LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Income Tax Returns.— Returns of income are required to be furnished to the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington, on or before Thursday, June 1. Forms are obtainable at all Post Offices.

People’s University Movement. — “The People’s University Movement and its Influence in Denmark” was the subject of an address delivered to Hamilton Rctarlans to-day by Mr E. J. Bror. C. Muller, of Copenhagen. A report will appear to-morrow.

Generous Offer. —One-quarter of the profits of the next Canterbury Winter Show are to be handed to the Metropolitan Relief Association, according to an offer made by Mr F. L. Hutchinson, on behalf of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, at the annual meeting of the relief organisation.

Earthquake at Opotlkl. — A fairly sharp earthquake occurred at Opotlkl at 2.30 on Saturday morning. Later( residents were awakened by a noise like an explosion, which appeared to come from the direction of White Island. A rumbling noise continued for about 25 seconds.

Many Burglaries at Auokland.~Eight houses in Auckland were entered by burglars between Friday evening and yesterday morning and an attempt was made to "break into another residence. In all, money totalling about £2l was taken. Three houses were visited in Remuera, three in Herne Bay, two in One Tree Hill and one in the city.

Disease In Pigs. —An outbreak of swine-fever had been causing a number of deaths recently among pigs in the Johnsonvllle district, near Wellington, states Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director of Agriculture. All the premises concerned had been quarantined and steps were being taken to quell the outbreak, which seemed to be confined to a limited area.

Quakers’ Conference. —The annual meetings of the New Zealand Society of Friends (Quakers) are being held in Auckland, all the meetings throughout the Dominion being represented. A visitor from England is Miss Jennie Street, an honorary secretary of the European Christian Endeavour Union, and a vic§-president of the International Girls’ Life Brigade. Amongst the delegates is Mr J. A. Brallsford, of Wanganui, formerly of Hamilton.

Fairy Coaoh's Interesting History.— The fairy coach to be used In next Monday’s production of the pantomime “ Cinderella ” was built for a Melbourne presentation of the same pantomime over 30 years ago, when the title role was portrayed by the late Miss Nellie Stewart. Subsequently the Melbourne production, Including the fairy coach, was shipped to England and staged at Drury Lane, with Miss Stewart again featured. Years afterwards Mr Frank Neil purchased a Drury Lane production of “ Cinderella ” and included was the coach built for the original Melbourne production.

Eclipse of Planet. —An occultation or eclipse of the planet Saturn by the moon will take place at a few minutes to 9 to-morrow morning. As It will then be broad daylight, it will be Invisible except with optical assistance. Occultations of the fixed stars by the moon a.re of frequent occurrence, and are studied closely, as they enable the moon’s motion to be better understood, and this leads to more accurate predictions for the tides, moon’s phases, eolipses, etc. Occultations of the planets, or wandering stars, are, however, of comparative rarity, ami are of interest mostly on that account. There will be another occultation of Saturn on the evening of July 9.

Horns In a Dilemma. —A small b'oy was observed in Scott Street, Blenheim, tho other, day with a problem on his hands, for he was attempting to carry a basket, laden with small purchases, in one hand, and to lead a cow by a rope held in the other hand. Tile basket was awkward for the little chap, and the cow was inclined to be so obstreperous in the traffic that' two small hands were really required to manage it. Ingenuity solved tho difficulty. As the result of an inspiration the lad was able to devote both hands to the rope and the cow marched sedately behind —with the basket suspended from one horn.

National Industry. —“ There is a great need for this country to throw off Its ‘primary industries complex’ and 'export mania,’ and declare for national industry in every effective form," said the retiring president, Mr S. Takle, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association yesteday. "Contentment in dependence on Britain will not do," he added. “Britain has her own problems to face up to, and other countries to consider, and cannot be expected to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves. Only by the establishment and development of industries making for national growth and independence will we be able to hold our own, and to provide the necessary variation In employment for our own citizens."

New Noise Problem. —The advent of the loud speaker provided a new problem for the laws against noise, and they have never faced it (says a Sydney writer). “Wireless was something so new that it caught the world napping so far as any legal restraint is concerned, ’ll is true that one can go to the Equity Court and obtain an Injunction against one’s neighbour for ills persistent use of a loud speaker. Such a suit which might easily run into hundreds of pounds in costs is about as fitting as to hire a cannon to shoot a a sparrow. r i’ho statutory references to’ noise are few and far between, and they show that they were designed for other days and other manners." The formidable character of a new law-making crusade against noises is glimpsed when one considers the racket caused not only by loud speakers, but by motor horns, moving tramcar’s and’motor cycles, all of which are part of " civilisation.”