GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Bank Holiday Banks are closed to-day, St. Andrew’s Day. At one time the festivals of the saints were observed as public holidays, but the practice fell into disuse, and, although for a time such days were Government department holidays, the banks are now practically the only organisations to acknowledge the day by closing their premises. Loveliness Destroyed The splendid fourteenth century cathedral in Coventry, destroyed by the German air raiders, bore the loftiest of the “three tall spires” on which the poet Tennyson gazed from the bridge while he shaped the legend of “Godiva” into verse. Matriculation on Monday There are 188 candidates sitting in Nelson for the University Entrance (Matriculation) and University Scholarship examinations which commence in Trinity Presbyterian Hall on Monday next. Deterioration of Land “If Mr Nash doesn’t want New Zealand to go back to the state it was in when we took it over from the Maoris he will have to consider ving farmers something to make up for rising costs of production,” said Mr I. L. M. Coop at a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury District of the Farmers’ Union. It was impossible to prevent costs rising in war time, said Mr Coop. The Government was trying to keep all prices on a dead level, but costs of imported material had gone up in some cases by 100 and up to 200 per cent. cent. The only way farmers could save was by neglecting their land, he said. Farms were going back all over Canterbury. Most of the fences in the country were in a bad state. New wire was needed and posts were “gone.” He was speaking to a resolution supporting the Dairy Board’s protest against the Government’s refusal to increase the price for dairy produce. The resolution, which was carried unanimously, was as follows:—“This executive supports the Dairy Board in its protest against the action of the Minister for Marketing in refusing to increase the price of butterfat after other sections of the commun- > ity had been given a 5 per cent, increase to cover the rise in the cost of living.” Offences Under Game Laws Complaints that fines which they considered inadequate were often imposed by magistrates for breaches of the game regulations were made by members of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society at their last meeting. Representations were made to the Minister for Justice (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), whose reply, reported to the council this week, was that he was unable to interfere with the discretionary powers of the magistrate in this regard (states “The Press”). “In the Minister’s view,” said the report of the rangers’ committee, “it is competent for prosecuting counsel to press for a substantial penalty in any particular case where he considers such a course is warranted by the facts. In the experience of this committee the facts, however stressed by counsel, are not always regarded as an important factor in assessing the amount of the fine.” In the cases which prompted the complaint, said the report, the defendants were convicted and ordered to pay costs for the illegal possession of swans’ eggs; however, a fine of £6, with order to pay costs, had recently been imposed for shooting grey duck in the close season. It was decided to take no further action at present. Drunk or Drugged? That in England there is a provision in the law for dealing with motor drivers “drugged in charge” was mentioned by the Magistrate (Mr J. Miller, S.M.) in the Magistrate’s Court at Hastings this week (reports the “Daily Mail”). The point arose in a case in which a man, who was an asthma victim, was charged with being drunk in charge of a motor-truck. When he was previously charged the information was dismissed when he explained that his condition was caused by taking powders for his complaint. Yesterday the Magistrate commented that a driver suffering from the effects of such drugs could be a menace on the road. Shortage of Supplies High prices for vegetables, due to a between-season shortage, were realised at the Auckland Markets on Thursday (says the “Herald”). Apart from potatoes, which continued to be in heavy supply, nearly every variety was unusually dear, the sales in some cases starting at usual rates and working up to remarkable prices for the last lots. Both cabbages and cauliflowers sold at rates which in exceptional cases were over Is each, general prices for first grade cabbages being from 10s to 11s 6d a sack. Cauliflowers brought from 9s to 15s a sack for first grade, while second grade, which sometimes are not offered owing to their low value, began at 3s and closed at 7s 6d a bag. Boxes of three dozen lettuce realised from 6s tc 9s, beetroot brought from Is 6d to 2s a dozen bunches, and similar quantities of new season’s carrots sold at 3s. In the case of peas, which realised 9s to 12s for a case of 261 b to 291 b, or up to 5d per lb., it was explained that fewer peas were now planted than in previous years, as it was very difficult to obtain labour to pick the crop. The same influence had been felt in the strawberry market. Nelson Patriotic Shop Branches of the W.D.F.U. from Waimea and Wakapuaka were in charge of the Patriotic Shop in Nelson last week and many good things were for sale. The takings for the day amounted to £2l. A pewter box was won by Miss P. Wilkinson. Next Thursday will be the last shop day this year, and the committee is making a special effort for a successful closing day. The shop will re-open on 20th February, 1941. At the meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on Tuesday next, 3rd December, at 2.45 p.m.. the yearly reports will be given and officers for 1941 will be elected.

Higher Bus Fares

The Wellington City Council tramways department’s application for permission' to make certain increases in has been granted by the •Metropolitan Licensing Authority. The increased fares will not come into force until a decision has been reached on the question of tram fares. State Housing Progress A report that, since Ist June, 577 State houses of a total rateable value of £29,083 had been tenanted in the city’s rating area, was received this week by the Auckland City Council. It was added that since the last report on Ist November a further 89 houses had been completed and were tenanted, their rateable value being £4416. Reciprocity Desired The fact that Marlborough exhibitors had been very prominent at the Nelson A. and P. Association’s Show last week was commented upon at a meeting of the Marlborough Association by Mr J. McWhinney (reports the “Express”). He was of the opinion that without the Marlborough competitors the show would have suffered a heavy set-back. Mr McWhinney added that when he was discussing this fact with Nelson producers he had brought up the matter of reciprocity for future Marlborough shows. However, they had complained that the prize-money was insufficient tc attract entries from that district. It was pointed out by the secretary (Mr R. Wanden) that the Marlborough prize-money was for the most part equal to and in some cases in advance of the prizes offered by the Nelson Association. It was decided, on the motion of Mr McWhinney, to write the Nelson Association pointing out the number of Marlborough entries at their show and asking if some means of reciprocity could be arranged.