LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20277, 20 August 1937, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Parliament Prorogued. —An extraordinary Gazette was issued to-day proroguing Parliament from September 2 to September 9 for the' despatch of business. Currency In London. —Fine gold in London yesterday was quoted at £0 IPs 3Li an ounce £6 IPs 4id on Wednesday), the dollar at 4.98 1-8 (4.98|) and the franc at 132 15-10 (132 7-8;. Afraid of Wig.— “ Don’t agree with what a person says just because he has a wig on his head,’’ said Mr Justice Callan, in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, to-day, when questioning a witness. Higher Petrol Prices? —According to Auckland reports there is a move on the part of oil companies to induce the Government to sanction an increase of Id a gallon in the wholesale price of petrol. This would automatically be passed on to the consumer. Question of Politics. —“ I think that the dairy company should keep clear of politics,'' commented a 'delegate at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., in Hamilton yesterday. “We would be most pleased to if politics would keep clear of us, - ’ added Mr R. H. McKenzie, chairman of directors. Rain Needed. —Opotiki is experienc--ing a dry spell. A remarkable spell of line weather has lasted three months, it being many years since so much sunshine has been experienced through Ihe winter. Jn some cases it has been possible for clearing fires to be lit on the hill sheep stations. The paddocks are bare of feedMain Road Works.— With the long spell of line weather the contractors on the re-grading and re-surfacing of the main highways between uliaupo and To Awainulu and Hamilton and Morrinsville, have made excellent progress and no difficulty is being experienced by motorists in negotiating the portions under repair. Drought Insurance.—Drought insurance, in which graziers in Australia are taking great interest, was approved as a principle by the executive of the Graziers’ Association of Victoria recently, states the Argus, Melbourne. It is hoped that this form of insurance can be undertaken economically, so that graziers and farmers can protect their incomes against dry years. Good Wool Prospects. —The opinion that the war in North China would undoubtedly lead to an increased demand for wool, which would have an important effect on Japan's purchases in New Zealand, is expressed in the annual review of Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Limited. Christchurch. The review states that prospects for the maintenance of prices at about their present level are good. Legal Advice Needed.— “ While I am here, may I have a few words to say about this business of getting married,” said a witness in a case in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, to-day after informing Mr Justice Callan in evidence that he could not obtain the consent of parents to marriage with a minor. “ No. There is a law which enables you to appeal to the Supreme Court In such circumstances, but I am not going to interrupt a trial to hear you now,’’ said His Honour, advising witness to seek legal advice. Date of. a Birth.— " When were you born?’’ asked Mr Justice Callan of a witness in a case in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, to-day. *• i don't remember,’’ replied witness. “ I don’t expect you to remember being there, hut surely you can remember the date," said Mr Callan. When the witness said it was 19 20, counsel for the defence, Mr N. S. Johnson, remarked that that would make him much younger than lie said lie was. “ Well, you are better than I am at figures,’’ said witness to Mr Johnson, who replied: “Oil, but 1 was not there at the time.” Arbitration Court. —Messrs A. 1.. Monteilh and W. C. Prime, lay members of the Arbitration Court, Hew to New Plymouth this morning where a silling of tlie Arbitration Court will be held under the presidency of Mr Justice Smith, who lias been specially gazetted as an acting-judge of the cedurc has arisen from the fact that the judge of the court. Mr Justice G'Hegan, had prior to his appointment issued ihe writ as counsel in the eompensatimi case which is to be heard. 'lbis nerossarilj disqualifies him from sitting in judgment mi Ihe mailer. cases in Auckland “Iron Lung’’ Saves Lifo. --Through use Of tin- I irinker respirator, known as tlie "iron lung,” the life of a ioung married man was saved at the. Auckland Hospital last week. When placed in Ihe respiral or, which was constructed bv the medical and engineer mg staffs at the hospital, his condition was extremely grave but his lungs were kept functioning in tlie airtight steel cabinet until lie regained the ability to breathe normally. ‘ He is now out of danger. Tim i seYf Ihe "iron lung" particularly in the treatment oj certain types of infantile paraßsis, came into prominence in June this year, when cable messages told how an American millionaire's son enclosed in a respirator was conveyed from Gh.ua to Chicago.

An interesting fact—That only the ••‘west 11 Kmi “ is one of these—you possible materials in this make. 1 looker and Kingston Ltd., are selling t-> West End Costumes in all-wool worsteds at big reductions. There are some that are usua.lj 97/0, in browns, blacks and navy.*,, with seif stripe These are good value at 09/0. Again there arc others that are usually effects. A beautiful!* tailored costume and offered at. a sale price of

Inventor of Saxophone. —A cable I message from Brussels states that a monument is being erected at Hinant in honour of Antoine Bax. tlie designer of the saxophone in 1840, and who died in 1894. Twin Brothers Injured. —Two accidents to school children were reported j to the Taranaki education Board this | week, both having occurred at the Wes town School. One boy broke an arm when tackled at foootball. and a week later his twin brother also broke an arm in the same place while playNet Profit of £223,400. — In a preliminary statement G. J. Coles and Company, Limited, retail store proprietors. Melbourne, announce a net profit of £223,400 for the year ended June 30. This compares with £154,851 in 1930 and £131.445 in 1935. The dividend is 183 per cent for the year, against 12£ per cent. No Pupil Shearers.—Speaking at t Havelock North, Mr 11. M. Christie, . M.P. for Waipawa, predicted that j sheep would have to go unshorn or $ be attended to by amateurs soon unj less more shearers were taught. He said he had visited 29 shearing sheds and in no instance saw any learners i operating. 3 r Derailed a Train.—Stones placed by , him on the railway line, which dei railed a North Auckland train at Taipuha on June 17, resulted in the appearance of Raymond Edward Waite 0 (18) in the Supreme Court, Auckn land, yesterday. Mr Justice Fair ad- ® mitted the accused to probation for two years and ordered him to pay tlie p cost of the prosecution, pointing out that the offence was very serious and -■might have resulted in loss uf lifo. t r Fine Spell Continues. —With the t weather again beautifully Hue to-day, _ Hamilton continued io enjoy the long- ■, est spell of unbroken sunshine this e year. A white carpet of lrost greeted s early risers and the thermometer at .. the Ruakura Farm recorded 8.4 degrees, while that at Whitiora showed 8 degrees. While the frosty condi- ~ tions experienced over tlie past two weeks have retarded lambing to some ’ extent, tlie bright sunshine lias had a l very beneficial effect on pastures, which have been saturated practieally throughout tlie winter. Lambs s horn in recent weeks are thriving splendidly. . “Whispering Campaigns.”—A warns ‘bg to his supporters against any f whispering campaigns against the j Government was given by the Prime 1 Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, -in a recent statement. “ This is prob- - ably the only opportunity that will 3 come' in your lifetime or mine,” he said. “If we are defeated at the next election, is it reasonable to suppose that we would get back the fol--1 lowing time? No. We have the ball at our feet now and we must go f straight ahead. If the .Members of the Government are fit to be trusted, they must be trusted fully. I want all of you to give us the benefit of your 1 knowledge of industrial and other conditions, but to leave the direction of affairs to us. And disregard the whispering campaign, which will increase as the days go by.”