NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1923, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

A reverend gentleman stepped into the Ararnoho railway refreshment room and called for the usual tea and sandwich. The waitress, not recognising "the cloth,” pleasantly inquired what horse lie fancied would win file Steeplechase. The minister replied: “Wo parsons don’t know much about horsc-rac> ing, but,” sipping bis tea, lie added, “we are authorities on Amber Tips.”

An example of juvenile fianneial acumen occurred in Christchurch the other dav and caused much amusement in a queue of waiting picture patrons. Two very small boys were waiting to gain admittance to the show, when one suddenly exclaimed: “Have you the money all right?” Tho other boy explored various pockets with growing anxiety. There was a painful silence when iie at length produced only one x coin. “Bill,” lie bunjt out, “Mother A gave me both sixpences, and I’ve lost yours.” . “I don’t understand plumbing in New Zealand,” said an immigrant, who had obtained the Glasgow Technical College certificate for that trade, in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. “Here you embrace three trades under the one heading, tinsmithing, sheet iron work, and plumbing,” he added.

“Bather interesting to hear of so many trades under one heading,” Mr Justice Heed observed. “It is generally the other way about. You have to get three or four tradesmen for tho one job.”

In his address at the graduation ceremony at Auckland, Professor Dettmann said lie hail been asked to give bis conclusions about the New Zealand University student. Speaking only of his own studies, lie would say they were not as able intellectually as others he had known, and not as well equipped or prepared. The trouble was, lie felt, that they came to the university too young, not sufficiently matured, and not able to take things seriously. (Laughter). In other respects, they were ns fine fellows as could be met anywhere. It seemed absurd to him that a man should enter a profession—sav, law—at the age of 20. It would be far more preferable if the student came from the secondary school to the university at the age of 18, with his mind fully set for university work.

Moderate catalogues were submitted to a full attendance of buyers at tho last Dunedin rabbitskin sale. Bidding throughout was keen. The poorer grades were slightly easier, but the better grades showed an advance of la on the average, as compared with last sales prices. Quotations: Prime does, to 7GJd; prime bucks, to 73fd; first bucks, to GStjd I first does, lo 73d; winter bucks to G11,(1; winter does to GS-fd ; early winter, 57-Jd to (31 Jd ; incomings 50Jd to 57Sd ; late autumns, 454 d to 50Jd; autumn, 4od to 4SJd; prime racks, 32d to DFjfd ; light racks, 27R1 to 29d ; runners and suckers,' 18Jd to 2kl; summers, 27d to 29fd; milky, 22|j(l to 24Jd ; winter black, to GBJd ; autumn black, to 401 d i winter ffiwn, to skins, lo 29fjd; horsehair, to 26.J(1.

The imjiortation of boots from England is to Le the subject of a conference between the employers and workers shortly (says the Wellington

“Post”). It is stated that boots can be landed in New Zealand from Home at a price at which the raw material can scarcely be produced bore, and the conference is being held with a view to remedying the position. A gentleman, who is prominently connected with the hoot trade, stated that though the landed cost of English hoots was from

35 to 40 per cent, they could he' sold cheaper than those manufactured locally. He attributed this to the high wages ruling in the Dominion, and also to the fact that the output was not nearly so large as it used to be years ago.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon "W . Downic Stewart) is assiduously and sympathetically carrying out tilepermanent work in New Zealand in connection with war graves (declares tho Timaru “Herald '*). At the present time an officer is visiting the cemeteries from Ashburton to Oamaru, and is letting contracts for the permanent work, (for which the Government has assumed responsibility) to fittingly mark the burial places of all those who lost their lives as a result of theOreat War. Each grave is being marked by a headstone of New Zealand granite, tho burial kerbing with concrete floor, tho latter being covered with white pebbles. The. monuments being erected here are the same in design and dimensions as those which have been erected over tho graves of men who fell in all the different theatres of war.

AVliother the public lias a right to attend an open meeting of a local body without an invitation to do so was a question that cropped up at tho last meeting of the AVhangarei Borough Council (records the “Northern Advocate.’’) Councillor S. C. Thorne caused the discussion by moving that the public lie advised that they were invited to go to tho meetings of the council. Councillor A. T. Brainsby declared that it would he a good move. Councillor J. E. Holmes thought that all could attend if they wished hut the Alayor advised him that they could only do so by courtesy of the council. Councillors A. D. Jack and I'k G. AY. Tibbits both confessed that it was news to him that tho public could attend, except at the pleasure of the council. The Ahivor said that during his term of office no objection had been raised to people being present, and the motion extending an invitation to the public to attend the usual "meetings was then carried.

A “meat war” is in progress in AA’anganui, states the AVanganui “Chronicle.” Last week the meat company brought the price down, and then a new company, comprising graziers and beef growers, brought the price of beef down a further penny per lb. all around. Fillet is down to Bd. rump steak to 7d., and .sirloin to 4d., with other lines correspondingly low in price. When the shop opened it had the appearance of the first day of a large display sale, the store being crowded all day. Another large shop was also packed all day, and never in the history of AA’anganui has so much meat been retailed within twelve hours. One company is delivering the meat at the new cut prices.

As the outcome of a recent controversy in AVanganui in connection with the borer being found in heart of totara timber, relates tho AVanganui “Chronicle,” specimens of infected timber were, hv request, sent to interested parties in other parts of New Zealand. One Auckland firm interested in totara has now expressed the opinion that tho borer is only found in the sap of torara as the result of logs lying on the ground. This opinion, however, does not coincide with some of the observations made locally.