Pioneer’s 81st Birthday Honoured

Northern Advocate, 28 February 1939, Page 3

Pioneer’s 81st Birthday Honoured

On Saturday evening, Mr Peter Ferguson, of Ruatangata, was tendered an 81st birthday party by his daughter, Mrs Russell. Games, vocal items, and music, all helped to pass the evening away very pleasantly. Of recent years the guest of honour has not enjoyed the. best of health. However, it was pleasing to note that he keyed himself up nicely in the expectation of a much anticipated 81st celebration, which meant the gathering together of the family and old friends, numbering about fifty. Those of his family circle present were his wife, their two daughters, Mrs Russell and Mrs Judd, the latter accompanied by her husband; Mr Joe Ferguson and his three sons. Don. Teddy and Cameron; Mr and Mrs George Peters, of Portland; Mrs Alf Baker, of Whangarei; Mr and Mrs George, of Whangarei; Mr Alex Baker and Mr Geo. Ferguson.

After supper the 81 candles on the decorated birthday cake were lit by members of the family, and later were well and truly blown out by the guest of honour amidst three rousing cheers. Congratulatory speeches and the singing “For He’s is a Jolly Good Fellow” terminated a happy evening.

No Gum To Chew

[Per Press Association. Copyright .l WELLINGTON, This Day. Those \who chew gum in Wellington will shortly be placed on rations, as the supplies are almost exhausted. Wholesalers' stocks of chewing gum are practically finished, and no new shipments will be allowed in until June or July. Some retail shops are already without chewing gum. and have been unable to buy further quantities. It is expected that by June gum will be practically unobtainable. Importations of chewing gum have been restricted to 30 per cent, of the normal quantities. Some wholesale companies have been rationing supplies to shops, so that small quantities will be available for a short time. Most of the gum sold in New Zealand is imported from Australia. There has been a steady increase in the chewing gum habit in New Zealand during the past four years, the amount imported having increased by about 100 per cent. In 1935 the value of gum imported was £34,062, and last year it was £66.904.

Hosiery Mills (N.Z.). Ltd., has advised the Stock Exchange Association that the directors propose to recommend to shareholders at the annual meeting a dividend of 7i per cent, for the year ended January, 1939. The dividend is payable on March 24.