NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A novel use has been suggested in respect to broadcasting by radio in New York. There are times when supplies of produce are so heavy that the market is glutted. The Commissioner of Markets has suggested that the municipal authorities should, on such occasions, broadcast for the benefit of housewives such messages as “Buy your potatoes to-day,” or “Apples are cheap.” The electrical supply from Mangahao to the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board is operating steadily and satisfactorily, Mr W. A, Waters, chief engineer of the board, informed the “Standard” reporter. Ho added that the load with regard to industries registered at the IBunnythorpe sub-station had reached the high point of 208 kilowatts, which was deemed very good for the outset of the board’s operations. Mr J. G. Oobbe, chairman; of direc tors of the Feilddng Farmers’ Freezing Company, is more than satisfied with the support the company has received from outside sources. With the arrangements made with the Taihape people it was naturally expected to have a large killing from that district, but the extra quality received from other sources outside their shareholders' twiad very gratifying. The practical support of the shareholders also showed an increase this year. A telegram has been received by Mr C. D. Hamilton, president of the Devin branch of the R.S.A., from Mr W. H. Field, M.P., stating that he is taking up with the Minister for Bands the question of a new revaluation of soldier settlers’ farms for rating purposes, as suggested by the chairman of the Horowhenua County Council (Mr G. A. Monk) at the last meeting of the council. He stated that ho was stronglyurging immediate attention to tho mat. ter, and also that a capable man should be sent as soon as possible to investigate the whole position of soldier settlers, A narrow escape from a serious accident occurred at the intersection of Railway and Lyndon roads, Hastings, between 7 and 8 o'clock, when two mo-tor-can came into collision. A Ford car was being driven across the intersection, along I/yndon road, and a Nlapier taxi car (a Hudson), was spinning past on Railway road, towards Hastings. The Ford driver, in an endeavour to avoid the impact at the intersection, swung into Railway road, in the direction the Hudson was taking, but ho was over too far, and the Hudson struck the Ford ear on the side, completely overturning iff whilst the Hudson went into the Hastings Bawling Cluib’s fence. Fortunately no one was hurt and even the oars were not badly damaged. When a party of Auckland students arrived at Tongariro National Park, they were perturbed to discover that the groceries for the camp, which had been dispatched by railway ahead, had not arrived. As a matter of fact they had to wait four days -before the cases arrived, and during that period lived on bread and porridge. Two of the jpajrty had the pleasure of walking a couple of times the distance of 11 miles from- the hnts to the station, only to learn that the goods had not come to hand. As a matter of fact, they were rever received at the huts. It was found afterwards, the boxes had been put off at Taumarunui, and the owners made a present of the goods to the carrier who conveyed their baggage to the station. The amount of money credited to sheep-farmers in North Auckland who eold their clips through Dalgety and Co. and the North Auckland Farmers’ Co-operative, Ltd.,, totals approximately £63,000 for the first sales, And of that total a large percentage has been paid over this month. Tho cream | cheques issued this mouth by the ' Whangarei Co-operative Dairy Company to suppliers totalled £15,971, while the Hikurangi Company paid out £16,662, including a bonus amounting to £3,100, and with the Maungatapere Company’s quota of approxim- ' xteiy £12,000 the dairymen received a i total of about £44,600. In all, the , wool and butter-fat cheques distributed ] totalled very little short of £112,600. - ! A highly respected Wanganui resident Buffered a good deal of indignity recently when the police were searching for a person suspected of committing a crime (states tho “Chronicle”). Although he bore no resemblance to the suspect, he was accosted by the police in a town down the coast. He was compelled to proceed to tho police station, where, notwithstanding the complete evidence of his bona fides, he was the subject of close examination by the police staff. As a matter of fact, the : person “wanted” had died in the mean- ; time—prior to the holding up of the resident referred to. Naturally he was very annoyed, and he communicated with the Minister for Justice. In due course an apology came to hand for what had transpired. The value of wool exported from South Africa in 1923 was £12,388,000, compared with £11,000,000 in 1922, but whilst the value was higher the weight was 20 per cent. lees. In 1910 South Africa’s wool exports were valued at £3,760,000 only. In 1918 they reached £lß,ooojoool South African farmers have wisely confined themselves to merinos, and, whilst many clips are less fine than a few years hack, there has been a decided improvement in length, uniformity, classification, and preparation for market. The Continent of Europe purchased 48 per cent, of the wool, and the United Kingdom vras the next best customer with 45 per cent. America took 7 ijer cent. Exports of grease wool averaged 17id per lb m 1923, against 12d m 1922. There are 2,000,000 Angoras in the Uniofi. i The Board of Governors of the New Plymouth High School waited on the Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates) at New Plymouth, with a request that he should favourably consider the leasing to the board for a peppercorn rental of part of a property on the Avenue road recently acquired by the Railway Department. The property, about 50 acres in area, was purchased by the department for railiwaymen’s houses, and it is the aim of the board to secure a portion at a peppercorn rental for, say, seven years, and to use it for agricultural experimental work for the pupils of the Boys’ High School. “I wish to convey to the people,” said Mr Coates, “that railway land is not Government land. The railway is in a commercial position, and if this offer is not commercially sound we cannot consider it. It is not business to do it unless it is a really attractive proposition.” The Minister intimated that he would consult the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister for Education) and others Bibout the matter.

