LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19892, 22 May 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New York Call Money.—Call money was quoted in New York yesterday at 1 per cent.

Air Mall from London.—The Niagara, which left Sydney yesterday afternoon, carries the Auckland portion of the London air mail despatched on May 6 states a Wellington message.

Green Peas at Kaponga.—Evidence of the mildness of the autumn can be seen at Kaponga, on the lower slopes of Mount Egmont. At least one gardener is still picking green peas.

Currency In London.—Fine gold was quoted in London yesterday at £0 19s Hid an ounce (£6 19s lid on Wednesday), the dollar at 4.97 (4.96 15-16), and the franc at 75* (75£).

Butter Prices.—An increase of Id per lb. has been made in local prices for butter. The net wholesale rates are now: Finest grade, Is 2d per lb.; first grade, Is lid: second grade. Is Id; whey butter, Is. Retail prices generally are 2d per lb. above the wholesale rates.

Unemployment Camps.—The Government’s intention to close all unemployment camps as soon as alternative arrangements can be made was announced in the House of Representatives last evening by the Minister of Labour, the .Hon. H. T. Armstrong.

Accident Viotim’s Condition.—The condition of Mr D. Connelly, of Frankton, who was seriously injured at Hangatiki last Sunday, when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car, was reported to-day to be improved.

Salary Restoration.—The Wellington Free Ambulance, has decided to restore the remaining 5 per cent made in the salary cuts. Payment is to be retrospective to April 1. The institution of a 44-hour week is also under consideration.

Royal Yaoht to be Sunk. —The London Daily Telegraph says the racing yacht Britannia, owned and raced successfully for many years by the late King George, probably will be towed out to deep water in the English Channel and sunk, instead of being broken up as was previously anticipated.

Fire at Frankton Station.—At 7.50 last evening a Are broke out in the lamp room of the Frankton railway station. With the aid of a small hose and buckets of water, the railway staff managed to subdue the flames before the arrival of the Hamilton Fire Brigade. Damage to the extent of about £2 was done.

New Zealand Trains.—“l did not think that ajiy trains in New Zealand travelled at that pace,” said Mr F. H. Levien, S.M. in the Te Awamutu Magistrate’s Court when counsel in a level-crossing accident case stated that the train had passed through the Te Awamutu station at 40 miles per hour.

Wrestler Disqualified.—A wrestling contest at Gisborne between Joe Kopach (America), 15st. 51b., and

“Lofty” Blomfleld (New Zealand), 16st. 61b., ended in the fifth round with the disqualification of Blomfleld for not releasing a toehold. The audience showed its disapproval of the decision.

Found In Station Yards.—Found in the pig pens at the Te Awamutu railway station yesterday morning, a middle-aged man was conveyed to the Waikato Hospital in a weak condition due to exposure through sleeping out. It is believed he comes from the King Country but his name is not known. His condition is much improved today.

Inorease In Turnover. —Speaking at the annual meeting In Sydney of Burns, Philp and Company, Limited, Mr R. J. Nosworthy, deputy-chairman of directors, said that combined merchandise sales for the year amounted to £4,108,352, an increase of £348,751. Cash turnover was £8,836,240, an increase of nearly £500,000.

Auckland Yacht at Sydney.—The Auckland yacht Ariel has arrived at Sydney after a live weeks’ voyage from Auckland. Fine weather was encountered except for four days when the yacht was hove-to. Mr Chris Fell, who has as a companion Mr Richard Wellington, said they were blown about 200 miles toward the Kermadeos after rounding the North Cape. The voyage otherwise was without incident.

Adventurous Voyage.—Mr D. O. Kelsey, accompanied by his wife and son, and Mr J. Makgill left Manukau Harbour on Tuesday in a 35-foot cruising launch for New Plymouth. The bar was negotiated under rough conditions, and choppy seas were later encountered. The ironsand on the shore apparently deflected the compass, and the launch had to follow the coast line. The return trip is to be made via Kawhia, in about ten days’ time.

Information Required.—On Saturday, May 9, a girl named Patricia Ellis, aged 13, was knocked off her bicycle by a lorry at the corner of Thackeray and Anglesea Streets. The lorry failed to stop though the girl received leg injuries. The accident occurred at 3.20 p.m. and a motor-car directly behind the lorry stopped and picked the girl up. She cannot remember the name of the people who picked her up ahd they are asked to communicate with the police.

