LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19984, 7 September 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

British War Loan. —British war loan 3£ per cent, was quoted in London on Saturday at £lO7 6s 3d, compared with £lO7 5s the previous day.

Safety Zone of the World. —“ Britain is the safety zone of the world. If she goes, civilisation goes,” said the Hon. R. Semple at the gathering of Orphans in Auckland on Saturday night.

Hamiltonian on Warship. —Seaman Vaughan Varney, of Hamilton, who left for service abroad on H.M.S. Diomede some months ago, returned to Auckland on H.M.S. Achilles yesterday.

British Treasury Bills. —The total amount applied for last week in tenders for £50,000,000 worth of British Treasury bills was £80,235,000. The average’ rate per cent for hills at three months was 10s 9.49 d. against 10s 7.31 d a week ago.

Primary Sohools Resume Hamilton primary schools resumed, to-day for the third and final term after a fortnight’s vacation. The third term will occupy 15 weeks, being the longest of the' school year. Secondary schools will resume to-morrow week.

Rotary Club Address. —An interesting review of the Child Welfare Department’s activities in New Zealand was given by Mr E. W. G. Thorpe, child welfare office') at Hamilton, at the Hamilton Rotary Club’s weekly, luncheon to-day.

Found on Lloensed Promises.— Pleading guilty to being on licensed premises after hours on August 3, Alexander Roy McKinnon and Ronald Avie Blair were convicted and fined £2 each and costs by Mr S. L. Paterson S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court to-day.

The Locked Strongroom. —The strongroom of the Bank of New South Wales, Napier, which became jammed and resisted all efforts to open it on Friday, was opened by an expert who was summoned from Wellington. There was a slight fault in the combination which the expert overcame in a few minutes.

Why the Embargo Is Wise. —“ The Australians are very wise to maintain Hie embargo on New Zealand potatoes. If they once' let New Zealand potatoes into the Commonwealth the Australians would use none other. Their own are so poor,” said Mr Gordon Macauley, when speaking at Invercargill of his recent visit to Australia.

Calliope Dock Workers. —Of the 120 engineers, carpenters, shipwrights and painters employed at the Calliope Dock only 23 reported for work on Saturday and they were given employment as usual. The others, who are all employed ut an hourly rate, will be permitted to resume this morning. The authorities will take no action in the matter.

Fine-looking Men. —“ I doubt if anywhere one could see a thousand more purposeful, wholesome and finelooking men,” said the Right Hon. R. B. Bennett, ex-Premier of Canada, at the Orphans’ rally in Auckland on Saturday night. When the audience laughed, Mr Bennett assured them that he did not mean the remark humorously; it was his honest opinionf

Team Leaves the Ground.—Dissatisfied with the referee's rulings the Comrades Association football team left the ground at North Shore (Auckland), where it was playing a match against North Shore. The play was characterised by much rough play, and the referee issued a number of cautions and ordered one Comrade player to the side line.

Unpleasant Week-end. —Boisterous conditions prevailed over the week-end in Hamilton when a heavy southwesterly wind blew continuously. As yet no damage has been reported. Cold rain squalls accompanied the heavy gale and for the 48 hours ended nine o’clock Ibis morning .17in.

of rain at Ruakura and .lGin. at Whitiora were recorded. Unsettled weather continued this morning when light hail fell in (Hamilton.

Placement Activity. —The mobility of the Labour Department’s placement scheme was well illustrated a few days ago when a hairdresser in the country urgently needed a tradesman l’or his siiop, and applied to the nearest placement officer. No men were available locally, but a telephone call to a far-distant placement officer resulted in a qualified man in that district being engaged and “on the job” within a few hours of the urgent application.

“Good Value Week” offers some outstanding values at Hooker and Kingslons. Many lines specially purchased in Manchester by our London Buyers in Towels, Sheets, Serviettes, Carpet Ends etc., are being offered: compare the quality an 1 then the price of these Osman and Terrier Coloured Towels at 3/6 per pair. The Twill Sheets in unbleached 54 x 2J yds for

5/11 and 80 x 2J l’or 8/11 pair. Pure Linen Serviettes scalloped all round for 1/1 l each. Carpet Ends 54 x 1 i yds long in good quality Axmlnster worth 17/6 for 11/6. Bleaehed Damask 5 4 inches wide in two smart patterns for 2/6 yard at Hooker & Kingston Lid “The Store for Better Value.’’**

Witness's Admission. —“ I am probably a back-seat driver,” frankly replied a witness at the Hamilton Police Court to-day when asked why she gave instructions to her husband, who was in charge of the car, not to turn when obviously he did not intend doing so.

