LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 63, 12 September 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"Great attention is ' being paid by other countries to the quality of wool, more particularly by the South' American States," remarked Mr. William Perry,, the well-known Penrose breeder,: to The Post's Masterton representative, "and- I think that New Zealand, "will have to' look to it. It is a matter that we cannot afford to neglect We must get the best quality \ive possibly can.. I' a.m satisfied that a'lot of our .wool is not what it should be, by any means, and we have got to improve it."

The claims for an Arbitration Court award, filed by the Wellington Butter and Cheese Workers' Union, will be considered by the Conciliation Council on 23rd September. A total of 11.8 companies have been cited as employers. The rates of pay proposed vary from £4 to £5 10s per week, and it is desired that the following hours shall be observed:—lst August to 31st, Ma^j, 50 hours per week of six days; Ist June to Ist AVgust, 40 hours per week of six days. Overtime rates are provided for, and there are .other provisions regarding air space and accommodation. Messrs. W. M'Pherson (Longburn), W. Downie (Rexdale), and C. Grayndler ' (general secretary of the New Zealand Workers' Union) will be the assessors for the union.- ■'■■■■. . v ■ ■ ( , Referees in the Auckland district are dissatisfied, with, the appointment of referees for the Springbok*' matches. Their complaint is that not one of their number has been given a /match, while threes-fourthis of the referees who had been appointed to the big fixtures have been from the Wellington district. The Management Committee of th« Auck-, land Rugby Union has passed the following motion on the matter : —"That the New Zealand Rugby1 Union's attention 'bo drawn to the fact that of sixteen' matches played against the Springboks, twelve we« controlled by referees from. the Wellington provincial district, and that no other referees in the North Island were honoured by being selected for one of these matches, and, furthermore, this union emphatically protests ngainst the high-handed and apparently biased action of the Referees' Appointment Board in its method of selection." In the course of a lecture to technical students at Masterton, states The Post's correspondent, Mr. W. Perry, of the Council of Agriculture, said sheep-breed-ing was not eaiy. It was recognised now as more or less a scientific matter. The who had established the various types of breeds were men who had had a great knowledge of their work. Tlie three main points about a sheep were constitution, breedtype, and quality of wool. But the quality of wool must not be held in tV>o high regard, and the other points mentioned be more neglected, in an effort to obtain a marketable wool. It was; necessary to educate one's hand when feeling the textures of, wool, for,the purpose.-.,0f detecting harshness. New Zealand had been somewhat behind in the past in regard to propei methods of Instruction, but he hoped that this reproach would be removed in time. We could not get away from the fact that our prosperity as a nation depended on the soil. .In discussing the award -.Hied by the Arbitration Court in respect to shearers and shed-hands, Mr. W. Cecil Prime, who represented the Hawkes Bay and Poverty' Bay sheepowners at the hearing, said it would be a great disappointment to1 the farmers of the Hawkes Bay district; because, as he had pointed out to the Court, it would be absolutely impossible for a great many to pay even these reduced rate*. Their present inCome would not allow them to do it. The position was that a great many sheepfarmers are indebted to' mercantile firms, and the latter are very chary about advancing any more af/ the present time, except in case of absolute necessity. When it conies to shearing, said Mr. Prime^-if a farmer names a nominal sum, the mercantile firms might be induced to. see him through, but when they see the high rates fixed by the Court, the firms will declare them to be too high, and request the fanner to make other arrangements. A great many farmers will have to carry out their already expressed intention to do their own shear-' ing, which will result in less.work for shearers and more unemployment. Some interesting particulars were given by Mr.'Gregor M'Gregor to the members of the Wanganui River Trust Domain Board "• concerning the Native pole Pakira now lying at Ranana, states the Wanganui Chronicle. . This pole, he said, was brought from Whakapapa, above Taumarunui, five or six years after the fight at Moutoa Island. There was a proposal in 1881 to erect it on the suggested site, but this was never carried into effect. It was now tapu, but the Natives would b,e pleased if the Europeans erected it. The pole was of j heart totara between "40 and 50 feet long and was already dresspd ready for erection. The site now suggested for its erection was a little above Moutoa j Island at a place where it would be visible to. all passers-by. It would serve to mark and commemorate the battle ground where was fought, so far as Wangattui was concerned, a most important battle. There was no doubt that the friendly Natives on that day saved Wanganui. The board decided to have the pole erected as quickly as possible. A few weeks ago (says a Melbourne paper) it was announced that a number of immigrants from Great Britain, having lived in Australia for a few years and accumulated a little money, were making holiday trips to their homeland. Another phase of the matter has now come under the notice of the immigration authorities. The State immigration officer states that recently, applications had been received at the Immigration Bureau on behalf of five families who had left Victoria" 1 to go to England within the last year or two, andvwere now desiring to get back to victoria as soon as possible. It seemed necessary, added the officer, to issue a warning that people leaving the Commonwealth in such circumstances were not eligible to obtain any financial,! assistance from the Government byway of passage, money to enable them to come back after finding ..'they-Had made a mistake in leaving. In one instance inquiry was made on behalf of a party who, after residing in Victoria about six years, had, as their friends here put it, foolishly spent about £400, representing their savings in Victoria, on passage money to enable them te go back to England. They now found themselves quite unable to obtain employment and under the necessity of paying' £3 10s pel* week for rent of rooms without board. That party was anxious to be nominated for pnssages back to Australia, but tlio application | had to be refused under the regulations.

