LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18404, 11 August 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The cost of the Kelburn (Wellington) viaduct was £20,963. The city engineer's estimate was £21,439 Ils

Although only 3.8 degrees of frost (ground temperature) were recorded at the Ruakura Farm this morning, a mild fog made for unpleasant conditions in Hamilton.

For the sixth consecutive season the Rangitikel Dairy Company has headed the grading list of companies shipping through the Wanganui port. The g-ade of last season’s produce was 95.160.

“ I object to the term 1 bonus.’ It is really a deferred payment of what is owing to us," asserted Mr S. I. Crookes at the Springhead Dairy Company meeting.

The Chilean training-ship General Baquedano arrived at Auckland yesterday. The ship was thrown open for Inspection for an hour and an eager throng stormed up the gangway. It is anticipated she will be in Auckland for eight days.

The body of a newly-born male child was found in a vacant section at Freemans Bay, Auckland, yesterday morning. The body was wrapped In cloth, over which paper was placed. A post-mortem examination yesterday afternoon showed that death’was due to strangulation.

A decision not to increase the retail price of sugar and tea in the meantime was reached at a meeting of the Auckland Master Grocers’ Asociation last evening. It was pointed out that a number of firms had already advanced their prices, and protest against this action was made.

“We have nearly forgotten what the national breakfast, bacon and eggs, is like,” said Mr L. H. Hooper, In arguing against wage reductions at the accountant students’ debate at Wellington. He was speaking of the distress and hunger existing among relief workers, and the amount of unemployment in the country.

Injuries to the back were sustained by George Edward Labrum, aged 18 years, a student of a local wrestling school, last evening. Labrum tripped on the edge of the mat and fell heavily on his back. He was admitted to the Waikato Hospital, where his condition Is reported not to be serious.

The condition of Mr Alexander Greig, married, aged 55 years, of Rotowaro, who sustained two broken ribs and abrasions when he missed his footing and was dragged along the platform, while attempting to board the 6 o’clock Huntly-Glen Afton train" on Saturday evening, at Huntly, is reported to be satisfactory in'the Waikato Hospital.

“New Guinea is on the brink ot being established as one of the greatest gold-producing countries the world has known,” said Mr J. A. Miller, of Port Moresby, in an interview at Auckland yesterday. Mr Miller is one of the foremost surveyors and leaders of prospecting expeditions in New Guinea.

While manoeuvring to pull In alongside the Queen’s Wharf, Wellington, on arrival from Auckland yesterday morning, the Union Steam Ship Company's cargo steamer Wlngatui, of 2378 tons, crashed bows first Into the wharf. She tore a hole several feet deep into the timber and strained some of the piles and. stays under the decking.

The new Hastings West School, a fine wooden building, erected to replace the brick building destroyed by the earthquake, was opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, on Saturday. The new building Is so built as to give an assurance of absolute safety against earthquake and fire.

The New Plymouth Gas Company made a net profit of £3494 for the year ended June 30, as against £3474 last year. Dividend is unchanged at 7s a share on the fully paid £5 shares and at 5s 7Jd a share on the £4 paidup shares. On the third issue, which were paid up to £3 15s by calls amounting lo 10s during the. year dividend was Increased from 4s 4Sda share to 5s Id a share.

A Coventry citizen, Mr J. Wilson, says a London paper, has sold his invention of an unleakable fountain-pen to an English syndicate for £250,000, stipulating that the pen must be produced by British workers. Mr Wilson Intends to use the money in financing British Inventors who have produced useful things, but have been unable to complete or market them.

Figures of the season’s killings at the Gisborne Refrigerating Company’s works for the season just closed show a considerable Increase on those of the previous season. Sheep increased by 20,000 and lambs 55,000, the actual figures being as follows, figures for the previous season being given in parentheses:—Sheep, 284,950 (265,059); lambs, 267,651 (212,989); cattle, 7511 (8056); calves, 8418 (3); pigs, 1322 (1038).

The Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association lias been allocated £75 from the Canteen Fund for the relief of unemployeil ex-soldiers. Portion of Illis amount is being used this week, which is the “off" week for Hamilton's unemployed, to provide 45 ex-members ot the N.Z.E.F. with two days' work each. The association te hopeful of receiving further grants from the fund.

Don’t miss this opportunity ot buying a Real Eiderdown Quilt now at the end of the season, and just before stocktaking. Hooker and Kingston, Limited, are selling the remainder of their specially selected Quilts regardless of cost, in many qualities, at Half-price. Strong proofed sateen Quilts, usually 69/6, for 39/6. Beau- 1 tiful Satin Panel Quits, £6 6/- for 65/-. and all Satin Quilts, In new stylos. £8 8/- for 97 6. A few pairs of our famous high-grade white New Zealand Blankets, usually 42/-, for 28/11, in double-bed size. Now is Hie time to buy these real necessities for tile home. They will never be cheaper.—Hooker and Kingston’s, The Big Busy Drapers.' *

The Public Works Electrical Branch, Hamilton, have handed to us to forward to the Hamilton Welfare League, £1 9s 2d, the balance from their recent staff dance.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. A. J. Murdoch, has advised the Farmers' Union that the question of wool freights was recently the subject of discussion with representatives of the overseas shipping companies, who made it clear that no reduction could be granted at present.

An increase of 30 entries over those of last year wqs reported by the secretary, Mr A. Blackburn, at the last meeting .of the Gisborne Competitions Society. He said that the total number of entries was 906, compared with 876 last year. This year's entries comprised instrumental music, 87; vocal, 261; elocution, 326; dancing, 231.

The response to the committee's effort in connection with the presentation to the late Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, has been well supported, which goes to show that the public appreciate the services of those who give their time to the interest of the town at large. The fumj will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and those intending to subscribe, but not having done so, are asked to notify the hon. secretary, Mr Geo. Boyes, before then.