LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18503, 10 December 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Monthly Abstract of Statistics shows that the index number for the three food groups as at October 15 was 1,560, an increase of 11 points over that for the previous month and of 45.79 per cent, as compared with that for July, 1914. The index number for the groceries group increased by 12 points, a aisc in tho price of potatoes in most towns being responsible for the increase. A fall of 5 points was recorded in tho dairy products group, the decrease being due to a fall in tho prico of milk in several towns. A rise of 20 points in tho meat group was duo to a rise in the prices of beef and pork in most towns. "This racehorse you own is a wellknown animal, is it not ?” asked council of a witness during tho hearing of a maintenance case at the Wellington Magistrate's Court. “ Yes, it is a well-known horse," replied witness, and added smilingly, “ for losing races. I have not won a single race with it yet.” Indifference to the growth of tho rabbit pest was implied in tho answer of a Waikato farmer to a remark by a visitor as to the number of rabbits seen on the farm. "Won’t you get into trouble?” inquired the visitor. “ There is no rabbit board in these parts yet," was the reply, “ and if thcro is one formed, I’ll get a seat on it.”

“ The Government puls in a railway siding for you, charges yon probably twice as much as it costs, uses it itself when it likes, levies £25 a year on thebody or company which controls it, and then anyone else who uses it has to pay a fee also.” Laughter greeted this condemnatory remark by Sir James Wilson, chairman of tho Manawatu County Coun cil, at a meeting of that body recently. A poor opinion of the reliability of women motor drivers is apparently 'held by the Hon. J. G. Coates (says the ‘ Grey Star ’). During his inspection of a railway bridge recently he stated that the Installation of a warning boll would probably have a different effect to that intended. If a woman driver was on the bridge when tho bell signalled the approach of a train she would very likely lose her nerve, stall the car in the middle of the bridge, and finally jump into the river, and commit suicide.

" Clear out of Europe and develop tho Empire,” was the advice given recently in England by Lord Beavcrbrook. " British merchants of the old school stand aghast at this proposal,” states a write; in the 1 Australian Trade Journal.’ " They are blind to the fact that the war shattered European markets. They cling to tho hope that their pre-war European connections will be resumed. It reminds us of the folly of those who insisted on rebuilding London on the old lines after the great fire 250 years ago in defiance of Christopher Wren, who had plans for constructing an_ entirely now city. • The same lack of imagination exists to-day. Oux ancestors failed to realise the evils of congestion, and too many of us at the present time seem equally unable to grasp the simple fact that our very existence depends upon rapid expansion. This is only'possible within the Empire.” Tho first opticians’ examinations over held in New Zealand took place in Wellington last week, under the auspices of tho Now Zealand Institute of Optometrists. This institute was formed about two years ago with the object of raising the standard of optometry. Only qualified opticians are eligible for membership. At present the law of New Zealand does not prevent any person calling himself an optician, but the Bill for presentation to Parliament has been prepared by tho institute, providing that only persons with a certain standard of knowledge shall practise as opticians. Those who have been in the profession for seven years will, however, bo' allowed to practise without examination. It is stated that there me a number of unqualified men working as opticians in New Zealand, and it is hoped the legislation proposed will curtail their operations. A conference of New Zealand opticians is to be held in Auckland in February under the auspices of the institute, which has branches throughout the dominion. Writing to the president of tho New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce on the question of the Immigration of English secondary school boys to Taranaki, a Kakaramea settler says: "I have had two English boys sent out to me through the agency of a friend, one for myself and the other for a neighbor. Both have turned out very fine chaps. They are, in fact, much above the average colonists of their age, both in workmanship and intelligence. This is perhaps a sweeping statement, but only too true. We are both well satisfied with tho experiment, I am naturally interested in your chamber’s scheme to bring out similar boys. Have you got one in sight anywhere, as I have another neighbor who *is anxious to get one ? ” The writer is being told (says an exchange) that the chamber’s last batch of applications of boys to come out in July, m readiness for the new season’s work, will 'm forwarded next week, and that his application on behalf of a neighbor will be included.