Local & General

Northern Advocate, 6 January 1937, Page 4

Local & General

British Railways. In the first nine months of 1936, the tonnage of freights conveyed on the standard gauge railways of Britain increased by 4.3 per cent., or by 8,814,743 tons, compared with the corresponding period of 1935. ~f Big Wool Cheque. Woolgrowers in South Canterbury received a handsome cheque for wool sold at the, first sale in December, the total amount being £393,528. The average price per lb. was 16.7 d, and the average a bale was £2l 15/4. The Abbey Closed. V The task of preparing Westminster Abbey for the Coronation has begun. There were exceptionally large congregations on Sunday at the last services before the closing of the Abbey to the public for many months. New Customs Check. From the beginning of the New Year, it is necessary for persons entering New Zealand to fill in a form supplied by the customs authorities, stating what dutiable goods they have with them. In the past a verbal statement has been sufficient, and then luggage has been chalk-marked as evidence of its having been passed. Now, however, the form will be filled in by each passenger, and shown to the customs officials in the examining shed when luggage is being presented. It will be checked from the forms by an official as it is being removed from the sheds.

Another Barrymore Tiff. The film actor, John Barrymore, has filed a revocation of powers of attorney given by him to his bride (formerly Miss Elaine Barrie) as a sequel to a quarrel which is reported to have started at a New Year’s Eve party. It was due to Mrs Barrymore’s desire to make an appearance on the stage against her husband’s wishes. Mrs Barrymore disclosed yesterday that the actor had been living apart from her since the party. She expressed the belief that it is only a temporary estrangement, but said: “Our tiffs cannot be conducted in privacy like those of other couples.” Employer Changes His Mind.

The manager of a big firm in a South Island city, believing that he might obtain the services of a capable man at a lower salary than he was paying a most efficient clerk, dispensed with the latter’s services. The clerk enrolled uhder the placement service, and in accordance with the rules of the service his former employer was asked to supply on a form sent for that purpose, a statement* as to his business integrity and ability. Realising that if he certified to the real worth of the' clerk some other firm might secure his services, the manager decided to re-engage him at his former salary.

Maoris Spend The Money. “I don’t think the business people of Wanganui realise what a great asset they have in the Maori people,” said an upriver settler to a “Chronicle reporter. “They are the best spenders of the lot, and I venture to say that upwards of £IO.OOO was spent in Wanganui by Maoris during Christmas. The Maoris were now earning better money than ever before, he said, and it was well known that little of it was saved for a rainy day. This was, in itself, a pity, but the business people reaped the reward and a good deal of money was kept in circulation. On Christmas Eve hundreds of Maoris were seen in the shops, buying clothing and food.

Molesting Poppies. We often read of things done to the annoyance of His Majesty’s lieges, but a charge of “molesting” poppies is a new one to me (writes Mr. Wilfred Blackett, K.C., in the December number of the New Zealand Law Journal). The facts supporting the charge were that Eva Richards and her husband Cyril were at Hurstville Oval, New South Wales, and Eva picked a number of poppies when she thought no one ' was looking, and thereby, as it was alleged by the local authorities, “molested” them. She was fined £3. It was sworn that Eva was incited to do this wrongful act by her husband, but he denied that he had played the part of the serpent in Paradise. However, the fine of £3 ends the incident, and we may well regret that Eve was not fined £3 for “molesting” the apple and a satisfactory ending thus made to a somewhat unpleasant incident. The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of cheap fares and train arrangements in connection with the day excursion from Maungaturoto to Opua on January 10. 15

Dominion Rich Again. The Tainui, which arrived at Welj lington from London yesterday, brought 906 motor cars. This is stat--1 ed to be the largest consignment of cars ever to have left London in one vessel for New Zealand. The cars are the products of a number of different firms.

Not a “Bogey-Man.” “For the average New Zealander the tendency seems to be to regard Hitler as somthing in the nature of a/bogeyman.’ As a matter of fact, he is the most beloved of persons amongst his own people,” stated Mr H. M. Bennett, of Napier, when relating to an interviewer the impressions which he gained while holidaying in Europe. “He is idolised by at least 60 or 70 per cent of the people of Germany, and, what is more, their adoration is sincere,” Mr Bennett added.

Ragwort Parasite. A doubt as to the fast breeding of the cinnabar moth, the ragwort parasite,, is raised by the experience of Mr W. W. King, Putaruru. Several years ago he obtained eggs of the moth for distribution Upon his property. Early last month he observed three caterpillars from ragwort on his farm. These were identified by an Agricultural Department office as of the cinnabar moth, the first to come under Mr King’s notice since their liberation. It is to be hoped others also have survived and will multiply unhindered.

Young Women To Cycle 600 Miles. To pedal 600 miles on bicycles through the North Island is the ambition of two young New South Wales teachers, Miss F. B. Bioletti and Miss M. F. English, who arrived at Wellington by the Awatea from Sydney ready for the journey, which will occupy them for the next month. They plan a journey up the west coast to Mount Egmont. Then they will strike inland to visit Waitomo and Rotorua, and then go on to Auckland, where Miss Bioletti has relatives. “We’ll do the South Island next year, with any luck,” said one of them, “and Western China the year after that.”

