LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"We should take off our hats to the producer every time," was the consensus of opinion expressed at the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce, after the members had heard the difficulties the farmers in the North laboured under in regard to bad roads and other disabilities, reports the "Auckland Star." "We have a right royal time in the towns and cities," said one speaker, "and have our regular hours, but these men work from anything up to 16 hours a day, and then very often do not make much financial headway." Good roads, it was concluded, was the solution of successful transport and trading.

It is stated that the overhead wiring for the trackless car, which takes up its running between Thomdon and Kaiwarra on Wednesday, cost approximately £750, whereas to lay and equip a double line rail system over an equal length of road-, way would cost something like £13,000. A trackless car, moreover, of the type at Thomdon, can be delivered in Wellington for about £2500 v/hereas a combination rail car costs between £2000 and £4000. The operating expenses, too, are much lower for the reason that the trackless car is a one-man car. More may be seen of this type of car in Wellmgton._ A speed of 37 miles per hour is obtained by the hew car.

The lootwear Regulations Amendment Bill has be/en, circulated. Inspectors are authorised to demand and select a pair of boots or shoes for the purposes of examination. Trade samples arc subject to the Act. In any prosecution under the measuro if the defendant satisfies the Court that the footwear was obtained by him from another person, the <Jourt may adjourn the hearing of the lmormation to allow of proceedings being taken against such other person, and the informations may bo taken together. In the case of sales by agents or servants, the employer shall be under the same liability as if he had effected the sales personally. Under the Bill boots and shoes have to be of leather or be stamped with a statement of the nature of the material from which they aFo made. Soles and uppers must "bo of leather* without mixture, other than materials usod for filling-, spaces, for shanks, toe-puffs, or linings. A statement of material must be legibly stamped into the upper or lining. Rubber or wood, visibly displayed, or silk, satin, plush, velvet, tissue, tinsel used in uppers, need not bo staled.

The Cardiff Bridge party of ten members celebrated at Sedonvillo on Saturday night the completion of their fluniiiig system by which. coal from their mine will be conveyed by water through a. flume- 12 inches broad with sides 12 iuohes high, for a distance of 90 chains from the mine to bins at Seddouville, states a Press Association message from Westport. The party's output of coal has been in the vicinity of 30 tons, but it will now be increased to 1000 tons. Ten. men who were working on the rope road are no longer required there, and will go to work in the mine in the production of coal. It is estimated that the fluining will be able to deliver coal into the bins at the rate of a. ton a. minute, and that the cost of transport will be reduced from 7s 6d to 3d a ton. The party, which began operations as a. co-operative concern, has now developed into a company of some magnitude, as it employs 40 men, and will probably considerably increase that number lunder ' the improved method of transport. Quite a number of other parties, also the Stockton Coal Company, are arranging for similar transport. The Cardiff Bridge party were the. first in the Bullcr iield to put the system into actual operation, hence considerable interest is being taken in its working.

This week ]5,000 ft more of Now Zealand film lias arrived to be sliown at Wembloy {writes "The Post'?" London correspondent, on 27th August). Altogether now some 30,000ffc are available, so there is considerably more variety than was the case a month ago. Olio of the- most recent arrivals is the honey film, and this should prove attractive to all who buy the honey from the New Zealand Pavilion. It includes the humorous element as well as the instructive side. Tho greatest enthusiasm is manifested in the spirited pictures taken during tho time tho Kleet was in Dominion waters. These pictures are loudly applauded every timu they are put on. Pcoplo who "£O todhe pictures" do not always appreciate the educational side as they should, .but tho Navy will always meet with their enthusiastic approval. Doubtless, too, this will bo tho case when tho film showing the departure of the New Zealand football team for the Homeland is made public here. Anything really topical like this is good business. The New Zealand Publicity Officer realises, too, that this is so, and the •point gains added emphasis in the fact that picture theatre managers, who have agreed to show New Zealand films where the Rugby men are playing, all stipulate that tho programme shall include the departure of the team from Now Zealand.

