GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 9 May 1939, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Tiles for New Buildings. Ample stocks of tiles for roofing purposes have been available in Auckland in recent months, and city merchants state that they could, if necessary, cope with a considerably increased demand (reports the "Star”). This position is the result of a market expansion in the manufacture of tiles during the past year or two. "The tile-making industry is more active than it has ever been,” said a merchant this morning, "and is able to satisfy all the requirements of the building industry.” He mentioned that large quantities of tiles were being used for State houses and for public buildings and commercial premises. Nearly 1000 Years. "Yes. 1 will miss the ringing of the bells,” commented an ex-messenger of Parliament House, Wellington, who. with twelve others, has been retired owing to age. Of the thirteen the youngest is 68 years of age and the Maest 72. All have had over 20 years* service either as messengers or as attendants at Bellamy’s. The aggregate age of the thirteen is 921 years. In future those who are eligible will draw age benefits under the Social Security Act. ‘lt will be only 30s a week,” said one of the men, "and I suppose I will be able to make ado of it. It will be much different from the permanency we have had in the buildings since the Labour Government came into power. . Before then we were employed for the session of Parliament only: under the new administration the jobs are made permanent, the messengers being transferred to other work when the House is not sitting." Cricket Tour Profit, A profit of between £250 and £3OO is expected from the tour of Sir Julien Cahn’s cricket team last season, according to provisional figures submitted to the New Zealand Cricket Council by Mr E. R Caygill. Mr Caygill said that total receipts accounted for already were £IOB9, and it was probable that the final figure would be about £llOO. The total expenses, it appeared would be about £BSO, leaving a profit of £250 to £3OO. The largest of the expense items was transport, which cost about £6OO. "The result is disappointing considering the expectations we had,” said Mr Caygill. "We had exceedingly bad luck in that rain spoiled the two best days of the tour. We were considerably assisted by the generous gift of £IOO sterling from Sir Julien Cahn towards the expenses of the match in Wellington. If it had not been fo- that generosity. we would have been £124 worse off.” Potato Problem. Potatoes arc presenting a problem in Hawke’s Bay at the present time; according to a leading grocer in Napier who was approached by the "Daily Telegraph.” “Hawke’s Bay supplies are just about cut out now,” he stated. “This is unusually early for this to occur, as the supplies from this district in ordinary circumstances give out about the end of June, when we start bringing in Southern potatoes. Wc have been buying potatoes from the south for some time now.” Asked to give a reason for the position, the grocer pointed out that the Auckland crop had failed this year, and the majority of Hawke’s Bay potatoes had apparently been dispatched to the northern district. “Potatoes are worth about £ll or £l2 a ton at the moment, as against £6 or less at this time last year,” he added.