LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P. for Taranaki, has given notice of his intention to ask the. Minister for Railways if he will have enquiries made with a view of considering the advisability of providing a goods shed at the Bell Block flag station (telegraphs our Parliamentary reporter.) A petition, signed by 25 electors in the Clutha electorate, asking for legislation for the licensing of bookmakers under proper safeguards, was presented to the. House of Representatives by Mr. J. Edie, member for the district. A similar petition, signed by 25 electors in his district, was presented by Mr. de la Perelle (Awarua). “Cream which has been contaminated by the heat of the sun is worse than the filthiest cowshed in the country,” declared Mr. P. J. Small at the Dairy Farmers’ Union conference at Palmerston North, when advocating the voluntary system of cream grading to be adopted throughout the Dominion. “And the same with butter, which, if left in the sun for a few moments, is quite uneatable.” Once again the Rarawa’s passage from Onehunga to New Plymouth has been delayed owing to the state of the Manakau Bar. In consequence, the vessel, which was due at New Plymouth this morning, is not expected till this evening. The New Plymouth manager of the Northern Steamship Company was unable to state last night whether the vessel will sail on return to Onehunga to-night or remain in port till to-morrow evening. In a statement dealing with the State Fire Insurance Office the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes announced that the board, whose duty it is to see that the funds of the office are sufficient to meet all actual and contingent liabilities before granting a rebate, considers that the financial position of the office justifies the declaration of another rebate to apply as from August 1 next for twelve months. The percentage fixed on this occasion will be ten per cent. —Press Assn.

Quite a good deal of interest is being taken in the quotations coming to hand for Swedish butter boxes at about Is 4d per box c.i.f. New Zealand ports, says the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board. Up to the present, tests made indicate , that the Swedish timber does not in any way taint the butter. It appears likely that in the near future the system of wiring boxes will be adopted generally in New Zealand.

It is estimated that half-a-million strawberry plants in the Auckland district have been destroyed by the excessive rain, and consequent silting, during the past few months (states the Auckland Star). Coming on top of an indifferent season last year, the outlook for growers is not a bright one, and the present indications are that there will be a shortage of the fruit next summer. There has not been such a demand for replace plants for many a season, and this in itself is a drain on the growers’ finances. But the consistent rain following the planting out makes it much more serious. The weather is the dominating factor in rhe strawberry growers' success, and unless there is a distinct improvement in the next few months it will be difficult to offset the damage which has been done to the plants, old and new. < While the authorities in Great Britain are taking action to abolish the habitation of cellars or building basements an attempt is being made in Christchurch to start the habit of living beneath the street level. It was an accidental discovery that led to the position coming under the notice of the authorities. An inspector on his rounds within easy stone-throw of Cathedril .Square noticed some timber in a right-of-way. He made inquiries and found that the timber was to be used for the dwelling house of a curetaker in the basement of the building. Naturally this was news to the inspector. There were three bedrooms, dining room, and kitchen in process of completion. N-j applicatibn had been made to the Christchurch City Council in the matter. As a matter of fact, there is no City Council by-law permitting or discouraging the use of basements ns dwelling places, and if the council does not see its way to pass a by-law on the matter the Public Health' Departinent may come into it by reason of Section 299 of the Act.

A business man, who knows Southland intimately, stated that there aie at present at least 200 unoccupied farms in that province. The majority are dairy farms. The decline of the ‘Horae markets for butter and jheese hit the late occupants hard.

Modern methods of gas-making have a deleterious effect on tar for roadmaking. according to a. statement made at a meeting at Carterton by Mr. A. J. Paterson, Wellington city engineer The ingredients of most use for roadmaking were extracted by the highpressure retorts, and that was why ,t was not probable that such a good tarmacadam road as Queen Street, Masterton, could be constructed nowadays,

It is stated that the police and detective forces in the Dominion have organised a “drive’’ against Commonwealth criminals who are known to be on this side of the Tasman. An endeavour is being made to rid the country of these undesirables, some of whom are blame I for many of the recent burglaries. Crime in New Zealand during the past six months has shown a marked increase over that recorded in ihe corresponding period for 10 or 12 years past, and the manner in which the’ most daring thefts have been carried out points to the fact that expert “cracksmen” are operating.

A distressing case has been brought before our notice by Adjutant Briddock of the Salvation Army, who reports that a family residing at Moturoa is urgently in need of. assistance: The husband is only able to procure casual labour. He has a wife and seven children to keep and his wife is shortly to enter hospital. The Army officers have visited the home and report that it is well kept, and assistance in any shape or form would b e most acceptable. Those desirous of helping are requested to leave donations or gifts with the Salvation Army. Those contributing are assured that any financial assistance will be dispensed to the best advantage by the Army. In connection with the poultry prize list at the Hawera show, Mr. C. Holswich, I Mew Plymouth, advises that his bird was placed first in the class for gold-pencilled ! Hamburg cocks, which in yesterday’s issue was credited to Mr. W. Hall, Leppertou.