GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Materials for Local Industries Indications that manufacturers’ needs arc continuing to receive preference over other imports in the allocation of New Zealand's overseas exchange funds are not wanting in Auckland (says the "Star”). "Taking into account the shortage of funds and the other difficulties existing, the Government has kept its bargain with the manufacturers reasonably well.” said a member of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association to-day. “iFrms which have had to expand their operations to meet rush of orders have found their position in regard to the supply of imported raw materials much improved since the tangle of last January and February was straightened out.” Memorial to Lord Rutherford Approval has been given by the Canterbury University College Council to a proposal from the College Scientific Society to erect a plate to the memory of Lord Rutherford outside his old room under the mathematics lecture room. Paralysed Tortoises A complete recovery has been made by one of two giant tortoises which arrived at the Auckland Zoo about two months ago paralysed with cold after travelling in the barque Killoran through Antarctic waters on the great circle route from the Seychelles (says the "Herald"). The second tortoise is still affected, although it has made considerable progress since being placed in the specially heated winter quarters recently erected at the zoo. For a long period after arrival it took no food whatever, but it is now having occasional meals.

J Racing Control J Did the Government intend to set up la racing commission, as promised by [the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to the racing clubs |of the Dominion? asked Mr H. S. S Kyle (National. Riccarton) in ft qiiesi tion addressed to Mr Parry in the i House of Representatives yesterdn; afternoon If so. Mr Kyle added, when , would the Minister make a pronounce- | ment as to the personnel of the cominis- 1 Horses lor War That horses would still be required in time of war was mentioned by Mr W 1' Collins, president of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, at the annual conference of the Association. For that reason he said that the breeding of horses should be encouraged in New Zealand. He Illustrated his remark by referring to the recent move on the part of the British Government to send quite a lurge number of light horses to Palestine. Some authorities, he declared, were of the bpinion that an army could become too mechanised. Import Reactions Australian reactions to the tightening up of banking control to protect New Zealand's exchange funds have been experienced earlier than those of other countries, according to Auckland merchants, who state that this is due to the nearness of the Commonwealth (states the "Star"). The time required to transmit negotiable trade documents to New Zealand from Australia is only four days, • ompared with over a month from Britain. It is therefore too early yet to estimate British reactions, but importers are watching closely the position in regard to payment for goods shipped from Britain to arrive In the Dominion at the end of the first licensing period—that is, during the next week or so. Deafness in New Zealand Surprising figures regarding deafness in this country were given by Dr. F. J. Gwynne, president of the Auckland division of the British Medical Association, speaking at the inauguration of the new group hearing aids at the rooms of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing. According to him, there were no fewer than 14.000 persons in the Dominion definitely hard of hearing, while it had been estimated that one person in six is affected with deafness in some way. Training at Sea

As one of the three sea-going cadet training ships of the British merchant service, the former Federal Line steamer Hororata will replace the wellknown cadet ship Devon in the British India Steam Navigation Company’s fleet. The transfer of the Hororata from the Federal Company to the associated British India Company was announced this month. The British India steamer Nardana, also a cadet training ship, arrived at Auckland from New York this week with the information that the Devon is to be withdrawn from commission (states the ‘‘Herald”). The Hororata has had 25 years service in the trade from the United Kingdom to New Zealand and Australia. Built in 1914 as an immigrant ship, she had accommodation for 1200 passengers, and this space was taken advantage of during the war years, when the steamer served as a troop transport. After the war she was in the immigrant trade and later, for a number of years, was a cadet training ship. Special instruction in all branches of navigation and seamanship is given in the training shipa, which afford a thorough education. The Nardana, under Captain Dorkin-VVhite. has paid frequent visitors to New Zealand in the course of trading which carried her round the world by varying routes usually once each year. Equally well-known in New Zealand waters is the third of the British training ships, the Federal Line motor-ship Durham, under Captain Pilcher. New Oil Project The possibility of a new oil project) being opened up in the Bay of Plenty is exciting some interest among those I ill touch with various efforts to locate ! commercial petroleum in the Domin- i ion. Reports now in circulation credit! the Superior Oil Company, one of the i many United States organisations grouped with the independents for the reason that they have no association with the major group headed by Standard Oil. with having taken up drilling rights in the Bay of Plenty, as wcL as in other parts of New Zealand, and it is stated that a survey of the possibilities in these districts is to be undertaken at once From those acquainted with the oil business in the United States it has been learned (says the Auckland ‘‘Herald”) that the Superior Company is headed by two brothers, who have made their mark in the industry in the United States and in Canada. No official Information Is available as to what New Zealand rights they have taken up. and the movements of their representatives in the Dominion arc characterised by a complete absence of publicity, but it is believed that geological and seismographical experts are working on behalf of the com- | pany. The areas in which the Superior ! Company is reported to have secured rights from the Government have not been prospected extensively before, but they adjoin those in which the New Zealand Petroleum Company, Limited, and the Shell Company have established rights.

Rich Fur Coats—Musquash. Pesclianiki. dyed Squirrel. Coney Seal. Special Selling 6 to 45 guineas. Trathen’s.* Fur-trimmed Coats. Special Selling to-morrow 49/6. 69/6, 99/6. Trathen’s.* Rubber Raineapes are favoured 9/6 to 19 '6; good variety Stylish Raincoats 15 '6 to 39/6. Trathen’s.* To-morrow at Trathen's: Tweed Costumes, cash prices 39/6; English Worsted Costumes 69 6; Fur-trimmed Coats from 49/6.*