LOCAL & GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 79, 14 March 1936, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

Power Failure. Electrio light and power failed last night in the Hawke's Bay Power Board’s area, ilte breakdown lasting from five to 35 Tninutes in different areas as from 7.40 p.m. The fault was traced to a high tension switch at the sewerage station behind the power station at Napier. The resumption of complete service in Hastings was a matter of over half an hour, the A.C. supply being the first to be restored'. Income Returns for Census. Fears that special compilations and analyses of income will be required for census purposes are allayed by an examination of the details required by the statistician. If the total income for the calendar year 1935 is not available, the nearest twelve monthly term will suffice, and even then the persons concerned have to indicate only into which income category they fall. There are nine of these, starting at “o” and rising by stages of £5l to the last category of £361 and over. Autumn Show. The Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s thirty-third Autumn Show will be held on the showgrounds, Tomoana. on Thursday, March 19. I'he show: will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and with the many interesting competitions, as well as the fine dis plays, there is a full day’s programme for all who desire to inspect 'he exhibits and also to see the competitions. There are numerous side-shows, including merry-go-round. Hot water is supplied free to picnic parties. Dogs in the Pound.

The secretary of the Hastings Tailwaggers’ Club states that there are three dogs in the Hastings dog pound. One is a very fine Irish Setter dog, another is a sable-coloured Pom bitch, and the other is a pure-bred Cocker Spaniel puppy bitch about six weeks old. If they are not claimed by the owners they will be available to anyone willing to give them a hoifi. Further particulars on application to the secretary of the Hastings Tailwaggers’ Club, ’phone 3279, Hastings.

Art Works of M. Chevalier. Among the works of art which are to grace the walls of the National Art Gallery at Wellington, are those of M. Chevalier, who was attached to the party which accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh to New Zealand in 1868. These clever pen and pencil drawings and water-colours were presented to the New Zealand Government a quarter of a century ago by the widow of the artist. They were rediscovered some six years ago among the archives in the cellar of the Government Buildings. Splendid Gift. The National Service Club, Hastings, has very generously donated a wireless set to each of the three Hawke's Bay Children’s Homes. The enthusiastic way in which the members of this club voluntarily and without prompting from any interested party set out to acquire the necessary funds to purchase the three wireless sets is a matter for great admiration. The trustees and committee of the Homa are very grateful for this splendid gift, and are confident that the children will very much appreciate being able to listen to the wireless.

To Accelerate Letter Delivery. Delivery in New Zealand of overseas correspondence can be facilitated if the senders pay Id per ounce in addition to the normal charge for postage in the country of origin. These letters should be marked on the lefthand top corner, “By air mail in New Zealand.” This will ensure that immediately on arrival at any port used by overseas vessels for landing mails they will be sent forward by a suitable air mail route. The Post Office administrations in all parts of the world are being advised of this arrangement, but it is suggested by the post office officials that New Zealand correspondents should directly inform those with whom the.v are in contact. Cost ot Upper House. With the appointment of 14 new members the Legislative Council, now 40 strong, will cost the taxpayers just over £12,000 a year in salaries. The payment mado to members of the Legislative Council has varied much in recent years. Until 1892 a special vote was passed each session to provide their honoraria, and the amount was greater or less according to the length of the session. By the Palment of Members Act the honorarium was made annual and was fixed at £l5O. In 1904 it was raised to £2OO and in 1920 to £350. When economies became necessary in 1922 it was reduced to £315. This figure was maintained until 1931, when there was a further reduction’to £283 10/-. A third cut in 1932 brought it down to £255 3/-. The 5 per cent restoration in 193-1 raised the rate of payment to 267 19/-, and the further 7 J pox' cent, increase last year made it £2BB 1/-. The Speaker receives £657 10/- and the Chairman of Committees £4Ol 9/-. Weather Forecasts. The importance ol weather forecasts to the larnnug community was discussed at a meeting ol the Auckland Provincial Executive ol the Farmers' Union. The discussion arose when a letter was read Irom a New Plymouth nursery man who expressed the opinion that the executive owed a public apology to Dr. E. Eidson, Government meteorologist. “Your members may oe ignorant," the writer said, “but lair-minded people have a right to object to that ignorance being broadcast to the detriment ol one of the world s leading authorities on the subject.'" The members adhered to their opinion that when a cyclone could descend oil New Zealand as that experienced a lew weeks ago and its advent was torecast in every-day terms, there was something wrong somewhere. Mr. 11. M. Rushworth remarked that he did not wish the executive to take up an ajiologetic attitude. Ihe executive had adopted a proper attitude in directing attention to the fact that the lurecasting service had mil been carried cot properly.