NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 July 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SCOW AND STEAMER COLLIDE. AUCKLAND, this day. The Richardson steamer Mako and the scow Seagull collided in the harbour last night The Seagull was damaged, and filled with water, but, being loded with timber, did not sink. The Mako is apparently undamaged. NATIONAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. DIVIDEND OF 13 PER CENT.

WELLINGTON, this day.

The General Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand Ltd. has received a cable from the London Board, advising him that the annual meeting of the Bank will be held in London on 24th July, when it is proposed to declare a dividend of six per cent, for the half year and a bonus ■v for shareholders of one per cent, son paid-up capital, equalling 13 per cent, for, 'the year ended 31st March last. Ten thousand pounds have been allocated to reduction of Bank Premises Account; fifteen thousand added to Reserve, which will then stand at £730,000, and £45,550 has been carried forward. ' BACK BLOCK ROADS. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, July 12

"Wo don't make motor roads," said ' the Minister for Public Works, to-day, when Mr E. J. Barry, Mayor of Ohakune and a member of a deputation asking for improvement of the roads in the middle area of the North Island, was complaining that a certain important road was impassable for ; nine months of the year. It might, he said, be passable for drays during '•'six months, but not for motor-cars. When the Minister made his remark ! about motor-roads, a member of the deputation replied that New Zealand had to keep abreast of the times, and added that if New Zealand people were to have the efficiency necessary to meet the cost of the war, good roads would be essential, Proper reading, he maintained, would be a very profitable investment for the State. "There is not a shilling available except for carrying on the war—not a shilling," declared the Minister. Subsequently, he said he quite agreed with i the argument, that certain expenditure ! would help New Zealand to carry the I burdens of the war, but there was no ! money available at present. There i was no use refusing to acknowledge j 'that the money was not here. Hc.be- | lieved that before the end 'of next ! March the next £20,000,000 wax* loan i v.-on Id have to bo raised, and, he asked ! with another £20,000,000 lifted from : the country, how much would be left for public works" He did not s?c how it was possible, until after the war, to use money for making roads suitable for motor traffic. At present the Government would not make new roads, at least not to any extent. Further. the Government could not metal new roads unless the local authority paid half the cost. t A MAN MISSING. I GISBORNE, this day. James Patrick MacGrath, lately en/ ! ployed by the Waiapu County Council, left camp at 12 on the evening of the 10th, hatless and bootless, and was last seen passing the native village of Jerusalem next morning. Search parties have been out without success. SHIPPING MISHAPS. j NAPIER, this day. The Navua, bound from 'Frisco to Wellington, put in here this morning, short of coal. The trawler Weka ran into and damaged the Richardson steamer Tangaroa, moored at a wharf in the inner harbour. The fire-engine was used to pump the water out and keep the vessel afloat. The damage is estimated at five hundred pounds. The Bennett's Siding people are giving a social and dance in aid of Red Cross funds, next Friday evening, July 19th. Those who have attended a social at Bennett's Siding know that a very enjoyable evening's amusement is in store for them. For Children's Hacking Cough at night. Woods' Great Pepermint 1/6, 2/6.