LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19461, 28 December 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Maoris’ Day Out. — lt is estimated that approximately £SOO was spent by Maoris in Wanganui one day last week, a considerable pay-out having been made by the Native Land Board.

Small Boy Injured. —As a result of falling down a bank while playing at St. Mary's Bay, Auckland, yesterday, Keith Tetai, aged 7, suffered concussion and abrasions to. the face.

Trans-Tasman Yacht Race. —The first vessel to reach Melbourne in the trans-Tasman yacht ract was the German yawl Te Rapunga, which crossed the finishing line off Williamstown, Port Melbourne, at 5 p.m. yesterday, New Zealand time, 19 days and two hours after leaving Auckland.

British Drama League School.' —The annual summer school of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League, which is being held in Auckland this year, will commence, this evening. A two weeks’ course in dramatic work will be provided at the school, which continues until January 10.

300 Per Cent. Bonus. —It was announced after the close of the Stock Exchange in London recently that the Austin Motor Company is to capitalise £450,000 of its reserve fund and to issue to Ordinary shareholders three new fully-paid “A” Ordinary shares of 5s each for every 5s Ordinary share held. This makes a 300 per cent, capital bonus.

Presenting Medals to Airmen. —During his visit to Palmerston North the Duke of Gloucester Will present the medals—donated by Sip Macpherson Robertson for all competitors w T ho completed the course in the Centenary air race-—won by Squadron-Leader M. G. McGregor and Mr 11. G. Walker. The presentation will be made at the civic reception to the Duke.

Mechanical Cavalry. —The War Office announces that experiments will be conducted in .1935 in the Second-Cav-alry Brigade, with a view to developing a mechanised substitute for cavalry. Each section of the brigade will have one motor vehicle and 1 a scout troop, and will be given light armoured two-seater cars.

Italian Amazons.— -The report of a Parliamentary committee, which has been examining Signor Mussolini’s bill for tlie militarisation of Italy’s manhood from the age of 8 years to 55, proposes that women should also be trained as soldiers. The reason given is. that “ the war of to-morrow must find all citizens, without distinction of age or sex, prepared to meet its hard and complex necessities.’’

Carnival at Rotorua. —A holiday carnival was commenced in Rotortla on Wednesday evening with the installation of Mr Albert Russell as King Carnival and Mr R. Morgan as his aide-de-camp. The freedom of the borough was bestowed upon Mr Russell by the Mayor, Mr T. Jackson, and, following his spectacular progress through the streets to the accompaniment of lively airs, an open-air entertainment was held in the town square.

Spectacular Swamp Blaze. —For the greater part of Ipst evening several spectacular fires were raging on the Rukuhia- , Swamp, about eight • miles from Hamilton'. The outbreaks, which assumed 1 enormous proportions, are considered to be the most extensive experienced in the district, and were clearly visible many miles away. The location of the outbreaks was on the area north of the Rukuhia railway station, norlh of the line, though several small fires were burning on the other side. No damage to property is reported.

Better Trade Year. —The year now ending gave nolioeable evidence that the Dominion is beginning to enjoy a measure of internal progress. Business houses report- increased turnovers compared with the previous year and a rise in trading profits was general. Most heartening was the exceptionally good Christmas trade experienced tiffs year. The outstanding feature of the year was I lie return to more stable conditions in trade.

Duke as Menu Card Collector.— -The Duke of Gloucester'is a keen collector of menu cards, and wherever he dines he takes'away with him the card. As he was leaving Freemason's Hotel at Lismore, Australia, he recollected that he had forgotten his memento of his visit to Lismore, and stopped at the office to ask for one. On, the Royal Train, he collected not only the menu cards for his own dining suite, but that used by others on the train.

Australian 'Lambs. —Australian goodwill messages, "spoken with lambs," have been broadcast to a far wider area even than the record figures indicate. They have reached members of the Royal Family, Indian princes, peers, members of the British Cabinet, the Archbishop of 'Canterbury and many other notable people. Lambs have been sent to Gresford (which recently suffered loss as the outcome of a colliery explosion), the slums of large cities, the Barnardo Homes, hospitals, and charity organisations.

