LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 May 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Missing Steamer. The British Board of Trade announces that an inquiry will be held into the disappearance of the steamer Anglo-Australian.

New Aircraft’s Visit.—Considerable interest was aroused in Hamilton yesterday by the visit of a Vega Gull monoplane. The machine, which is owned in Christchurch, flew from Auckland to Rotorua, stopping at Rukuhia. Finished in bright blue, the Vega Gull is powered by a single motor.

A Hamilton Problem.—“lf I am selected,” said Mr W. A. Grant, speaking at Alexandra Hall last evening, just prior to his selection as National candidate for the Hamilton seat, ‘‘l will be looking for a house in Hamilton.” “You do not know Hamilton,” was one remark from the audience audible above the laughter that followed. .

Taupo Election Recount. The magisterial recount which took place at Taupo yesterday before Mr J. Miller, S.M., confirms the votes recorded at the Taupo <Road Board election. Mr T. A. Heath, who applied for the recount, thus loses the fifth seat to Mr J. R. Crowther by one vote.

Arbitration Court.—A sitting of the Arbitration Court in Auckland, which was to have opened on June 29, will not begin until a date yet to be fixed. The Court has been delayed in Dunedin owing to a heavy list of cases there. A considerable number of local awards will be heard w’hen the Court reaches Auckland.

Kalmlro Dispute.—The dispute on the steamer Kaimiro, which arose from the dismissal of a fireman, has entered another phase. The Seamen’s Union has ordered the crew to take the vessel from Auckland to Wellington, when the matter will be dealt with- at the headquarters of the union. The vessel has been held up since May 15.

Commander’a Ashes—When the Union Company’s steamer Waikouaiti leaves Bluff next Monday for Sydney she will carry the ashes of her former commander, the late Captain J. G. Watson, who died at Wellington on April 23. When the ship reaches a position mid-way between Bluff and Sydney she will be stopped for a brief period while the urn containing the ashes is being committed to the deep, in the presence of the assembled crew.

Safety on Roads. —Reviewing the progress made on the roads of New Zealand when presiding over a meeting of the Road Safety Council in Wellington yesterday, the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, quoted figures to show that while motor transport in the Dominion had increased by approximately 30 per cent during the last 10 months the accident rate had not increased. This represented a great increase in road safety, and in addition a marked improvement in road courtesy could be observed throughout the country.

Science Congress.—The question of the venue and date of the next New Zealand Scien.ce Congress was briefly discussed at the annual meeting of the Royal Society of New Zealand in Wellington yesterday. A motion that the congress be held at Wellington in May, 1940, was carried by one vote against an amendment in favour of Christchurch in May, 1939. It was subsequently decided to authorise the standing committee to accept May, 1939, as the date if the Wellington Philosophical Society was willing that the conference should be held on the earlier date.

Egg Marketing.—Not only housewives and grocers, but poultrymen, are agreed that the present system of marketing eggs is most unsatisfactory, and that there is urgent need of investigation and reform (states a Press Association telegram from Wellington). Officials of the New Zealand Poultry Board stated that nothing could be done to improve the position until an organised egg marketing plan was formulated for the whole Dominion and was put into effect. Such a plan had been laid before the Government, but the Minister responsible had deferred action.

Maori Skeleton Found.—A discovery which may be of some historical importance was made near the scene of the Wairau massacre at Tuamarina this week, when a gang of Main Highways Board workmen engaged in work at a corner below Massacre Hill unearthed the skeleton of a Maori woman. It is considered that the skeleton is between 90 and 100 years old, and its skull bears the mark of a bullet hole which gives rise to the theory that the remains are those of a Maori woman named Te Ronga, wife of Te Rangihatea, second in command of Te Rauparaha.

Dividend of 25 Per Cent. —The accounts of the Swan Brewery Company, Limited, Perth, for the six months ended March 31, show a profit of £68,025 after providing for taxation, compared with £53,950 in the preceding half-year and £64,990 in the corresponding period of the last financial year. A dividend on the 6 per cent cumulative preference shares for the period absorbs £ISOO and the ordinary dividend for the half-year is 6d, plus a bonus of 3d a share, requiring £76.570. With the payment of 6d for the previous lialfyear the rate for the full year is 25 per cent (unchanged) on the 5s ordinary shares.

Sale of Manufacturers’ Stock of £SOO worth of Ladies’ Winter Underwear—All are quality goods and comprise Nightdresses, Pyjamas. Vests, Bloomers. Panteltes. Combinations and Dressing-gowns, etc. This clearance will last seven days only, and you should not be one of the unfortunate ones who will be left out. —These garments are going some place at 25 per cent, off their original values.— Stock up now with winter pyjamas, nights, and save money at Hooker and LjussLod, Lick n

Soccer Tournament.—At the Empire Exhibition Association football tournament at Glasgow Celtio and Sunderland drew, nil-all, In the first round.

Currency In London.—Fine gold was quoted in London yesterday at £7 0s 9d an ounce (£7 0s 7£d on Wednesday), the dollar at 4.94 1-8 (4.944) and the franc at 1784 (1784).

Gate Takings over £soo.—The gate receipts at the Wellinjjton-Taranakl Rugby match at Hawera on Wednesday were over £520. This is the third year in succession the gate receipts have been above £SOO.

Thames County Stopbanking.—The provision of stopbanking costing £6500 to prevent further flooding at Wharepoa was recommended by the Public Works Department in a letter received by the Thames County Council. It was stated that the ratepayers would have to find £2500 and the Government would provide the balance.

Cleansing Electoral Roll, —A start has been made with the cleansing of the Hamilton electoral roll to ascertain whether electors have changed their place of residence. Notices will be sent out making Inquiries to this effect and if these are not answered a registered letter will follow. If the registrar then receives no reply, electors may be struk off the roll.

National Party Polloy. —The policy of the National Party lay entirely in the hands of the party members, said Mr A. Gordon, chairman of the South Auckland Division of the Party, when speaking to members at Alexandra Hall last evening. Every member could forward suggestions and these would be considered by the Dominion Council, so that the election manifesto, when announced, would embody- the general wish of all members of the party throughout the country.

Limited Express Delayed. —The southbound limited express was delayed for an hour about two miles south of Ohaupo last evening when a mechanical defect occurred in the engine. When the mishap was notified to the Frankton Junotion station another locomotive was despatched and the defective engine was brought back to the junction. The' defect was soon remedied and the engine returned to Auckland on a goods train.