LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 22 January 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Squadron-Leader N. E. Chandler, instructor for the Marlborough Aero < tub, made an explanation to-day in reply to the reference made at the Tahunanui Town Board’s meeting of his low Hying at Annesbrook on Monday. Ihe instructor stated that at no time was he flying dangerously low as his altitude was not under 2UO feet. Even if anything had gone wrong with his engine he could have landed safely in Inc numerous paddocks ill the vicinity.

.Reference to the death of llolene Paul, whose family and tribe at Orakei extended hospitality to the Rev. Samuel Marsden during his first visit to Auckland and return northward, recalls an in(oitlenl illustrating tho happy facility of the -Maoris in originating naifies (states the “Star”). The pioneer missionary was a man of largo physique. Tramping with a native escort just beyond 1 lelensville. lie decided to rest, inid, in order to survey the couulrv while lie did so, he selected a sandy hill. The Maoris evidently noticed the impression made in the sand where Marsdeu had seated himself, so they took the opportunity to name a summit honoured by llie presence and weight of the esteemed pakelia. They called the lull “To To-o-Matenga,” which means “Marsdeu’s Seat.” The hill lias a decided deft m its lop, which probably lias been there for centuries.

That sheep stealing in a more or less small way is being carried on was shown by an impudent theft which was perpetrated last week at the yards at the Springburn railway station, states a correspondent of the “Times.” Mr N. G. Watson, of Roxburgh, Springburn, drove a truck load of fat lambs to tho station and left them there to bo trucked and sent away by the morning train. Before morning 20 lambs were missing The police were informed, but the nearby residents were unable to give imv due, they having heard no motor lorry during tho night. Farmers state that it is not uncommon to lose an odd sheep or two. and one stockman determined to sit, up and watch his sheep all night. Stealing is also being carried on from farms. Last year an Ashburton Gorge run-holder put a mob of 150 lambs ill a paddock by the roadside, from which they disappeared. Another farmer lost 25 lambs from his paddock, and others luivo had similar losses. It seems as if the epidemic of sheep stealing experienced a few years ago lias broken out again. ■<

Galatea, the area embraced in the extensive land settlement scheme announced by the Government this week, lias associations with tho pioneering in New Zealand, and is best remembered as an armed constabulary post. It was from here that some of the operations against To Ivooli were conducted. During the campaign against the llau Hau leader, Captain Travers and five men lost, their lives in the engagement that look place at Ruatahuna. Many years later Galatea and Ruatahuna served as halting places for the party which went into the Urowera with a warrant for the arrest of ltua, an expedition that culminated in the shooting of one of Rua’s sons and the wounding of two constables and some of tho prophet’s followers. The Galatea redoubt was 60 feet square, with two flanking angles, the whole being built of sods. The parapet was 6ft 6in in height, and 6ft wide, with a ditch 12ft broad and 6ft deep. Tile soil at that part is loose pumice sand, so that the ditch had to be sodded up. Around the ditch was a strong palisade. Barracks were built inside the redoubt, and were partitioned oil into compartments. The orderly room measured 101 t by 14ft, and the store and the guardroom the same size, with a reading room 20ft by 14ft. Outside the redoubt a house was erected to serve as officers quarters. The site of the old fort is one of the points of interest for tourists visiting the Urowera Country.

