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Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1929, Page 4

A Press Association message which appeared in last week’s issue stated that Dr von Ehrenthal, a director of the xvotlien Paper Technical institute, ueiiiiany, on behalf of Australian and New Zealand investments, Limited, has carried out experiments in the making of paper from New Zealand hemp. He reported that the hemp is better than the usual pulp from wood or grain. It equals the better quality paper manufacturer from linen rags, and is suitab.e for copperplate printing paper, bank-notes, line note paper and tissue and cigarette paper. The paper manufactured from the hemp could be used for improving medium paper made from eucalyptus', pulp. Inquiry made at Auckland amongst those interested in the flax industry pointed to the cable being the first intimation received on this important matter. One gentleman remarked: “Research work has been carried out for some time by German scientists in respect to a lot of products from New Zealand. It is a most important matter for the flax industry if another market can be opened up for it. There is, of course, the cost of first-grade hemp to be considered. However, if, as indicated, this process is to utilise New Zealand flax for the manufacture of the finer types of paper, then it may be of value to the industry. There is also the possibility that the flax would not require to be converted into; first-grade fibre for this process. If that is the case, then it would do away with the cost of scrutching and bleaching, which would enable the raw material to be supplied at lower cost. Under any circumstances it might mean a better market for tow. The trouble would lie, in that case, that,if the demand was a large one, it would mean hav-. ing to sell more grade fibre in other markets to produce the tow, and that might be difficult.” New Zealand sent away last year 59,000 bales of hemp and" 18,000 bales of tow, a s well as 1300 bales of stripper slips and 128 bales of stripper tow. New Zealand can produce great quantities of flax if there is a market for the product, so that the possible developments in this matter are of the highest importance as affecting the future of this district.

The entries for the fat stock sale at Arahura on Monday appear in this issue. Messrs W. Jeffres and 00. notify an auction sale' of furniture in the mart on Wednesday next at 2.30 p.m. The Annual Hospital Ball will he held on Sept. 4th. in the Drill Hall, with a juvenile fancy dress ball the next evening. Messrs W. Jeffries and Co. notify an auction sale of dairy stock at Evans’ Creek- on Friday,'August 9th, at 1 p.m, on behalf of Mr J. Barrett. Messrs Newmans Motors Ltd. two cars which left. Hokitika yesterday morning at 5 o'clock carrying a number of Seddon Shield enthusiasts, arrived at Nelson in the evening 'at 8 o’clock, having had a good trip. The road was reported to be in very fair order. An assault case in which a shotgun played a prominent part was heard in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on 'Thursday, when Charles Richard Williams was charged that, on July 7th. at Marshland, he assaulted Percy Edward Blades. Cecil Williams was charged with abetting the assault. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate (.Mr E. C. Levvey) bound over 0. Williams and the complainant Blades to keep the peqce. At a meeting of the Grey-Hokitika Sawmillers’- Association, in Greymouth yesterday, ’it was resolved to protest against the subsidising of steamers from Canada, and that telegrams be sent to the Prime Minister and Mr Jas O’Brien, M.P., asking the Government to help sawmiliers to meet competition. Special attention was drawn to the excessive freights which members of the Association had to pay, it being pointed out that with the subsidising of Canadian steamers it cost local millers as much in freight to Dunedin or Wellington, as it would to bring timber from overseas.

After a lapse of nine months since the fatality an inquiry was opened yesterday at the Greymouth Court House, before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., and Mr S. H. Jenkinson, Chief Designing ftngineer, Railways Department, WelTngton, into the death of George Gardner. - Gardner, who was employed as engine driver by the State Mines Department, oied in the Grey Hospital on October 14th. as the result of injuries received when one of the three Babcock and Wilcox boilers, used in connection with the State Mine at Rewanui, exploded. He had been employed by the Department for 24 years. Lengthy evidence was taken.

It is reported that some opossum hunters have had a considerable amount of success this- year in the vicinity of Lake Kanieri, while a very' satisfactory price is being offered for skins. We are informed that quite a number of the parties out have gathered in a large number of skins, and that the catch in many instances will individualise over two hundred, so far. The prices being offered are also substantial and quite a large number refused to accept 15s per skin for tneir catch to an outside buyer this week. The quality of the skins is also stated to be. fully up to the average.

The Kokatahi Ladies’ Hockey Club Ball to be held in the R.S.A. Hall, Hokitika, next Wednesday night, should attract • the dancing fraternity of the district. The beautiful decorations erected in the hall for the recent Civil Service Ball are to be left for this special night. The supper arrangements are complete, everything being “home-made” by the Kokatahi people who are coming to town “ en masse ” for this big event. The music will be supplied by the Black Hand Orchestra in tl\eir latest and brightest ]v t iz hits. Admission : Gents 3s ; ladies 2s.

Dr T. Fletcher Telford, Medical Officer of Health, who returned to Christchurch from Westport on' Tuesday, told a reporter that he found tilings in better shape than on his visit immediately following the earthquake. On this occasion the water supply was adequate for domestic purposes, and for flushing the sewers, but the 8-inch main in use did not give a pressure sufficient to deal with a serious outbreak of fire. However, the municipality was carrying on well, and men were employed on renewing the 14-inch pipe-line, an undertaking which would take some time to complete.

The trotting clubs of Christchurch have combined in one big effort to provide funds for the earthquake sufferers, and the Meeting arranged for September 14th. gives every promise of being a huge success both from a financial and sporting point of view. A committee, comprising members of the New Zealand Metropolitan, New Brighton, and Canterbury Park Clubs has been set up, with Mr H. J. Otley as chairman. The object of the Meeting is not to provide a benefit for owners and trainers, but is to provide funds for those most in need, and this i s one reason why the stakes do not amount to more than £1350.

Just arrived:—A consignment or 200 cases of choice apples, consisting of Delicious, Cox’s Orange. Munroes Northern Star, Jonathans, Dunn’s Seedlings a»d other varieties, with instructions to sell at the lowest market price. Paterson Michel and Co. Ltd. ’Phone No. 2.—Adv+ For evening wear we offer 36 inch crepe de ehene, all leading colours at 3s lid; two only beaded frocks in pink, usual price 955, sale 59s 6d. One only georgette Frock; shade apricot, trimmed gold lace,, usual price 97s fid, sale 7os.—Schroder and Co.— Advt.