LOCAL AND GENERAL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4802, 26 June 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The position that has arisen as the result of the decision of certain Australnan manufacturers of fencing materials and steel products not to export further goods to New Zealand until the necessary credits have been established in Sydney was considered by a meeting of the New Zealand Hardware Guild at Wellington on Saturday. The president, Mr. W. R. Hene, of Christchurch, was chairman and delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. A representative of the Australian manufacturers chiefly concerned was also in attendance.

“Something is wrong somewhere; the position is simply shocking,” said Mr. A. W. Bisset, chairman of the Pahiatua County Council, when notification was received from the Wairarapa Hospital Board that it intended to write off fees amounting to £10,358 13s 3d. It was only about six months ago, he said, that £IO,OOO was written off. Cr. F. S. H. Bolton said there was a large number of “dodgers” who were quite able to pay, but avoided payment. A peculiar position was that the contribution of the county to the Masterton Hospital was approximately the same as that of the borough, and yet the borough received all the benefits.

During the past fortnight houses on Woolcombe Terrace, New Plymouth, which is threatened by erosion by the sea, have been trembling and shaking in alarming earthquake manner as heavy Tasman rollers pound against the crumbling cliff. Stories of rumblings and ominous gurgling sounds during the heavy seas of late were told by the residents of a house on the terrace.

Mr. C. C. Chalmers’ store at Kinohaku was broken into recently, and it is understood that the sum of £l3 was stolen.

A representative delegation of over 50 business and local body representatives of Taranaki made a visit to Taumarunui on Saturday which was arranged by the Taranki Chamber of Commerce in response to an invitation from the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce. The visit and the programme afforded an opportunity of making contacts between Taranaki commercial representatives and business men and settlers of the King Country, whose interests have a very definite relation to Taranaki and the port of New Plymouth. The rail-car which the Railway Department placed at the disposal of the Chamber of Commerce for the occasion had accommodation for 52 passengers.

A story of a youth who came to Auckland from Te Kuiti in search of work during May and who had since been sleeping in the open or in fishing launches and relying on friends for odd meals was heard in the Auckland Police Court on Friday. John Munro Logan, a waiter, aged 19, appeared on a charge of the theft on May 6 at Te Kuiti of an overcoat and trousers valued at £5 12s Gd, the property of Charles Frederick Cantell. The magistrate, Mr. J. Molding, admitted accused to probation for one year and ordered him to return to Te Kuiti, or to his parents, or to such other country place as the probation officer directed.

St. Andrew’s Tennis Club held a social in the Combined Friendly Societies’ Hall last Thursday evening, when the Club Championship cups were presented by the president, the Rev. W. T. Brabyn. The winners were, Ladies’ singles, Miss J. Pedersen, and the men’s singles, Mr. A. Hickey. A presentation of a beautiful clock and flower vase wsa made to Mr. and MrsR. Cameron, two, staunch members of the Club, who were recently married. Mr. Cameron returning thanks.