LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Ruakura State Farm .4iin, of rain was recorded in the 24* hours up to 9 o’clock this morning.

There are 11,636 names on the main Timaru electoral roll, compared with 10,884 in 1928.

The Taranaki Rugby Union has decided to reduce the price of admission to the remaining interprovincial matches this season to Is 6d.

The Vicar and wardens of St George’s Anglican Church, Frankton, have presented a number of valuable books to the Waikato Diocesan Library. A catalogue for the library is being prepared.

At last night’s rehearsal of the Hamilton Operatic Society several applications for membership had to be refused, owing to the list being full. There were about 90 members present at the rehearsal.

Work on the proposed additions to St. Peter's Cathedral, involving the erection of a belfry and choir vestry, will not start until the matter has been further considered by the Standing Committee and the Chapter.

This week will see the commencement of a service from Norfolk Island to Auckland, which is being controlled by Burns, Philp and Company. Limited. The first steamer will be the Morlnda.

The second motor soup kitchen to bo placed on the road by Staff-Cap-tain T. E. Holmes, of the Salvation Army, made its first tour of the poorer districts of Auckland yesterday. ' \ .

"There is only fourpence worth of silver in this,” said Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., a's he held up a shilling at a meeting at Normanby. ".Right!" called an interjector from the btfck of the hall. “Here’s fourpence for it.”

A young electrician named Roy John Melton was charged with negligent driving at Hamilton to-day. On a recent afternoon defendant’s car collided with a lorry driven by Andrew 11. Burn. After hearing evidence, Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., expressed the opinion that negligence had not been proved against defendant.

Arrangements are being made for the appointment of an Anglican chaplain to the Waikato Hospital. At a recent meeting the Waikato Archdeaconary Board unanimously decided to ask the Bishop to appoint a priest as chaplain and guarantees were made towards a stipend for a part-time position.

Miss Bondfleld, British Minister of Labour, stated in the House of Commons that the amount of the Treasury advances to the Unemployment Insurance Fund outstanding was £85,620,000, leaving an unexhausted balance of borrowing powers of £4,380,000. It was likely that this would be exhausted early in July, and further provision would be necessary before then.

An amusing error occurred at the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning, when a case came on in which defendant, a store manager, was charged with the theft of a large sum of money. On defendant’s name being called a youth stepped forward with alacrity, and the clerk commenced to read out the list of charges. Gradually a look of puzzlement overspread the youth’s face. This was replaced by a startled and somewhat serious expression as the clerk proceeded on. Then up spoke the lad, "No, not me," he stammered. It was then discovered that the wrong man had answered. The only charge against the lad was of not having a rear reflector on his bicycle.

In the Waitomo electorate areas aggregating 35,400 acres are being opened for settlement. These areas include 2000 acres at Wamiha, 3300 acres at Poro-o-tarao, 600 acres at Rangltoto,i7ooo acres at Tangitu, 5500 aores at Mahoenui, 1000 acres at Aotea, 3500 acres at Mangaroa, 3000 acres at Mangare and 3000 aores at Arohena. An effort is being made to open up 13,000 acres of the Moerangi block extension near Aotea, between Raglan and. Kawhia, but opposition has been received from the Raglan County Council and in the meantime the Minister of Lands is suspending action.

The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commeroe and forwarded to the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald. " That in view of the forthcoming expiry of the licence to the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, this executive urges the Government that in considering the question of future control of broadcasting, the fullest consideration shall be given to that operating under the British Broadcasting Corporation, which has proved conspicuously successful. It is considered that operation by the State or the granting to private enterprise of a monopoly of remunerative operation of a public service, are both essentially wrong in principle and contrary to the public interest.”