GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18817, 4 March 1931, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Apropos of the collapse of brick walls at Napier and Hastings, a Stratford man states that in his native district in England perforated bricks were the rule. Each brick would have holes right through It up to a dozen in number, and when it was laid the mortar would run into the holes, creating spikes, which securely bound the wall. So secure was the building that the taking down of a brick wall was a work of considerable difficulty.

Speaking at a reception at Christchurch, Lord Baden-Powell told his hearers that he had been born on the same day of the year as George Washington, the man who told a lie—until he was found out. The Chief Scout went on to say that on this account he never boasted of his fishing. The laughter which greeted this statement suggested that it was taken to be a sly allusion to a Christchurch public man who spends his holidays at the rivers.

Advice has been received by the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., that workers proceeding to Hawkes Bay, if armed with a letter from the Central Relief Committee stating that they have jobs to go to, may exchange such letter for a free railway ticket. Mr Carr was also assured that those paying their own fare would have no difficulty in entering Hastings, but the present position at Napier was uncertain in this regard.

In these days when most people are exercised in mind as to the probable outcome of the present economic situation it is somewhat refreshing to meet individuals who can view existing conditions with a certain amount of humour. A well-known professional resident of Timaru yesterday provided his friends with some amusement by his reply to the following question put to him: "Well and what do you make of things to-day?" In a flash he replied: “The forces are in full retreat, dug in behind P.N.’s.”

Only about 20 per cent of the private dwellings in New Zealand are owned unencumbered by the people who live in them. This is one of the facts noted by the Government statisticians in the material furnished in the 1926 census. In 1916 there were some 284,241 inhabited private dwellings, and in those a great majority of the Dominion’s population lived under conditions as follow:—Renting their dwelling, 31 per cent; living rent free, 8 per cent; buying on timepayment, 9 per cent; carrying a mortgage exclusive of table mortgages, 32 per cent; owners of unencumbered freehold, 20 per cent.

A Press message from Auckland states that the Post Office reports that all registered mail for Auckland in the postal van, destroyed by fire on the northbound express near Ohakune, was saved. All letters for Auckland were destroyed, and as far as is ascertainable all mails from South of Taihape for putting off at Ohakune, Taumaruniu, Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu and Frankton Junction were lost. The chief train agent, said the suddenness of the whole thing was astonishing. The flames were carried along the coach like lightning. They had time only to throw out the loose registered mail, some ordinary mail and parcels. A few passengers next to the blazing van were Napier refugees. They alone became excited.

The following letter was addressed to the Minister of Industries and Commerce iHon. P. A. de la Perrelle) by the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., under date of March 3.—“ May I draw your attention to the fact that, within the past week or two, the wholesale prices of bran and pollard have been further increased by ten shillings per ton? This follows upon an increase of £1 per ton, made almost immediately after Parliament decided, on the recommendation of the Select Committee on Wheat Duties, to continue the present sliding scale. On that occasion I lodged a protest with your predecessor, the Hon. Mr Donald, who replied that the Government had no power to interfere. To-day farmers are receiving less for their wheat, and prices overseas are lower still. The avowed policy of the Government is to reduce costs. A further rise in stock foods will be serious for pig breeders, poultry farmers and others. It appears to me that some action by the Board of Trade is urgently required.”

We are on the way to a lower “cost of living" basis, and hardware prices are being brought into line by England, Mcßae’s. Compare these prices for guaranteed goods. Full size axes 5/11, threequarter axes C/3, half axes 4/3, useful hatchets 2/11, English flat flies three for 2/6, mowing machine oilers lid, and genuine Wellandvale hay forks 3-prong, 4/6. For the economical housewife there are wooden jam spoons at 5d each, high quality enamel mugs lOd, 1/-, and 1/3, English nail brushes 4d each, harvest knives and forks 1/6 per pair, and patty trays 9 and 12 hole at 1/- each. Study economy and buy high quality hardware at bedrock prices from England, Mcßae’s