LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Excise (Customs) duties are in i the balance. Meantime until the anticipated tariff takes effect we can sup- ’ ply Merlet’s Three Star French Brandy! White Horse Whisky, Adelaide Port 1 Wines at present day prices.—Mark; Sprot and Coy., Ltd.—J. D. Lynch, I Director. The amount of freight transported ' through the Otira during the past week totalled 10,050 tons. The second euchre tourney of the season’s aggregate competitation at Columba Hall, takes place this evening, when there will also be valuable prizes for the evening’s winners. First-class Meals are obtainable at all hours at Bill Rosenberg’s 12 Mile Hotel, Be Her Gorge.—Advt.

While driving in a car along the Maori Creek road about 7 o ’clock on Saturday evening, Messrs N. Doogan and Christensen met with a mishap. Mistaking the road in the darkness, they drove towards the creek, into which the car eventually travelled, and without the means at hand to restore it to the road, the occupants were obliged to leave it for the time being in the creek bed. Neither sustained any injury. The oil bore at Mangles River, Murchison, is now down about 2360 feet, and samples of the oil and gas are being analysed at Auckland. The oil burns like benzine with very little residue and is almost transparent. The Murchison Oil Coy. has boring rights over an area of 2,000 acres. “When Mother gave her bridge party last week, she gave them coffee and Milderson’s Kokoroonlets. Everyone was so delighted. “Just like home-made,” they said, and only 1/per lb. from Haglund Bros.—Advt. The subject of discussion at the recent conference at Christchurch between the coal owners and West Coast miners, representatives was an allegation of the owners that the miners had instituted job control. The result is that on the 17th. inst. meetings are to be held at all of the mines in order to discuss the findings of the conference. An inquest concerning the death of the late Mrs Martha Toohey, which took place at the Grey River Hospital on Friday will be held at the Courthouse this afternoon.

Visit sunny Paroa and G. Bu. ger's final th Resort. Beautiful Birch Bush and good Beach and Beer. Afternoon Tea a speciality. The best of Wines and Spirits stocked. Bearn’s Beer on Tap. Bus passes door. G. E'wger’s Paroa notel.—Advt. A man named William Woodrow was admitted to the Public Hospital on Saturday suffering from injuries to his spine; due to a fall from the Hokitika Railway brdgo into the river. Information’ elicited from the Hospital last evening, disclosed that the man had sprained the muscles of his backhand but had suffered no other serious injury, and that ho was making satisfactory progress toward recovery. The preliminary work of reconstructing the grandstand at Victoria Park is now well in hand; good progress having boon made with the timbering for the concrete walls, and the permanent wood work. The grandstand was destroyed by fire about eighteen months ago. Pianos on Easy Terms:—Begg Light ami Dark Oak, £76; Baxendale, £B9; Windover £106; Elysian, £116; Rogers, model 1, £139; model 4, £149,-model 6 £166; Rogers’ Player Piano £251; Rogers Baby Grand (with six legs) £279; Rogers’ Boudoir Grand £336; Hopkinson, from £l2O upwards. All the above pianos are full iron frame, over strung and under damper. Easy terms arranged at A. E. Kilgour’s, Piano, Gramophone and Music Dealer, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth.—Advt. “Are you in favour of closing hotel bars at the hours when other business premises closed?” was a question asked Mr. J. A. Young, Minister of Health at Hamilton. The Minister replied that he saw no reason why hotel bars should not close at the same hours as other businesses. A voice: And have a late night on Fridays. Speaking at the recent meeting of the Nelson Automobile Association the Waimea County Engineer (Mr. Brewster) pointed out that the hill roads were constructed originally for light traffic only, and were really not fit for present-day traffic; but he also pointed out that whereas this district allows traffic up to 10 tons almost all the year round, in the wealthy Franklin county, quite close to Auckland, the limit is six tons. W. McGregor, the driver of a tractor which was hauling logs down an incline miraculously escaped death at Taihape recently. A log on the tractor slipped and knocked the driver off, clear of the tramline. The tractor and its load bolted down the incline, left the tracks at a bend and toppled into a chasm 60ft. deep. Inquiries made by a member of the Rotorua Borough Council respecting the financial result of the erection of municipal buildings, with' offices, etc., combined has proved the success of the venture in some centres. Hastings showed a profit of £3816, Patea £lOO. Tauranga £343, Foxton £740, Matamata £4BO, Oamaru £1282, £1241, £lOl3, and £863 in the last four years, Levin just balanced and Whangarei £245. Now Zealanders spend over £6,000,000 annually on ready-made clothing, about half of which is imported from abroad. In this industry 6833 persons are locally employed to whom £844,383 is paid in salaries and wages. The average wage i has risen from £ll7 in 1924 and £1241 now. Added value per employee in 1924 was £l6l 16s and it is now £172.02. Hence, the average increase in wage is' £7, and that of output £ll.

| The less serious-minded of the undergraduates at Canterbury College are evidently of the opinion that the more “high-brow” of the meetings which take place at the college tend to be dry (says the Sun). Such, at least, was the impression gathered at a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Classical Association, when it was seen that some frivolous person had placed four bottles invitingly on the lecturer’s desk. They were carefully removed by one of the speakers.