The' barmaids .in a .Melbourne cityhotel have established >a rule' iining patrons a penny for every "swear word rased in their hearing, the money going ■to tho hospitals. It is stated that since January the hospitals have benefited to the extent of £51. ■ " "I obtained three of these motor generators, one each for' Auckland', Christchurch, and Dunedin," states a clause in the report of the Chief Telegraph Engineer on his investigations in Europe and America. "I could not get a price for a get for Wellington, the manufacturers declining to depart fron their motor standards and build a motor for tho extraordinary of 80 cycles supplied by tho Wellington City Council. As the hydro-electric schemes develop here we can increase the use of machinery for generating telegraph currents, and thus save fully 80 per cent, of the large sum spent annually for pri-: mary cells." ■ ' k . An amusing incident occurred at the Supreme Court in Masterton, when his Honour Mr. Justice Salmond was dealing -with. the adjustment of cases for the session, writes The Post's correspondent. The Crown Prosecutor re«* marked that he had a matter that would engage his Honour's attention whan the Judge "had a spare moment.'1 "What do you mean by a snare moment, Mr." Burridge?" replied Sir John. "A spare moment!—ls that hot rather a mystical expression? (Laughter.). However, I will take it in what you call a spare moment." "I hope, your Honour, that my friend will define what he means by a spare moment, so that I will be ready," said the opposing counsel (Mr. !>W. Noble), amidst general laughter, in which the .Judge and the Crown Prosecutor both joined-. A novel scheme for tracing the movements of fish has been introduced by the Heretaunga AnglerB1 Club, Hastings, which liberates a large number of>yearling trout for the Hawkes Bay Acclimatisation Society. The club recently imported a number of silver fish tags from England marked H and numbered from one upwards, These tags have been used on fish liberated this season, and fishermen are requested to watch their bags in the future and if any fish are caught with these tags on to inform either the club or the society as to when and where the fish were caught. By this means it is hoped to trace the movements of rainbow trout,'and so find , out whether the fish go to sea and return to the same stream at some distant date, or whether they go to sea. and enter other rivers, or whether they slop out to sea indefinitely. There does not at present appear to be a great deal of consistency about the. prices that different vendors in and about the city are charging for milk (remarks j the Auckland Star). Although' the Auckland Milk Vendors'., Association published ' recently their decision to charge 7£d per quart for the fluid on arid after Ist September, instead of the 9d per quart ruling as the rate during the winter months, it would appear tjiat certain of the suppliers have not coma, into line with this determination. In fact, it has been reported by consumers that they are now paying, in some instances 9d, in others Bd, and in others again the recognised' 7jd per quart. The explanation for this is somewhat difficult to obtain. It seems that some of the local milk vendors are not members of the association, and therefore they are not controlled by the decisions of the assiociation regarding prices. It has beeri stated in justification of those who are at prescent charging mors than the'standard 'price that they are either facing greater delivery costs than suppliers near the city, or else that they are now on the vergs : of a lowering of their charges. The' laite, Dr.: Moorhouse, whose death .was reported from. Christehurcli, was born in 1859 at Shepherd's Bush, Rangi-. tata. His father, also a doctor, came out in the eai'ly days and took up a run in. the Bangitata district. Dr. Moorhouse studied ,at the medical, schools at the Edinburgh and London Universities, and gained his medical degrees. He returned to Nevtf Zealand and practised in Chrigtchuroh-.for many years, ..ant 1 for a lone; period'was one of the examinerr at the Medical School in Dunedin. He gave up practice some few years ago, bu + acted on occasions a? surgeon on Home-goyig boats. For the last few winters it was his practice to reside at Russell, Bay of Islands, and it was while onfone of these winter visitr that he -died.' The deceased ■ Was a born ' naturalist, a good shot, and a keen and scientific angler. He was for several years president of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, and continued to retain his ■connection with tine society as a member of the council.'' He was a prominent athlete and footballer in his early days,1 was 'a record-holder in high-jumping, and was a noted exponent of the long dive. A peculiar position arose in "a case that came before Mr. M'K'ean, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court in Auckland last, week. It related to a dispute; arising out of delay in the delivery of goods ordered from the United States. Mr. E. Inder said that he. had intended to call the United States Consul to state the position of affairs in America during the period when the .delay in delivery occurred. The Consul was willing to come to the Court and make a statement, but he had intimated that as an Ambassador of the United States' ho was precluded from giving evidence on oath. The question was whether the Court was prepared to accept such a statement and, if so, whether counsel on the other side Avas ,willing for it to be' accepted when not given on oath. Mr. Gould said that> he must have the..right of cross-examination