A decision to urge _ the Government to take immediate action to control immigration into New Zealand was mtide 1, V t 1,,. iAuckland Hospital Board tins week. The matter arose from a letter from the Customs Department on the subject of impecunious persons entering the country and becoming a burden on the State. ‘ There is at present no power under the Immigration Restriction Act to prevent the entry to this Dominion of such persons if they are ot British birth and apparently of good health and character,” stated the letter. ‘ lhe question of ..so altering the law as to place restrictions upon the admission of impecunious persons will receive the careful consideration of the Government.” ”1 think it is time the Government took action in the matter, said the chairman, Mr W. Wallace. People were coming hove from Australia and all parts of tiie Dominion. Tlie Government was only tinkering with the problem. On the previous night there were 170 men in the City Mission shelter, lhe Rev. W. C. Wood moved that the Government be urged to take immediate action to control the introduction of immigrants ill,to the country. “There is something wrong with a. New Zealander who cannot make a living in this country,” said Mr A. M. S. Laing. Die Board is killing the people with kindness. We are overdoing it. 'to aie tlie cause ol what you are complaining of. What could bo more demoralising than giving them a bare existence to bang around tlie City? ’ Mr M. J. bav,,go, M.P., said lie could find 3000 men in this City who were willing to go anywhere for work, and if was not lair to say that it would take a bullock to take them out of town. The motion was carried by fix voi.es to five. The Board supported the- proposal of Auckland members of Parliament that a special session of Parliament should be culled to deal with unemployment on nonl’arly lines.

Never before and perhaps never again will ladies get such beautiful frocks and hats at so low a cost. '1 ratheus sale for super bargains.* Beautiful clear complexion, bright eyes, rosy cheeks are not made by artifice ot make-up. Women have discovered real beauty ""result from “internal cleanliness. The all-important regularity of the bowels is naturally promoted by taking Dr. Don’s Granules—small, safe ,and active. 1/6 box—R, W. Martin, Chemist. Ask for Free Samples.* We celebrate our record year with n Dinkuni Sale to-morrow. Read all about it on page !). The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co., Ltd.* Again to-morrow at Trathen s sale, come early, you’ll he very welcome to look a round.*

Dr. Don’s Granules purify tlie blood stream. —Hodgson’s Stores, Wakefield, Molupiko and Murchison.* At the Dinktim Sale to-morrow, Pure Fuji Silk Minch wide 1/- yard. Limited quantity. The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co., Ltd.* Tratlicn’s big store has been packed with thrifty whoppers and no wonder, tlie low sale prices for super grade beautiful Frocks at very low prices, goods are a wonderful attraction.* Intestinal Poisons will he eliminated and the body kept healthy and active by taking Lubrolax, which contains .no harmful drugs.— Necs, Chemist, Hardy street.* A great success! Tra then's sale started with great vim. To-morrow Friday will he another super bargain day at every counter. Come early.* Tennis girls will find Godet Face Powder just ideal, amazingly fine and cKnging, gives (lie skin a delightful fresh’ ness.—W. McKay and Sons, Ltd.*

In a general survey of events in the film business, the annual report of the New Zealand Motion Picture Exhibitors' Association, presented to the animat conference yesterday, stated that' at no previous time lmd business been confronted with such a combination of diflicult circumstances as during the past year. “The revolutionary changes »roduccd by the talkies were in themselves productive of many problems,” says the report. “The adjustments to changed conditions of the high film rentals brought about bv the novelty boom was not the least of those. In addition there were the inevitable financial and other diflieultieso involved by exhibitors in adapting themselves to the new conditions. Those dilficulies have all been enormously increased by the prevailing trade depression and its accompanying evil of acute unemployment. 'Those conditions, however, have not been peculiar to New Zealand, but seem to have prevailed in at least all the English speaking world. Tn addition, however, wo have had the unique distinction of a hold up in film supplies, and there can be little doubt that the action of the American distributors has had an adverse effect on the public support of our industry. On looking ahead into the coining year, we naturally regard tlu' taxation inquiry as the lirst difficulty to he met. There is also an anxious looking ahead for a general improvement in trade conditions. Though signs of this are not wanting, it would he idle to expect any general improvement till after the coining winter.'

There is always a steady demand for Hank of England five-pound notes. People leaving for England usually like to have a little English liionov in their wallets. A well-known tourist agency in Wellington discloses that at the present time there is a well-defined shortage of Hank of England £5 .notes, which even at a premium of £5 6s were, not easily procurable. This (says the “Dominion”) is explained by the fact that the rate of exchange is against New Zealand and in favour of England. A person in England travelling to New Zealand with a draft of £IOO would receive £lO7 l'or his money at this end while inversely ho would have to be content with £93 for his £IOO if the draft were from New Zealand on a London bank. To send £5 to England to-day costs £5 7s.

