LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 August 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

As a result of the success of one of its pupils, Eileen Ivelsen, in winning the “Egniont writing competition,” the Tawihti School receives 40 library ■hooks. The winner receives a tennis racquet as an individual trophy. There was a prilliant gathering at Government House, Wellington, last night, when the Governor-General and Rady Blodisloe entertained live or six hundred people at a ball, the first such function thev have given in Wellington.

The death occurred on the Rangitiki on July 24 of Mr A. 11. Cunningham, a third-class passenger, fin years of age. Air Cunningham had been ailing for the greater part of the voyage from England, and suffered from heart trouble. Ho was buried at sea. The. Rangitiki arrived al Wellington yesterday. H.M.S. Dunedin is to leave Auckland to-day on a three months’ cruise to southern ports. The warship’s first port of call will bo Wellington, and biter she will visit Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamani and Dunedin. At the beginning of October the cruiser will return to Wellington to enable the crew to carry out the annual musketry course. The return trip from Wellington to Auckland will bo made via Nelson, New Plymouth and Napier. The cruiser is due back at Auckland at the beginning of November.

“During recent months the subject of trade within the Empire has leapt, into public interest,” said Mr W. Mach in, or Christchurch, who returned from England by the Rangitiki yesterday. “Whatever may be said about the motives of Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermore —and plenty of things are being said —they have undoubtedly made it a subject of first-rate importance to millions of people at Home,’ he added.

Information received in Wellington, regarding the visit of the. Dutch cruiser Sumatra and two TTestroyers indicates that tlio squadron is to be at Wellington from October 17 to 21 and at Auckland from October 24 to 28. The Sumatra carries 30 officers and 460 men and each of the destroyers 10 officers and 116 men. The Government Avill extend the usual courtesies to the visitors.

‘ ‘ Autogiros ’ ’ or ‘ ‘ windmill ’.planes ’ ’ may be a. feature' of New Zealand aviation in. the not far distant future. A company has been registered in Wellington this Aveek for the purpose of introducing the unorthodox machine into the Dominion. Its title is “Safer Flying (NJI.), ’Limited,” and it has the New Zealand agency for 'the auto giro. lOne of the Ncav Zealand pilots at present in England inspected' an autogiro in operation, and spoke highly of it in his report to the Director of Air (Services (Wing-Commander S. Grant-i Dalton). An itinerary for demonstrations and passenger flights throughout the Dominion is being arranged by the company.

One long chain of adventures has been the lot of Mr Bohumil Pospisil, Czeeho-SloA'akian journalist and author, AA'ho is at present in Wellington. He claims to have accomplished a Avorld record of 62,500 miles tnrvel, covering 50 different countries on his tour through all continents, and so has broken the last, world record of 25,000 miles. His enterprise, he says, is the longest- distance effort ever attempted, as lie covered a distance two and a-lialf times longer tnan the equator Avithin three years, less six weeks.

A smart retort to an interjection by Mr C. E. Macmillan (Ref., Tauranga) reduced the House of Representatives to prolonged laughter last evening and effectively silenced the interrupter. Mr Macmillan was referring to the potential wealth of the Dominion, expressing the opinion that greater wealth could 1)0 got from the utilisation of untapped resources. Take, for instance, the number of cattle and horses and sheep in the Dominion,” he said. “And donkeys,” suggested Mr W. E'. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central). “I am sorry I forgot the honourable member.” replied Mr Macmillan, amid laughter. The South Otago Freezing Company's works at Finegand definitely closed for the season yesterday. The grand total of sheep and lambs put through for the season is 278,299, easily a record for the works. The next best total Avas that of last year, 197,20(3, which is 81,003 fewer than this year. In view of these facts the strike at the beginning of the season was almost a blessing in disguise for the company, as it attracted a great deal of publicity and caused farmers to give support. Shareholders hope that a dividend will be paid. At a largely attended meeting of non-commissioned officers of the Otago Regiment last night the following resolution Avas unanimously adopted: That this meeting of non-commissioned officers of tnc Otago Regiment, realising the necessity of keeping its regiment alive and the necessity of its being in a position to fulfil its obligations to the Mother Country should occasion arise, affirms its intention of serving Avith the regiment on a A’oluntary basis during the temporary suspension of compulsory training, provided that the return to the compulsory system is made not later than .Tune L 1931.

The. amnial report of rhe Superannuation Public. .Servants’ Association states that, as the levy under the Unemployment. Bill would include .superannuitants immediate application was made to the, Prime Minister anil the Minister of Labour for exemption from the proposed levy on the ground that it would be manifestly inequitable, to tax those who by thrift had made even small provision for old age and possible infirmity while old-age pensioners were exempted. Many superannuitnn'ts were themselves ‘ ‘unemployed, ’' and their total incomes' were far less than the rates fixed by the Arbitration Court as minimum rates.

The secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Teachers is negotiating with the secretary of the Federated State School Teachers’ Association of Australia for the tour of a teachers’ cricket team in New Zealand during the summer vacation. During the September vacation the federation hopes to send a New South Wales high school Rugby team to tour the North Island.

Mr F. A. Cargo, a Sydney flourmiller, who arrived at Wellington by the TJlimaroa yesterday, says the wheat crop prospects in Australia are the best on record. This will help the country a little, but while the quantity of the crop and its quality should be satisfactory, the price may not be as cheering in view of the big Canadian, United States and Argentine crops. The 21 per cent tax imposed by the Scullin Government on wholesale sales as from August 1 is expected to have a had effect, and in Mr Crago’s opinion is certain to add to unemployment. hut its effect will not he noticeable for a few weeks.

“Overcrowding at flic Porirua Mental Hospital is still of serious dimensions,’’ states the medical superintendent at Porirua, Dr Williams, in his report which was presented to Parliament yesterday. “A measure of relief has been afforded by the opening and occupation of the new nurses’ home. The quarters vacated by the nurses have been converted into cheerful airy dormitories accommodating some 3G patients. The proposed transfer of approximately 100 female patients to Tokanui early in 1130 will further alleviate our difficulties."’ The total number of patients under care during the past year, the report continued, was 1759. On January l there were ' 1508 patients on the register (820 males and OSS females), and on December 3.1 there were .1535 (823 males and 7.12 females). The admissions for tho twelve months totalled 281 and the number discharged was 153. The number of deaths was 101.

An unusually largo attendance is anticipated at tho children’s fancy dfess ball to be held in the Winter Show Buildings to-morrow evening in aid of the Municipal Band uniform fund, and keen competition in the drosses is expected. The committee in charge of the ball arrangements made every effort to ensure that the function will he an outstanding success, and splendid prizes are offered, details of which are advertised. The grand l march is to commence at 7 o’clock.