LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19623, 3 February 1936, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Popularising the Dominion. "We were perfectly amazed to find such countries on this side of the world," said Mr. R. L. Brackett, of Oregon, a through passenger by the Makura to San Francisco at Wellington, after a tour of New Zealand and Australia. "New Zealand scenery, on the road down by Wairakei and Rotorua, is the most marvellous we have

seen." Jn America a great deal was being heard about New Zealand at present. The Dominion had been featured by the National Geographic Society in its magazines, which had a circulation of more than 1,000,00 u. The very fine illustrated article on New Zealand, dealing in particular with the wool production, had attracted universal interest. This was very fine publicity, said Mr. Brackett, and It was certain that many more tourists would be cominfi to see New Zealand. "We hear so much about it now, where we heard very little before," said Mr. Brackett.

Woman Knocked Unconscious. (Though the gale and flood claimed no human life in Thames itself, there were one or two instances of minor injuries due to the visitation. The gale yesterday blew in a skylight of the .Junction Hotel, and the wife of the proprietor, Mr. B. J.T.. Winter, who was resting in the sitting-room after helping to clean up some of the havoc caused by the Hood waters, was struck by the framework and rendered unconscious. She was removed to hospital, but her condiion was not serious. "A Waste of Time." It was a "waste of time" examining medically persons who were under the influence of liquor, said Dr. G. 13. Waterworth, when giving evidence in the Napier Magistrate's Court. "I am frequently asked to examine men requiring medical assistance who tire under the influence of liquor, and 1 never bother with them," the doctor said. "One cannot get their attention, and it is a waste of time attempting to examine them. The results of tests are all vitiated by alcohol, and I won't be bothered doing it."

Haven for Refugees. At four o'clock yesterday morning the Puru store, owned by Mr. J. Galloway, of Thames, resembled a relief depot similar to those set up in Napier at the time of the disastrous earthquake. The store was crowded with thirty or forty people whose homes had been swept by the flood waters. An early morning cup of tea provided by Mr. Jack Galloway was greatly appreciated, especially by the womenfolk present. Many were the varieties of attire which the victims of the flood had hastily assumed.

Big Kauri Log in Creek

Residents and campers at Puru were astonished yesterday when the flood waters subsided to observe a 50ft. kauri log on the seaward side of the

bridge across the creek, and its size and the position in which it was left

stranded gave rise to conjecture as to how it got under the bridge. The fact that the structure was put out of alfenment indicated that the big log came down like a battering ram on the Hood and struck the piles, but was in position for the force of the water to send it through between the piles. Investors Hesitant. "The change of Government has not had any notable effect on capital. It is true that there has been considerable activity in this market of Australian industrials," stated Mr. H. Kitson. chairman of the Christchurch Stock Exchange, in the course of his recent annual address to members. "This is in no sense a flight of capital—it is merely the outcome of the attractive possibilities of this stock to the investor here. There has been little or no nervousness displayed. The monetary po'icy to be pursued by the Government is awaited with interest and we are all anxious for the announcement which has been promised early this year. Until this announcement is made there must be hesitation

and if it is unduly held back it forms a suitable ground tor the breeding of

unsettling rumours."