LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Ono of the Indian coaltrimmers of tie crow of the Now Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Argyllshire, which arrived from Liverpool last evening, died during the voyage, a week after the vessel left Panama. The man was a Mahommedan, and the funeral rites of that sect wore duly performed by the head sorang and other Mahoinmcdans, of whom thero are a number among the crew. The vessel was stopped and the body buried at sea,

A fast passage from Lyttclton to Auckland was made by the New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-liner Rangitane, which arrived at Auckland yesterday afternoon. The vessel cleared Lytlolton shortly after five o'clock on Saturday evening, and she reached the Rangitoto Channel at ono o'clock yesterday afternoon.' The speed averaged knots. The Rangitane is the newest of the three large motor-liners which were recently built for the company, and this is her second voyage to New Zealand.

Canada's Dominion Day will be observed in Auckland to-day by the flying of the Canadian flag over the oflices of the Canadian trade commissioner in Yorkshiro House, Shortland Street. The day, which commemorates tho federation of the Canadian provinces in 1867, is celebrated annually in Canada as a public holiday. Tho jubilee celebrations, held in 1927, were marked by scenes of great enthusiasm.

It has boon decided that the only place outside tho four chief ceutres at which Baron Baden Powell will stop to review Boy Scout parades on the occasion of his visit to New Zealand will bo Palmorston North. This arrangement was made at tho request of tho Wanganui Association Executive, as it was considered that a central meeting place on this coast was essential if scouts from tho 'laranaki, Wanganui, Main Trunk and Hawke's Bay areas were to bo afforded an opportunity to meet tho chief scout. Ho will visit the Dominion toward the end of February or tho beginning of March next year.

Extremely cold weather has been experienced in Hamilton during the last few days. On Sunday 11.4 degrees of frost were registered and 7.2 degrees were recorded yesterday morning.

Good progress is being made with tho construction of the seven first-class and thirteen second-class carriages which aro now being constructed at tho Addington Railway Workshops. Incorporating improvements nob previously seen in tho South Island, many of these carriages aro Hearing completion and will beforo long bo put in commission. The new carriages are longer than those now in use, and have neatly-fashioned, streamline bodies. The interior appointments show many improvements on the existing type, all making for the comfort and convenience of tho passenger. There will be distinct improvements in ventilation and seating, and in roominess and convenience.

There is still a, great deal of inquiry for farm properties in Southland, and it is stated that considerable interest in tho market is being shown by prospective buyers from other provinces, including tho North Island. The farm of tho late Mr. P, J. Nicholson at Lochiel was recently purchased by' Mr. W. Chalmers, of the Orkney 'islands. Sales are also reported to have been effected to two buyers from the Tapanui district. It is also understood that one or two prospective buyers of land have gone to Southland from Taranaki in search of suitable farm property.

The commander of the Norwegian tanker Egero, Captain Bugge, celebrated his silver wedding at Lyttelton last week. An unusual occurrence for a seafarer was the fact that he was abie to celebrate the day with his wife and daughter, who have travelled on board tho Egero since February. Captain Bugge stated that another unusual thing about the anniversary of his wedding day was that he was married in Norway in summer, but was celebrating the anniversary in winter. At tho timo of his marriago ho was on a sailing ship; now he commands a tanker propelled by Diesel engines.

It is staled that the fishing industry this season at Stewart Island is, so far, owing to weather conditions, ono of tho worst on record. Mr. W. J. Thomson of Port l'ogasus, says that it is tho worst his station has over experienced. The season will only last for another three or four months and it is hoped that the islanders will havo better success during that period. *

An employee at the Wanganui gasworks had a unique experience recently. Tho staff received a complaint from a consumer that he had been billed for gas for tho stove and had not used it. A man was sent to discover tho leak, and thero ho saw a gas heater alight. Ho pointed out lo the householder that the gas was being used in the gas radiator. "But," replied tho lady, "I thought it was an electric one. It looked so liko it."

Tho vicinity of tho Manawalu Gorgo bridge is a hive of industry. Tho construction of tho new bridge has been started and a number of men are employed on making the approaches. Many rough cottages aro being erected to house the workmen. The old bridge has been unsafe for heavy traffic for soino considerable time, and gates have been erected at each end, allowing ono car on tho bridge at a time. A man is in charge and operates tho gates day and night.

An interesting description of what must havo been tho original price-fixing legislation was mentioned in tho course of an interview by Rabbi S. N. Salas, who arrived in Chrislchurch last week. Although such a law does not exist in Jewry now, for the reason, ho explained, that interference with a man's business is not permissible, there was a time when tho old Jewish law provided that should a grocer fix tho price of his goods too high, ho would bo excommunicated.

" With all respect to tlio Southland League and Southland Motor Association," said an Invereargtll man tlio other day, " 1 think it is high time they tried to get a decent road to Dunedin instead of worrying so much about a road to J\lilford. The Invorcargill-Dunedin main highway is .1 disgrace. At the rate improvements aro being made it will bo 20 years before one can travel by car to Dunedin in comfort. I wish leaguo and motor association members could see what is being done in the North Island. Good bitumen roads aro being put down everywhere. Local body representatives there are not like Southland county councillors. They aro not foolish enough to think that gravel roads are better than bitumen. Consequently tbey_ get money to spend from the Highways Board."