if the' statement was made. Mr. Inder said that if the Consul could not be sworn ihe might; i object to be cross-examined. Mr.i M'Kean said that he would hesitate to accept the Consul's statement if he refused to submit to cross-examination. Mr. Inder then elected to proceed with I the case /•■hout asking the Consul; to ' attend. . • . •'The company at Chicago telephones j all telegrams received for subscribers on the local telephone-exchange system, and posts a copy of the message only if the addressee asks for it to be done," says the Chief Telegraph Engineer in the report covering , his investigations in Europe and America. "The company s»ya it costs on an average only 3 cents to telephone a telegram, whereas the cost is 10 cents if delivery is by messenger. The messengers are supplied with two uniforms on appointment, so as to enable cleaning and repairs to be done monthly the company has its. own tailors and tailoresses for repairs, and sends I the clothes to a cleaning company for I pressing and cleaning. The boys have 40 cents a week deducted from their wages for clothes cleaning and repairing. The company provides boot brushes and boot polish for the boys. 1 noticed that the lads on returning from a delivery invariably gave their boots a rub. The boys are also provided with rest and eating rooms," shower baths, and a gymnnsium, Food for all the staff is obtainable on the premises on the cafeteria system at actual cost, which does not include overhead expenses. I found this practice standard with all large telegraph and telephone companies throughout the. United States of America." How can you expect delicious salads when.' you use; cheap, chemically-made vine-gay? If you want flavour in your salads and cooking, ask for Champion's Pure Malt Vinegar. It. is brewed from malted barley in England; it is aged, and, like good wine, it. is better with age,—Always specify Champion's Pure Malt Vinegar.—Advt.

There-was a little diversion during the progress of the •. Ranfurly Shield match at Athletic,' Park on Saturday' afternoon. , The two men responsible, Martin Pollock and James Francis Burton, made their appearance at the Magistrate's Coyrt to-day, on .charges .of using threatening, behaviour whereby a , breach of the peace might have been occasioned. Both pleaded guilty. Inspector Muggridge stated that the'two men wers under the influence of liquor and ,had engaged in a fight. Mr. F. IC.y Hunt, S.M., fined each of the accused £1 and costs. Why does frozen meat deteriorate? Scientists are not yet able to give a definite answer to the question, and tlia National . Research Council; at its sitting at the Melbourne University, therefore agreed to a motion moved, by Dr. Gilruth, to the effect that •a. committee should be appointed to investigate the effect upon meat of freezing, and to determine what improvement is possible in. present methods." Dr. Gilrutfi pointed . oub that the export trade in frozen meat was' of great importance to Australia,? It might be taken as a. fact that frozen lamb suffered little by freezing; mutton suffered a good deal, and 'beef definitsly / deteriorated. There seemed to be as yet no definite scientific knowledge as to the reasons of this deteriorate*). The practical effect.was that Australian meat did not get one-third of the price offresh English meat on "the British, market; it was stated that Argentine*'meat was selling at a greater price than Australian.meat. There', should be/some scientific investigation into the processes' which occurred during the freezing of the meat and the time when it was> being held in a frozen condition. The investigation would not cost much, but the results might be of great importance. , . During his visit to Europe 'and America, the Chief Telegraph Engineer (Mr. A. E. Shrimpton) found that the telephone services were passing through a period of unsettlement caused by the direct effect of the war in the supply of materials. "Shortage of skilled labour during the war, and unrest in the labour world since the war, have affected not only the output of factories, but the work of the switchboard operators and of the workmen generally," he states hi a report'to the Postmaster-General (the Hon. J. G. Coates). "In the United States of America the telephone service rendered to the public did not, however, suffer so seriously as was the case in countries which entered early into the war; development and production of telephone material did not entirely cease in the United States even when that country was actually engaged, In spite of this, one large company in the United States remarks in a recent annual report: 'This"has been from evjsry- stand- ■ point the most strenuous and difficult year in the whole history of the telephone. It has been impossible to ntaintain standards, and difficult to meet tho increasing demands of service. It is a matter of satisfaction that the telephone service has maintained its standards as well as it has when we consider the general letting-dowa there has been in all services, particularly ■ private service where intimate relations between employees and employers should be a,warrant for good service.' If people" next door to the sources of production of apparatus and material have this experience, is it any wonder people like us, so far afield, should be similarly situated? Under the circumstances, and 4j'om what was seen and heard in other countries, I am satisfied that the engineers and ' workmen in this country rose splendidly to the occasion" to" give ,the public tho ./v best service possible during this trying time;" ' ■ ■'"'. ■'•.,-