GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2123, 4 May 1920, Page 1

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

The last New Zealand Gazette contains a return showing' the votes recorded for each candidate at the last general election, the number of informal votes, the number of electors who did not vole, the number of electors on the roll, the percentage of votes recorded for the candidate elected to the total number of electors on the roll, and to the total valid voles recorded, and the populations of each electoral district at the census in In the Manawatu Elecoratc there were 1,37 0 electors who did not vote; the population at the census in 1916 was 12,973, and the roll contained 6,622 names. Mr Newman polled 45.68 per cent, of the electors on the roll, and 58.35 per cent, of the valid votes cast.

An Auckland chronicler reports; —There passed a girl who in an agitated fashion dropped at his Royal Highness’ feet a small box, apparently containing a gift. The Prince caused his military aide-de-camp to take possession of the fallen object, and the girl went forward with a smile. Another young lady went to the extent of inviting rebuff, but none was forthcoming. She had the temerity to press into the left hand of the Prince, wherein were his white gloves, an article of jewellery. “Please lake this, Prince,” she murmured, and hurried on with, a. blush. “What is it .'" asked the Prince, his expression denoting some degree of astonishment, lint none of reproach. He examined the article which had boon thrust upon him briefly, then, turning to Admiral Halsey, who stood beside him, he said: “Admiral, what is this f Hold out your hand.” The Admiral look the article, and inspected it, while I lie Prince resumed his bowing (o the stilt passing crowds. Whatever the offering was it was not rejected.

11l ji recent is.-me llu' Dunedin Slur .-■lnted tlm.l since I lie new coalmining agreement ciimc into operation one ex]icriem-od collier in Otago earned £9 Ss for six days’ work. Mis ease is by no means singular. The eontemporary now states that many others have earned as much, and some more. More are two examples : £23 5s (id for (he 11 days that constitute a fortnight, and £22 19s for the same lime. The top wage, however, so far as we know, was earned in one of the Westport collieries, where two men earned in the fortnight of 72 hours £O2 17s 7d. It is admitted that this is exceptional, but it shows wlial is possible to bo done by good men who have good places in a mine. It would be interesting to know if this is a record for Australia, perhaps for the world, in respect to this class of labour. The position of throe councillors of the Hamilton Borough is likely to be affected by the recent purchase of a motor truck by the Donned. according to a paragraph which appeared in the town clerk’s report to the Council. The reference was as follows: “Motor truck for gas department. An account for this (ruck- has been received from Mr I\. Hewitt, care J. Pomeroy and Co., Ltd., and 1 am informed that Mr Hewitt is an employee of the firm mentioned, so that payment of the a (‘count would be received by Pomeroy and Co., allot her linn also being concerned in the transaction. 1 wish to point out that this purchase affects at least three members of the Council, and. further, that under section 4-1 of the Municipal Corporation's Act, .1908, payment of the account appears lo he unlawful.” The Nelson Harbour Board is faced with a serious position. The linaneial year closed with a delieit ot £2,400, and unless the revenue increases the Board will he £4,000 behind at 1 lie end of next March. Speaking at the last meeting oi the Board, the chairman (Mr 11. W. Duncan) said that Nelson was at the parting of the ways —it was a question of prosperity or stagnation. If harbour improvements were carried out it would mean prosperity, otherwise Nelson would lapse into a residential place for people to come and live in for their old age. This year 40,000 cases of apples had been transhipped at Wellington, at a, loss of 2s per ease, which was lost to Nelson. If there was cool storage and a system-of conveyors at Nelson, the damage which had occurred on handling would have been obviated. The port could accommodate vessels drawing 23ft. at spring tides and 19ft. at neaps. Mr Jackson said that seven or eight steamers would be required to take apples from the district next year. The public should- he given another opportunity of voting on a loan proposal for harbour improvements. The Board resolved that the general wharfage rale should he increased from 2s 5d to 3s od, an average increase of 45 per cent., and that other special wharfage rates should be increased in proportion.

Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, for Coughs and Colds, never fails, .1/9,. 2/9.,,