LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16750, 17 March 1926, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Australian and Now Zealand Naval Squadrons, which have been engaged in gun practice in the Hauraki Gulf, returned to Auckland to-day. Mr Zane Grey and Mr C. Alma Baker break camp in a day or so. They are more than satisfied willi their big game fishing at Russell. The Railway Department advertises excursion tickets and train services in connection with the Thames Trotting Club's meeting at Parawai on 2uth instant. A Chrislchurch message, states that C. T. Low, miotics scholar, is unable to accompany the Canterbury amateur athletic team to Hit; New Zealand championships meeting on account of his University studies. Allegations of errors and extravagance in connection with the erection of buildings al the Auckland Hospital formed the subject of a vigorous discussion at the meeting of- Ihe Hospital Hoard last evening, and as a result the Health Department will be requested to hold a public investigation. The formal liquidation of Ihe Lower Waikato branch of Hie Hairy Farmers' Union was advanced another stage on Monday at Pukckolio, when a general meeting of the, union passed necessary resolutions lo give effect lo Jie decision [o wind up arrived al previously. A further meeting lo confirm these resolutions has yet lo bo held. II is anticipated that there will lie a financial surplus, which will probably he donated lo the Agricultural Department, Ihe Pukckolio Technical School, or Ihe Franklin and Auckland A. and P. Associations.

This week is the final clean-up week of Hooker and Kingston's Solo. Hundreds of bargains have been further marked down to half-price, including Remnants, Curtain Materials. Hearth Hugs, Corsets, etc A wonderful opportunity lo secure bargains in every department. Shop early, for (he best gu first, and remember this is positively Ihe last week of Hooker and Kingston's Sale. See liial wonderful line of Reversible bedroom Hues—•

six on'y very large size squares in red only. Usual price 59s Gd: going out Tor 29s Gd, only at Hooker and Kingston's Sale-*

The adjourned Hamilton sessions of the Supreme Court will now commence to-morrow —not to-day as previously arranged. His Honour, Mr Justice Ostler will be the presiding judge. The secretary, Post and Telegraph Department advises that the Radio station at Papeete, Tahiti, has not transmitted since the 10th instant; ond that, as reception is doubtful, messages arc accepted wholly at tliti senders' risk.

A bequest of £1486 from the estate of the late Mr Joseph Johnson was acknowledged by the Auckland Hospital Board last evening. The amount, v presents one-third of the residue of the estate, the remaining two-thirds being divided between the Salvation Army and the Jubilee Institute for the Bhnd.

As far as brevity was concerned to-day's sitting of the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, was a record one, for after William Stevens had been fTned 10s and costs 5s tor riding a bicycle at night without a light, and a first offending "drunk'" had been lined 10s , proceedings terminated. Passengers by the Marama, which arrived at Auckland from Sydney yesterday and especially the New Zealanders aboard her, remark on the exceptional heat that has ruled in Australia of late. One Aucklander expressed his opinion of the heat by saying, "I was afraid to light my pipe in'case I caught fire." At the Police Court, Auckland, a remand was granted in the case of Robert James Cantell (Mr. Allan Moody), who was charged with stealing, at Matamata on October 26, a brief bag, two £5 notes, shoes, a fountain pen and clothing of a total value of £l6 15s.

In the House of Commons, Mr L. C. M. S. Amery informed Sir 11. Brittain that when final arrangements were considered in connection with the scheme for marketing Empire produce the provision of a special market for Dominion fruit in new Covcnt Garden would no doubt be considered, but the interests of home producers must also receive attention.

The results of the weight guessing at the Morrinsville Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Wednesday were as follows;—Steer, correct weight 7501bs— O. R. Smith, 7631b5. 1; A.

Needham 7291b5. 2; J. B. Thomas 72Slbs. 3. Pig> correct weight 1201bs. —W. Allison, correct, 1; W. Pitcairn and V. Brunt 126 i, 2. Three sheep, correct weight, 2261bs. —A. E. Mlssen and P. S. Philpott 2291b5, 1; H. G. Howie, 231 i, 3. A resident of Stratford has invented a wireless receiving set which docs not require aerials of any description. A demonstration look place in the presence of an interested crowd, when the machine was placed inside a shop, without any wires connecting it with the outside atmosphere. Concerts in Sydney and Melbourne were heard most distinctly. It is thought that this is the first demonstraion of this kind in the Dominion.

The positions of town clerk and city engineer of Wellington are being widely sought after, the total applications numbering nearly 300. Of these the acting town clerk has received 46 for the former position and 16 for the latter, while the City Council's agents in London have received 155 and 75 applications for the respective positions, some being from Canada. Till the mails bring these documents, however, no decision can be made by the council.

Although to-day, St. Patrick's Day, is not observed as a holiday by the retailors of Hamilton, many of the other business premises have closed for the cay. A large number or people journeyed to the Pacroa races, while others made the Ngaruawahia Regatta their rendezvous. • The Hamilton Catholic schools held a big picnic and sports meetirg at the Glaudclands Show Grounds, several hundred children and many adults participating.

Radio has climbed in the United States in a little more than five years from the hobby of a few experimenters to a business of more than £100,000,000 in 1025. There are now more than 584 broadcasting radio stations in the United States, 10S being operated by educational institutions, 47 by churches, and 39 by newspapers. The estimates for 1924 indicate a sale of 3,000,000 radio sels, and 20,000,000 valves. This was far surpassed in 1925.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. R. F. Bollard), referring to a statement that it was intended to allow motorists 6nc month's grace from April before taking action against owners of motor vehicles •■ bearing green and while number plates said it was quite wrong. The Act provides that all motor vehicles must be licensed before April 1. There was no intention of allowing one month's grace, before taking proceedings, but owing to the delay in receipt of the plates it would be necessary to extend the time for relicensing until about the end of April. The statement that had a Canadian tender for the manufacture or plates been accepted the plates could have been issued to motorists at Is Gd a pair is incorrect." added Mr Bollard. The charge lo motorists for the locally-manufactured plates for the year 1926-27 will be 2s Gd a pair, against a charge of 2s a pair had the Canadian tender been accepted. tt will bo seen therefore, that the additional cost to motorists for supporting a New Zealand industry is not i'7500 but only half that amount.