The foundation-stone of the new girls' college will be laid by His Excellency the Governor-General to-mor-row, at 3 p.m. The Wellington Diocesan Catholic Orphanages have benfited to the extent of £100 by the will of the late Mr.- Jeremiah Hurley, who died in this city recently. A Press Association message from Auckland during the week-end states that the Newmarket Railway Workshops employees passed a resolution strongly supporting the 44-hour week. The postal authorities have received advice that the Ulimaroa, which left Sydney on the 27th inst. for Auckland, has on board for Wellington 17 bags of mail from Australia, four from Africa, three from other places, and 13 parcel receptacles. -. It appears to be necessary, states the 'Journal", of the Department of Agricul- j ture, to caution the farming ■community regarding the use of sheep dip—especially the poisonous kinds—for purposes other than those indicated by the makers. The Department lias learnt of .several cases of farm animals being poisoned by sheep dip used in altogether wrong ways. In a recent case several horses died as a result of being washed with a solution of arsenical dip to rid them of lice; the solution seemed to have been far too strong, absorption from the skin took place, and death ensued. Sufficient white pine for butter boxes is now becoming a serious problem. The Forestry Department, through the "Journal" of the Department of Agriculture, reports that "Probably as much as 90 per cent, of the butter produced in New Zealand is shipped in white pine boxes, the remaining 10 per cent, being carried in silver beech and imported boxes. The virgin white pine forests have been seriously depleted during the last twenty years, so much so that if a normal increase in consumption continues not more than fifteen years' supply remains. Even now manufacturers report difficulties in maintaining their supplies." Proposed metal-bound and nailless boxes are described, showing how economy in timber can be effected.

If the Government decides to discontinue the annual grant of £200 to St. llary's Homes, Otahuhu. Auckland members of Parliament are likely to hear a good deal o£ the matter (states the "New Zealand Herald"). A possibility of the loss of the grant was referred to by M'r. C. F. Bennett at the annual meeting of the homes last week. "If the suggestion turns out to be true," he said, "we Auckland people must never lose an opportunity of getting hold of our members of Parliament, and making them promise to bring the matter up again! It would be a mo6t iniquitous thing if this grant should be cut off. I,cannot imagine what the Government is thinking of, nor what the country would do if the homes were to be discontinued. They are performing a most essential" and1" important social service, which should receive every encouragement and support."

The Chatham Islands have advanced a step in the matter of local government^ for they will soon have a county council. At present the local affairs of the group a-re administered by an official who combines the duties of stipendiary magistrate and resident medical officer. Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton), whose electorate embraces the Chatham Islands, has been informed by Sir Francis Bell, on behalf of, the Minister of Internal Affairs, that a public meeting recently held decided unanimously that the main island should be 'divided into four ridings, and that Pitt Island and the outlying islands should' constitute a fifth, each riding to return two members to the council. "As there appears to be no reason why effect ehould not be given to the wishes of those concerned,1' the Minister states, "I have given directions that the necessary action is to be taken forthwith."

Further contracts, amounting in all to over £100,000, have been let in connection with the duplication of the hydroelectric works at Lake Coleridge. " The successful tenderers for the erection of the power-house building are Graham Brothers, at £13,750, while Vickers, Ltd., have secured the contract for the turbme (£11,762), and Messrs. J. J mven (representing Bruce, Peebles) for tlio generators (£18,706). Other contracts.'are :—d?ipe lilies, Anderson, Ltd (£37,468); head gates, Cory, Wright and Salmon (£3694); adding sub-station building extension, J. and W. Jamieson, Ltd. (£4349); synchronous condenser for Aldington, Metropolitan Vickers (£8964); electric crane, It. Newton (£1500). Tenders are to be called for the duplicate line to Timaru and extensions to Oamaru. The estimated cost is between £57,000 and £58,000. Fifty two-foot poles, sufficient for the work have been ordered in Australia- at an average pries of £7 7s for delivery c.i.f., Lyttelton, beginning in two months from now.