LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1929, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

One of the most curious exhibits ever seen in an English court room was produced recently when a keyhole was introduced in evidence in a divorce case so that the jury might judge how much could have been seen by peeping through it.

There was a sensational climax in the cricket competition match at Whangarei on Saturday.. Railways set Nomads 65 to get in 20 minutes. R. J. Dunn received seven balls, scoring as follows: 1, 6,1, 6,6, 6 and 4. Nomads won with two minutes to spare. A profit of £53 8s 9d was made on the Fitzroy flower show, it was reported to a meeting of the committee on Tuesday. Of that sum £5O was handed to the Knox Church committee for reducing the debt on Knox 1 hall. The president, Mr. E. Dingle, congratulated the committee on the success and thanked all who had helped. • The Gift that carries the true spirit of Xlhristmas — Your Portrait. Popular styles at lowest prices. Oakley’s, Kash Building (upstairs), Devon Street, New Plymouth- , 12.

The Auckland city rates are being paid with more expedition this year than was the case last year. The collection of current rates and arrears is so far estimated to have shown an improvement of per cent, over the figures for the corresponding period last year, an increase which is held to point to better conditions generally in the community. Th© North Canterbury Sheepfarmers’ Co-operative Freezing Company sustained a loss of nearly £30,000 on the year’s operations. The loss, said one speaker, had been caused to a large extent by purchasing stock from producers at a higher price than the equivalent in London on the day it was sold. When stock was being purchased in this market at 10£ per lb., the market price in London was something like 9d. “I resent the question. I don’t wish to be interviewed on it,” said Mr. J. AleCombs, ALP., to a Press reporter regarding the £lOO bonus. “If I do refer to it I want to discuss the inconsistency of Air. Coates, who first proposed a sessional allowance of £5O two or three years ago, without any reference to public servants’ salaries at all. He was the first to propose and endorse the principle of a sessional allowance.” Air. R. W. Hawke was brief. “I will have to pay my debts before I can throw away money like that,” he said.

The scheme under which disabled returned soldiers are to be employed as extra part-time postmen in the Christchurch city area has been put into operation. Last week four men started on their rounds. The scheme at present is merely an experiment, and it is not known if more men will bo employed. The men who this week are accompanying regular postmen and learning the details of their work, will act as additional men on the city rounds. The service ; should go a long way toward speeding up the delivery of mails to city business houses.

From the reports of officials to, the Minister'of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) bad weather has precluded the best results in Taupo fishing; and floods have spoilt the Tongariro River for anglers, but these conditions have altered, and better sport is being secured. The condition of the Delta fish is improving. The two heaviest taken in the lake were 121 b, and 10.11 b., and the average, compared with former years is rather light. Though trolling lakes takes the same numbers, fishermen other than dry fly seem to have had difficulty in getting satisfactory bags. The latest reports show big bags trolling, and an improvement of the condition of the fish compared with earlier in the season.

“You do not get the same value for your money when it is handled by a body of men chosen by the popular vote as you do from private enterprise,” said C*r. R. A. Wright, M.P., at the Wadestown Progressive Association's annual meeting. City councillors had to take the wishes of the electors into consideration in conducting the affairs of the city, and the money could not always be expended on strictly business principles. Were the tramways, for example, run by .private enterprise, the revenue would be spent only with a view to bringing in a direct return, but under the Corporation it was deemed expedient to run bus services at a heavy loss to meet the. wishes of the residents. But for the loss incurred in this direction it would be possible to improve the existing services and reduce the fares.’

The Melbourne, Ltd.’s full page advertisement published in yesterday’s issue gives particulars of the firm’s grand Xmas fair in the hosiery, underwear, Manchester and soft furnishing and showroom departments. Gift handkerchiefs, handbags, jewellery and presents of all descriptions are advertised at prices to encourage early buying.

Life is full of pleasures if one knows where to find them. Enjoy yourself at McGruer’s fine new store, and at the same time save on every purchase* At a meeting of shareholders of the

Equitable Building Society .held in New Plymouth last night two appropriations of f 250 disposed of by tender from the funds of Group 3 realised £53 15s each.