LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 6 September 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The New Zealand insurance Company has. sold it,s property at the corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, Wellington, to the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. The purchase is understood to be an investment, says a Press Association message.

It was reported to the Wanganui Agricultural Association on Wednesday that a profit of between £IBO to £ IOC) would accrue as the result of this year's winter show. says the Wanganui “Chronicle.'’ Damages for alleged negligence and breach of sharemilking agreement totalling £775 were claimed by William Noton, Auckland, from Frank Thompson Irvine, fanner, Orini. in tile Supreme Court at Hamilton. It was announced yesterday that a settlement had been effected whereby defendant consented to judgment for £125 and casts CSO. —Press Assn.

A proposal to establish a municipal gymnasium of ample proportions, so that it could also be used by the Manufacturers’ Association and the A. and P. Association for the Winter Show, was made by Cr. A. El. Armstrong at the last meeting of tlie Christchurch City Council. Such a gymnasium, he suggested, could be let for all kinds of recreations. The election of two producers’ representatives on the New Zealand Fruit Control Board took place this week. The election resulted: Auckland-Tara-naki provincial district. —Frank Firth (52. Henry Stratton Izard 34. Firth was e ected. Canterbury-Nelson-Marl-borough provincial district. —John Liddel Brown ISD, John M illiam McLeod 3*2. Brown was elected. In the House of Representatives Mr H. G. II Mason asked whether any remedy could be provided in the matter of an increase of 2s 3d per ton in the price of sulphate of ammonia as the result of the additional one per (ent. duty. The Hon. W. B. Taverner (Minister of Customs) replied that the Government had under consideration the question as to primage duty on fertilisers and would tsee whether any action could he taken in the direction desired.

At the monthly meeting of the South Taranaki executive of the New Zealand Farmere’ Union, on Thursday a welcome was accorded to Air H. J. Berry, of Manaia, who had, at the leanest of the executive, joined as a delegate. In welcoming Mr Berry, the president (Mr E. J. Betts) said that their new delegate had always taken a keen interest in the union affairs. In accepting the invitation to take a seat. Air Berry said he was greatly indebted for the honour conferred upon aim anti would be pleased to do what lie could to further the interests of the union, which in his judgment, should have the .support of every farmer in New Zealand.

At the last meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Alliance the resignation of the general secretary, Mr. C. 11. Edmond, who has accepted a commercial appointment, was accepted with regret. The executive unanimously adopted a resolution placing on record its high appreciation of the service he has rendered to the movement during the past six years. At the request of the executive Air. Edmond accepted a seat on the standing committee of the a.liance. Air. J. Alaiton Alurray, present executive secretary, was, by unanimous vote of the executive, elected to fill the position of general secretary as from October 1.

Sir Joseph Ward, in answer to a question submitted by Mr. W. J. Uroadfoot in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, said that while he deprecated the practice by various organisations or addressing questionnaires to members of Parliament and to candidates at elections, it was difficult to see what could be done. He would, however, have no objection to conferring with the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Labour Party in reference to the subject, should they desire to do so. Mr. Uroadfoot read a letter to a London newspaper indicating that arrangements had been made in Britain whereby the three parties had agreed to ignore isuch questionnaires. Mr. J. G. Coates expressed the opinion that the public had a right to ask candidates any questions it wished and the candidate had a right to answer in such a way that lie would not be bound in future. Sir Joseph Ward said it had been his practice to decline to answer such groups of questions, and he considered this was the proper course to adopt. He thought the public platform was the correct place for a candidate to be questioned. It was absurd for a candidate to make pro--1 niiscs that in some cases be had absolutely no chance of carrying out. Having been accused of theft, arrested, tried, and acquitted, Mrs. Bertha. Prescott, a widow of .Hunlty known as Mrs. W atson, sued her accuser, A. E. Powell, theatre proprietor, for £IOO6 damages and legal expenses. She alleged the charge was preferred maliciously without reasonable and probable cause. The case was tried before Mr. Justice Ostler and a jury, says a Press Association message from Hamilton. Evidence showed that plaintiff kept a boarding-house to which defendant came as a boarder. They lived as man ancl wife for nearly three years. She eventually sold the establishment to him, intending to return to England with her son. A dispute arose regarding the ownership of a bed which she claimed was not included in the sale of the boarding-house to Powell. She sold the bed on her own’account a few days before her boat was clue to sail. Expecting her to leave immediately, Powell bad a theft charge. The hearing lasted the whole day. The jury found there was malice and lack of reasonable or probable cause for the theft charge and awarded £350 damages. The case has been adjourned till Tuesday for legal argument. Replying to Mr W. E. Barnard in the House of Representatives, Sir Joseph Ward said the Government regretted that any in crease in the tariff rates in the United States: on certain New Zealand products had been proposed, lmt th..‘ situation was being carefully wet hod. Mr Coates .asked the Prime Minister whether any representations hud been made to the United! States through th? nroper channels', cmpha“using the present ratio of New Zealand’s imports from the United States and her exports to that country, and indicating the. effect- the increase would have on trad?. Sir Joseph Ward said international tiacle was ouicWiv becoming a, nvest-ion of the survival of the fittest. He had been watching the attitude, of the United States very closely, and lie had observed the Eigpire as a whole was in practically the same, -position as New Zealand. The United States, was certainly f, oiug to extremities in protection. It seemed to him that any effective preposition to- America’s prorinKfi's wou'.d have to 00111.3. from the Eiunir? n« a. whole. With the coming of spring McGruer, Bono and Co., Ltd., have pleasure in announcing their advance showing of smart spring millinery, frocks, jumper suits and also a display in their showroom of now season’s art silk fabrics and figured spun silks. A visit from the firm’s numerous customers would be welcomed.—Advt.

On account of the decrease in the number of calves offering in the At-anaia district, the Patea Co-opera-tive Company notify that collection will he made- by Mrs V. Daley on Aloud ays and Thursdays only. ibe season is probably two weeks earlier in that area than in the districts further inland.

It was agreed by members of Hie executive of the New Zealand 1 armers’ Union at their meeting yesterday that they should oppose -a universal half-holiday, hut approve of each district fixing the day that was best suited to its own interests.

A message of congratulation has been received from the North Island Motor Union bv the secretary of the South Taranaki Association on obtaining 2000 members. The message was sent bv Dr. Porritt. and Air Ivor Wilson', and states that they note by statistics “you have 55 per cent of actual registration of your district now enrolled- as members.” In the <ourse of a discussion at the meeting of the executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday on the. wrongful conversion of cars, the question of insurance was raised in case- an -accident occurred while the car was. being driven by the person taking it from its owner. In such a case- it was stated, bv the secretary that -a. claim for any damage would, he was assured, under such circumstances lie met by the company that had the risk.