LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Morrlnsvllle Fire Dlstrlot. —The New Zealand Gazette states that the borough of Morrlnsvllle has been declared a fire district. Wellington Competitions. —The Wellington music, elocution and dancing competitions commenced this morning. The entries are a record. Post for M. Dlmltroff. —A message from Moscow states that M. Dimitroff has been elected general secretary of the Third (Communist) International. Clipper Aeroplane ißeturns. —The Pan-American Airways Clipper aeroplane arrived at Honolulu yesterday at 5.2 p.m. after a 10 hours’ flight from Midway Island. Treaties Registered. —During June, 27 treaties and international engagements were registered with the League of Nations according to Article 18 of the Covenant, bringing the total so registered to 3684. Dividend of 45 Per Cent. North Broken Hill has advised the Stock Exchange .Association that the directors have declared a dividend of 2s Gd a share, together with a bonus of Is a share. The dividend will bo payable in Melbourne on September 28. Previous distributions were made as follows: —December, Is Gd a share;. March, Is Gd a share; June, Is Gd a share and bonus Is a share. The total payments have tirus been 9s a share, or 45 per cent. Last year the distribution amounted to 7s a share, or 35 per cent.

Abnormal Winter.— Figures go to show that Christchurch has experienced an abnormal winter. For instance, last month’s rainfall of 1.06 in was 58 per cent, below normal and xvas the lightest for July since 1928. Present indications are that farmers and gardeners will be wanting rain badly, as the rainfall for the year so far is only 13.11 In, as against the normal total of 19.03 in for a year, or 16.954 in to the end of August. With almost eight months of the year gone the total rainfall is just over half of that for a normal year.

Taupo Totara Company. —An ordinary dividend of -i per cent, the first since 1927, is recommended in the annual report of the Taupo Totara Timber Company, Limited, for the year ended April 30. The company"earned a profit of £15,015, compared with a profit of £6971 in the previous year, and a loss of £5145 in 1932-33. In addition to the ordinary dividend of 4 per cent, absorbing £3502, the directors recommend a dividend of 7 per cent, less the statutory reduction of 20 per cent, on preference shares, requiring £6633, and placing to investment reserve £4OOO, being from profits made on the sale of investments. A sum of £SBO is carried forward.

Not Up To His Task. —ls it possible to eat six meat pies in a quarter of an hour? This question was debated by employees of a Christchurch engineering firm recently, with the result that during the morning smoke-oh, the matter was put to the test. One of the men, with six pies arrayed before him, attempted to eat them against the clock. He disposed of five within the allowed time. Lunch time followed, and undaunted by his failure with the pies the same man took part in a wheelbarrow race round the city block in which his firm's premises are situated. It is hardly surprising that he did not win tills event either.

Awards for Bacon Pigs. —The Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association has received advice of awards made in London for bacon pigs, most suitable for export, which were exliibiled at the last Auckland Show. Details are as follows, together with comments on the four placed pigs:— Glendcne Farm (i), “.This is a good pig and the best of the shipment”; Bolton and Company (2), “ Quite a good pig. but rather big on the shoulder” (placed fourth at show) ; Amburys. Limited (3), “ Quilc a fair pig, but rather fat and heavy in shoulder”;

R. Webb (4), “Quite a good pig, but here again rather heavy on the forequarter” (placed first at show).

IVloro Tourists.—The South Island member of the Tourist Advisory Board, Mr n. L. Wigley, in an interview in Wellington, said that following various meetings already held by members of the board he had come io Hie conclusion Hint Iho prospects for the coining tourist season were belter than had ever previously been experienced. The board lias been working in llie closest possible association with the Minister, llie lion. A. Hamilton, and the new head of llie Tourist Deparlmetil, Mr L. .1. Schmitt. A special committee, which is a sub-coinmitlce of llie Tourist Advisory Board, has been set. up, -consisting of Messrs Wigley and 11. .1. Knighl. to confer with the Minister and Mr. Schmit- with (lie view lo formulating a constructive policy for llie reorganisation and development of llie tourist business.

Special altraclinn. daily in House and Baking's Tea Booms! Kaeli afternoon from 2.15 lo 5.15. Annus! 27. until i-eplember 5. llie talented “Boland Family gexlcllc ” —Viennese Orchestra (direct from Vienna) —will provide, a special programme for patrons. An outstanding musical presentation that music-lovers should not miss'. Six talented musicians adept at piano, violin arid 'cello! Extract from Auckland Star says: “The audience could not get enough. . . ” “Their Viennese music .... -created quite a furore.” Now you can hear lliem at -House and Baking's 1 You .MUST contrive to be there!*

