LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Clipper Arrives. With 28 passengers, as well as mail and freight, the Honolulu Clipper reached Auckland from San Francisco yesterday afternoon after a normal trip. Captain McGlohn was in command. His passengers, most of whom are bound for destinations beyond New Zealand, included four small children. Island Oranges. For a fortnight past the market has, been virtually bare of oranges, but relief came through the arrival this week at a northern port of a steamer bringing a fairly large consignment from the Cook Group. It is the second consignment of Island oranges received this autumn, but the first lot suffered somewhat in transit. Australian oranges do not usually arrive in New Zealand till about the end, of June or July. Hospital Rates Up. An increase of approximately 30 per cent in rates levied on local authorities was approved at a meeting of that North Canterbury Hospital Board, at which a budget of £412,000 was adopted. It was claimed that, in spite of a sharp rise, the board’s rate would still, as in the past, compare favourably with those of other boards. The rate will be 0.442 d in the £ on capital value, or 36/10 in every £lOOO capital value, compared with 0.340 d and 28/9 last year. The total levy on local bodies wifi be £124,002 Ils 7d, compared with £95,097 received last year. The subsidy to be received from the Government is £131,754, compared with £80,009 last year. Shipping Difficulties. Inter-island shipping difficulties will be the subject of representations by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation to shipping companies and to the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan. Acting on a statement by the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the federation's executive committee, to whom it was reported that Wellington firms had also experienced shipping difficulties, has decided that the Union Steam Ship Company, other coastal shipping companies and the two Ministers, should be urged to do everything possible to expedite shipping and improve shipping facilities between the North and South Islands. A letter to this effect ' was received last evening by the Can- | terbury association and was discussed in committee.

Concession to Soldiers. Provision has been made by the Government to grant free fishing and shooting facilities in Rotorua to any of the sick and wounded men of, the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force who returned to the Dominion on Tuesday and who may be in Rotoruta for convalescence. Whisky Prices. The export price of whisky in case and bulk has risen approximately 25 per cent, according to advice received in Wellington. The advance has been made by exporting interests, but will not apply to whisky in New Zealand or to shipments now afloat for New Zealand. The effect of the advance will be not only to increase the price of whisky but also to reduce the quantities to be shipped, inasmuch as the licences to import are based on 1938 values, not on the volume or gallonage of the spirits imported. Women Police. The appointment of women police was announced last night by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, who is also Minister in Charge of Police. Ten are to be appointed for a start. Three will be stationed in Wellington, three in Auckland, two in Christchurch and two in Dunedin. The women selected will first be given a three months’ course of training, and they will serve in a probationary capacity before being considered for permanent appointment. Dairy Factory Destroyed. * The Waipu Co-operative Dairy Company’s main factory was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The office and butter store were saved, but the loss is estimated at £B5OO. The building and stock were insured for £9070. There is no fire-fighting equipment in the district. The fire had a big hold when discovered. All the butter was removed from the store as a precaution, but a bucket brigade saved this building. A considerable number of suppliers’ cream cans were destroyed. Meat Board Representation. Support for dairy industry representation on the Meat Producers' Board was given by the annual Taranaki ward conference of the Dairy Board in Stratford yesterday after hearing a statement by the board chairman, Mr W. E. Hale. The following motion was passed:—That the dairy industry be given representation on the Meat Board, as it is considered that the proportion of meat passing through the works from dairy-farmers warrants some representation and that such representation be by a Government nominee recommended by the dairy industry.