Waihi Grand Junction Mine. Profits of the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Company, Limited, were again lower for the year ended December 31, 1935. The net earnings were £6505, after transferring £ISOO from development reserve account, against £6839 shown in the previous year, when £9OQ was appropriated from exchange reserve account. The directors are recommending payment of a dividend unchanged at id a share, free of income tax, equal to 16 2-3 per cent. The dividend requires £6906 and £3293 is carried forward, against £3694 brought into the accounts.

It is with pleasure that House and Dakings announce I he arrival of an unusually line and varied collection of American styled 1* rocks. Designed and made up in exceptionally One artilicial Silks —In a delightful range of plain shades ami a really beautiful assortment of patterned crepes—these Frocks represent an Unrivalled Buying opportunity, to those who take advantage and inspect without delay. It is particularly noteworthy that the prices are very moderate, ranging from 39/6, 49/6, 59/6, 69/6 to 79/6. Undoubtedly no better value has ever been offered, and we suggest that, as quantities are not unlimited, your immediate inspection is advised. Plan an early visit to House and Dakings.**

Felldlng Butter on ' Liner.—Advice I bat the liner Queen Mary is to use butter manufactured in Feilding on its maiden voyage on Wednesday has been received.

Smoking Opium.—At Auckland yesterday, a Chinese market gardener. Tin King, was fined £25 for being in possession of prepared opium. The evidence showed that accused commenced to smoke the drug last winter in order to obtain relief from rheumatism from which he suffered.

Small Membership.—Disappointment with the small increase in the membership of the Wanganui Aero Club is expressed in the annual report. The report adds that much good work is being accomplished by the club, and it is deserving of more support from the public than it is receiving.

Matakl Gold Dredging.—Under date the 19th instant, the dredgemaster reports as follows:—“For the week ended May 17 the dredge worked 133 hours on a face of 430 feet, pulling ahead 36 feet with an average depth of 16* feet. We treated 94G0 yards for a return of 33 ounces 12dwts. 18 grains of retorted gold.

Physical Training for M’s.P. —Probably with the object of counteracting the strain of legislation, a movement has started in Parliament Buildings for the establishment of a gymnasium and physical training classes for members of both Houses. The classes are to be held under the direction of Mr W. T. Cree, late director of physical training in the Education Department, and it is pointed o.ut that they will not be of a strenuous type. Members have been assured that “whatever their age or condition nothing but benefit will accrue to them.”

Model Engineers’ Ingenuity.—Two instances of remarkable ingenuity and superb craftsmanship were given at a meeting of the Hamilton Society of Model and Experimental Engineers last evening when steam-driven models of a locomotive and of a traction engine were exhibited by Mr J. Cole and Mr J. Treloar. Several years of spare time work were required by Mr Cole in building the locomotive which he had undertaken with only a few tools and the most meagre equipment but, running along a length of track, it set up an excellent performance. The art of model building from waste materials was embodied in the traction engine shown by Mr Treloar. The lids of two barley sugar tins with a face powder container for the boiler were Important members. The gears were made from a clock and the intricate worm steering equipment was constructed from a wood screw meshed into a clock gear. For 20 minutes the engine put up a surprising performance.

A Minister Incensed.—The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in receiving a deputation from the Makerua Drainage Board at Wellington yesterday, took strong exception to a remark made by a member at a meeting of the board, when referring to a communication from the Minister regarding flood protection, to the effect that “that means that it is neatly shelved.” The Minister declared the comment “definitely insulting,” and added: “I have never shelved anything in my life, and I am not going to start now.” The members of the deputation assured the Minister that the comment did not represent the opinion of the board, whereupon the Minister remarked that it was the duty of the chairman of the board to “put the member in his place.” Mr Semple said he had “pledged, the Government to a three to one subsidy for flood damage restoration —the most liberal subsidy ever given to a local body in New Zealand. * made a promise that the Government would advance the money at a low rate of interest, and that promise still stands.” He advised the deputation to approach the Treasury and make arrangements for the desired loan.