NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23057, 7 December 1936, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

Appreciation of the flowers sent to the cruise liner Strathnaver during her recent visit to Auckland has bean expressed in a letter to the Auckland Travel Club by Captain E. Lindon. In nis letter Captain Lindon said that the flowers had transformed the appearance of the vessel, and expressions of appreciation had been made to him by many of the passengers. So far as he knew, there was no other city in the world where such friendliness and kindness were shown to visitors.

Tv/o days of special reductions in Cotton Dress Fabrics are being offered at Gray's Big Store. Milton. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week is being devoted to this attraction for Milton buyers...

Initial steps taken to develop an asbestos-bearing area in the Nelson district were outlined in an interview .recently by the Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb), states a Hamilton correspondent of the Evening Post. He said that for 20 years an area had been held for speculative purposes, but no serious attempt had been made to prospect it. The Government decided to get direct control of the area, and a prospecting warrant over 1146 acres was taken out by the Mines Department. Applications had been invited by public advertisement for rights to prospect and develop the area subject to stringent conditions and a bond of £2OOO. One application was received only. The offer was accepted, and a mineral prospecting warrant had now been assigned to the company, which also had a licence to build a hydro-electric scheme oh the Cobb River. The same road will serve the power scheme and the asbestos deposit. Since obtaining the rights the company had had a geological and magnetic survey made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at the expense of the company. The report on the survey would be the basis for framing a prospecting programme which would be commenced as soon as the weather permitted, the area being about 3000 feet above sea level.

Ashpans (black, brass, or copper fronts) made to fit your grate. Also, log box linings, etc., made to order.— Dickinson's, Ltd., sheet metal workers, 441 Princes street...

Recently, when going over his property, an Upper Waitaki farmer saw two seagulls busily engaged and apparently up to some mischief near a clump of trees, miles away from any habitation. He investigated and found that the birds had been pecking at a very good celluloid doll, which they must have carried for a considerable distance.

The continuity of wet weather assures Wellington of a "green" Christmas. When the spring and early summer are dry, the hills round Wellington soon brown up, and the fire brigade's busy season begins. Though most people are complaining of the very broken weather, there is a greenness in garden and hillside that is refreshing. Not the least abashed by the boisterous weather conditions, the pohutukawa trees are in full bud, and a weak's warm, bright weather should see them showing colour. Grandism (3055): What greater gift than the joy of perfect drinking? Grand Hotel wines and spirits carry our printed guarantee on every bottle... Workers in the brush, mop, broom and related -trades in Auckland have revived their union, which lapsed in 1928, and have made application for registration through Mr A. H. Dixon, secretary to a number of similar unions associated with the furniture trade. The Auckland Brush, Broom, Mop and Related Trades Industrial Union of Workers, to give its full title, has a membership of about 50. The establishment of natural history records was urged at Auckland by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry. "It is desirable," he said, "that we should have all the information that is available about the state of the vegetation and animal life. of each island or group in New Zealand. It will permit comparisons to be drawn in the future as a guide toward the action necessary to ensure the preservation of species threatened with extinction, either on the smaller islands or the mainland. The lessons thus learned will then be applicable to other localities." The seasons are creeping along, and the Christmas season is near. Have you made up your order for this festive occasion? If you have your friends will appreciate it if the supplies come from Crossan's Waterloo... ..."•' '■

As a result of flooding in the Mimihau and[ Wyndham districts, says the Mataura (Ensign, farmers with lands under cultivation will have to resow the land which was inundated. This applies particularly to the low-lying levels on either side of the Mimihau, where the water covered the road to a good depth on both sides of the bridge at Mrs Stewart's property. Had the Mataura River risen at the same rate, a serious flood would have threatened the town, which is almost completely surrounded by the three rivers.

Special showing of curtains, cretonnes, shadows, hearth rugs, squares, and linos, this week. See special window and interior display. All new goods. Prices right. Buy now.— The Mosgiel Drapery Warehouse. A. F. Cheyne and C 0...

Some Auckland firms which are making special classes of goods to sell during the Coronation period have endeavoured to insure against losses in the event of the Coronation of King Edward VIII not taking place. They have been quoted premiums by overseas interests of £lO 10s per cent, against such lossses. Cabled advice is that there has been an immense volume of business in London in Coronation risks, and some insurance companies are holding so many policies that they are refusing further business. The premium rate is fluctuating almost daily, but the average rate approximates to £lO 10s per cent. This rate is considered high, but it is said to be dictated by fear of international complications forcing war, which conceivably would lead to a postponement of the^Coronation. "My impression was that Ireland had paid a big price for her freedom," said Mr D. Crozier. who returned the other day from a trip to Britain and the Continent, comparing the south of Ireland to-day with that country as he remembered it 33 years ago. _" Dublin looked very poor and dilapidated in comparison," he said. "The people—the ordinary working people in the streets—were very poorly dressed, and the trams, by the look of them, might not have been painted for years. There appeared, however, to be a good deal of building. Northern Ireland, on the other hand, showed signs of great prosperity.

Strength, flavour, aroma! All are found in the favourite "Bourbon brand of coffee and chicory._ "Bourbon " is produced by specialists. Instructions in every tin...

Difficulties experienced by merchants dealing in ironware and machinery in obtaining overseas supplies are becoming intensified (states the New Zealand Herald). So busy is the iron industry in England because of munition orders that steel sections ordered in April last by Auckland firms are not even rolled yet, according to latest advices. Serious delays in obtaining supplies have extended to the Continent. German manufacturers of machine tools have notified importers that they are unable to supply orders to the port of shipment within four months of orders being lodged. The structural steel industry at Broken Hill, Australia, is still well behind with orders, and will not specify dates for delivery. "One consolation merchants have in the situation is that their stocks may be considered very good property, said a merchant in commenting on the situation. " There can be no fear of a sag in prices in New Zealand while then* are such difficulties in getting supplies from overseas."

Though years have gone beyond recall, , , Of all the meals I've taken, My favourite yet, in spite of all. Is one with Hitchon's Bacon...