LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20465, 4 April 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dredging Returns. —A message from Murchison states that the Mataki Junction return lor the week ended March 31 was GOoz ol smelted gold for 120 hours’ Avork and 2 5,000 yards dredged.

Apple Tree Blossoming.—As eA'idence of the unusual season, a resident of Brookfield Street, Hamilton, reports that an apple tree upon which there is still fruit, has burst into blossom again.

Transfer of Motor-cycle.—Charges in respect to their failure to notify the change of OAA-ner-ship of a motor-cy-cle were preferred against John Barton Elliott and Walter Nesbit Smith, In the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day. Both defendants were conA'icted and fined 10s and costs.

Fire In Wash-house.—The Hamilton Fire Brigade received a call to an outbreak of fire at about 10 p.m. yesterday in a Avash-house and store-room in Greenwood Street, Frankton. The outbreak was caused by sparks from the copper igniting clothes, and the building was completely gutted.

Demand for Coal.—Last year the New Zealand railways consumed nearly 434,000 tons of coal, every particle of which was from New Zealand mines. In addition, nearly 100,000 tons of coke were used in railway activities. Wherever possible, the Railways Department gives preference to New Zealand products.

Printers' Award.—An award has been made by the Arbitration Court in the New Zealand printers’ machinists, lithographers, bookbinders.’ etc. disqute in accordance with the recommendations of a Conciliation Council, which arrived at a complete agreement, leaving only the formal clauses to the Court.

Waikato War Veteran. —Having served in various parts of the Waikato with the Armed Constabulary during the Maori War, chiefly with garrisons at Cambridge and Kihlkihi, Mr William Edgerley, of Epsom, Auckland, is celebrating his 90th birthday to-day. He entered business as a builder in Fiji and later in Auckland after the Maori War.

Remanded on Grave Charge.— George Stephen Nichols (21), farm labourer, of Arapuni, appeared before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court, to-day, charged with incest. On the application of Detective-sergeant J. Thompson, who appeared for the police, accused was remanded to appear at Wanganui on April 8.

Smashed Sign-post..—Police investigation proved that the sign-post limiting the speed of trains at the scene of the Ratana disaster, which had been found damaged, was not deliberately interfered with. Railway authorities are now satisfied that the post was broken by an open door on an old waggon attached to a train which had passed the point shortly before.

Price of Cement.—Reductions in the price of cement in certain districts from Is 6d to 9s a ton took effect today. It was stated last night by Mr S. Reid, manager of Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement, Limited, that Auckland would not affected by the reductions. The Auckland price of £4 4s a ton, ex store, subject to trade discount and sales tax, was much lower than elsewhere in New Zealand, where considerable variations In price were obtaining.

Crashed Into Post.—Messrs. J. A. Campbell and A. C. Ellis, of Ulster Street, Hamilton, experienced a lucky escape from serious injury early esterday morning when the small car in which they were travelling to Hamilton crashed into a concrete verandah pillar of a garage at Pokeno. The Impact snapped the pillar and the car came to a stop firmly wedged between the stump of the pillar and the door of the garage, which was also broken by the impact.

New Cheese Factory.—Work is to begin immediately on the construction of a £20,000 cheese factory to ne erected by the New Zealand Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, Limited, at Ngatea. The building will be near the Piako River, below the butter factory. The architect is Mr E. E. Gillman and the successful tenderer Mr P. Miller, both of Hamilton. It is expected that the building will be completed toward the end ofr'June, and it is hoped that cheese-making will begin at the beginning of August.

Farmers and the Government. —“ I have been in various parts of the country and I think the people of New Zealand are 80 per cent, with the Government to-day,” said Mr D. Barnes, M.P., speaking at a meeting at* the Olympia Hall, Walmate, recently. “ The wheat farmers have had better treatment from the Labour Government than any other Government this country has "had, and in the dairy farming districts the farmers are realising that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” he said. The price of wheat had risen Is 4d since the-Labour Government had been in power, and the returns supplied by the small farmers showed that whereas in 1935 they were making £2 a week each, they were making £2 15s in 1937.

New Zealand Butter In Germany.— When the first direct shipment of New Zealand butter to Germany left the Dominion on December 18 last year, Dr. Walter Hellenthal, German Consul in New Zealand, was invited as a goodwill gesture to send a small parcel of the best grade butter to one of his friends in Germany. This he did, addressing the gift to his mother, Frau Maria Hellenthal, in the Saar district. Dr. Hellenthal, who is visiting Christchurch, received a letter from his mother yesterday acknowledging the gift. Frau Hellenthal said the butter had arrived in excellent order. It had been greatly enjoyed by those who had tasted it, the quality having been highly praised, said Frau Hellenthal. New Zealand butter is sent direct to Germany under the trade agreement between the two countries.

Easter only a fortnight, away and as that is the recognised time to don your new season's clothes, your mind should be turning in that direction now.—To assist you Hooker and Kingstons are holding a coat, and costume week commencing op Monday at 9 a.m. Special keen prices are offered throughout these sections as you will see by turning to page nine. This will mean savings for you and you are urged to take this opportunity lfor buying your new winter outfit.**