Currency in London. —Gold was quoted in London yesterday at £7 Os lid, the dollar at 4.96 J, and the franc at . 75 1-16, compared with £7, 4.98 5-IG, and 75 1-8 respectively the previous day. Glaxo Debentures. The Glaxo Manufacturing Company (N.Z), Limited, hp informed holders that it has decided “to redeem the whole of its debenture stock (except such part as has already been purchased by it) of the issue of £100,000.” Farmers’ Union Membership. —First place in membership among all ihe branches of the Farmers’ Union in the Dominion has been secured by the Te Awamutu branch. As the result of an energetic canvass for members the membership lias increased from 137 to a figure in excess of 300. Blue Riband of the Atiantlo.— The blue riband of the Atlantic was won last year by the Italian liner Rex, but now is held by the French liner Normandie. Tlie trophy, provided by an international committee for this success, was presented on behalf of the committee to the captain of the Rex at Genoa In November. It will pass now to tho captain of the Normandie. League of Nations’ Finance. —The financial position of the League of Nations on May 31st showed that current contributions were 7 per cent, higher in 1935 than at the same perlffd the year before. Contributions In respect of arrears were somewhat less, as was to be expected. The total contributions, however, stood at 47.88 per cent, in comparison with 44.14 per cent, for the year before. Drama Festival at Palmerston North. —The Foxton Women’s Institute team gained first place with “Women At War" at the festival of the Manawatu area of the British Drama League, and will take part in the elimination festival at Hastings. In the junior section the judge (Professor Shelley), said the Boys’ High School Dramatic Club, which presented “Campbell of Kilmohi,” had been outstanding, and was worthy of being entered in the senior festival. There were nine senior and three junior teams entered. Unreliable Estimates. —The danger of placing too much reliance on evidence dealing with speed estimates of motor vehicles was commented upon by Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, yesterday. “Human vanity prompts everybody to make a shot at guessing the speed of a vehicle, but there is very little value in it,” said His Honour. “Equally there is very little value in estimates of distances vehicles are away from motorists when first seen.” Violinist Complains of Taxation.— Mr Moshe Menuhin, father and business manager of the youthful violinist Yehudi Menuhin, xvho has concluded a tour of .Australia and New Zealand, complains of the “terrific taxation” on visiting artists, says a Melbourne message. Mr Menuhin says that apart from the depreciated pound the Federal and State taxes in Australia have absorbed 50 per cent, of the revenue from liis son’s concerts. There was a better understanding in New Zealand, where taxation was less burdensome.

Department Very Fortunate.-—" I think the department is very fortunate that school children and parents do so much in the way of raising money for the benefit of their schools,” remarked Mr F. A. Snell at a meeting of the Hamilton (High School Board of Governors yesterday, .when the proceeds of the school’s operetta were discussed. “ Not • only in the secondary schools but in the primary schools as well, the department has been saved a considerable sum of money,” he added.

Proceeds from Operetta.—" The net proceeds of the Hamilton High School girls’ operetta ‘ Aladdin—and Out ’ amounted to £3l 19s 3d,” -commented Hie chairman, Mr G. -L. Mac Diarmid, at a meeting of the 'Hamilton High School Board of Governors yesterday. The total proceeds were over £9O. It was decided to agree to the principal’s request and allocate the money as follows:—£2s to the hall extension fund; £5 to the school library fund, -and £1 19s 3d to the magazine account.

Fire at Girls’ Hostel. —Slight damage to the floor In the preparation, room of -the girls’ hostel the other evening was verbally reported from Miss Hogg, to the Hamilton High School Board of Governors at a -meeting yesterday. It was stated that the fire, which xvas -soon discovered, was apparently -caused by a "waste paper basket being placed -too -dose to a heater. It was decided- to ask Miss Hogg for a written report with a view to taking further necessary precautions.

Barked But Did Not Bite.-— A curious little scene was witnessed recently in a Carterton back yard. A dog was given his evening meal and his owner, hearing unusual growls and barks, went out to learn the cause. A hedgehog was seen busily eating a share of the dog’s dinner. The dog didn’t approve and would bark and put his nose under the hedgehog -and push him out of the dish; hut Mr —or Mrs —hedgehog would merely peer up with his little eyes at the dog and walk round to the other end of the -dish and begin again, quite unconcerned. When It had secured all it could get, It calmly walked off, leaving the dog still harking at the empty bowl.

An Honest Action. —To drop a purse containing £6 -on a country road and have It returned through the honesty of an mnknown man before he was aware of his loss was the experience of a resident of Roslyn Bush (says the Southland Times). Fortunately for him the finder was honest, and two friends were handy to identify the purse when the discovery was made. These friends were walking along the road when they were approached by a man who staled that he had found a purse and asked if they knew the owner. On being told they did the man handed over the purse and went on his way. When restitution was made the owner was pleased at his escape from loss and sorry that lie could not lluink or reward the finder.

Commencing on Monday morning Hooker and Kingston’s have planned a Monster uddment Week. With the termination of llie sale and stacktaking completed, we Ibid ourselves with odd quantities of New Season's dependable goods which will lie cleared during oddment Week at record bargain prices. Four only Single Bed Real Down Quills willi Satin Broelie coverings usually 39/6 will be cleared at 25/-. Eighty pairs of good quality while and unbleached sheets double bed usually 15/0 will go at il/0 pair. Single Bed 11/6 will be cleared at 7/0 pair. A great purchase of Damask cloths wilt he cleared at less than the prices at the mill. Thirty only ladies’ heautifiul Satinette RAiric-oats—-a late -delivery just arrived—usually 39/6, will l)e cleared at 15/-. Bargains in every department during Oddment Week at Hooker and Kingston's. Don't Miss It.**