If you happen to he looking for some'wbere to live in peace and com - fort, and prefer to have a home of your own: possibly the best advice that oan be given is to ring I-caUe Jones, the prominent estate agent, of 101. Willir street, knoum as the “Busy Centre. “ His private house ’phone ia number 24.109. It’s certain he will be able to give you some good sound advice about the housing qu»«tion ?n Wellington.—Advt- ,

To-morrow (Sunday) at 3 p.m. the Mission Silver Band will play at Island Bay, and the Scottish Society Pipe Band at Lyafl Bay. Among the passengers who arrived at Auckland by the Niagara from Sydney were 21 Jugoslavs. They intend to settle in New Zealand. The pohutuEawas (New Zealand Christmas trees) at Courtenay Place have fittingly bloomed their brightest during the holidays, and are such a pretty sight that it would be a tremendous pity if ever it became really necessary to remove them. They make one of the few beauty spots in the heart of the city. Picton pur up another remarkable rainfall record during the storm which raged last week, Mr Staoe recording a total fall in four days of six inches. At Spring Creek, during the 6amo period, Mr T. C. Prichard recorded 110 points, and at Marshlands registered 111 points. It is 6tated that some damage was caused to gardens in Pioton, the deluge being responsible for some bad scouring on the hillside properties. When Katana's Maori (party, which has returned to New Zealand from England was in Japan, in the course of its tour, the Japanese were greatly taken with the M'aori music. In Tokio, for instance, a performance was given in the open air music hall in the middle of Hibiya Park, and was attended by representatives of all nationalities. In addition to items by the string hand vocal choruses were also given. The little eight-year-old daughter of Mr James Cullman, of Pakowhai road, Hastings, was so severely burnt that, after , receiving temporary medical treatment, she had to be conveyed, by Mr W. Graham's ambulance, to the Napier Hospital. It appears that a lamp was being filled with methylated spirits, when the spirit caught fire and blazed in the child’s face, inflicting serious burns. Undaunted by unsettled weather, two ladies left Hastings in a two-wheeled one-horse caravan, somewhat resembling a Noah’s Ark, for Auckland by road. The adventurers were Mrs McGeorge, the well-known lecturer on eugenics, and Miss Brooke-Smith, of Auckland. Their itinerary is Napier, Taupo, Atiamuri, and Cambridge, and they hope to arrive ii Auckland in a little under a month, taking time to enjoy the scenery en route. A Blenheim wireless enthusiast, Mr A. T. Houlston, was in exceptionally clear communication with Sycfriey and heard very distinctly between 10.15 p.m. and 11.30 p.m.. the entire programme transmitted by 2FC, the Farmers’ Broadcasting Service. He received an excellent account of the Test cricket match, including a reference to the record attendance on Saturday, and later enjoyed a splendid musical programme by Lychart’s Band. This programme included a cornet solo, the “Margaret Waltz” (arranged by Douglas). a selection from the “Bohemian Girl,” “Come All Ye Faithful,” “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” and a medley of popular airs. The daily reading of Scripture passages and of the school prayers was upheld by the, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Mr J. Drummond, at the prize-giving ceremony. He said the practice had been readily accepted by parents and pupils, and no pressure, direct or indirect, had been exerted by the school authorities. He believed it was easily possible to retain this strong influence for good without interfering in any way with the religious beliefs of parents or pupils. No one would deny the need of inculcating in the youth of the present generation reverence for what was best in life, and the recognition of higher ideals than the pursuit of pleasure or material advancement. The third draft of boys to come out to Flock House from England under the scheme for training them in farming pursuits arrives by the Corinthic on January 4th. Already the whole of the first draft of 2o lads have gone to employment with approved and prominent farmers in many quarters of the Dominion, and reports so far reoeived of their progress have been most encouraging. The boys have been sent out a little earlier than was. in the first place intended in order to gain the advantage of experience in the busy season There are now 28 boys in residence at the hostel, and the third draft comprises 29. The trustees did not forget the lads' at Christmas, while the residents of Bulls, who have always taken a keen interest in the trainees, also preoared something in tho nature of a Yuletide treat for them. There was a special Christmas service at the hostel where the customary festirities were conducted.