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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17658, 23 June 1919, Page 8

."Joy-riding" is th e subject of , special reference in the New Zealand Automobile Union's annual report. "There appears to be a marked increase in this dominion (as elsewhere) in that class of mal-practice known as 'joy-riding'—Le., the unauthorised use of someone else's car for pleasure or otherwise," states the report. ''Curiously enough, it is not, in law, a penal offence. It is not necessary to dilate upon the probable loss to owners, especially to thoso whose insurance policies become invalid, when the cor is driven by some person other than the owner; the offence is one againsi property, and may also become one against tho public safety, and such steps as may be necessary to have the law either amended or stiffened up should' be taken at once. It may be of interest to members to kno-f that in Washington, U.S.A. (to quote from an American Motor Journal) joy-riding will soon cease to be quite so attractive as it appears to have been. The State Senate has passed a Bill which mokes it a felony to steal a car. At the samo time the Bill makes all persons riding in the stolen car equally guilty." Specimens of fine tobacco leaf grown at Henderson by Mr Joseph Franish, of Henderson, were shown to a representative of tho Auckland Star a few days ago. The grower is a Dalmatian, who used to produce tobacco in his own country. He has resided in Auckland district for over '25 years, and got tobacco seed from his birthplace. This eeed has grown very well on the land between Henderson and Syanson. He stxtes emphatically that the leaf produced on his place is quite equal to any grown ir>. his own country, and that there is comparatively little elcill required in either growing or curing the leaf. Samples are being sent to the Agricultural Department, as tho growor considers the cultivation of tobacco woxild bo a very suitable occupation for returned soldiers. In his own country th© Government used to .buy all tho tobacco at a fixed price, and inspectors wore appointed to eee that no sales were modo to privato persons.