LOCAL & GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

Au indication of approaching better times was given at the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board meeting yesterday, when the successful tenderer for the erection of a building for the board advised that ho was unable to sign the contract as he had too much work on hand. Huddart Parker, Limited, yesterday advised the Stock Exchange Association that the directors bad declared an interim dividend, payable on September 14, of 3 per cent, on the preference shares and 2i per cent, on the ordinary shares. Transfer books will bo closed from September 5 to 14, inclusive. Tho dividends are at the samp rate as last year. Since the news was received that tho Privy Council allowed the four consolidated appeals from the New Zealand Appeal Court judgments, dealing with claims under the Workers' Compensation Act in respect of death or injury aising out of the 1931 earthquake, over 30 claimants in Napier have consulted their solicitors with a view to seeking compensation. The majority of the rliili.uints arc dependents of persons killed in the cat tbuuaka.

A reminder is given of the Maraekakaho Football Club’s dance this evening at th? Maraekakaho Hall. Notification that the Customs Tariff Commission will commence its sittings at Dunedin on September 6 was gazetted last night.—Press Association. The Hastings Hotel staff will hold a card party and dance on Thursday evening, August 24, in the Trades Hall, in aid of the Mayor’s Fund. The Wellington Aero Club passed its half-century mark in 'club-trained pilots yesterday morning, when its 50th successful candidate completed his tests.—Press Association. The Napier Borough Council is to be requested to receive a deputation from the Napier Retailers’ Association in regard to the charges which are made to shops and business houses for electric light and power. Mr. T. Le C. Powdrell, of Wairoa, will give an address on Meat Board matters at the Favourite Hall, Hastings, to-morrow, Saturday, at 2 p-tn. H.B. Farmers' Meat Co. shareholders are particularly requested to attend. The wives of the unemployed held a very enjoyable and interesting afternoon yesterdi. in the Co-op, shop, Railway road. The auxiliary are out to help and cheer everybody, and invite all women to „o along next week. Cards and other entertainments are provided, and afternoon tea may be obtained for one penny. ‘‘l consider that the system of issuing new number plates every year is a reproach to our national intelligence.' said Mr. W. A. o'Callaghan in the course of his address at the opening of the annual conference of the North Island Motor Union yesterday. “We would be far better off with the English system whereby number plates arc issued when a car is registered and they stay on the ear until it is scrapped.’’ The Hastings Orphans’ Club’s korero to-night will take the form of the first ladies’ night of the season, and there is every indication of a most enjoyable evening being spent. A splendid programme has beep arranged, this to be followed by a dance, and as the heating arrangements for the Oddfellows’ Hall have now been completed, a very enjoyable evening should be spent. The wearing of evening dress by members is optional. The decision of the Auckland Transport Board to make the last payment due on debentures held in London without prejudice on the understanding that artangements will be made for consultation with bondholders has been communicated to Loudon through the New Zealand Government, but no reply has been received. “Payment had not been made in the meantime,” said the chairman, Mr Allum, yesterday. “Nothing can be done until word conies as to whether or not our decision is acceptable to the bondholders.”—Press Assn. “Motor taxaton has progressively increased since 1924 to such an extent tfiat to-day we are paying 700 per cent, more tax than in that year,’’ states the president of the North Island Motor Union, Mr. W. A. o'Callaghan, in his report to the annual conference. The ad valorem tax on petrol was now nearly 400 per cent., or more than double the ad valorem tax on any other commodity, essential or otherwise. In the last 10 years the Customs Department collected on motor vehicles, tyres, parts and accessories no less than £9,303,843. In a reserved judgment on an unusual case heard in the Magistrate's Court at Carterton, in which Gladys Helen Wilson, of Carrington, claimed £52 10/- as damages from William Charles Deller, of Carterton, the magistrate, Mr. J. Miller, found for plaintiff for the sum of £47 10/- and costs. The claim arose out of a collision at Carrington on the afternoon of November 1, 1932, when the plaintiff, who was riding home from school on a bicycle, received injuries which necessitated her staying away from school. She thus lost her opportunity of sitting for her Senior Free Place, which entitled her to another two years’ free education.