Unsinkable Lifeboats. —Twenty-four fireproof, unsinkable lifeboats, cacti of which will carry 115 persons—easily the largest boats of flic kind ever constructed in Britain—are being built for tiie new Gurnard liner Queen Mary. Each boat will be fitted with a Diesel motor engine, using fuel oil, and insulated so that It can bo started in the coldest weather while the boat is* in the davits. Even should I,ho boat become. flooded the engine will continue running. Two of the boats will be 'equipped with the latest wireless apparatus.

The Prince’s Wreath. —The removal of the wreath placed by the Duke of Gloucester on the Cenotaph in front of the War Memorial Museum at Auckland on Monday, a few hours after it was set, in position, occasioned some dismay among Aucklanders who visited the Cenotaph Inter to see the wreath. It was thought that the wreath of poppies had possibly been stolen. Actually, the wreath was removed for safe-keeping by an official of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. II was explained yesterday that past experience had shown that .wreaths placed at the foot ofI lie. Cenotaphs by eminent, people were subject to mutilation.

This delightful Summertime. The real swimming lime.. For the briny we have all the latest shapes in Bathing Suits, featuring such reliable makes as Speeilo, Hoslyn and Canterbury, etc. Priced from 9/1 I to 22/G and in all sizes. Then accessories such as bathing caps in Pull-on and Helmet shapes from Gd to 4/11, and a full range of Shoes and 'Belts, etc. In fact, everything you may require this swimming season is at Hooker and Kingston, Ltd, “Always Noted for Quality."* *

Alexander Mines Limited. —The operations at the above mine during December resulted in returns valued at £2370, the price of gold being computed at £7 per fine ounce.

The Sales Tax. —A record collection of sales itax for any month is reported for November. The total collected in the Dominion \vas £205,256, compared with £194,397 in October and £164,829 in November, 1933.

Currency In London. —On Thursday fine gold was quoted in London at £7 Os 10$d per ounce, the dollar at 4.93 13-16 and the franc at 74 13-16. The previous quotations were £7 Os Bd, 4.94$ and 75 29-32 respectively.

Explosion In Factory.— An explosion occurred in the Wliangarei Co-opera-tive Pairy Company’s factory at four o’clock yesterday morning and caused damage estimated at between £2OO and £3OO. Preparatory to commencing the day’s work an employee was starting the steam engine, which operates the factory plant and the cylinder heads blew off. No one was injured.

Early poaches.— One result of the prolonged dry spell has beep the early ripening of peaches atld other Stone fruits in Hamilton orchards. As early as the first week of December Air. J. Bateson, of Hamilton, picked ripe peaches front Ills trees. These were of the Triumph variety, 'which normally ripen- about mid-January. The peaches were well-developed and of excellent flavour.

Trans-Tasman Filers. — The distinction of flying with the trans-Tasman 'fliers, Messrs. Whitehead and Nicholl, in their Puss Moth monoplane was experienced by Mr, O. E. Shakeshaft, of Hamilton, >ou Boxing 'Day. Mr. Shakeshaft met the airmen at Rotorua and accompanied them to the Taupo air pageant. During the flight he was an interested witness of the method adopted hy the aviators ill changing seats - in their small machine. To accomplish the change-over from the pilot’s seat to the rear seat an intricate process of manoeuvring, and at the same time keeping the machine under control, was entailed.

A Matter of Punctilio.— An assertion that the arrangement of flags on the pole over the Hamilton General Post Office was contrary to tradition and form was made by a resident who rang up the editor of the Waikato Times this afternoon. The Union Jack, he said, should be flying above and not below the New Zealand flag. Enquiries at the Post Office elicited the information that the flags were displayed purely for decoration purposes, but if the susceptibilities of some citizens were offended the correct method would be introduced. Inc'idently the stickler for "correctness” was inaccurate in terming the British flag the Union Jack. It Is the Union Jack only on shipboard, but the Union Flag on land.