LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18318, 4 July 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The monthly abstract of statistics for June states that the index number for the three food groups as at May 15 was 1,525, an increase of 9 points over that for the previous month, and an increase of 45.52 per cent. over, that for July, 1914. A rise of 14 points in the groceries group was caused by,an all-round increase in the price of potatoes. Sugar also increased in pries in several minor towns. An increase of 33 points, was recorded in the dairy products group. In this group the price of milk rose in several towns, the increase varying from Id to 2d per quart. A further fall in the prices of beef joints was responsible for the decrease of 15 points in the index number for the meat group. Recently a petition was lodged by Mr R. M'Donald, of Ashhurst, against the election of Mr J. H. • Vincent, of Ashhurst, to represent the Otangaki riding in Oroua County Council, Certain irregularities in the procedure at the taking of the poll were alleged at the initial proceedings. Counsel for the returning officer opposed the hearing on the grounds that the accompanying cheque (£10) was not deposited under the Act, and decision was reserved by Mr J. L. Stout, S. on the point. Sitting at Palmerston North, the magistrate held that the cheque deposit did not comply with the requirements of the Act, and dismissed the petition, held that the petitioner was entitled to the return of his £lO, as it could not be treated as having been deposited under section 45 of the Act. A school for diary instruction instructors has been opened at Ruakura farm (reports a Hamilton. Press Association message). About forty New Zealand cooperative dairy companies’ instructors, graders, and factory employees wore present at the opening. A Wellington telegram states that Mr W. J. Poison, dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, addressed a large and interested meeting of members of Parliament at the Parliamentary Buildings. He lucidly described the operations of the agricultural hank, and said that such an institution was necessary for New Zealand. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his instructive address.

A complete denial lias been given to the police by Samuel Robert Smith, at present on remand on charges of ,vagrancy, that he ever made the statement that lie might be able to give some information in regard to the murder of Constable Dorgan at Timaru. The police slate definitely that there is no foundation whatever for the report.

In a recent issue of the ‘ Gazette ’ regulations are published providing for the proper cleansing, ventilation, sanitation, and disinfection of theatres, picture halls, and concert rooms.. These regulations are to come into force on October 1, 1923. They provide that the occupier of a hall must, prior to each performance or at least once every four hours during a continuous performance, thoroughly (lush with fresh air every part of the premises open to the public. Also that ho must keep every part of the premises open to the public clean and free from dust, and must spray or wash down with the same at least twice in each week with a weak solution of disinfectant. Another regulation reads; “The owner of a hall shall provide a minimum of 4 1-3 square feet of floor space area as. seating space per occupant, exclusive of aisles and passageways, and that the distance between adjacent seats shall not he less than ISin from centre to centre. Provided that wherever the seating (arrangements of .any existing hall have been approved by the local authority prior to the coming into force of these regulations, this clause shall not apply so long’as the seating arrangements remain in the condition approved by the local authority.” The monthly meeting of the Otago Commerce Faculty Ex-students’ Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night, when Mr J. B. Waters delivered a lecture on ‘ System in the Sale Room.’ The lecturer based his remarks on the close relationship that was necessary between the office and the sale room, and described in detail the system of handling records in the latter so that they could bo accurately dealt with by ‘the staff of the former. The subject of the bulk of Mr Waters’s address was provided by the contract note in the drawing up of which, he said, great trouble had been experienced in the past. All disputes between grain merchants 'were . now settled by arbitration, it was no longer necessary to submit their cases to court. Mr Waters answered several questions, and other members spoke briefly on personal experiences. Mr J. MTveefry gave a short description of a new system which had been introduced into many firms, known as the “Debtors’ Register,” which, ho claimed, was proving of groat value as. a safeguard to merchants in that it enabled thqm to keep a check on weak accounts. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Waters for his address.

Mrs Hiott presided at tire monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, which was held in the Hanover Street Sunday School yesterday afternoon. The 1 resignation of Miss Alexander, minute secretary, owing j to ill-health, was accepted with re- 1 gret Two members who had previously belonged to other branches were linked up with the Dunedin branch. The National Council of Women forwarded a number of remits, which were discussed at some length. Some of them were hold over until further medical advice could be obtained. Miss Powell (corresponding secretary) reported having received replies from local M.P.s, who had been written to for support of a Bill, should it be brought before Parliament, regarding the appointment of women magistrates and women police. The replies, with one exception, were favorable. It was decided that the union should affiliate with the League of Nations Union. Mis Powell recommended that a special day should be set apart by every union for the consideration of matters connected with peace and arbitration. It was reported that it was decided at the recent convention:—“ That. _it be. urged upon the Minister of Education and j all educational authorities that there i should be an organised system of teach j ing in the public schools, which would give the children knowledge of j economics and social and political prin I ciples whereby they should come to under- | stand the right relationship between na '| tions and their interdependence as parts I of the one whole, and to realise the necessity of maintaining such relationship, ! peace, and harmony for the mutual bonefit of each and all. | The monthly meeting of the committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon,; present—Sir George Fenwick , (chairman). Miss Porleons, Messrs W. 1 1 . . Sligo, A. Kilpatrick. T. Elliott, P. John- | eon, W. D. Snowball, the Revs. W. Samitiers and M. Diamond. The teacher of the Inch Valley School wrote thanking tho committee for pamphlets sent. Constable I hi‘Mahon reported on having investigated an alleged case of cruelty at Roxburgh, and having found that there was no real foundation for Hie complaint. The rest of the business was formal. j Tho monthly meeting of the .Morning- ; ton School Committee was held on Monday evening, Mr K. Haig presiding. The heacLmaster reported that tho bad weather hadmffeoted the average attendance. Theschool savings bank was doing well, the j total sum deposited being £179 16s. The chairman congratulated Mr J. W. Patton | on being elected president of tho School j Committees’ Association. i