Returned Soldiers’ Membership.— The figures at the end of August in the membership contest conducted by the Dunedin and Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Associations show Dunedin to haye a lead of nearly 300. The Dunedin association’s total was 1997 and that of Christchurch 1713.

Work on Waterfront. —Work on the Auckland waterfront was resumed on Saturday morning, after the men refusing to work overtime on Friday night. Their action caused delay in the despatch of several vessels. 'The men worked on Saturday afternoon, for which overtime rates were paid. The reason for the men’s action on Friday night has not been explained.

“ The Order of the Mount.”— Much amusement was caused at the Orphans’ rally in Auckland on Saturday night when Mr Lewis, president of the Tauranga Orphans’ Club, conferred “ The Order of the Mount ” —a chain of shells—on the chairman, Mr Ernest Davis, stating that it was a rare honour. Mr Davis humorously acknowledged the gift.

Emergency Brakes Applied. —Whilst the Wanganui-Wellington excursion train comprising 16 fully laden cars was negotiating the Okoia grade six miles from Wanganui, a passenger applied the emergency brake in one of the carriages. The train came to an abrupt stop. There were three locomotives attached to the train, all of which opened their throttles but their combined efforts only resulted in severely damaging the buffers, couplings, and under-carriages of two cars. The train was delayed for an hour.

Auckland Drivers’ Union. —A concert was held on Saturday evening, at the Trade’s Hall, Auckland, to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the Auckland Drivers Union's formation and the first anniversary of its reconstruction. Mr G. S. Morris outlined the growth of the Labour Party. Mr G. Davis, secretary, said the Auckland Drivers’ Union, 38 years ago. with a membership of twenty-five, was the first body of its kind to contest successfully its claims before the celebration Court. At present the union had a membership of 1500.

No Place Like Home. —Some months ago a young New Zealander, convinced that the distant fields of Australia were greener than those nearer home, ventured across the Tasman. He found that the labour supply there greatly exceeded the demand, and, failing to secure work, spent his remaining funds in buying his return ticket. On the day of his arrival in the Dominion a placement officer got in contact with him, a farm position was offered and accepted, and next evening he arrived at the farm in time to assist in the evening’s milking.

11 Cannot Work Mlraoles.”—Referring to the Government’s record when speaking in Auckland on Saturday, the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, said it might be true that they were taxing the rich to help the fellow down in the gutter, but there was nothing wrong with that. It was in line with Christian ethics and Christian ideas. The Government could not work miracles in nine months, hut they had been working night and day to do what they had already done. There was much yet to do, and they were going right ahead, doing the task in their own way, keeping in view all the time the welfare of the women and children.

Paper Mills Scheme. —lnterviewed regarding the recent discussions in the House of Representatives concerning the Whakatane Paper Mills Water Rights Empowering Bill, the secretary of the company, Mr E. B. Brown, said naturally the directors were disappointed with the delay in getting the measure through the House and stated that his feelings would be shared by thousands of shareholders throughout New Zealand and Australia. While, however, the company was ple'ased with the attitude of the Government it regretted that certain statements grossly misrepresenting the company in many ways had be’en made in the House by members without a full knowledge of the facts.

Wheat Sowings. —ln a statement on Saturday the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, stated in view of the world shortage of wheat New Zealand growers would be well advised to sow as much spring wheat as possible. In many districts the most promising wheats to sow In September were Jumbuck and Marquis, the first of which commanded a premium of 2d a bushel over Tuscan, while Marquis brought 4d a bushel over Tuscan. It was too early to discuss next year’s prices, but growers could rest assured all factors would be taken Into consideration when fixing prices for wheat. In the meantime he could state that a final payment of 4d a bushel on the 1936 crop was in sight, but the final figures would not be available until all the 1936 wheat had been dealt with.

Load by a Cow. —How three surveyors, becoming lost in the dense bush surrounding Palmerston North when returning from a shooting expedition in the Oroua district, found their way out again was related by Mr R. S. Abraham to the Palmerston North Rotary Club. He’ stated that they were without compasses, but were accompanied by a Maori boy and a milch cow which did duty both as a “pack-horse” and milk supply. Their plight, after they had been wandering l’or several days, was becoming serious when the Maori boy had a brainwave. He took the halter off the cow and hustled the animal to the front. With its animal instinct the cow headed straight for home, and the party were back in half an hour at their camp, which was situated on what was then the edge of the bush where the Palmerston North Boys’ High School now stands.

