Who’s Who on the Maunganui

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 668, 21 May 1929, Page 11

Who’s Who on the Maunganui

The Union Steam Ship Company’s intercolonial steamer Maunganui arrived from Sydney this morning after an excellent trip across the Tasman. She carried a large quantity of cargo and a. fair passenger list, including several world trippers and Aucklanders who are returning from abroad.

Air. R. Reeves returned today after a holiday trip to Sydney.

Air. and Airs. H. Philcox and their daughter, Aliss Biddy Philcox, who have been touring abroad for the past 10 months, must have created a record as theatregoers during the time they were away.

Luring the three .months they were in London they saw 60 theatre shows und place “Journey’s End,” “Bird in Hand” and “77 Park Lane” at the head of their comprehensive list.

Air. and Airs- Philcox arid Aliss Philcox also attended numerous theatres in Paris and several operas at the La Scala, Alilan. On their tour they visited England, Scotland, France, Italy and spent some time on the Riviera. Although the cold was rather terrible in England during the winter they enjoyed it.

Air. L. M. Aliller, general manager of the Gane Company, lias been on a business tour in Australia since April 26. Sydney is progressing rapidly, hq says, and Victoria is looking very prosperous. There is an absence of that droughty look which so often blemishes the Australian countryside.

Air. Aliller remarked that dairying in Australia is not so advanced as it is in New Zealand. They have not the safnd number of cattle but they are; improving. Australian butter is g00d,., he says, but the Dominion butter still commands a good market.

Air. W. B. Precious, a South African merchant, who has just retired from business, is making a tour of Now Zealand. Ho was last here 20 years ago and is astounded at the growth of Auckland.

Air. W. V. Blewett, a member of the firm of Imperial Chemicals. Ltd., is making a business visit to New Zealand.

Air. D. S. Wylie, of the Putaruru Pino and Pulp Company, was the originator of Perpetual Forests. He is now interested in the cultivation of coconuts in New Guinea and recently visited his plantations there. Mr. Wylie prophesies that New Zealand could supply the world market with pulp from the pinus insignus. The Canadian timbers are now rather expensive to get at and if the artificial forests of New Zealand were utilised a large quantity of wood-pulp could be manufactured. In 15 years, he says, the New Zealand plantations could keep several large mills working full time.

“There is no sign of the Australian timber strike ending," said Air. L. iS. Cumming, znanagix** director of V. B. Trapp and Company, timber merchants, Alelbourne. •The strike is being carried on by th© extreme element and it is seriously affecting the industry. The wiiole trouble is that the men want a 44-hour working week but the Arbitration Court lias ruled a 4S-hour week. At present Australian timber merchants are making only 2 per cent, profit and they could not stand a 44-hour week. The strikers have taken up a most unreasonable attitude.’ #

Air J. Wilson. Australian sales controller for the Putaruru Pine and Pulp Company, arrived from Sydney this morning to make a tour 6i the New Zealand forests of the company He will return to Australia in about a fortnight.

Air K Cuff, of the firm of Cuff and Thomson, cinematograph manufacturers Auckland, returned from Australia, where he has been investigating "talkie*.”