LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18351, 10 June 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day is the 45th anniversary ot the Tarawera eruption, which occurred during the night of Thursday, June 10, 1886. During May 523 chains of wire were run and 87 poles erected In the Central Power Board’s district. At the annual meeting of the Robinson Ice Cream Company, Limited, ai Auckland, the directors’ recommendation that a dividend of 8 per cent, be paid was approved. The Waikato Carbonisation Company’s plant at Rotowaro is to be opened this afternoon by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, and the Minister of Mines, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch. A fine of ss, with costs 10s, was Imposed by Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, on Ishmael Wright St. Clair, for riding his motor-cycle in Victoria Street without a tail light. An assurance that It is not Intended to change the chairman of the War Pensions Appeal Board (Sir Walter Stringer) has been given by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, lo the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Ron. J. G. Coates. Recruiting under the new voluntary defence scheme has commenced. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 years. The period of service Is three years, provision being made for the extension of the time under certain 'conditions. There are 3994 consumers in the Central Power Board's area, comprised as follows:—Lighting, 3713; heating, 1926 ; milking motors, 996; separator motors, 49; Industrial motors, 264; water pumps, 463; water heaters, 1125; electric ranges, 276. The 'takings for the four days of the Otago A. and P. Society’s Winter Show were £986 4s 6d, compared with £1227 0s 6d for live days last year, a drop of £246. The largest day’s takings were £561 on the King’s Birthday. Officials of the society consider tho result very gratifying in view of the economic position of the country. In accordance with the requirements of the Health Department, the Auckland Hospital Board decided at a special meeting yesterday to reduce its maintenance estimates for the coming financial year to £178,767 a reduction of £43,785 compared with last year’s estimates. The reduction was made under protest.

One of the heaviest fogs experienced this year shrouded Hamilton last night, and caused considerable inconvenience to motorists. Early in the evening the mist was almost Impenetrable, and tho roads were slippery and treacherous. However, no accidents wore reported, although there were several narrow escapes.

Several drastic economy measures, which were drafted at a special meeting in committee of the Mount Roskill Road Board, were confirmed at a meeting of the board last evening. The decisions were to reduce the outside staff from 25 to 10; to dispense with the services of the building Inspector and two junior officials on the inside staff; and to make a cut of 10 per cent, in the salaries of the inside staff. The economies will take effect at the end of the month. It was also resolved to pass the saving on to the ratepayers by reducing by 15 per cent, the general rate for the year ending March 31, 1932.

Prevented from landing at Sydney at the instance of his father after running away from his home at Swanson, Auckland, Jack Luckens, aged 16, returned to New Zealand by the Ulimaroa, which arrived at Wellington from Sydney yesterday. The lad said he had no special plan in view in leaving home, except a desire to see something of life and meet a little adventure. He had sufficient money on bis arrival to pay his train fare to Auckland, but lie remarked. “ I think I may do the journey on fool.”

■ Amongst the new companies registered this week is the following:— Plaza Theatre (Christchurch), Ltd. Office: 4 8.50, Cuba Street, Wellington. Capital: £IOOO, into 1000 shares of £1 each. Subscribers: Wellington—Williamson Films (N.Z.), Ltd., 998, F. Beaumont Smith 1, ,). H. Mason 1. Objects: r fo carry o:i in the provincial district of Canterbury tbe business of proprietors and conductors of cinematograph and moving picture exhibitions and general Incidental.

A deputation of farmers waited on the lion. A. J. Murdooh, Minister of Agriculture, at Whangarei, with the object of obtaining relaxation of the dipping regulations in respect of cattle ticks. The Minister said ho thought there were less ticks now than formerly, probably due to cleaner paslures. The whole question of dipping was being considered by the department, and while it was necessary lo safeguard the Interests of the clean areas it was desired lo make the conditions as easy as possible. Charged with failing to signalise his intention of turning out or Victoria Street Into Hood Street,, Henry James Cullen appeared before Mr Wyvern Wilson. S.M.. In the Hamilton Magistral e's Court tills morning, and was fined 40s, with costs 10s. it, was shown by the police that as a result of defendant’s failure in this connection a cyclist had collided with his cur and had sustained a broken leg.

Last month 16,597 miles were travelled by the 19 motor vehicles owned by the Central Electric Power Board. The vehicles consumed SS9A gallons of benzine, or an average of 19.2 miles per gallon.

Although the frost in Hamilton was not as severe to-day as on the past few mornings, early risers received a frigid reception when they ventured. out of doors. At Ruakura 5.2 degrees of frost were recorded.

A Morrinsville correspondent writes: Hard frosts, followed by sunny days, have been experienced in the district for the last week. There were 13 degrees of frost on Saturday, 8 degrees on Sunday, 14 degrees on Monday and 11 degrees on Tuesday. Live stock are feeling the effects of the cold weather and the majority of the cows are dry. Fortunately most of the farmers in the district are well supplied with hay and ensilage and the bulk of the stock is in healthy condition.

“ I live at the junction of the railway,” said Rev. H. G. Gilbert, of Hamilton, at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Wellington, “ and I often get a telegram asking me to meet three Maori girls and put them on the Limited express for the Maori Girls’ College at Marton. I met the train with my car to find not three but 13 Maori maidens, three ukuleles, four banjos, and six guitars. I don’t know what Miss Kinross, the principal, does with them at Turakina College, but we all know that she sends them back to be great Influences for good in the kaiangas from which they come."