The situation created by the number of men arriving from Australia who are unable to find work, and who will aggravate the unemployment situation lias been investigated by the Hon. S. G. Smith, who is chairman of the Unemployment Board and Minister of Immigration, and the lion. J. G. Cobbe, acting-Minister of Customs, but it appears that the Government is practically powerless to stop these men from entering the country. At present there is no authority for the Government to refuse the entry into the country of anyone from Australia who lias paid bis passage money, and who is not suffering from an infectious disease. Although an attempt has been made to ascertain the numbers arriving from Australia, it has been impossible to find out how many of the arrivals remain in the country permanently. However, it is known that the number who do not return is considerable, and a significant proportion of these are believed to be men who have left Australia with the object of escaping the hardship existing there under the stringent economic conditions, and incidentally partaking of any advantages the Dominion can offer.

In the present chaotic condition of leading industries there have been many instances of producers in various parts of Ihe world endeavouring to remedy the market position by curtailing production. It has been reserved for a Poverty Hay farmer to carry the suggestion into the livestock arena. In order to get over the surplus sheep difficulty in Poverty Bay, Mr F. S. Bowen, a well-known sheep farmer, is going to adopt a plan which lie is recommending to other far mers, and that is to stop the breeding this year, He argues that if the surplus sheep in the district cannot be sold at a figure that is going to help the farmer, the sheep would be better remaining on the land and carried through the coming year as dry sheep, which are more easily catered for than wet ewes. In adopting this proposal not to breed during tho coming mating season. Mr Bowen claims that if a farmer wishes to make up any numbers in tho (locks next spring, it will be cheaper to (Jo so bv buying in stores than by breeding, for be claims that the over-production apparent at present will not have been worked off liy that time. A Gisborne paper, commenting upon Mr Bowen’s proposal, states that it has been noted in times of comparatively good prices, the Dominion’s flocks have increased remarkably, while when slumps occur to a lesser or greater degree tho sheep population falls in sympathy. Probably this will be the result of the present period of deflated prices, and if Mr Bowen’s advice is widely accepted, even partially, the decrease in the flocks next year should be substantial.

The seven freezing companies in Canterbury are now at full strength, and in all 1.400 men are employed. This would probably make an appreciable difference to tbo unemployment problem in Christchurch, Mr H. C. Revell. secretary of rlie Freezing Workers’ Union, staled to tlie ’’Times,'’ for nearly a thousand of the men came from Christchurch itself, 400 from South Canterbury, and another 200 from Mid-Canterbury. The number of men employed was probably more than usual, for the freezing companies were earlv in operation this year and the men were at present working full time. The dry season would probably cause a slackening off later on, but as vet its offeels could not be properly judged Though so many men had been engaged and more were being taken on every day. lie was still having inquiries for work fro-n a large number of men daily. All roads to-morrow will lead to Trathen's big store, where splendid bargains await the thrifty shopper.* Read our great big sale advertisement oil page !) it tells all about the Diiikmn Sale starting to-morrow. The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. Ltd.*

The quality and fitting of McKay's College Outfits are unsurpassed at any price.* Splendid stocks at Trathen’s of fashionable neckwear, silk gloves and hose, furs, all at drastic sale reductions regardless of cost." Pure Linen Embroidered Table Cloths 36x36 for 1/6 each ; Blind Holland lli,d yard; Coloured Towels 71 each; all Remnants Half Price at the Dinkuni Sale to-morrow. The Auckland Clothing and Drnpcry Co., Ltd.* Towels any housewife would be proud to own! llorrockses white towels, with coloured checks of lielio, flame and blue. Fringed 2/.‘l, hemmed 3/3 at McKay’s.* There’s n bigger choice than usual at Trntlieii’s Sale, of beautiful froe ks, lials, silks, georgettes, furs, and fashion goods. The low prices are a great attraction." You will need one of McKay’s new coloured Rubber Diving Helmets during the week-end. Ked, blue, green and black. All new. All 2/6 at McKay’s.* Beautiful Floral Voiles Od yard. Teddy Bears, usually 16/6 for 2/11. Sunshades worth 8/11 for 2/11, at the Dinkuni Sale to-morrow. The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Go., Ltd.* McKay’s offer children’s while ready to wear Panamas trimmed with navy, regularly 10/6 at special price 7/6 for week-end.*