A circular monkey pit is being constructed at the Auckland Zoo and when completed there will be sufficient room for 200 animals (reports the Star). At present there are 50 monkeys at the Zoo, and the number is to be increased by 30 or 40 at an early date. It*is intended to organise the monkey section and make it a greater attraction Ito visitors. The pit will be open at the top, and so constructed that the animals will not be able to escape. In the middle of the pit a monkey house is to be constructed with various apartments, providing a play room on top.

The last of our stock of boots going, at ridiculously low prices. Men’s white yachting and tennis boots and shoes 4/11 pair; ladies’ tennis shoes 4/11 pair; men's fireside slippers 3/11 pair; girls’ shoes, s’zes 8 to 10, 4/11 pair; ladies’ best j.noeF real bargains, 14/6 pair; men’s danc’.ng pumps, 9/11 pair; men’s walking shoes 19/6 and 24/6 pair.—The Mayfair, Men’s and Boys’ Year Specialists, Mawhera Quay, Phone 59, Greymouth. “Marlborough appears to be leading Xew Zealand.” remarked Mr. H. J. Stace, at a recent meeting of the Power Board, when two letters —one from the Tai Tapu Co-operative Dairy Company, Canterbury and the other from the Golden Bay Electric Power Board. Nelson were read in which information was sought regarding the manufacture, etc., of concrete power poles. It was decided to hand the letters to the engineers for reply, Mr. W. G. Budd, remarking: “Let us create an industry here in the manufacture of poles. We could do it.” Sydney surf clubs recently turned down wholeheartedly a project to make the skirted bathing costume for men universal (says the Christchurch “Star”). This queer-looking affair is compulsory in Auckland, and Christchurch people up there have often been surprised to learn that the costumes that are fashionable at New Brighton are considered indecent in northern waters. Timaru has its fads on the beach, too, and sun-bathing on Caroline Bay is prohibited by the Borough Council. A few years ago some of the young people combined to defy the law, 1 and had a good deal of success, but 1 more recently these hardy spirits have 1 been missing. Another of the Timaru ' Council’s pleasant little ways was to ! lock the children’s swings and see-saws i on Sunday. I

White Damask Table Covers 2/llj, 30in. all-linen Forfar 1/3 yard, Wypeall Towelling 9d yard, white and unbleached Sheeting 54iu., 1/8 yard; Circular Pillow Cotton, 1/4 yard; all-wool Shrunk Flannels in pink, grey, white, 1/10 yard. Special clearance of after-stock-taking discounted and surplus stocks now on.—McGruer’s, Greymovth. —Advt. A meeting of the various committees set up to make arrangements in connection with the Canterbury Farmers’ Excursion to the Coast, was held at the Municipal Chambers on Saturday evening. There were present: the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Greenslade) and Messrs J. McLean, K. Williams, J. Mulcare, 11. G. Carter, A. Oliver, C. Rose and F. W. Baillie (Secretary). Mr. J. McLean presided. It was agreed to extend invitations to all members ot the Fanners’ Union in the district, to be present at the functions arranged for the visitors. It was resolved to endeavour to secure the services of the Government cinema expert to take pictures during the visit of the farmers, and also to arrange for a Christchurch Press photographer io be present. Mr.

McLean stated that th? ear arrangements were well in hand; and also that the manager of the picture theatre had agreed to grant a concession to the visitors. Mr. Williams intimated that satisfactory arrangements had been made in regard to refreshments. The Secretarv reported that the Male Voice Choir had agreed to contribute items for the first'half of the programme to be given at the Town Hall on the Fndav’evening (23rd. inst.) and the Municipal Band had agreed to carry out the concluding portion of the programme. It was agreed that the visit to Rewanui and the James Mino should be abandoned and that the itinerary for Thursday (21st. inst.) should include a visit to Totara Flat and Blackball: the visitors to be conveved to Ru Ru, on the following day. ‘ The committees are meeting on Wednesday to make final arrangements. Rabbiters’ earnings in New South. Wales, at the ruling price for skins, ar? enough to make the average landowner green with envy and wonder sometimes if rabbits, after all, are not more profitable than sheep, especiallv after the nest has feasted on the sweetest and most nutritious of the grasses, and left little for the sheep. Taking only 400 tons of rabbitskins as the turn over in Sydney during a recent fortnight, apart altogether from private sales' in the country approximating probably as half as much again, it represents, at a conservative estimate, more than five and a-quarter million rabbits. It cannot be much comfort to the sheep owner, in the fact of a shortage of feed, to know that the monetary value of a week’s auction sales of rabbit-skins is at present nearly £IOO, 000 irrespective of big private sales. Toasted tobacco? “What’s the great idea?” you may ask. Well, if you have not yet tried what toasting will do for tobacco leaf you’ve a pleasure in store. All our well-known New Zealand grown tobaccos are toasted in the making. This develops their flavour and aroma, just as the toasting (or roasting) of coffee or cocoa beans brings out the flavour and fragrance. These tobaccos are the purest on the market, largely because they contain so little nicotine, while the imported brands are all more or less loaded with it. Now do you see why the doctors recommend New Zealand tobacco? The proof of the pudding is in the eating, ami the proof of the ‘‘weed” is in the smoking. Those who try the New Zealand tobaccos quickly get to prefer them to all others. Hence their constantlv inerrn. i:i”‘ sale everywhere. You ‘ can g. t them in any strength. “Riverhead Gold” a beautiful aroma tie- “Naw t'ut’’ a choice medium; Li “Cut No. 10,” a fin., full Havoured vnCefy. “Cavendish Mixure ’ ’ medium is the latest addition,*

