WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16454, 5 June 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE MILK SUPPLY. DIFFICULTIES OF CITY COUNCIL Bt TILEGHAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, Juno 6. Wellington’s milk troubles, which appear never ending, are now aggravated by a distinct shortage in the supply, representing 25 per cent, of Wellington's requirements. The abnormal conditions existing this season are made more acute as a result of the very cold weather following a prolonged dry spell. Mr. Norwood, chairman of the Council Milk Committee*, states that the council are drawing daily a considerable amount of milk from the Wairarapa side of the ranges, but at the present time it is threatened that this will be cut off on Sunday if the Road Boards persist in their refusal to allow the council’s motor lorries to go oyer the bridges on the Rimutaka, which are said to be too weak to carry loads. If this supply is out off it will be a most serious matter for Wellington. It is therefore proposed* to arrange a conference with the local bodies interested, with a. view to improve the roads and strengthen the bridges. The council ■ in the meantime are taking the matter up with the Railway Department to see if some concessions can be given on the railways, in order to* cope with the position. It is hoped that by June 10 the block system of delivery will be brought into force. Under this scheme better control will be maintained over the distribution. Every dron of available milk, raised between Wellington and Wanganui on one side, and Wellington and 1 Woodville on the other, has been secured for the city. SOLDIERS IN BUSINESS. One of the principal activities of th« Repatriation Department has been in connection with granting loans to discharged soldiers to enable them to establish themselves in business. Up to £3OO is granted in this way, and the number of loans, now approved by the Ministerial Repatriation _ Board which deals only with applications for amounts over £SO, is very large. A list of the businesses favoured by soldiers shows in almost all cases that tho returned man prefers an occupation which lie can follow profitably on his own account, or with the aid of very little hired labour- Hairdressing and tobacconists’ businesses com© in this class, and many loans have been approved to enable soldiers to' start in this line. The motor and carrying trade is another occupation which many soldiers are proposing to embark upon. This is'accounted for by the fact that the trade is growing, and that it affords great opportunities for develop?ment. Many soldiers, formerly in the transport section of the Army Service Corps have received a thorough grounding in motor transport work. For country towns, the businesses selected are of infinite variety, for in email places many of the trades are “oneman shows,*’ which in larger towns involve large establishments. Watchmaking and jewellery, cabinet-making and joinery, general store-keeping, boot repairing, and electrical engineering, are some of the businesses. Several soldiers have received loans to start in the fishing industry. Contract ploughing is another occupation which is approved for the country. Two soldiers received £3OO each to start in partnership in bee farming. Another proposed to run a dairy farm and apiary, ana another proposed milk vending, in conjunction with market-gardening for the country. Loans were to stock and grass land.- On the professional side, a couple of dentists, one* or two chemists, and a- doctor were helped to establish themselves,