LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18052, 21 August 1922, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Indications .that tho money market is rasing somewhat are shown in tho fact that? the Lyttelton Harbor Board is experiencing a steady demand at par for its per cent, debentures in connection with the first instalment of £50,000 of, its £150,000 loan for harbor impovements. Inquiries have been received from all over the dominion, and also from Australia. A fairly big parcel for a Sydney investor was arranged this week.—-'Christchurch correspondent.

A patent fire hose, tho invention of a Dunedin man, has been installed in tho Invercargill Fire Brigade Station for demonstration purposes. The hose is designed particularly for use in such buildings as hospitals, and its chief feature is the speed with which it can he brought into operation, a torn of a tap and a slight pull on tho hose, which is coiled round a revolving stand, making available immediately a length of hose and a, stream of water at tho one instant. The ease of manipulation is a special feature of the invention, which can bo operated by a small child'. An elocution competition was held at the weekly meeting of the St. Andrew’s Literary and Debating Club on Saturday evening. There were ten entrants, and Mr 6. W. Johnstone placed Miss M. Park first and Dr Robb second. The prizes were subsequently presented by the donor, Mr J. Hogg. Tho Government Statistician, in comparing July retail prices for groceries, meat, and dairy produce; notes a fall of 24 points—viz.,,from 1,552 to 1.523 —as compared with those for June. The increase, however, is still 48.80 per cqnt. compared ■with, the prices current in July, 1914. Falls of 24 points in groceries, 31, in dairy produce (including eggs), and of 19 points In the price of meat are recorded._ “In eomo cases,” ho remarks, “tho fall in the price of eggs was counteracted by a rise in the price of butter.” Slight falls in potatoes, flour, and -sugar have taken place in some towns. First-grade butter during June averaged Is 6£d, and cheese B|d per pound in all four centres; but butter was lowest in Auckland —viz., Is 5Jd —and highest in Wellington, Is Bd. Cheese sold in Auckland down to but in Wellington at 9d, or 3jd per pound more. ,In Christchurch it was 9£d. Milk ranged from 5d to 7d per quart; bread, 6d to 7.]d‘ per 41b loaf; eggs. Is 9|d to 3s per dozen; coal, 14s to 22s 4Jd per quarter-ton, with quotations of 7s 6d at Alexandra and lls at Greymouth, and 3s 3d at Gore for lignite! There were variations of over 5 per cent, in the price of potatoes, Taihape and Gisborne quoting Is 6d for 141 b, many other places Is to Is 3d: Dunedin, lljd. Cooking apples, 2d to 5d per lb; cabbages, 4d to Is 3d, according to locality.

Amendments and additions to the regulations under the Public Service Act are published in this week’s 1 Gazette ’ relating to rates of overtime payment, travelling allowances, relieving allowances, etc. Overtime for officers in the professional and clerical divisions is fixed as follows: Officers receiving a salary not exceeding £IBO per annum, Is 6d per hour; over ■ £IBO and not exceeding £253 per annum, 2s per hour; over £230 and not exceeding £295 per annum, 2s 6d per hour; over £295 and not exceeding £370 per annum, ,os pier hour; over £370 per annum and not exceeding £470 -per annum, 3s 6d per hour. Overtime is to be calculated to the ; nearest quarter of an hour. All salaried officers aro to receive travelling allowance for personal expenses as follows : —Officers drawing salaries not exceeding £145 per annum, actual expenses; exceeding £145 and not exceeding £370 per annum. 12a 6d per day; between £370 and £470 per annum, 15s per day; between £470 and £565 jier annum, 17s 6d per day; exceeding £565 per annum, £1 per day. Officers travelling by steamer are to be paid while at sea, if the time occupied exceeds twenty-four hours. 10s for the first day of absence from headquarters, and 2s 6d for subsequent days. Tor officers on relieving duty which necessitates absence from home at . night the '"following allowances arc made:—Officers drawing salaries not exceeding £145, actual and reasonable expenses; between •:"£145 and £295, 10s per day; between £295 and £470, 12s 6d per day; exceeding £470, 15s per day. At a well-attended meeting of the com.mittee of the Taieil Agricultural Society, held at Mosgiel bn the 17th inst., several matters of routine in connection with the show to be held on November 18 were dealt with. Last year’s prize schedule was adopted with but few alterations. The “one judge” system was decided upon for all .sections. The Music Committee was instructed to make an effort to secure donations of trophies with a view to continuing the file and drum band competition. Judges wore nominated for each section. The following were appointed collectors:—Mosgiel—Messrs Johnson, Murray, and Christie ; North Taieri and Wingatui—‘Messrs Gawn, Fowler, Gow, and Leith; Wingatni road—-Messrs Findlay, ■Williamson!, and Bro.wn; East Taieri —

Messrs Craig, Kirkland, and Kirk; Outram—Messrs Doherty, Walker, Bathgate, and Dow; Otokia-Henley—(Messrs Dowdall, Sherman, and Thomson; Moraona and Allauton —Messrs Nichol, J. Young, and S. Young; Momona. (south of Factory road to county hut), (Messrs Mann and Gillespie; DunedinL-Messre Kirkland, Findlay, Fowler, Johnson, Beattie, and M’Leod.