LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reporting on the causes of fires at the annual meeing of the Hamilton Fire Board to-day, Mr A. Craig, the superintendent, said of 26 fires since last October, seven were due to sparks, three to hot water systems, and the remainder to a variety of causes. That New Zealand was no worse off than England in most of the troubles concerning stock, was the opinion formed by Dr. 11. E. Annett, of Matangi, who returned yesterday after a visit to Europe. Dr, Annett states that as regards tuberculosis this country was far better off than the Old Country. Until yesterday the world’s record for egg laying by one hen of any breed (light or heavy) for 52 weeks was 354. This was beaten yesterday by Mrs D. M. Waddell's Black Orpington hen at the Taranaki cgg-lay-ing competition pens, when her 355th egg was registered. There arc still five days in hand to complete 52 weeks. Friday and Monday are the most popular days for fires, according to the daily summary of calls prepared by Mr A. Craig, Hamilton’s, fire chief. The daily distribution of 53 alarms was as follows: —Sunday, 4; Monday, it; Tuesday, 5; Wednesday, 6; Thursday, 5; Friday, 15; Saturday, 7. More fires occurred in March, April, June and December than any other months. The members of the Hamilton Ministers’ Association began Bible-reading in the public schools this week under most favourable conditions. The assistance given by headmasters and teachers is most commendable, state the ministers, and the enthusiastic response of the children very encouraging. The new term promises to be/one of the best since the introduction of litis scheme into the schools. Charged with dangerous driving in that he drove his car over the Traffic Bridge and across the River Road intersection at over 35 miles an hour, ,!. Peach appeared before Mr F. W. Platts, C.M.G., S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, and was fined 40s with costs. Evidence was led to show that there was a considerable amount of traffic about at the time, and the defendant had ignored the Traffic Inspector’s warning to stop. Strong exception was taken at a meeting of the Wairoa branch of the Farmers’ Union to the criticism by a visiting British farmer of New Zealand beef. Members said they considered that the tour had been badly arranged, as the visitors had missed the Dominion’s finest beef-producing country otherwise this unfair statement would never have been made. Such untrue criticism would do great harm to the Dominion, and should be strongly refuted. A protest against the bonus of £IOO voted to members of Parliament in the dying hours of last session was madeat a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at Wellington. The following remit was adopted: “That in view of the present financial position of the Dominion whereby increased taxation has been necessary, this executive protests against the atcion of Parliament voting an increased allowance of £IOO on members’ . salaries at the present time.”