LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Radio Building A modern building to house a broadcasting station is to be built in Auckland at a cost of £70,000. Bonfire for Children Following a custom established in previous years, the Eketahuna Fire Brigade will join in the Guy Fawke’s celebrations to-morrow. A bonfire display will be put on by the brigade for the children in a large paddock. Cambridge Weather Rainfall in Cambridge last month was normal, amounting to 3.68in. The feature of the weather for the period has been the cold winds and conditions generally, which are providing something of a setback to pasture growth.

Ragwort Operators Wages At the recent meeting of the Otorohanga County Council, strong exception to any further increases in the pay of employees on ragwoft eradication was expressed by several councillors. It was stated at the meeting that the pay of these men was now 19s 8d per day plus 2s 6d per day for camping allowance. “Actually 19s 3d per day and found,” remarked one member.

Unseasonable Weather Unseasonable weather has been experienced in Opotiki during the last week and several frosts have been registered in the borough and the country near the coast. The frosts were only light, but further inland a heavy frost did considerable damage, the whole of the bean crop at the Opotiki market garden being ruined. Snow fell on the Raukumara Ranges. Mine Commission’s Sitting Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., the chairman of the Royal Commission which has been set up by the Gov- : ernment to inquire into the tragedy at the Glen Afton coal mine, when 11 men lost their lives, stated to-day that the location of the sittings had been fixed at the Huntly Town Hall. The sittings will open on November 27. j Loss on League Tour j Although the balance-sheet in connection with the tour of the New ! Zealand Rugby League team to Eng- ! land, which was cancelled as the rej suit of the war, is not complete, it was revealed as the rsult of preliminary reports on accounts discussed ! at last evening’s meeting of the New ! Zealand council that, through the careful control of the venture, the loss is expected to be approximately £4ooo—a good deal less than expected. Fireworks At Lake A permit has been received from the Director of Explosives for the Waikato Children’s Camp League and the Hamilton Sunshine League to j hold a monster fireworks display at the Hamilton Lake on Saturday i night, to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day. A comprehensive programme has been arranged, and the Hamilton Citizens Band will play selections during the display. Over the past few years this firework display has been one of the features of Guy Fawkes Day in the town, and two I worthy causes have materially benefited. I Protest Against Restrictions I A resolution protesting against i provisions of the Taupo Trout Fish- ; ing Regulations, affecting trolling or harling within 200 yards of the ; whole lake shore, was passed at a public meeting held at Taupo. The resolution pointed out that the livelihood of hire launchmen would be endangered, and that fly fishermen would be faced with difficulty of access to certain parts of the /lake. Messrs R. H. Ward, D. B. Hunt I (Taupo) and E. G. Bridgers (Auckland) were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. Centennial Garden Competition The Hamilton Horticultural Society has received advice from the town clerk, Mr W. L. Waddel that the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. Parry, has approved of the use of the designation ‘Centennial’ in connection with the Hamilton garden competition. The three judges appointed by the society, Mrs Tudhope and Messrs M. C. Gudex and F. Watson, have now completed the first stage of the judging, a strenuous task as no fewer than 40 gardens were carefully examined. The second judging will take place in February and the results will be announced at the Centennial Flower Show on February 22. Bank Officers’ Gesture The banks have cordially accepted the offer by the bank officers’ organisation for their staffs to work an extra four hours weekly as a gesture toward the country’s war effort, should longer hours be required. It was stated yesterday that the offer had emanated from the New Zealand Bank Officers’ Union, not from the Bank Officers’ Guild. Members of the union worked under an award of an 80-hour fortnight. To help out staffing problems, the union suggested work up to 44 hours in a week as and when rush periods called for extra effort. No overtime for any additional hours up to the four specified was sought. Petrol from Coal Dr. H. G. Denham, chairman of the New Zealand Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and professor of chemistry at Canterbury University College, in an address to the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, stated there is a possibility of New Zealand developing petrol from : its deposits of coal, samples of which ! have been sent to England for testing. If the plant were established it would be necessary to ensure that it was not placed in the earthquake zone, as the process was so productive of explosive materials that an earthquake might mean the loss of the whole plant. An outlay of about £12,000,000 in New Zealand currency would be required to inaugurate the industry, and the cost of production —without allowing for any return to' shareholders —would be about Is a gallon. | There is no dcubt whatever about | the fact that the wool flecked Swagj ger Coats at present selling at Hooker & Kingstons Ltd for 29/6 are undoubtedly the best value in town —Smartly cut, featuring the new j collarless neckline and built up I shoulders it is unbelievable almost that they can be at such a low figure—Shades include, sprig green, cornflower, grape, beige and rust and they are obtainable in all sizes —Hurry though for there are only 20 coats all told and they are selling fast—