Tim action of th/?- Government machinery inspector in visiting the Blenheim municipal abattoirs and driving a hammer through the boiler was criticised at last week’s meeting of the Borough Council by the Mayor (Mr. M. McKenzie) who said it was not as if the were the boilers of H.M.S. Renown, or some other torpedo boat destroyers; it was nothing more nor less than a big kettle used for heating water to scald pigs. The Council took no further action in the matter, hut approved of the purchase of a new boiler at a cost of £l4B 10s. It was also reported that th 3 inspector had condemned a boiler at the municipal gasworks, but his action in this matter was not questioned, as the boiler there is used under pressure. The new boiler there is to cost £3B 19s Bd. Apparently the prospect held out last year of finding with the great smelting concerns of Germany, a profitable outlet for the New Zealand ores that are unresponsive to battery treatment still holds good, says the Auckland “Herald”. Although little has been made public, a German syndicate holds an option (•ver the Monowai mine, Waiomo, between the Thames and Coromandel, and Ims done a large amount of work for the testing of the mine. One of the conditions of its option is that it shall spend £2OO a month in the mine, and this it has consistently done, in the way of cleaning out the old levels, and sampling the ores contained in the blocks available. Up to date the syndicate is stated to have expended over £5OOO. A lower price campaign at MeGruer’s special after-stock-taking clearance of all discounted and surplus stocks. Children’s and Ladies’ ready-to-wear felt, silk and velvet Hate, now shapes, were 14/6 to 39/6, now 2/11, 4/11, 9/11. Special reductions every department.—McGruer’s, Greymouth. —Advt.

At the Anglican Synod at Nelson, Archdeacon A. J. Carr presented a report on the social work of the church, recommending: (1) That the utmost care be taken in selectiou of literature dealing with purity of life. (2) That lectures to adolescent children on purity of life should only be given by recognised experts. (3) That the Bishop be asked to approach the Minister for Internal Affairs requesting him to appoint a lady to censor the films of the moving pictures. (4) That General Synod be asked to set up a “Board of Social Service” on similar lines to the Board of Missions. Archdeacon Carr drew attention to the fact that this Diocese had two orphanages which were totally inadequate; no hdtne for babies and no rescue homes for unfortunate women. The provision of these homes was beyond the resources of a small diocese; a dominion scheme was needed; suitable homes could be erected in the North and South Islands and quotas for the support of these homes could be levied upon all the dioceses. Synod adopted the report and respectfully asked the Bishop to organise annually a week of self-denial on behalf of the social work of the church among orphans and the unfortunate in life.

You should take the earliest opportunity of hearing the new His Master’s Voice Gramophone, when you will agree that this great invention has to-day achieved the ideal of what a gramophone should be. A. E. Kilgour, has just opened up the following machines:—Model 101 Portable £11; Model 103 Table Grand £l3 10s; Model 109 Table Grand £l7; Model 126 Table Grand £27 10s; Model 156, Cabinet Grand £35. Catalogue of machines and records posted free to any address. A. E. Kilgour, Piano, Gramophone and Music Dealer, Mawhera Quay. —Advt. About four hundred applications have been made to the Registrar of Pensions, Christchurch, for benefits under the Family Allowances Act. 1926, which came into operation on Ist April. The Act has been working for three months, and applications are coming in freely from both the town and country districts. The Act states that for families of more than two children a sum of 2s a week may be drawn for each child in excess of two. Thus, if a man with four children earns £4 a week he is entitled jto 4s a week; but if he earns £4 2s he can draw only 2s. Applicants must be the fathers of three or more children, and the allowance is drawn by the mother or guardian. Exact statements of income for the last twelve months must be made by applicants, and must include the names of all employes. People in small businesses and farms are required to keep accounts. The Department must be advised of any increase in income, and the applications come up for renewal each year. Payment is made on the twenty-fifth day of each month, through the post offices nearest the homes of applicants, where cases are dealt with by the local registrars.