Untitled

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 June 1928, Page 9

In the House of Representatives at Canberra, the Federal Prime Minister, ("The Right Hon. S. M. Bruce) moved a motion to increase the duty on butter imported from New Zealand from 2d to Gd per pound, the increase to operate from to-day. Smashed by the express from New Plymouth a lorry heavily laden with case benzine caught fire at the West Street crossing at Palmerston North yesterday afternoon. The two occupants. Ken Kersall, of Palmerston North, and Frederick Lester, of Auckland, miraculously escaped form the wreckage. Both are suffering badly from shock while Kersall is in a serious condition as the result of burns. Later hospital reports state that the conditions of both are improving. _ The- train wa-s delayed over an hour while- the fire brigade smothered the flames and the line- was made safe. The lorry, the property of Kersall, was utterly consumed, and only a few cases l of benzine were saved. A number of accidents have already occurred at this crossing.

The amount so far lent ore long-term mortgage is not as large as was anticipated, but the operations of the department are steadily growing, stated the chairman of the Bank of New Zealand in his annual review of the bank’s operations at Wellington to-day. The amount -current on 21st ulto. was £33' 4GI, and further commitment® to lend nearly £IOO,OOO have been entered into. Many applications have been declined, the security offered either nob affording tike /requisite margin or being of an unsatisfactory pat nr e.