ELTHAM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 26 September 1918, Page 8

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SHORTAGE OF WOOLLEN SOCKS. It seems strange that in this land of (as Kipling calls it) "sheep on aj thousand hills," there should be a. dearth of woollen socks, but at the present time this usefiil commodity is, to quote a telegram just received by a retailer "not procurable in the ■wholesale.' 5 Another firm cannot promise to fulfil orders before Christmas. The reiasons assigned are that the manufacturers have run out of needles, and cannot replace them, also that the Government is commandeering all available supplies for the troops.

PERSONAL. Mrs Gulliver, of Mata, recently received information that her husband Private A. T.. Gulliver, is in hospital in England, suffering from a wound in the left foot. C.E.M.S.

Ah interesting lecture second ot a series) was delivered to the members of the above Society and church "members by the vicar (Rev. R. H. Hobday) in All Saint's Sunday School last even-! ing There was a very good attend-] ance. The subject was "How we ?gotj our present Bible." The lecturer. dealt J first with the origin of written language, then of tibe history of the vari-i ous scrolls from which the Bible has been translated, then with the various translations and the history of the translators and the periods when these > were made. The_ lecture throughout was most interesting and instructive, and was listened to with keen interest. At its conclusion the. vicar was accorded a most hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr W. A. Curteis, which was carried by acclamation. The next of the series (which are open to anyone interested) will take place on October 22nd..- ■■: .■.

RETURNED SOLDIERS MEET. . The returned soldiers of Eltham and district held a meeting in Mr J. Moffitt's rooms last night to further mat^ tei"S in connection with their forthcoming ball. There was a large attendance, •Mr N. Thompson presiding. Messrs^ A. Kenny and W. Robinson were appointed M.C.'s and Messrs W. Burton and C. Cole will act as doorkeepers. Mr Cole offered all proceeds from horses, gigs, etc., left at his stables on the night of the ball to the funds, and he was cordially thanked for same. Miss Gardiner. has been engaged to supply music. Supper will be provided by the ladies, and Mr Jack Moffett will run a soft drinks and sweets stall. Gifts of sweets, etc., will Bf> galdly received by him in aid of the funds. These should be left at his shop not Utter than five o'clock on October 11th. '■ A further meeting to complete arrangements will be held. RESERVISTS.

It does not Eieem to be, generally known that reservists coming in by coach or car to the railway can, by securing a receipt for their coach or car fares, get a i-efund at the end of th&r journey. The obtaining of the receipt is mostly overlooked.

FRUIT RETAILERS' DIFFICULTIES

People are apt-to blame retailers "for the high prices of fruit, but in the course of a conversation with a local: fruiterer, the writer was made wise on several matters adversely operating against the consumer. For instance, in connection with the banana trade, it is the custom of certain importers who have probably arranged for a shipment to sell throughout Taranaki and other provinces at a ruling price. Having then probably arranged for the disposal of tfoie shipload, the price is fixed and the. goods delivered;. Not only is the price stiff, but the goods of ten come to hiand in a lamentable condition, co much so" that my informant declares he had to "scrap" eight oases out ot ten in a recent consignment. The bad condition vis assigned to defective methods of packing at Fiji. With regard to Island oranges, these are costing 10s per case more tfhan the anticipated price, and often, if not usually, a proportion may prove to. be unsaleable. With apples quoted at 15s' per reputed bushel of 4Olbs in Bjawke's Bay, the retailer is not getting a very good run at present.