Untitled

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1924, Page 4

In reading the medical superintendent’s report, at the Palmerston North Hospital Board meeting, the chairman paused a<fter reading “164 operation® during the month.” “Gracious me—that’s three a day including Sundays. There won’t be many of the public left soon.” (Laughter.)

It will probably come as a surprise to many smokers, and certainly to most non-smokers, to know that there are something like half a. hundred brands of cigarettes sold by tobacconists. A Dunedin retailer confessed to selling 46 brands and about 30 makes of pipe tobacco. The increase in tthe consumption of cigarettes—-the consumption has increased, greatly, as well as the makers, during the past few years—is an indication of the greater expenditure upon luxuries that has followed the war. There are also a great many more women smokers than formerly.

The principals of a number of business concerns in Dunedin seen this week were fairly unanimous that Dunedin was at present going through a fairly severe period of trade depression. This verdict applied more to retailers than manufacturers, and particularly to those who handle luxury lines. There is always a noticeable slackening off in trade during the winter months, but the present seasonable dullness has been much more acute than for some time past. There is still a considerable amount of unemployment. Besides general labourers it is reported that there are a number of girls and women factory workers idle. Most of these do not come upon the labour market, but are absorbed in duties about their own ■homes. Tailoresses have been slack for |some time, but the position seems to be improving as far as this class of worker is concerned.

The first Saturday in October has come to be regarded as “Old Girls’ Mart Day,” and this year the Old Girls are working very hard in readiness for October 4, when their mart will take place in the Coronation Hall. The object of the mart is the raising of the Hostel Fund to the amount required by the Government, an object, which should command the sympathy of all who are interested in education. The mothers of the present girls have formed a committee consisting of Mesdames A. M. Mac Diarmid (convenor), Balh-arry, Brodie, Chivers Day, Giddy, Hill, Skelton, and Sladden, who have undertaken to organise the cake stall at the mart. Circulars are being sent to all parents asking for donations of cakes and for help in canvassing for food for the stall. The committee will also be glad to receive the names of other friends of the school who would like to help ia any way.