To-day is the anniversary of the foundation of Wellington and is being observed by a close holiday in that City. Owing to a line being dropped in the article published yesterday concerning the export of fruit for the coming season. it was stated that Worcester Pearmain would bo received at Nelson about the 16th February. The sentences should have read: “Worcester Pearmain will be the first variety to be exported, and will be received at Nelson about 4th February. No Cox’s will be received until about the 16th February.”

Roadside harvesters are now busy gathering in the cocksfoot seed. Their methods suggest a good deal of confidence in human nature in many instances.. With a sickle they go along cutting the best, which they drop in untied sheaves here and there, leaving it to dry. and they they come along a few days later and thresh it out in a primitive fashion on a sheet of canvas. One man and a boy went along the Southbridge road the other day in a trap, which they loaded up with the cut grass, and took it away to dry out at home. There is a lot of good seed round about tho Cashmere Hills, and in many spots the roadside farmers can be seen at work at the present time.

Buteliors’ shop windows in Wellington this week seem to have as much attraction to many housewives as those displaying fine raiment (says the “Dominion.”) Many butchers have signs in their windows telling of lower prices for meat. “Large forequarters of mutton, 25.,” was one, while in another shop were large carcasses of mutton ticketed “10s.” “Does that mean a whole sheep for 10s.?” was the question asked by more than one woman, and they stili looked doubtful when told that it was so. The same shop displayed many cuts and joints ticketed at low prices. The butcher admitted that it was second grade mutton, but it looked good all the same. One butcher stated definitely that he had cut his mutton prices by 25 per cent, during the last Few weeks. Beef and lamb were a Id a lb. lower and bo said bis average price for lamb was 6.j<l. Inquiries went to show that prices varied in . different parts of the city, and that spot cash or delivery and booking were factors in the situation. Generally speaking mutton appears to have dropped Id per lb. during the last month, while lamb ranges up to 9d. for hindquarters and 7d for forequarters. There has been little change in beef and pork. It seems that there are yet further avenues of taxation (writes a Sydney correspondent of the “Argus”). It is probable, notwithstanding an official denial, that every boat on the waters of New South Wales, whether used for profit or pleasure, will soon be subject to a tax. The speedboats that roar about the harbour suggested the tax to Treasury officials. Boats of all sorts have been observed, from the stately yacht, with almost an acre of canvas, to the tin canoe of the boy who seeks adventures along the shore. The Italian prawnmen, who awake the echoes of the harbour and estuaries with their singing and their comments upon Australian affairs, will be on the list and probably they will receive no more sympathy than the owners of speedboats. X tax of £lO a year on yachts, £5 on boats employed commercially, £2 on 16-foot open sailing boats, and so on down to ss. for canoes, would return what is spoken of in Government circles as “a nice little amount.” If the tax be imposed no notices will be served. Advertisements wil notify all owners or users that they must pay a stated amount. Failure to make the payments wil be their worry. It is said that the Premier was recently presented by a supporter with a motor-yacht. There is conjecture whether this was the genesis of the current story about a new tax. A Motueka correspondent forwards the following extract taken from ail English magazine:—“Aluminum for Health. It will come as a surprise to most people to find that- the “British Medical Journal” describes aluminium as being next to gold or platinum, the best metal for food vessels—even better than silves.—Aluminium compounds apparently form one-eiglit of the earth’s crust, so that fruit and vegetables absorb it and chemists will tell you that there are traces of it in every ear of corn, in. milk, in eggs, and even in port wine.”