LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1920, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

Two interesting happenings ara reported from Arahura Valley district. In one instance a cow after giving, birth to a calf, four days latir gave birth to a second calf, the latter being born dead'. In the second instance a cow dropped a calf and three weeks later dropped another calf, a small one, but it is doing well. It is stated that Mr Freed (of the Government Statistician’s office) and a railway official are proceeding to America to inquire into the merits of bookkeeping machines in vogue there. It is said that this is the precursor to the introduction of these labour-saving machines into some Government departments. “We are likely to have a very severe commercial slump about the end of this year,” writes a correspondent from England, “mainly owing to excessive wages, which have killed nearly all the foreign trade. As this will have its reflection in New Zealand, you can keep a lookout for it. I understand that several big motor firms, though they have two years’ orders on hand, are on the verge of bankruptcy. The whole position is very precarious.” Proof that the Prime Minister’s taste in periodicals does not altogether tally with Mr H. E. Holland’s was afforded in the House when the Labour leader asked a question without notice. Mr Holland wished to know if certain statements made in Stead’s “Review” regarding purchases of German properties in the Pacific Islands were true. “I don’t read Stead’s ‘Review,’ ” replied the Prinje Minister. “It is a publication that no decent and patriotic man ought to read. (Hear, hear, and loud Labour laughter). And the statements are absolutely incorrect and the reverse of fact.” NORTH BRITISH GARDEN HOSE is the most lasting of all rubber hose. All hardwaremen and rubber stores can supply it.