LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14259, 9 January 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Speak gently; it is better far to rule by love lean fear. —J. W. Langford. Railway traffic appears to |»c easing off, the expresses which passed through Hamilton to-day nut being more than comfortably filled.

The members of the New South Wales State Orchestra, prior to their departure this morning, expressed gratitude at the manner in which they had been entertained during their stay in Hamilton. They had had a most enjoyable time. Recently two of the Christchurch City Council’s assistant inspectors received "appointments under the Public Health Department. Applications were called lo iill the positions, and no fewer than 98 have been received.

A Hamilton fruiterer expressed the opinion to a Waikato Times representative yesterday that the price of fruit, with the exception, perhaps of oranges, would probably soon fal. to pre-war prices.

It was rather a pity, in view of the shortage of ordinary programmes at the concert given in the Theatre Royal last night by the New South Wales State Orchestra, that the numbers of the various items were not displayed on the stage so that members of the audience could follow them in their souvenir programmes-

According to the-Hawke’s Bay Tribune several clergymen of various denominations were spectators to the Ciabby-Uren flgf t, and they “enjoyed the contest very much.” It is also reported that several sporting women witnessed the fight from a specially reserved box, and said afterwards that “they would not have missed it for the world 1"

A record in Parliamentary life is held by Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P. He was a member of the Legislative Council for ten years, resigning the position to contest the Egmont scat in the House of Representatives. He won the contest for Egmont on two occasions, the Taumarunui seat on thr ( ;e electoral contests, and has now won ihe Waitomo seat with a majority of 377 votes against two candidates.

A slump in wrist watches lias begun (says a London paper of a recent date.) One Hatton Garden merchant announces that he is even selling gold wrist at cost price. There are two reasons: One, the growing liking for thin platinum and gold watch chains; and two, lh e fact that every pert little flapper has become a wristwatch* wearer.

With reference to the demand for the lifting of the war-time restrictions making it necessary for all who leave New Zealand to obtain passports and permits, it was stated to a representative of the Lyttelton Times by a Government official that until other countries abolish the passport system it is useless for New Zealand to do so, for people from New Zealand are not allowed to land in other countries without passports in their possession.

A collision between two motor cays occurred near the top of Kaimai Hill on the Tauranga road, about 13 miles from Matamata. Though both cars contained passengers, no one was injured. The cars were seriously damaged, and were unable to proceed on the journey. One car was owned by Mr K. G. Warner, of Morrinsville, and was driven by Mr H. Warner. The other one was owned by Messrs Griffiths and Stanley, of Matamata, and was driven by Mr F. Morrow.

An innovation was tried with great success on the occasion of the concert by the New South Wales State Orchestra in Hamilton last night. As is wellknown, Mx S. Riley, a musical enthusiast, has been laid aside through illness for some years past, and someone had the happy thought of connecting his residence by telephone with, the theatre, so that he could listen to the music. This \yas done, and Mr Riley states that ho heard everything quite distinctly, and enjoyed the concert immensely. Mr Yerbrugghen, the conductor of the orchestra, was keenly interested in the experiment, and expressed pleasure at the satisfactory result. Wc understand that this is the first time that such an innovation has been tried in Australasia.

The parents of a little girl residing it Glaudelands missed the child for a time yesterday afternoon, but thinking she must he playing with the children of neighbours, look no notice of her absence until it. was fell that it was about time tiiat she returned. They then went out lo'look for her, hut to their surprise could find her nowhere about. They searched the garden, inquired of neighbours, and called out her name, but still nowhere was she to be found. At last, anxious for the child’s safety, the police were rung up and a constable going over, assisted in a general search of the neighbourhood. This lasted a considerable lime, and at last, weary, the party returned to the house,, and the constable and friends were sympathising with the parents when the child suddenly crept out from beneath the house, where it transpired she had been playing and nad fallen asleep. The voices of the search party had disturbed her siesta,

{ At the Police Court, Morrinsville, James William Litmus, who has al- | ready been committed for trial on a I charge of theft of a wristlet watch i from the Nottingham Castle Hotel, was further charged with having obtained £6O Is 3d by forging the name of John Hayes to a withdrawal slip at the Post Office Savings Bank. The evidence showed that the accused went to the Masterton post office, presented a savings bank book under the name of ‘John Hayes, withdrew the' total ' amount by telegraph. Hayes reported the loss of the hook and the accused 1 was arrested in Auckland. Hayes gave : evidence that whilst on a journey from Rotorua to Auckland he lost his post ; office saving hook. Ho discovered the ; loss on December 10, and then reported (lie matter to the police. The accused reserved ids defence and was committed to take his trial at Hie next 1 sitting of the Supreme Court at Hamilton. . There is every indication of all goods of Japanese manufacture bc- . coming much higher, as Japan, like ; other countries is full of labour troubles : and unrest. In fact. In many lines, they j are discussing the prohibition of export. ! This is going to make a huge difference I to the goods on which we depend solely j on receiving from that country. In i view of this we are buying all the Jap. j goods wc can, and holding for the ; benefit of our clients. Wc have prob- ; ably enough crepe dressing jackets and i kimonos to last us this season and next. I These goods are well worth buying ! now, as the prices have advanced very i little at present. Jackets 6s lid, gowns 11s 6d, to 21s. These are elaborately embroidered.---Hall’s Drapery Stores.

A cable message from. London states that the Union Bank has declared an interim dividend of 14 per cent free of income tax.

In an official statement of the moneys paid out by the Department of the Imperial Supplies for New Zealand produce (dated December 31) it is stated that the amount disbursed was £118,353,802.

Mr Henri Verbrugghen, speaking to a Waikato Times representative, expressed great satisfaction with the acoustic properties of the Theatre Royal. He was very pleased with the manner in which the music was carried out to the people. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. .Massey) has received from Sir George Foster (Acting Prime Minister of Canada) the following telegram: “There is not now, and has not been, any prohibition on the export of news print from Canada to New Zealand.” Steps arc being taken by the Prime Minister to abate the acute shortage of petrol which has been felt, more or less, all over the country, particularly in the Auckland district. To relieve dairy farmers in the Waikato, who need petrol for milking machines, arrangements have been made with the Vacuum Oil Company to rail small supplies,- and larger quantities will he sent on by steamer later from Wellington. Mr Frank Goldberg, managing director of ttie Goldberg Advertising Agency, Ltd., who has lately returned from Australia, entertained 20 of his staff recently at a luncheon in Wellington. In the course of an address Mr Goldberg demonstrated a most optimistic spirit regarding a proflt-sharmg scheme which he had introduced into the business, and presented each member with a liberal bonus.

The time for poisoning rabbits in the Waikato and King Country districts will soon be here, and settlers are urged to take concerted action, commencing on February 1. In districts where rabbit district committees are not yet formed, farmers should form themselves into groups for the purpose of taking united action for the obliteration of the menace. The best preparation for the destruction of rabbits, the poison to be laid in February and March, is phosphorised pollard. The Department of Agriculture will supply to groups of 12 or more settlers this poison at 2d a pound —a very reasonable price. The concession in price has been made by the Government with the idea that the farmers should generally unite to combat a very present and farreaching evil.