LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 March 1932, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reported to the City Council meeting last evening that the water bore in the vicinity of Waimea road was now down 37 feet. The results so far were not encouraging, and the Engineer did not think it worth while to go further with it. It was resolved that before stopping the work a bore be put down elsewhere.

During February rain fell in Motueka on eight days. The total rainfall as recorded by Mr G. E. Huff am was 4.G5 inches, the maximum on one day being 2.93 inches on the 20th. New, entrancing loveliness will come to your skin after using Godet Petite Bleuo Face Powder, made in France by a special process. 2/6, 3/6, 4/6 from iV. McKay and Son.*

“There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the attitude the farmers have taken up with regard to the exchange question,” said 'Mr J. D. Hall at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Farmers’ Union (reports the “Press”). “All they ask is that the amount of money in London, which is theirs through the sale of their produce, should be dealt with as they like. The banks, on the other hand, want to have the handling of it.”

“Arc you willing to express an opinion on the balancing of the Budget?” Mr T. Thompson asked Mr J. D. Hall at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Farmers’ Union (reports the “Press”). “If there is a deficit of £1,500,000 and the banks are in a position to uet us carry on, there is no reason why they should not,” replied Mr Hall. “However, if the banks will not supply the money and if we cannot get the money on loan, further taxation will be necessary.” Referring to the Economic Commission, 'Mr Hall said that the members were the best men the country could provide, and that they were fortunate in having Professor C-p----land with them.

“There are about 4500 men in Christchurch registered as unemployed at the moment,” remarked Mr G. Maginness at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League, “and that number probably will be doubled in the winter.”

The timber industry is of such importance to the West Coast, that information concerning its progress or backward movement, is always a source of interest to the community. A summary of the position in regard to white pine and red pine, was gathered by a “Star” reporter this week, in conversation with a prominent timber merchant. It was learned that the white pine market during the past month, lias neither improved nor fallen away to any marked degree. There continue suf. ficient orders to keep the mills working, and nothing definitely pointed to any immediate change. It had been hoped, and conditions pointed to this season being a good one, but those hopes did not materialise. Up to the present, the trade is on about a par with the white pine trade of last year. The men cutting this timber have been enjoying fairly regular time for the past few months. The position in regard to the red pine is such that trade is practically at a stand-still. The New Zealand trade has gone from bad to worse. Building operations have been curtailed or cancelled to such an extent, that the mills on the Coast are averaging not more than one day each week. Prospects do not hold out any hope of immediate improvement. When working full time, the timber industry on the Coast finds employment for some 1500 men, but to-day, the number is probably less than half that total.

An interesting innovation at the opening ceremonies in Canberra of the new Australian Parliament recently, was the signing by Mr Mackay, who was elected Speaker, of the official Bible of the Commonwealth Parliament. This Bible was presented in 1919 to the Parliament by the British and Foreign Bible Society as a memento of the signing of peace at Versailles in that year. It has stood on a handsome lectern in the Parliamentary reading-room since that date, but recently the Commonwealth Librarian, Mr K.' Binns. with the approval of the Library Committee, made it in a real sense the “family Bible’’ of Parliament by securing the signatures of every President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives since the establishment of Federation. It is estimated that pages specially inserted provide sufficient space for the signatures of future Presidents and Speakers for not less than 200 years. “I know of no sport that depends so much upon a man’s personal fitness, strength of character, and power of endurance as does mountaineering,” stated Sir William Ellis, a member of the Alpine Club (England) in Christchuren. ■“A man’s banking account does not enter into the matter at all.” “If wages are protected, then there must be protection for the goods those wages produce,” said Sir William Ellis, an outstanding figure in the British engineering world, when discussing tariffs at a complimentary luncheon tendered him by the Christchurch Citizens’ Association (reports the “Times”). _ “If the standard of living is to be maintained, British goods must, be protected against the dumping of cheaper articles from countries where conditions are entirely different.” Just how much of the water running past a property the owner is entitled to fish was the subject of a recent inquiry by Mr V. Duff, secretary of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society (states the “Herald”). He has been advised that where the owner’s boundary extends to the middle of the stream, the acclimatisation association states that the owner must fish from his side of the river, but is entitled to cast over to the other side of the stream beyond his boundary. In its latest bulletin the Auckland Automobile Association quotes His Excellency the Governor-General’s recent protest against the disfigurement of the countryside by advertising hoardings and states that in the opinion of the combined automobile associations of New Zealand there is no argument in favour of the practice of erecting roadside hoardings on rural highways. A photograph is published of a “typical eyesore” of the kind. Apart from the major question mention is made of the notices that are plastered on bridges, trees and milk-stands for the banning of which the association is seeking the co-operation of the counties. “Just fancy!”—as the ladies say. In 1850 the English railway companies provided one smoking-car on each long journey train. That wouldn’t be much use nowadays when everybody smokes. It’s a sociable habit, and has cemented many friendships. There is a freemasonry of the pipe. And, given the right tobacco, there’s no more harm in smoking than there is in eating your dinner. But it is to be deeply regretted, therefore, that so many tobaccos are foul with nicotine (deadly in its effects). Happily our New Zealand brands are not like that. The special process to which they are subjected when manufactured successfully eliminates the nicotine. They are their delicious flavour and incomparable bouquet to the same process—the toasting of the leaf. When buying smokers will do well to remember that there are only four brands: Riverhead Gold, Navy Cut No. 3, Cavendish and Cut Plug No. 10. They vary in strength from a mild aromatic to 'a rich, full-flavoured sort. There is no difference in the quality—it is matchless.* McKay’s Showroom is now gay with smart new Autumn goods in the striking colours so popular already. Ladies who have not yet called, are invited to come in and look around.* Loyal Nelson Lodge M.U. 1.0.0. F., will hold its fortnightly dance on Saturday evening. Saturday will be the last opportunity for ladies to avail themselves of the services of Miss Vera Norman, expert Berlei Corsetiere from Auckland, now demonstrating at McKay’s Bridge street. ’Phone 71 for appointment.* Friday evening 7 to 9, Miss Vera Norman, Berlei Corsetiere will be at McKay’s Bridge street, for the purpose of fitting ladies who cannot attend durj JI(T jl<3 day. Ring 71 for appointment.

