GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, 17 July 1930, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr C C. Barnard, a Christchurch man, has won £SOOO, first prize In a Tattersall’s sweep.

Before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, a transfer of a land agent’s license from G. D. Virtue to G. D. Virtue and Thos. Doyle, Ltd., was granted. The firm was granted an auctioneer’s license also.

The case of the Attorney-General v. the Christchurch City Council was before the Court of Appeal in Wellington. Mr O’Shea, on behalf of the Christchurch City Council, asked for special leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal from the judgment of his Honour Sir Alexander Herdman, delivered in the "Cathedral Square” case about 12 months ago .Mr M. J. Gresson, counsel for plaintiffs in the Court below, appeared to oppose the motion. Tho Court reserved its decision.

One of the exhibits in the livestock section of the Wellington Winter Show a Hereford bullock, is claimed to be nearly a record for weight and size. A year ago it weighed a ton and aauarter, and it is estimated that its live weight is now at least 30cwt. It was shown by Mr G. F. Moore, who exhibited a Hereford bullock at the Sydney Show which won first, special and champion awards. The one in the Wellington Show was awarded first and championship, and is equal to the weight of two ordinary killing bullocks.

That business people should follow the example set by Government, and display bunting on those days set apart as public holidays, was the theme of a letter from Mr A. Shirtcliff, read at the Timaru Chamber of Commerce meeting last evening. The idea of the writer was that business people should demonstrate their loyalty to the Empire on those days which are set apart to commemorate events in the history of the Empire. The Chamber decided that it be a recommendation to its members to adopt the suggestion made.

Earphones connected with the loudspeaker circuit have been fitted to five seats in an Auckland picture house in order that deaf persons may be able to hear the music and speech that accompany the talking films shown. The device consists of a small receiver which is held to the ear by means of a short handle. The attached cord is plugged into a socket in the seat arm, and volume is controlled by a knob and dial on the back of the seat in front. Results so far are reported to be excellent. No extra charge is made for the service, which will be extended later by wiring a number of the lowestpriced seats.

A remit to be considered at the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce to be held at Mt. Cook in October will deal with the increasing local governing bodies’ indebtedness. In a communication to the Timaru Chamber, the Auckland body states that the gross indebtedness of local governing bodies in New Zealand has not far short of trebled during the past decade, having been £28,000,000 at 31st March, 1919, and £68.000,000 now. Per capita the figures had risen from £24 to £46 while annual loan charges had risen from 26/- to 59/- per capita. Taxation by local authorities had risen from 3.1 millions to 6.1 annually; or from 54/- to 85/per head of population. The accrued sinking funds on account of local bodies debentures and stock on 31st March, 1928, were £7,000,000; the gross indebtedness being 59 millions. On State Advances loans one million out of six and one-third millions originally borrowed had been repaid in regular instalments. Relatively little of this expenditure was on definitely productive works, and some of the “productive” works were not fully productive, notably some of the harbour works. The non-productive character of this loan expenditure was indicated by the great llncrease in per capita taxation already quoted. The assets of local authorities were estimated by the local authorities to be of aggregate value approximately equal to the gross debt. In fact, however, the assets included such items as reserves, parks, and gardens, which were not really productive in a direct manner at all.

Discussing the price of bread m Auckland. Mr J. H. Barker, secretary of the Northern Roller Mills, Ltd., stated that he had a cablegram, dated 9th July, in which Australian wheat was quoted at 4s 3£d f.o.b. Sydney. "Taking into consideration freight and other expenses, that would be equivalent to about 5s 6d in store at Auckland,” said Mr Barker. "To manufacture that into flour would cost in round figures £l7. From this, however, it is only fair to point out, one has to deduct the amount received for what is among millers termed offal, approximately £3 10s a ton, making the price £l3 10s a ton net. Added to this * are overhead expenses, such as cost of delivery, bad debts, and sundry other expenses, and of course allowing some margin for return on labour and capital employed. Supposing, as has been suggested, the price of flour could by the removal of duty be lowered to £6 10s per ton, that would not make possible the sale of the 21b loaf at 3id. That the price of bread in Auckland is not unreasonably high is, I suggest, conclusively proved by the fact that in Sydney, with flour at £ll a ton, bakers were getting s£d to 6d a 21b loaf. Of course, there will be In Sydney, as in Auckland, some who are cutting the price.” Mr Barker added that bread to-day was unquestionably the cheapest article of diet, but the consumption was declining, and that, in large measure, might be attributed largely to the variety of breakfast foods now being offered, about the price of which no one complained.

Inefficient farmers are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. New blood is starting on the land, and modern methods are being introduced with it. Ramshackle farms are being transformed into prosperous holdings—and an example of this is the fact that farmers are paying more attention to fences, gates, etc. Still, gates need not be an expensive item, for England, Mcßae’s are supplying genuine V.D.L. 12ft farm gates, strongly made and well bolted, at 22/6 each, with free railage on lots of three or more