LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18946, 16 May 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Gold Values. —In London on Monday gold was quoted at £(5 3s 3d an ounce, a drop of 3d on Saturday’s price.

Gray Valley Collieries. —The directors of Grey Valley Collieries, Limited announce that the final dividend of 3 per cent, for the year ended September 30, 1930, declared at the annual meeting on December 16, 1930, will be paid on May 24, 1933.

Milton’s Profits Rise. —On Increase in trading profits from £32,965 to £40,427 in the year ended September 30 last is reported by the directors of Milton Proprietary (makers of medical products). The report refers to the success of the extensive advertising and propaganda campaign. Sales it is stated, have largely Increased.— World's Press News.

Art Union Proceeds. —The Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee will benefit to the extent of £2014 as a result of the Great Easter Art Union. It Is understood similar amounts have been allocated to the other three principal citle® of the Dominion.

Northern Miners’ Union. —Ballots taken at the Renown, Glen Afton, Pukemiro and Rotowaro mines for the election of officials in the Northern Miners’ Union resulted in the following being re-elected: President, Mr R. L. Roberts (Rotowaro); secretary, Mr A. Davison (RenoAvn) ; National Council delegate, Mr V. Curran (Pukemiro).

If World Parley Falls. —Speaking at the Workers’ Educational Association economics lecture last evening, Dr. H. Belshaw, Professor of Economics at the Auckland University College, stated that If the World Economic Conference failed there would be no option but to make some drastic change In our economic system. He could see weaknesses in the capitalist system and other proposed alternative systems. “Do you admit a change is necessary?" Dr. Belshaw was asked. "Certainly, ’’ he replied. “It will come whether we wish It or not.”

Should Not Bo Done. —A photograph of a proud gunner with a vast array of dead poultry around him is now regarded as one of those things tfiat distinctly should not be done” (writes “Ruru" in the New Zealand Railways Magazine). He adds: “The birds are not so plentiful as they were; the wild duck are dwindling In numbers, due to draining of swamps and lagoons and the consequent decrease of feeding grounds. The time has gone for the huge bags which sportsmen used to brag about."

Natural Gas. —That the Californian companies must reap huge profits on account of supplies of natural gas, Is the opinion of Mr R. R. Robinson, who has returned to Wanganui from Los Angeles, where he was engaged In business. He said that all that was necessary for them to do to obtain It was to sink a well. The gas was supplied at a dollar per 1000 cubic feet and was distributed on a high pressure system, the gas In the mains having a pressure of 31b per square inch, thereby ensuring an even supply with no drop in pressure. •

“HI Maori I”— When Captain White, former harbourmaster at Wanganui, was a young man, he was engaged in the Black Sea trade. He had a habit of talking about'"my country,” referring to New Zealand. When going ashore at a port on the Sea of Azov he was being chaffed by the captain, who said: "You won’t find anyone from your country here.” .However, before the boat had tied up to the wharf young White surprised his companion by calling out: "HI, Maori! AVhat are you doing here?” The first man he set eyes on in Russia was a schoolmate from Tlmaru.

Work of Dairy Froduoo Board.-—Mr Charles L. Luke, of Te Puke, a member of the Dairy Producae Board, this afternoon addressed a number of farmers at Whitlanga on the work of the board. Referring to the growth of the industry Mr Luke said the total output in 1890 was 3763 tons and in 1932-33 it was 220,000 tons. From 1890 the otal money received for dairy produce was nearly £300,000,000. In 1928-29 the value reached £20,000,000. The board’s shipping work Avas enormous, 220,000 tons from 500 factories being shipped from eleven grading ports into 107 steamers in the 1931-32 season.

No Ordinary Dividend. Accounts of Wright, Stephenson and Company, Limited, for the year ended March 31, disclose a credit balance to profit and loss of £57,525, including £27,166 brought forward. Interim preference dividend, paid on October 5, absorbs £6246, leaving £51,279. Provision for bad and doubtful debts and for unpaid Interest on farmers’ advance accounts requires £98,224 and tho position has been met by a transfer from reserve of £46,945. No provision for ordinary dividend, which in the previous year was 4 per cent, or for a final dividend on preference shares, is made. This is the first time the company has failed to pay a .dividend to its shareholders or owners since 1895.

History of tho Maori. —Dr. G. H. Scholefleld remarked at the Historical Association meeting held in Wellington that he hoped more attention Avould he paid in future to the history of the Maori (says tho Evening Post). This study was still in a very elementary stage, and amounted largely to a record of war parties and battles. There was a great body of very valuable material for study In the whalcapapas in the Native Land Courts, and he hoped that some attempt would be made by students to reconstruct the social history of the Maori by studying the influence of leading men and Avomcn in Maori history on the basis of these whakapapas, and of wliat was known of their personal character anti achievements.

A Special Clearing purchase has Peon mado by House and Dakfng Ltd., of 40 Women’s Art Silk Marocaln Frocks. Secured considerably below regular pieces, these garments are outstanding value and are priced from 35s to 42s 6d. Designed on graceful lines to the very latest style, with contrast and chromium button trimmings etc., they arc obtainable in plain shades of Green, Brown, Dark Red, Navy and Black. The Sizes range from S.W. to O.S. Tho Fabric, Is a super quality, fine finish, Silk Marocnin. Early selection Is particularly advised. House and Dakhig Ltd., tho store “ Where Quality Costs No More." **

Road Blocked by Slips. —A message fronv Gisborne states that the Waioeka Valley route is again blocked by slips on Traffords road 10 miles from Matawai. Traffic has been diverted to Motu Road.

