GENERAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

Consultations at the out-patients’ department at the Tlmaru Hospital last month totalled 200, as compared with 143 in June, 1930. . In the massage department treatments totalled 133, and in the dental department attendances numbered 349. There were 441 examinations in the laboratory, tho value of the outside work done being £l9 ss.

Steps to be taken by Christchurch building societies to meet the Government's proposal to reduce rates of interest are engaging the interest of the directors of the various concerns, though nothing definite has yet been settled. One big society at least is likelv to define Its policy within a day or'two. The societies will act singly in the matter, without any r llilng* In the nature of a conference', It was stated.

The destructive habits 'Of hedgehogs, especially in ravaging the nests of ground birds, were pointed out by Mr L. M. Monckton in a letter to the Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society. Members stated that many people thought hedgehogs harmless, but In reality they were the opposite, and efforts should he made to bring about their destruction at every possible opportunity.

The advance of the British film industry is reflected in a notice recently gazetted exempting (lvc of the organisations dealing In American films from tlie New Zealand quota restrictions. Distributors of American films have been required to obtain iff per cent of British films for exhibitors. The New Zealand organisations representing British film producers have reeenlly Introduced so many films, that it is considered that they can assure a supply without compulsion on ihe American concerns. Exemptions from Hie quota for the rest of this year have accordingly been granled In Celebrity Pictures Ply., I,id., Paramount Film Service (N.Z.), Ltd,; Mclro-Gnldwyn-Maycr (N.Z.). Ltd.; I'uiversal Film Mfg. Go (A’sin). Ltd.; Warnero Bros Kirs*. v "'innal Pictures, Ltd.