Mr J. B. Bennett, of Rai Valley, was admitted to the Public Hospital last evening suffering from head injuries caused by being gored by a bull.

The fact that because of the unsettled exchange the banks are unwilling to make remittances to London for future requirements was brought before the Lyttelton Harbour Board by the Finance Committee (reports the “Press”). The committee reported that the Bank of New Zealand was not prepared to remit £1443 5s to London by a 90-day or 60-dav draft to meet the Board’s debenture interest which is due in London on Ist July. It was therefore decided to place the required sum on fixed deposit or legal security at call until the amount could be remitted to London. A resolution of the Board to apply to Local Government Loans Board for permission to float a redemption loan to redeem a loan of £150,000 which matures on Ist January, 1933, will be considered at the next meeting, in April. Unusual alacrity in establishing political parallel in a dispute was shown in the House when Mr W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau), during an argument upon the merits of the word “humbug,” produced a dusty tome from which he quoted an almost identical discussion in the House of Commons 100 years ago. In the year 1836 a heated debate was proceeding when Mr Percy, referring to one of the Ministers, said he had been humbugging the House, and could only be described ns a complete humbug. The record from which Mr Jordan read this parallel stated that the matter was dropped after it had caused great amuse, ment to members on both sides of the House. “Now,” said Mr Jordan, “this has caused us all great amusement, so let us drop it as it was dropped a hundred years ago.” Care in climbing, based on sxpmience, would prevent mountaineering accidents, declared Mr A. P. Harper, president of the New Zealand Almne Club, at the Alpine evening to ceiebrr.te the 50th anivorsary of the first ascent of Mt Cook (reports the Christchurch “Press”). He said that so long as men went into the mountains cautiously and watched the weather signs, they need have no fear. If, however, they were not careful, accidents could be expected. As for the climbers at present in Canterbury, they were skilled, and had the makings of the best mountaineers. There was no danger. The impossibility of placing New South. Wales on a level keel while present conditions exist is indicated each day (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Melbourne “Argus”). The enormous expenditure on the dole without anv return, the waste in other directions, and the policy generally is all against the State. It is incidentally in favour of other States. There has previously been mention of the new tendering conditions introduced bv the State Government almost immediately aftei gaining office. The effects have been injurious to the workers. Employers are required to observe conditions that will place them at a disadvantage in competing with manufacturers in other States. Before a tender is accepted the successful tenderer is required to affirm that he will employ only union laboui, that employees shall work only 44 hours a week, and that employees who come under a Federal award which requires 48 hours shall work only 44 but be paid for 48. It is these circumstances tn-s New South Wales manufacturers think of taking their capital and brains elsewhere There would be a more considei. able exodus but for the hope that tlime must be a change in the State contio . It is admitted that the Government is practically bankrupt, and seems bent on making many business men bankiupt also by commanding that they do the impossible. Chtristchurch was highly Sir William Ellis, .of the English.shipbuilding firm of (Messrs John Biown and Co., at the Citizens’ Association luncheon in his honour (>' e P ol ' ts “Press”) There was no town, lie said, which through its beauty, the amenities of its surroundings, its public its music, and its university, had more of everything that would appeal to the cultivated man or woman. Sn V ™ praised particularly the music at Jie Cathedral, the standard of which was attained bv only one or two cathedrals in England. Making a strong protest against any increase in the duties on imported fiuit and vegetables such as has been suggested Mr E. F. T. Eldndge, secretaiy of the Christchurch Retail . Fruiterers Association, waited as a deputation the Minister of Customs (the Hoi - Downie Stewart). On his ieturn Christchurch Mr Eldndge (reports the stated that the Minister had promised that nothing would be done in the near future. Pear exporters are advised by advertisement in this issue that pears w be received for pre-cooling at Mqtueka and Stoke for the Port Alma loading at Nelson. Space for 17,C00 cases is available in a special pear chamber and every effort should be made to fill same. Visitors are invited to Trathens to inspect the new Autumn Frocks, Evening Gowns and Millinery.* New Dance Frocks, new Coats, and Hats new Dress Fabrics. Trathen s invite inspection of new Autumn goods.*