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King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 225, 15 January 1910, Page 5

The numerous friends of Mr W. M. Bankart, of Te Mata, will regret to learn he is seriously ill, and has had to be removed from the Auckland Club, where he was staying, to a private hospital. The latest report as to Mr Bankart states that he is condition has somewhat improved.

A cable from London states that the Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend of 10 per cent and a bonus of 2 per cent. The sum of £IO,OOO has been added to the colonial premises account, £20,000 to reserve, and £38,879 carried forward. At the meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board on Wednesday, the House Committee was instructed to report at the next meeting on the question of the appointment of an assistant surgeon. Dr. Stapely was appointed as locum tenens during Dr. Douglas' annual holiday. Receipts for last month totalled £1504 14s Id. The number of patients at present in the Hospital was 48 males, and 20 females. During the month there had been five deaths.

To an unusual extent rumours of a political character have been rife of late. As is customary with such alleged information, the statements made are given as coming from a more or less authoritative source. One allegation is that the Premier has been warned by his medical advisers that owing to symptoms of heart trouble he should consider the advisability of quitting politics in a year's time. Probably the medical advisers referred to are those who look to Mr Massey as their leader. The second allegation is more picturesque, but arrives at a similar conclusion. It is to the effect that Sir Joseph Ward is to be offered a baronetcy, that he will accept and go Home, and will not take part in the next general elections; and that Mr T. E. Taylor will reign in his stead as Premier. As to the likelihood of Sir Joseph taking the High Commissionership, it is generally scouted as highly improbable, though it is said to be quite likely that it will not be long before Mr Hall-Jones is back again in the Dominion. The fact that the London meat' market still remains glutted is causI ing Auckland, epxorters to delay the sending forward of further shipments, especially consignments of lamb. While stocks were still heavy at Home something like a million carcases of lamb were forwarded from Australia during the past three months, and as the New Zealand export season is now beginning, doubts .are entertained as to whether large shipments should be sent forward. It is probable that a conference of those interested in the frozen meat trade will be held at Christchurch at the end of this month, when the question of co-opreatiqn, and. the regulation of prices and the question of supply and demand will be diseased.,