LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18795, 17 November 1932, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Free Lunoh. —"As this case Is of some importance I order that the Crown 'Shall supply you with lunch today,” remarked Air Justice Herdman to the jury at the luncheon adjournment to-day in the O’Brien case at the Supreme 'Court. Virtues of Thrift. —"We hear a good deal about the virtues of thrift," said a speaker at last night’s Douglas Credit meeting. “Thrift means to thrive; to thrive one must be at least living well. How many people are living well to-day when so many people preach the virtues of thrift?” Ranglrlrl Domain. —lmprovements to the Rangiriri Domain, the site on the town side of the Waikato River where the annual Rangiriri regatta is held, are being made as an unemployment relief work. The whole area is being levelled and 800 yards of filling is being deposited. The ground is to be planted in grass and shrubs. State Small Arms Contract.—Replying to a question in the House yesterday, asked during the consideration of the Defence Department estimate, the Minister of Defence,, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said negotiations regarding the small arms contract were proceeding and he hoped to be able to make an announcement shortly. Dawn of New Era.- —“ These are not days in which we should allow our hearts to become depressed because depression breeds despair,” said the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, president, speaking at the Methodist Synod at Christchurch. The speaker expressed the belief that the depression marked the dawn of a new era of prosperity. Its evolution depended on how the issues of the period of transition were faced. Health Stamp Issue.-— Health stamps for 1932 are to be on sale at the principal post offices to-morrow and at all other post offices as soon afterwards as possible. The stamps will remain on issue until the end of February. Tile Issue this year will be of single denominations, costing 2d, id for postage and the other penny for the fund for children’s health camps, The stamp has been produced entirely in New Zealand. An Official Spendthrift. —" Even orthodox economists are beginning to see the light,” said a speaker at last night’s Hamilton Douglas Credit meeting,” the Professor of Economics at Liverpool University was reported as suggesting that the Bank of England should give money to selected spendthrifts to stimulate trade. We say give it to all and not to some only.” “I should like to apply for the position as an official spendthrift,” said a voice from the back of the room. Ruakaka Swamp Drainage.—Arrangements have been made to absorb a number of unemployed on the drainage of the Ruakaka Swamp, in the Whangarei County. Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P., has been advised by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon C. E. Macmillan, that an early start will be made with the work, which is expected to provide employment for the bulk of the unemployed in that district. Theft from Church.— The theft of offertory money from St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Opotiki, on September 11, was cleared up In the 'Children’s Court at Opotiki yesterday, when a lad, aged 16, was charged with the theft of £1 18s Bd, the property of the vicar and church wardens. The youth admitted the offence, and said the money was spent on bicycle accessories and ice-creams. The boy was committed to the care of the child welfare superintendent. Canterbury Bakers. —Agreement on all points with the exception of a clause referring to under-rate workers, which has been referred to the Arbitration Court, was reached in the industrial dispute between the Canterbury master bakers and employees, heard in conciliation council at Christchurch yesterday. Minimum wages have been fixed at £4 17s Gd .for foremen, £4 7s Gd for journeymen, and £3 12s 6d for labourers, with Gd an hour for time worked earlier than the scheduled starting time. Provision is made for the employment of female apprentices. Church as a Rest-house. —Speaking at the Methodist Synod at Christchurch, the president,, the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, after referring to difficulties that the- Church had encountered, said that critics had levelled unqualified criticism on the work. - The critic loves a shining mark ami ■picks on the Church,” lie continued. “ God seems to have banished from the minds of man as a living and vital factor. This spiritual banishment lias caused a spread of the feeling of secularism which lias become the blight of modern times. There are people, who are disposed to look on the Church as a rest-house or club. If we recognise that the. Church is a force, we should use it to tight Church battles." Broadcasting In Schools.— At a meeting of the Auckland Education Hoard yesterday, a ltd ter was receive: from tiie New Zealand Broadcasting Board asking for co-operation in arranging broadcasts of educational value in schools on one day per week. It was suggested that, as the Education Department had slated the inspectorial staff at, Auckland was shorthanded and would have no time to prepare programmes, it might he possible for the Training Colleges or the Headmasters’ Association to undertake the proposed broadcasts. Although it was pointed out that only a few schools had wireless sets, it was decided, on the motion of the chairman. Mr. T. I'. Wells, to refer the letter to the Training College and the Headmasters’ Association for a report.

Gold.—On Wednesday gold was quoted in London at £0 is 24d an ounce. The previous day's figure was £6 3s llid. Bogging Letters. —Hundreds of begging letters have been received by Mr J. E. Cornes. of Mount Eden, Auckland, and his son, Mr .T. W. R. Cornes. of Mount Roskili, winners of a £IO,OOO prize in the Irish .Free. State sweepstake on the Cesarewitch Stakes, run at Newmarket, England, last month. Air Cornes and his son expert, to receive their prize money about 'Christmas. Parliamentary Committees. —One of the most familiar petitioners to Parliament is Mr J. J. Meikle, of Auckland. He recently petitioned that certain reports of Select Committees he given, effect to and the Public Petitions Committee, reporting to the' House of Representatives yesterday, recommended favourable consideration of the case by the Government. The recommendation was agreed to. Wives Again. —"lf everyone gets a national dividend, who will do the work?” was a question asked at the Hamilton Douglas Credit meeting last evening. “The questioner overlooks comparative living standards," was the reply. “A few will always loaf on charity, but the great majority will work to try and enjoy that standard of living which seems always Just, beyond their reach.” "Yes, their wives will see to that," interjected a listener, a remark whiich 'caused a roar of laughter. Married Women Teachers. —Th*? Hawke’s Bay Education Board advised the Auckland Education Board yesterday, that it was in accord with the Auckland Board’s view that applications for employment of- married women teachers should not be considered unless statutory declarations concerning the applicant’s circumstances were furnished, and also that applicants should not be considered if the board was not satisfied that the applicant’s position was such that U was necessary for her to engage in teaching. The Hawke’s Bay Board further suggested that an applicant should be asked to give information regarding the state of her health and the health of her husband, and that, in the event of it being claimed that the husband was unable to earn his living on account of ill health, a medical certificate to that effect should be supplied. Great South Road.— The touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association yesterday reported that the Franklin County section of the . Great South Road between the Bombay deviation and Papakura was in an extremely dangerous condition. High ridges of loose metal, piled up by traffic, rough corrugations and potholes, caused very uncomfortable conditions and several cars were passed which had experienced bad skids when j encountering loose metal on the highcrowned road. “ Considering the amount of maintenance money* that is being expended on this highway, tiie results are very disappointing,” said the touring manager. He expressed the opinion that the patience of motorists was exhausted and that unless - there was some change in the policy | with regard to permanent improve- 1 ments, the" Main Highways Board . would have to be urged to take over the control of the road.