LOCAL AND GENERAL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 3074, 2 November 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of excursion tickets to be issued in connection with the A. and P. Show at Palmerston North.

The position of the Queens in the Catholic Queen Carnival contest is now: Nola Stott (King Country), Ist; Hinu Kawe (Sports), 2nd; Zena Connell (Business), 3rd.

At a meeting of the Baglehawk (South Australia) Ministers' Fraternal recently the following motion was carried: "That this fraternal, representing the ministers of every Protestant church and denomination in the borough of Eaglehawk, protests strongly against the disturbance caused to worshippers by aeroplanes flying over or near churches during the hours of divine service.

"One would think New Zealand had ceased to exist, judging by the little notice that was taken of the Dominion in the daily press at Home," said Mr H. E. Pacey at Inglewood. "Let it be known, however, that you come from New Zealand, and it will gain you entry to almost any place you want to go to. The people at Home could not do enough for you."

To judge from, something seen on a road near Hamilton recently, horse management is quickly becoming one of the lost arts (says an exchange).. A baker's delivery man was on his usual round when his horse fell down. The may, decided that the first thing was to separate it from the cart, but how to do this puzzled him, for the animal was dying on one of the shafts. Then he had a brigjtofc idea. Going to a nearby house, he borrowed a saw and sawed the shaft off. "The rest was easy.

"The reaction which Jed to the revolt of youth and the renunciation of the old standards of though* and living is more prominent at Home than in New Zealand," said the Rev. James Burns, who arrived in New Zealand nine months ago, and who is now visiting Christchurch. ."It seems to me that there is a fine sanity about life liere which saves the people from indulging in extremes and extravagances. While New Zealand has its own problems to face, there seems to be a more solid body of opinion which makes the reaction less intense. New Zealanders show a deep loyalty to the Old Country, which they are inclined to imitate. That imitation is dangerous, for New Zealand must find its own soul. . Here there is fine material and excellent opportunity for the development of types. New Zealand has its own part to play, and in the future that part will be a big one-" .

The critical position of agriculture in the United States, where serious over-production is threatened, is discussed in Nature. "Of the 6,500,000 farmers in the United States, it is alleged that only about one-eighth, or say 800,000 have taken advantage of the most scientific methods and the use of machinery," says the paper. "The others are hopelessly inefficient and on the brink of destitution and ruin. Over-production with low-price levels is held to be the root cause of the American farmers' plight today, and notwithstanding the flood of legislation aiming at his relief, there is little hope of a remedy except in a drastic reduction in the number of farmers. .... Hence the only possible solution appears to be the removal of about 5,000,000 farmers from their homesteads to the cities, that is .to say, an exodus from fami to city of approximately 14,000,000 persons."

"There appears little reason for any worry by New Zealand over the United States new tariff on imported meat, which is expected to be imposed from January 1," stated Sir Alexander Roberts, managing-director of Messrs. Murray, Roberts, and Co., at Gisborne the other day. "The effect of the new tariff cannot be judged in advance, but it can hardly be assumed that it will be damaging to the Dominion's export trade in meat, in any event." The speaker added that beef exports from New Zealand were comparatively small, and about 75 per cent, of the beef killed was consumed in this country. Apart from that there were good markets for Dominion beef outside the United States, should the export trade increase substantially. Cattle in New Zealand must be regarded more or less as agricultural implements for keeping the feed in order for the sheep, and not as live stock for export, the"speaker added.

The question of finance is causing concern in several of -tre Sydney clubs. One closed the year with a balance sheet showing a deficiency of more than £ISOO. There is surprise at this, seeing that that club has a great membership list and all

advantages of a revenue-producing character. Another club would show a deficiency but for the fact that ithas a battery of poker machines constantly in action, and that it draws from them a profit of about £4OOO a year. This is not a casual entertainment. A steward has to be kept exclusively for attendance on the machines. A curious contrast is afforded by another club which lias neither bar nor poker machines, yet has every comfort, including the lowest membership fee and no entrance fee, and a low tariff for its meals and afternoon teas, yet is financially sound. This club is about to occupy new premises, worth £IOO,OOO, in the heart of the city. It will occupy four floors and let two at a rental that will cheer the heart of the treasurer. These contrasted facts are topics of conversation in all parts of Sydney clubland.

Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., hava received advice from their head office X in London that at the annual meeting to be held on the 14th November, the directors will recommend declaring a* final dividend of 3 per cent, making (with interim dividend already paid), 10 per cent for the year ending June last, together with a bonus of 7s per share. Dividend and bonus are payable on 18th November. The directors propose writing down premises £25,000, transfering £25,000 to staff provident fund, ' appropriating £60,000 to staff bonus, and carrying forward the sum of £227,900.

The following item appeared in the Lyttelton Times on October 23, 1879: "Heads or Tails."—At the trial of Gerald Mainwaring for the murder of a-policeman at Derby, six of the jury were for giving a verdict of wilful murder, while the other six were inclined to give it manslaughter. After arguing the case for three hours, lots were drawn, the agreement being that the holder of the blank card should decide for the whole. The holder of the blank card inclined towards manslaughter, but out of feeling! of deferonce to those opposed to him, he "tossed up," and the toss went in favour of "wilful murder," which was accordingly returned. The sentence of death passed was subsequently commuted ito imprisonment for life.