Butter Prices In Guernsey. A Guernsey (Channel Islands) grocer's list for April quotes choice English butter at Is 2d per lb, and finest New Zealand, first grade, at lid per lb.

Injury to Footballer. —A fracture of the right arm was received by a Maori footballer, Daffle Hemcra, aged 29 years, while playing in a Rugby match at Cltorohanga on Saturday. He was admitted to the Waikato Hospital, and is progressing satisfactorily,

Ratana Delegation to Geneva. —lt is said that Ratana is proposing in the near future to take a delegation of his supporters to Geneva in connection with Maori matters, and that provision is already being arranged for financing the visit.

The Return of Beer —“ The return of legal beer on April 7 has been like a spark setting off a fire. Everybody is talking, reading and drinking beer,” say 3 a resident of Chicago, United States, in a letter to a friend in Hamilton this week.

Optimism In United States. —“ There certainly ,is a new note of optimism in the American air,” writes a resident of Chicago in a letter to a friend in Hamilton this week. “It seems since Mr Roosevelt took charge that everything is moving ahead. There may bo a long way ito go, but at least the return to prosperity has started.”

Alleged 'False Pretences. Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning William Maynard Ishwyn Evans, aged 34 years, was charged with- obtaining £2 from James Carson at Hamilton by means of a valueless cheque and with obtaining £2 10s in money and 10s In goods from Reginald Seymour Naylor at Waiuku by means of a valueless cheque. A remand until Friday was granted.

Youth’s Mania for Cars. —A series of 'charges was preferred against Maxwell Ernest Butler, aged 20, motor mechanic (Mr Bryce Hart), in the Police Court at Auckland. “He has a mania for motor-cars and runs about the city in them, but apart from this ‘ kink ’ he is particularly well behaved,” said counsel. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

Cheerfulness In Australia. —“A thing that impressed me,” said Sir James Parr at Wellington yesterday, on his return from Australia, “ was that the temper of the Australian people is more cheerful and more buoyant. I spoke to bankers, to business people, and to Federal and State Ministers, and the spirit of gloom does not characterise the general attitude of the people.”

Degrees of Control. greater measure of control and regulation is necessary in our banking machinery,” replied Dr. 11. Belshaw, Professor of Economics at Auckland University College, to a questioner at the Workers’ Educational Association’s lecture last evening. There was a roar of applause in one corner of the room. “I am not sure whether that would be enough to satisfy you,” added the professor amid laughter.

An Urgent Matter. —“ Have you any method of getting the unemployed back to work?” Professor 11. Belshaw, of Auckland University College, was asked at the Workers’ Educational Association’s economics lecture last evening. Dr. Belshaw replied that that aspect of the world crisis encroached on his next week’s lecture, and he could not “let all his rabbits out of the hat.” “Well,” the questioner replied, “I am keeping a wife and family on practically nothing, and .next week may be too late."

Escapee Re-captured. The last of the three prisoners who escaped from tile Waikune prison sub-camp at Whisky Greek, 16 miles south of Turangi, Lake Taupo, on April 21, Basil Hodgson, aged. 26, was arrested in Hobson Street, Auckland, yesterday. One of the other men, Vincent Barney Reardon, aged 30, was recaptured two days after the escape, while Eugene Charles Dominio McCarthy, aged 25, gave himself up at Mount Crawford gaol, Wellington, after a week’s liberty.

Flaw In Act. —The belief that a flaw exists in a vital clause of the Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Act, passed during the final stages of the last session of Parliament, was expressed to the Waitemata Electric-Power Board yesterday by the manager, Mr A. Main, acting on the advice of the board’s solicitors. It is claimed that the effect of ,the legislation is to impose a cut of 30 per cent in interest instead of the 20 per cent, which Parliament evidently contemplated.

Decrease In Production. —A considerable decrease in the amount of butter manufactured by the Masterton Dairy Company In April was reported at the monthly meeting of directors of the company. It was stated that the decrease was due to the very dry conditions experienced In the latter part of the season. The total amount of butter manufactured to date this season was 927 tons, which is an increase of 109 tons over the amount manufactured during the corresponding period last season. The pay-out for April butterfat was fixed at sd,

Steamers Buffeted by Gale. — An exceptionally long spell of boisterous weather and rough head seas was experienced by the steamer Wirral, which arrived at Auckland from New York yesterday. Heavy seas repeatedly broke on board and Hooded the decks. The Shaw, Savill and Albion liner lonic, which reported by wireless that she would arrive from Southampton on Thursday morning, has now advised that she is being delayed by stormy weather and expects to arrive at an" early hour on Friday morning.

Students and Politics. —The latitude allowed in the free expression of opinion In regard to political and social questions in American universities proved a surprise to Mr 11. G. Miller, librarian at Victoria University College, and a former Rhodes Scholar, who returned to Wellington by Hie Remuera yesterday after a 12 months’ visit to America and England. Mr Miller said that at the University of Michigan undergraduates were free to take active pari in politics. They had Communist clubs and carried on activities vigorously. Mr .Miller remarked that lie attended an interesting debate at the university, at which representatives from four political parlies, Communist, Socialist, Democratic and Republican, spoke. Students of all political opinions gave llicir views.