LOCAL & GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 January 1932, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The following women have been selected to represent New Zealand in the test tennis match against New South Wales at Auckland on January 23 and 25; Mrs. D. M. Dykes, Miss D. Nicliolls, Miss M. Macfariane, Miss D. M. Knight,

A cable .states that although the Thames watermen’s strike is continuing, the London butter market is fully supplied from store for immediate deliveries. Consignors from ships are practically unaffected, and the Fort of London Authority is carrying on without serious hindrance.

Unemployment and its relief is of absorbing interest to everyone. During the year ending March, 1931 the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association made grants which, when subsidised by local bodies and Government sources, totalled approximately £5,000, which was all paid in wages to ex-service men. In this case these wages were apportioned for useful work and those engaged upon it loyally did their part.

Describing the saving that would be effected by the institution of a fiveday working week in the Waitotara county as “pin-pricking,” members of the council postponed the discussion of a. motion to that effect until the end of the financial year. The chairman. Mr. W. Morrison, opposed the motion on the grounds taut the \\ aitotara county paid less wages than others. Rationing would cause discontent, and already wages had been reduced. The finances of the county were solid.

The annual conference of the Society of Musicians will be held at Wellington on January 27.

Lady Yule’s luxury yacht sailed for New Zealand yesterday,, states a message from Hobart. The President of the British Board of Trade, Mr Walter Bunciman, will meet the Irish Ministers in London this week to discuss methods of improving trade between the United Kingdom and, tho Irish Free State,

The body of a man AA-hicli evidently had been in the Avater for some Aveeks Avas remoA'ed from the sea by a fisherman off Godfrey Heads (Canterbury) yesterday afternoon, states a Press Association message. It has not yet been identified.

The directors of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of one shilling a share for the half-year ended November 30, 1931. The dividend is at the same rate as that paid last year. The dividend for the last financial year was at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. Many hundreds of tourists “looked in” at the hydro-electric works at Arapuni during the holidays. That the work is well up to schedule is proved by tho fact that one of the companies having a large contract at Arapuni paid off 43 men on Christmas Eke, its Avork being so far advanced as to Avarrant it' in dispensing Avith their ser-A-ices.

An appeal to the Minister of Marine, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, to authorise a complete inquiry into the recent loss of the coastal vessel Kotiti, Avas made by a deputation from the Federated Seamen’s Union yesterday. It Avas assorted that the informtaion in the possession of the union Avarranted an investigation being held, and the Ministei promised that ho Avould go into the question and give his reply later. The folloAving handicap events will be held under the auspices of the Masterton Amateur SAvimming Club at the Dixon Street Baths this evening at 7.30: —Men’s 150 yards, intermediate boys, 75 yards; ladies, 50 yards; junior boys, 25 yards; corfu dive. A meeting of the committee of the club Avill be held at the baths after the events haA'e been decided.

Prompt action by Mr 11. Nairn, Porangah.au, saAmd the lives of tAVO young Avomen, Miss Thelma Campbell, Tepapakulcu, Dannevirke, and Miss Phyllis Davidson. Palmerston North, when on Sunday afternoon they went bathing,and got into difficulties. Mr Nairn SAA'ani out Avitli a line and both Avcre brought ashore. Rescuer and rescued Avere in a state of collapse Avhen brought in. They Avere taken to Waipukurau Hospital.

“A sprat to catch a mackerel” is considered a good proposition economically, but a mackerel to catch a sprat (or even lesser fish) is not so sound. A striking example of the unsound proposition is provided in connection with the unemployment emergency tax. A Christchurch resident discovered that he Avas liable for Id in respect of, income other than Avagc-s or salary, and duly fonvarded the amount, postage being 2d. In due course the Income Tax Department acknowledged receipt, involving another 2d in postage. Tho Prime Minister stated yesterday that nothing had yet been done regarding the appointment of a successor to the Hon. D. Jones, Minister of Agriculture and Mines. The Reform members of the Coalition Cabinet Avpre appointed, he said, on the recommendation of Mr. Coates, and seeing that Mr. Jones Avas a Reform member, Mr. Coates Avould make the recommendation Avitli regard to his .successor. Mr. Forbes said definitely that there Avould be no increase in the number of members of tli Cabeinet; the Government Avished to avoid as much extra expenditure ‘as possible.

“The biggest botch I have ever seen in my life,” Avas the opinion of Cr. Greathead in respect to Masterton road widening, expressed at a meeting of the Eketahuna Borough Council. He considered that a lot of work Avould be required there. The Mayor: That Avon’t affect us. It is the Main Higlnvay’s job. The troubje Avas that the Avork cost far more than Avas anticipated and there Avas no more money. Cr. Tripe maintained that the job Avas a misrepresentation. The Council had been given to understand that the road would be left just ready for tar-sealing, but it Avas very far short of that. Cr. Greathead: More filling Avill be required yet.

