LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The road roller to be used on the Mangapai roads, etc., is now in Whangarei, also the operator. Work will commence in a day or two. Surplus material value at £47,400,----000 has been disposed of by the American War Department. This includes 15,000,000 hand grenades for conversion savings banks for children. The Returned Soldiers' Association of Whangarei now has a membership of 300, which is still growing. Th? Soldiers' Club in Rathbone street also has over 300 on the membershp roll. Although the office of the association is in the premises of the club, the two organisations are under different management, and the building is a common centre for social and executive purposes. "In regard to my visit to Christchurch with reference to the proposed reformatory for young girls in that city," stated the Hon. T. M. Wilford to a "Times" representative, "I am quite satisfied that the Addington Reformatory is not a suitable place for the purpose. It savours too much of the ordinary gaol. 1 should like to say to my successor in office, that I hope that in establishing a reformatory for young girls he will make it a real reformatory by providing a suitable place, more like home than a gaol, with an environment which .suggests -homelife and not the ordinary penitentiary." Increased activity is showing itself in launching and boating circles generailly. "Le Cygne," 'Tiarua," "Shamrock," and "HighJand Lass" launches are undergoing; overhaul a<nd repair, and will start the season thoroughly equipped and looking smart with the new coats of paint. Extensive repairs to tlhe Value of over £800 are being effected on the launch "Eva. , 'Xo new work is in hand owing , to 'high prices of raw materials and labour; but repairs of all kinds nre abundant. Machinery*shows a rise of 30 per cent., and paint is more than double pre-war prices. As illustrating the greater demand for launches in Auckland as well as in Whangarei, it might be mentioned that it is now tihe custom to ascertain the cost of benzine and .labour involved before giving a trial trip to possible buyers.