Tennis Asides. Perhaps more than any other sportsmen, tennis players show their feelings—delight with a; good shot, disgust with a poor one. The spectators at the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s championships were often amused at these little outbursts of temperament (says the Christchurch “StarSun”). One leading player always tossed his racquet into the air - and caught it again when he muffed a shot, while another provincial representative, in similar circumstances, addressed himself earnestly and apparently in no very complimentary terms. A third glared fiercely at his racquet and even at the balls, while still another prowled behind the baseline for a moment or two as if to walk off his emotion.

Demand for Toheroa Soup. “Where is New Zealand’s famous toheroa soup?” This was the question asked by tourists aboard the Esperance Bay, when she berthed at Wellington on Wednesday evening. Aiderman Newnham, Mayor of the municipality of Newton, Sydney, who is leader of the party of Australian visitors, said they could not understand what had happened to New Zealand’s famous soup. It was in wide demand in high-class Sydney restaurants. To their surprise it was unobtainable at Auckland and Cambridge, where they expected to have no difficulty in obtaining the delicacy. Alderman Newnham added that they were greatly impressed by the Maoris. “We think they are a wonderful people,” he said, “and New Zealand is rightly proud of them.”

Bom In The Air. When a small wicker hamper was taken out of the luggage compartment of the Union air liner at Woodbourne nobody knew of the surprise that was awaiting the person who was to open the package. According to the consignment note the luggage contained live stock, a cat having apparently fallen a victim to air-minded-ness, and had decided to travel from Palmerston North to Blenheim by the most modern means of transport. This in itself was an unusual occurrence, but the greatest shock was still to come. When the basket was delivered in town it was found that instead of containing one cat, it had three — two being newly-born kittens. It is doubtful, however, whether the Airways authorities would succeed in a claim for the two juvenile fares.

Strange Companions. A cat, a hen, and a hedgehog are a strange trio to have as gardening companions, yet this is the experience of a New Plymouth resident, a keen gardener, who lives in the heart of the town, but spends most of her time in her garden on a small section. Thq; cat and a bantanj hen have been household pets for three or four years and have been regular companions of the housewife during her gardening. It is, however, only during the past few weeks that the hedgehog has joined the pair. No doubt the hedgehog was first attracted by a saucer of milk left out regularly for the cat, which apparently raised no objection to the intruder sharing its fare. It seems rather to like the newcomer, indeed, as amusing interludes of play indicate. New Year Specials at Henry Wilson’s: —Boiling silk tennis frocks, 4/6; print frocks from 2/6; smart marocain frocks from 6/6; children’s print frocks from 1/3; silknit vests. 1/6; silknit princess slips. 3/6; and fully fashioned silk hose, 2/6.

Yachts at Mangonui. Yachting visitors to Mangonui during the holiday period included the Ngatoa, and the Revel, the last named owned by Mr K. Carmichael of Whangarei. Spine Seriously Injured. Serious injuries were sustained by Mr Major Lane, of Totara North, when he fell from his horse. His spine was badly hurt. He was attended by Nurse Scott until he could be removed to the Kaitaia hospital.

Yacht Morewa on Cruise. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr Ernest Davis is on a holiday cruise in his fine auxiliary yacht, Morewa. Pie has been sheltering from the easterly at Whangaruru for two days, but pulled out this morning and headed north. The Morewa was in Whangarei late last summer

Film Favourites. Cinema critics in New York voted “Mr Deeds Goes to Town” the best picture of 1936, and Walter Huston’s performance, in “Dodswbrth” the best acting. Luise Riner’s portrayal of Anna Held in “The Great Ziegfeld” was held to be the best performance by an actress.

Jigger Accident. An inspector of the permanent way. Mr. Thomas Harkness, aged 53, of Orari, near Dunedin, who had been relieving in Central Otago, suffered a compbund fracture of the leg and other injuries when a goods train struck his jigger near the Hyde station on Monday. He was brought to the Dunedin Hospital. .

Ex-King And American Papers. The absence of gossip about King Edward VIII in English papers; at a tiihe when American and Continental papers were full of it favourably impressed Mr H. F. Nicoll, Ashburton, during the visit to England from which he has just returned. There was not a whisper about the affair in the papers, and there was no common talk of it, he said in a recent interview. That was before tire crisis developed, but it had gone far enough for one American paper Mr Nicoll saw to have the heading in one-inch type: “Cutie one step nearer the Throne:”

Dearer Woollen Clothing. A rise of 10 per cent, in the prices of woollen clothing and piece goods from January 1 has been notified to its clients by one New Zealand woollen'manufacturing firm. It is expected in the retail clothing trade that other manufacturers will follow suit. The reasons for the advance are the high prices ruling for wool and increased costs resulting from the 40hour week and the restoration of wage cuts. It was stated by the manager of a large Wellington clothing store that the retail trade regarded a rise in the prices as inevitable. In recent weeks the manufacturers of various lines had advanced prices {to keep pace with higher costs brought about by the labour legislation. For example, corsets manufactured in Auckland had gone up in price. One retailer said his firm had bought heavily against a rise in the price of woollens, and could therefore: continue to sell to the public at the old rates until stocks were exhausted. Many other concerns had done the same thing, and the public could rely on them not to advance retail prices until they were absolutely forced to do it.