Shortly after the Eastbourne ferry steamer Muritai left Wellington on her 5.15 p.m. trip to the bays last evening, her stering-gear carried away. The vessel, with her engines still going, drifted, turning in circles, slowly up the harbour toward Kaiwarra. The Union Company’s tug Natone was sent out to pick her up, and she brought the steamer back to her usual berth shortly before 6 o’clock. There was a large number of passengers on the vessel, as this is one of her most crowded trips, and these were transferred to the Cobar, which arrived from Eastbourne a few minutes after the Muritain was tied up. It is expected that the Muritai will be running as usual this morn - ing.

Women of to-day are content to wear the type of beads and imitation jewellery that the -explorers of previous generations took to savages, a leading Christchurch jeweller declared when speaking on the subject of the decreased demand from womenfolk for good-class articles of adornment. He said that although women still wore good watches, they were content to wear .1/10 beads. A few years ago women would hesitate to wear these articles, but to-day it was the usual thing. There was a ready sale for watches, and this had to some extent compensated for the decreased demand for the better class of jewellery. He said there was no question, however, that with the exchange rate and the new duty watches would become far dearer in the future.

The motor car stolen from the Royal Hotel, Featherston, on Sunday night, was recovered abandoned in Lower Hutt.

A new fishing camp has been set up at Lake Taupo, where accommodation (including use of car and rowingboat) may be had, for 14s a day.

From force of habit a father whose little girl had been paddling the other •day shook out her shoes before she put them on again. From one there fell a full-grown katipo spider. The hot soda springs in the vicinity of Lake Rotoma have proved exceptionally popular during the holiday period (says the Thames “Star"), and a large number of visitors have used them every day. Recently a portion of a spring blew out, still further increasing the flow. ‘‘ He sent me 2s 6d in six and a half months to maintain myself and child," remarked a young wife at the .Wanganui Court. “He said he would sonner die than maintain me." The Magistrate remarked that in one letter the husband wrote: “You can go to end of the letter he ends up with a lot of kisses.

Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Webb, of the Wellington Spiritualist Church, are on * visit to Masterton. They are the guests of Mrs. J. McNab, Cole Street. On Thursday, at S pan., and again on Sunday, at 7 p.m., Mr. and Mrs. Webb are advertised to give spiritual addresses in the Orange Hall, Bennett Street. Mr. and Mrs. Webb shortly leave for a lecture tour of Australia and Great Britain.

A Chinese of 21 years and his sister aged 17, both of whom were born in New Zealand, left Auckland lor Sydney by the Ulimaroa this week on the way to pay'their first visit to China. They were accompanied by their mother. Eight other Chinese, also proceeding to China, sailed by the Ulimaroa. All are residents of New Zealand. There was one Indian included among the Ulimaroa ’s imssbngers.

The washing ashore of quantities of large mussels on the ocean beach near Whakatano Heads and harbour beaches recently is considered to be due to a submarine disturbance or a storm at sea. The mussels were of the deep-sea variety and were attached to seaweed. The natives gathered a rich harvest, taking cartloads for food. It was reported at about the same time that thousands of jelly fish were washed ashore in the Tauranga Harbour and vicinity. Mount Anglem (Hananui) is the highest peak in Stewart Island and from its position at the northern end of the island overlooking Foveaux Strait commands a wonderful view of the mainland and Stewart Island. During the last 20 years it has not been climbed by tourists owing to its inaccessibility. Two years ago a track was cut to the summit 11200 ft above sea level, but a party of 211, organised by Mr A. W. Jones, of Invercargill, which left Halfmoon Bay on December ill, was the first party of tourists to make a successful ascent.

For the fourth time in the last few years, a swarm of bees were in evidence in the target trench at the Rewa Rewa range, Hew Plymouth, on Saturday. Their usual temporary residence is the telephone box, out on this occasion it was a target shed, occupied with fatal results to the queen, who became entangled in a spider’s web. The bees were very excited and the markers had to proceed <x discreetly and warily.” One of them is a bee-keeper, and after the competition was over he procured a fresh queen from his stock and the swarm settled and were removed. A woman who was in Napier at the time of the earthquake became a. refugee at Wellington, and later, instead of returning to Napier, came to Auckland, says the -Star, where she secured employment. After a time she returned to Wellington, and, finding it impossible to get suitable work there, she applied to the Wellington Hospital Board for help. They told her that sho was the Napier Board’s responsibility, and paid her passage back there. Arrived at Napier, she was told that, having stayed some months in Auckland,, she would have to go back there, and they paid her fare to Auckland, where she arrived without any money. She applied to the Auckland Board for help, as she could obtain no work, and appealed to the board not to keep her travelling all the time. She thought, if she had a chance for a week to look for work, she would find something to do. The activities of the Hamilton Beautifying Society during the past year have been reflected in uumerous beauty spots throughout the town. Special attention has been paid to Parana Paik, which will be officially opened early in the year. This park, which will be a valuable acquisition to the town’s scenic attractions, is nearing completion. The whole area was ploughed and laid down in grtiss during the spring, and a fine sward is established. Seats have been erected, and with the dealing of the river fiat an ideal picnic ground is provided. Rhododendrons and various shrubs make a fine showing. laths have been formed and a drive toi cais provided round the park. Among the many features which will make the park ideal for picnic parties is a substantial shed,- in which tables and seats have been erected. Two gas rings, on the penny-in-the-slot principle, have been installed.