LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An Anniversary. —Eighty-one years ago to-day, the first election of councillors for the Corporation of Auckland was held. Auckland was elevated to the status of a borough by proclamation of then then Governor, Sir George Grey,' and was the first settlement In New Zealand tobe given such extensive powers of self-government on all matters of local interest. Control Board Objected to.—“ The Institution of another control board represents an unwarrantable interference with ordinary business enterprise and will add to tho already almost intolerable burden of Governmental overhead expenditure imposed on the community,” declares tho Auokland Chamber of Commerce in protest against the Poultry Amendment Bill now before Parliament. Improving Hides for Export.—Ticplying to an inquiry by Mr A. J. Murdoch (Government —Marsden) when tho vote for the Scientific and Industrial Research Department was under discussion in the House yesterday, the Prime Minsitcr, Mr Forbes, .said that some freezing companies,' by altering processes, had improved the quality of hides for export. Efforts were still being made to eliminate faults, and the prospects were encouraging. Replacing the Southern Cross. —A proposal that the vessel which is to replace the wrecked motor-ship Southern Cross should be built In Auckland instead of in England is being considered by the Finance Board of the Melanesian Mission, which is expected to make a recommendation to this effect to the committee in London which raised -the- money to build the last mission vessel. Melbourne Herald’s Profit. —A net profit of £ 137. ill 1, compared with £112.9311 in the previous year, is disclosed in (lie accounts of the Herald and Weekly Times. Limited, Melbourne. The total amount available, with 1' 13, 22 0 brought forward, is £l3o,f>r>7. The sum of £118,125 is absorbed in the payment of 10 per cent, for the year on ordinary shares, ami a preference dividend of per cent.: it is proposed to transfer £BSOO to the general reserve and £lo.(Kioto the development, reserve account, leaving £14,032 to be carried forward.

Jurymen Relieved. —At the commencement of the Land trial In the Supreme Court, Hamilton, to-day, Mr. Justice Herdman relieved all jurymen-in-waltlng until 10 a.m. to-morrow. Price of Gold The price of gold wa's quoted in London on Thursday at £6 4s 10id an ounce, compared with £6 4s 2Jd on Wednesday. Matrons’ Qualifications. —A matron In charge of an institution approved as a training school for nurses, will, from July i nexC be required to hold a midwifery certificate in addition to general qualifications, according to a notice gazetted to-night. This is In accordance with an announcement made by the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young.

New Looomotlvos. —The first of the 30 K locomotives being built at the Lower Hutt workshops for heavyduty passenger train work In the North Island was run Into Wellington yesterday and Inspected by members of the Railway Board. The K locomotive Is wholly a New Zeaand product, for only a very few special parts are imported.

Business Men's Protest. —A plea for a reduction of duties on certain imported manufactured goods was made by the importers.’ committee of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. In urging relief in the matter of duty on brown wrapping paper Mr. Galnor Jackson, chairman of the committee, said the duty on paper imported from Sweden amounted to 117 per cent., which was absurdly high.

Mr Furkert and Retaining Fee. — A protest against the action of the Government in offering a retaining fee to Mr F. W. Furkert, retired engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, was made by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The opinion was expressed by several members of the council that other cases of retired heads of departments being paid retaining fees should be looked into.

“ Tip Toes ” Concluded.— -There were few vacant seats In the Winter Show concert 'hall last night when “ Tip Toes,” Miss- Mavis Laurenson’s song and danoe reoltal, concluded a two nights’ season. From every aspect the recital was a great success. Just before the final curtain fell Mr' C. L Cato expressed Miss Laurenson’s appreciation of the support accorded her. He also thanked Mis 3 Laurcnson for her valuable work In connection with the recent Y.M.C.A. display.

Branch Officers’ Salaries Reduced.—Following a variation of the conditions of the Australian banks award the officers of three banks trading in New Zealand with Australian headquarters, have been advised of a readjustment in salaries, taking effect from December 1. In view of the fact that the same banks effected a 10 per cent, reduction in salaries last year the notification of the new rates' has- occasioned much surprise among staffs.

British Drama League. —A meeting of about 40 representatives of various dramatic organisations in Auckland was held on Wednesday evening to elect officers of the Auckland branch of the British Drama League. The following officers were eleoted: President, Mr F. L. Armitage; hon. secretary, Miss Joy Bartley; hon. treasurer, the Rev. W. Constable; committee, Miss Y. McVeagh, Messrs W. 11. Graham, J. Howie, J. L. Tole, J. Coppard and W. B. Brittain. *' Power of Railways Board. —The Gisborne proposal to cancel the provisions of the Act relating to the Railway Board’s functions and powers in connection with the construction of new lines is not favoured by the Prime Minister, Rt. lion. G. W. Forbes. The Gisborne 'Chamber of Commerce approached the Prime Minister on the matter. In reply, Mr. Forbes stated that he regretted to inform tho chamber that it was not proposed to 'amend the legislation In the direction asked.

National Art Qallery. —Much employment will be provided by the erection of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum In Wellington,, the contract for the building of which/ at £162,218, has been let to the Fletcher Construction Company, Limited. About 200 men will be employed for three years on the building. In addition to these workmen others will be employed lri quarrying and steel-bending, for the reinforcement of the concrete, and the employees of a great number of trades allied tq the building industry will reap further benefit.

Hugo Sunflsh Caught— At New Plymouth yesterday, a huge sunflsh, weighing about two tons, which was swimming about between the wharves, was harpooned. Two men put out in a dinghy 'and, rowing alongside the fish, hooked it with an anchor. For the next hour the men In the boat had a lively time, being pulled about the harbour at the will of the fish. Slowly its strength declined, and it was towed to a small beach between the wharves, where 15 men on a rope were not sufficient to drag it out of the water. Methodists and Unemployment.— The following resolutions were passed by the Methodist Synod at Auckland yesterday: “ That the Government be urged to .procure work for all ablebodied unemployed men, and if this be found impossible, then for such unemployed, reasonable sustenance be provided.” “ That the Government be urged to provide for married men productive work as near to their homes as possible. Whore it Is essential that married men enter the camps, these should bo within a reasonable distance of their homes.” The Hard of Hearing.—During the tour of Mrs G. A. Hurd-Wood, of Hamil Ton, founder and organising secretary of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing, twenty-one towns were visited and committees formed at Hamilton, Matamata, Tc Aroha, Te Awamutu, Taumarunui, Tauranga, Rotorua. Gisborne, Qpotiki, Whakatane, Te Puke, Wailii, Paeroa, Thames, Whangarei and Pukekohe. in lluntly. although a committee was not formed, Mrs Hurd-Wood was requested to address the residents at a later date. The Women’s Institute in Ngaruawahia undertook to make the work of the league known. School Card Tournaments.—Zl’lie legalising of euchre .and oilier card tounuunenls, held in aid of school funds, is 11 to object of Hie School Committees Facilities Bill by Mr R. McKern (Labour —Wellington South), which was read a first time in the House to-day. The bill seeks to make it lawful for any school commilfoo, home and school association or paronls’ association, on recoiling a permit from Hie Minister of Justice, lo conduct such games as euchre, live hundred, whist, cribbage or bridge in aid of school funds. The provisions of Hie Gaming Act are not to apply to any game played with the .Minister’s permission.