New Cruiser Arrives. —There was a crowd of some 1500 at the the De’vonport. Naval Base, Auckland, yesterday morning to welcome H.M.S. Achilles, the new cruiser for the New Zealand station, which contained H.M.S Diomede’s New Zealand ratings who had been on foreign service for nearly a year. Overhead roared the cruiser’s aircraft, which had been flown off by the catapult amidships three-quarters

of an hour before, and from the quarterdeck came the strains of a march played by the ship’s band ot' Royal Marines. Shortly after he had berthed his ship Captain I. G. Glennie left to pay his official call on the Commodore. Rear-Admiral the lion. E. R. Orummond. As the day was Sunday no ceremonial was observed. In length 555 ft., with a beam of Soft - and a draught of 18ft., 7030 tons in displacement, capable of 32.5 knots and built for a wartime complement of 550 officers and ratings, the Achilles has had only one other commission and is three years old. She cost £1,600,000 lo build.

Favourable Prospects for Wool.— Prospects are favourable for all kinds of wool at the next series of London sales, which will open on September

Big Increase in Doctors. —A return just published shows that the number of doctors on the medical register at the end of last year was the highest ever recorded, 58,363, including over 6000 woman, says a message from LOudon.

Liner’s Fast Trip. —The new Union Castle liner Stirling Castle arrived at Capetown, South Africa, on Saturday, after having completed the journey from England in 13 days 6 hours 30 minutes,, against the new schedule)! time ol' 13 days 14 hours. Hitherto llieso mail liners ran to a schedule of 16 days 14 hours for the journey.

The Flower of Friendship. —At the Orphans’ rally in Auckland on Saturday night an inspirational address was given by Professor Maxwell Walker, who said that from the root of Orphandoni grew the flower of friendship. Everybody desired human association, and he would give as a slogan, "Get closer together.”

Hospital Concert.— An enjoyable concert was presented at Ward 3 of the Waikato Hospital when items were given by the Hamilton mouth organ band, Messrs J. Kilburn and R. Nicholson (mouth organ duets), M. Devltt (steel guitar), A. Dawson (vocal solos), B. Amos (elocution) and Miss J. Williams (elocution).

The Tin Market.— A cable message from London states that Dr. Yanden Broek, the Dutch tin delegate, has been invited to visit Bangkok before going to Europe. London considers that the invitation is evidence that Siam is prepared to adopt a more conciliatory tone, and the outlook for restriction is regarded as more’ favourable.

Madame La Merl and Maoris. — Madame La Meri, chatting with a Waikato Times representative to-daV, was enthusiastic about the Maoris and their dances. She has just spent a we’ek at Rotorua, and said that she had been much impressed by the wonderful sense of rhythm shown by the natives. She had devoted much study to the poi, and was adding it to her repertoire.

Making Coasts Safe. —“ There is no doubt at all that a nation that fails to make its coast as safe as possible for shipping by installing radio beacons is guilty of gross neglect,” said the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Fraser, addressing the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners on Saturday night. The Minister said he would not be satisfied until the New Zealand coasts were, as they ought to be, the safest in the world.

Aid for Shipping. —The Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Fraser, speaking at Wellington on Saturday evening stated: “We cannot stand by and watch our shipping being driven off the seas by the’ subsidised competition of other countries without striving to protect it. Some assistance would have to be given British ships in the Pacific service, but what sort of help was to be given was a matter for consideration. The people of New Zealand realised that If the Dominion were to continue as a maritime country some assistance would have to bo given.

Bports at Chateau. —There were further delays at the winter sports meeting over the week-end owing to the bad weather. Only two out of six events in the inte'r-Domlnion ski-lng contests have yet been decided. Australia and New Zealand have both won one, but Australia is leading by 195.25 points to 181.85. All the accommodation at the Chateau is again full. Parties of boys from the Auckland Grammar School and the Hamilton Technical High School have arrived, and further parties from Auckland, Wellington and Waikato secondary schools arc due shortly. Many large private parties also arrived during the weekend. A number of the schoolboys had the benefit of ski instruction from T. W. Mitchell, captain of the visiting Australian team.