LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18641, 20 May 1932, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost at Rualcura At the Ruakura State Farm 3.2 degrees of frost (ground temperature) were recorded this morning.

No Boer Tax.—The United States Senate on Wednesday rejected an amendment to the Tax Bill to legalise 2.75 per cent, beer as a basis for new taxes. The vote —6i to 24—was tantamount to a test on the prohibition.

Spahlingor's Vaccine. —The medical officer of the London County Council reports that there is no evidence that Professor Spahllnger s tubeicle xaccine is efficacious, nor is its trial on human beings under the council s auspices justifiable.

£20,000 Libel Action. —Mr Norman Smith has (says a Sydney message) issued a writ claiming £20,000 for alleged libel against Smith’s Weekly. The cause of action is not stated, but the current issue of the newspaper attacks him.

Farmers’ Conference. —Advice was received from the Dominion executive at the Auckland Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union yesterday that at the forthcoming Dominion Conference the number of days’ sittings would be reduced from four to two. They asked the province to send half the "number of usual delegates. The conference spent several hours discussing this recommendation.

Bycroft, Limited. —At the annual meeting of Bycroft, Limited, flourmillers and biscuit manufacturers, Auckland, a final dividend of lid a share was paid, making Is lOd a share, as against. Is lid a share last s ear - The retiring director, Mr J. Lawrj, was re-elected.

Argentine Students In London. The Prince of Wales on Wednesday received the party of visiting Argentine students at his residence, Yorlc House. His speech of welcome was delivered in Spanish. Afterwards His Royal Highness conversed with several members of the party, the leader of which presented him with a shield of the club of the University of Buenos Aires.

Empire Games Federation. - A British Empire Games Federation Council for England has been formed in London on similar lines to the Dominion Councils. The Earl of Derby is president and Mr Evan Hunter secretary. Mr Hunter has been authorised * to call a meeting of Dominion delegates during the Los Angeles games to arrange the venue and othei details of the Empire Games in 193 a.

Launches Damaged. —Two thirtyfoot motor launches which were anchored in Worser Bay, Wellington, were discovered yesterday to be in a sinking condition. An investigation disclosed that holes had been bored in the hulls beneath the water line. The holes were not very big and probably were made with -a brace and bit or an augur. The interiors of both launches we're' considerably damaged by sea-water.

Garden of Friendship. —The suggestion that an area should be set aside somewhere in the city for the formation of a “ Garden of Friendship ” was submitted to the Auckland City Council last evening by the Aucklan. Rotary Club. The idea was that o this area distinguished visitors from ■ocerseas should plant a suitable tiec each tree to bear a record giving the name of the planter and the date. Tin proposal was approved by the Park Committee.

A Note-taking Marathon. —In recording the evidence heard during the sitting' of the Christchurch tramwaj strike tribunal last week the board's -stenographers were called face a marathon In note-taking. I-rorn 10 a.m. on Thursday they were kept busy until 1.30 p.m. on Saturday, and during that lime made a shorthand note of all the evidence that was tendered. They took it in turns of half an hour each, and piled up a sheaf of notes that presented a formidable task in transcription.

A Narrow Escape. —A big Hereford steer was the cause of an accident at the Addington sale yards, though fortunately it was not attended with serious results (states the Christchurch Times). When being taken from a pen with others the animal raced along an alleyway, knocked one man down, and pinned another at the end gate. The widespread horns of the steer passed on each side of the man, who-was forced against the rails by the animal’s nose. The man was soon after able to climb the rails to safety. The onlookers received a shock, but were not in a position to render assistance.

Slmplor Income Tax Forms. — When a remit suggesting that a simple form of income tax return for farmers should be issued was before the Auckland Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, Mr F, Colbeek said: "It really doesn’t matter, gentlemen. There is no punishment for filling it in wrongly, it doesn’t matter if your entries are in the right or wrong place. They will fix that in future." (Laughter). Mr H. M. Rushworth, M.P.: Tho only mistake they won’t correct is if you make your returns 100 high. (Renewed laughter).

Railway Instituto. —At the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ institute the report stated there was a reduction of SO in the membership, owing to the unexpectedly large number of early retirements. The institute acknowledged the action of the Government in recognising several cases of serious hardship under the retirement scheme and in reinstating some deserving eases. The following officers were elected: —Chairman, Mr F. G. J. Tcmm; secretary, Mr C. 11. Bray; treasurer, Mr J. M. lluinphrys; traffic committee, Messrs Rambling, Yollemacre, Craddock, Dale, Blackburn, Rarrowman; stores branch, -Mr K. A. Lowe; locomotive officer, Mr A. G. Williams; workshops officer, Mr s! j. McCarthy; maintenance officer, Mr E. V. Dye; delegate to executive, Mr A. Yollemacre.

Tramwaymen's Wages. Though (hey arc working long' hours, ilu; rrrws at present maiming the Chri-d----,‘luirch Iranis are drawing big money. 'l'his is because their ordinary wages are supplemented by overtime paymenls (reports the (ilirlsum'ir-h Sun I. Molornien are earning w.uiv.ilenl. lo Jl7 libs (Wl a week, and vohm-t,-er conductors and student moiormen ei|uivah'nt to It i ' s s id a weak file rate for nmtnrmen is Is tild an 'mur for the lirs! eight hours, lime ..ml a lialf for I lie next Hirer hoirs, ami double iiay for all lime worked i:i e.\eess of that. With I lie volun'rer eondurtors and sludent niolormrn Ihe pay is Js .Sid an hour, and I,no same conditions apply fur overtime .Vest of the man are working 12 hours a day. hul many of them have not. had employment for some time, fhoie men are permitted to draw their pay daily il they need it.

Gold In London.— The latest quotation for gold in London is £5 12s lid an ounce.

Speeding Motorists.—ln the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court, before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., Kenneth Lawrence and Walter Bern were each fined 20s, with costs, on charges of speeding over intersections.

Crushed Against Truck.— The condition of Mr J. Shadbolt, who received severe fractures of several ribs as the result of being crushed against a railway truck while shovelling coal into sacks at the Morrinsville railway station, is reported to be satisfactory.

Bonus to be Discontinued. The discontinuance of the payment of the bonus on tails of deer detsroyed in the South Island is notified in the New Zealand Gazette. No bonus will he paid on tails received after June 18.

Kingsford Smith’s Visit. The Auckland Aero Club proposes to All the gully on its property at Mangere. The club has been advised that AirCommodore Kingsford Smith is contemplating a flight to New Zealand, and as on his last visit he was not able to land in Auckland, it is desired to put the area in order.

“Off Week” In Hamilton. This week has been “off week" for the unemployed relief workers in Hamilton, but" owing to the efforts of Mr W. H. Paul about 100 men have received one day’s work either for the Waikato Winter Show', the Domain Board, or the Beautifying Society..