the island, but as the station has now been transferred to Siote, "Solomon Islands,«the steamer will no longer cail at Norfolk Island.

The Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company states (reports, a Press Association telegram) that the export value "of butter received this season to 31st December, was £2,896,390, an increase of £1,831,436 on the previous year.

The Fire Brigade received a call at 7.20 o'clock last evening to Bobertson's foundry iii Old Customhouse-street, where a slight outbreak' of fire occurred in an adjacent shed. The fire was extinguished with little-trouble, and practically no damage was caused. '

. The Eev C. F. Askew, of Wellington, who has just returned from London, states that the New Zealand tenor," Mr. JEmest Drake; has made great progress in his profession at Home, and that some authorities predict that he will prove the greatest living lyric tenor. He is at present studying under Mr. Uttley, of.London,. an e.muient teacher." '

Practically the whoie of the Auckland quota of the immigrants who arrived by the ATawa, on 26th December, have obtained employment. A' number of the married men have gone to positions in the country, which were secured through the agency of Commandant C. Davies', of the Salvation Army, acting on behalf of the Immigration Department. Others, who are accustomed to commercial pursuits, have secured situations in the city. . ■ ' ■ '

Port Motueka, judging from an annual return received from the Motueka Harbour Board, is rapidly growing in importance.. The return,shows the produce exported during 1919 and 1920, and in most lines there is a considerable increase. Fruit is the prinpiple export line, and that has- increased from 257.234 cases in 1914 to 369,450.ca5es in 1920. Chaff, eggs, butter, and. sheep, are other lines in which there are increases; but there are decreases shown in the export of wool and potatoes. -

The Maoris in. the Taihape district are predicting a very dry summer and autumn on account of the profuse flowering of the. cabbage palms. . Some years ago,' when the conditions were similar, the Maoris predicted a dry summer and long autumn, which proved to be the driest ever experienced there. On- the same theory Southland anticipates similar, conditions, for cabbage trees there have never shown such prolific heads of bloom before. Moreover, the flax bushes have flowering stems of quite exceptional size.

In proposing the toast of the United States Lawn Tennis Association at the Davis Cup dinner in Auckland, Mr. T. H. Hicks, secretary of the Australasian Association, spoke of the cordial relations that existed for a period of sixteen years between the two bodies, and announced officially' that Australasia would send in ■ a challenge again this ; June. Mr. Washbnm, America, hoped 1 that the Americans would nave an opportunity of entertaining the challenging ;team from Australasia and return the ■ hospitality that .Had been extended to the United States .visitors.' . *

The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, will leave Wellington tomorrow for the Waitomo and Taranaki electorates on Departmental business. He will afterwards go .to Auckland, where a conference is' to be held on lltii January to arrange the formation of an electric power board for Auckland City and the outlying districts. ' At. the end' of January the Minister will commence a comprehensive tour of, the South Island. Ho will .commence in Marlbrough, and it is his intention to make an inspection of the public works in progress in the various districts. .He will ajso £e& for himself the country concerned with the ' proposed hydroelectric and irrigation schemes for Central Otago.

"I want to tell you-this, and I do not think yoti^wH! disagree with mej I would just as willingly propose the toast of the American team as that of the Australasians" (said the Prime Minister at the.JD.ayis Cup dintier in Auckland). "I think you will understand why. They are Anglo-Saxons just as we are." New Zealand, lie opined, would take part in the winning . back of the cup, but .ho heartily congratulated the'winning team" on its success, and was proud of the conduct of the Nfew Zealandera towards their visitors. The Premier touched a lighter note when he suu^ested Mr. Hardy should bring across a Rugby football team and play New Zealand's national game. He vouched that Mr* Parr, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr.. J. H. Gunson), and himself would become members of the New Zealand team. Mr. Massey expressed the hdpe that when the^cup changed hands again it might come to New Zealand. . .

,Progress of the Hutt River dredging, scheme was referred to at last night's' meeting of the Hutt River Board. Mr. Willoughby Knight, who is not seeking re-election, as he is making an extended trip abroad, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr.! H. .Baldwin) for the time and attention he had given to, the board's affairs. Mr! W. Welch, "who is also retiring from the board, supported the appreciation of the chairman's.work and expressed the opinion that the dredging scheme, would be successful. Tho Chairman, in acknowledging the compliment, said the present members of the board had been together for nine years .and all had worked well.. Mr. Bowers and he had arranged last April to' go to England, but they decided to ice the dredging scheme in full operation, and so .they- .postponed their trip. Mr/Baldwin gave credit to the officers of the board,: particularly the oversea Mr. Kershaw, for. the way in which they earned out their duties. Discussing the letter-writing proclivities of the world's people, Australia, with 130 letters per year per head of population, was placed .first. Thus a ■writer in the British Australasian, who asked where New- Zealand came in: "New. Zealand, I am told, by a correspondent, does not beat Australia at letter-writing, its average per head for 1918 being' 112, as against Australia's 130. My correspondent, a lady, 'and a New'Zealarider, is generous in riving me these figures, to disabuse my mind of the t idea I had: that her country beat Australia in the epistolary line; but she adds to her note, "if postcards, newspapers, and parcels be included, this 112 is brought up to 154 per head of mean population for that year (1918), and this latter total has been exceeded. As far back as 1912 New Zealand's total in this regard was 157 per head, and in 1914 and 1915 actually exceeded 160 aer head.' Perhaps the postcard explains it. Many New Zealanders are of Scotch descent, and 'though on letter-writ ing bent, they have a frugal mind.' " Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., are making a special display of Tussore Silk Coats and Costumes, which are ideal for present wear. All good styles and finest quality silks. See window.—Advt. Get a, plug-of Harlequin. Try it ands^e if it is not the most genuine, most satisfying tobacco you have ever used. The very first pipe?ful will indicate what a fine smoke it is. It is .coo], sweet, and leaves- a nice taste in the mouth. Thousands of men affirm daily, my favourite tobacco is Harlequin.—-Advt. No Rubbing Laundry Help is the beat scientific preparation for washing clothes clean without injury. Is packet stceAgv -^rtoejjad sgmqsßAV JCplB9A^ i saop and Cragg, agents for No Rubbing Laundry Help.—Adyt. v Elsewhere in this issue, Fowlds, Ltd., advertise attractive values in Straw Boaters, genuine Panama Hats, and Japanese Panamas. In view of the sunny weathar ahead, men are advisad to select now. Fowlds, Ltd., 48, 50, 52, M*uners-6treet, Wellington.—Adyt.