LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Quick Work. Seventeen divorce, cases were dealt with by Mr Justice Reed in the Supreme Court at Napier in 70 minutes—a fraction over an average of four minutes for each one.

Currenoy In London.—Fine gold was quoted in London yesterday at £7 0s s£d an ounce (£7 0s 9d on Friday), the dollar at 4.95 5-8 (4.94 3-8) and the franc at 178 1-16 (178 i).

Bhow’s Best Year Blnoe Slump. Over 40 members of the Stratford A. and P. Association were present at the annual meeting with reports and financial statement recording the most successful year the association has had since before the slump.

Napier Building.—The value of buildings erected in Napier since the earthquake to March 31 last, exclusive of those undertaken by the Government, is £1,286,561, according to the annual report presented to the Napier Borough Council.

Schoolboys Missing.—Two Gisborne High School boys have* been missing from their homes since Friday night. Both are aged 15 and one is a halfcaste Maori, it was thought they had boarded a coastal steamer, but this has been proved incorrect.

Centennial Exhibition The share capital subscribed so far for the centennial exhibition is just over £90,000, according to an announcement at u meeting of directors of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company. Space hookings and reservations total 65,000 square feet.

Heavy Showers.—Heavy showers last night and early this morning accounted fpr one of the heaviest falls experienced in Hamilton this month, •46in. being registered at the Whitiora station. To date the aggregatu rainfall for May is 4.12in., compared with the average of 4.63in.

Empire Tobacco—The Empire is gradually supplying more of the tobacco used in the United Kingdom. In 1937 it supplied 24 per cent, of the' 182,000,0001 b used for cigarettes, pipe tobacco and cigars. This compared with 22.2 per cent, in 1936 and 17 per cent, in ID3O. New Zealand sent to the United Kingdom 144,0001 b in 1937, or slightly less than the 1936 figure (181,0001 b).

Milk Suppliers’ Threat.—Threats to take direct action by withholding the supply of milk from the Auckland metropolitan area in an effort to gain a higher price were made at a meeting of over SO milk producers in Auckland yesterday. Suggestions that farmers should concentrate on the more remunerative production of cheese also were made. Adverse criticism was levelled against the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council.

Esk Valley Rehabilitation.—Authority has been granted by the Cabinet for expenditure on materials for the erection of fences in the Esk Valley area, which was devastated by the re-

cent floods. This statement was made by the chairman of the relief committee, Mr J. W. Palmer, at Hastings last evening. Mr Palmer said that farmers would have to make application to the Department of Agriculture for supplies of materials and the basis of distribution would be the same as that used for grass seed.

New Taupo Road.—Formalities having been almost completed a commencement will shortly be made by the Public Works Department with the construction of a new road from Taupo township round the west side of the lake to Rangitira Point. The road, which, at the request of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, was surveyed some time ago, while opening up an attractive scenic drive and picnic grounds, will increase the facilities for fishing # in Western Bay, one of the many beauty spots in Taupo.

Aviation Scholarship.—Three members of the Aircraft Club, who are to undergo an examination for the first aviation scholarship provided by the club, were selected by ballot at a meeting of the organisation at Wellington, last night. The successful members were:—A. E. Lipscombe, Brooklyn, Wellington; R. J. Thompson, Southbridge, Canterbury; and J. C. Kirk, Herne 'Bay, Auckland. The number of members who participated in the ballot was 241. The three selected candidates will go before an examining board. The course will consist of instruction in piloting and ground engineering to the value of £66.

Need for Superannuation. —“ The need for adequate superannuation for about 90 per cent, of the people is obvious, and was clearly stated in the House lately in figures issued by the International Labour Office at Geneva.” stated Mr H. Atmore, M.P., in his broadcast address from Nelson last evening. “Here is the statement: ‘Out of every hundred persons reaching the age of 65 years in civilised countries only one can be wealthy, only three can be comfortably off, and only five can be self-supporting.’ This means that only nine out of every hundred will have reason to be satisfied with the present monetary system, while 91 will be dependent on someone or somethin?, and have, therefore, no reason to be content with their prospects under world conditions to-day. Yet the scientists and engineers have given us unlimited powers of producing real wealth—food, clothing, etc. —but distribution is hamstrung by an archaic, obsolete financial system. Nor can the nine fortunate ones explain the situation by calling the less fortunate 91 others scroungers or won’t-workers.”

Three days with the spotlight on coats at Hooker and Kingston, Ltd. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday— Coat values for the opening of the show. You should inspect these attractive garments arranged in price groups for quick service—novelty coats, practical coats, luxury coats — all are represented here at special prices for these three days. Make Hooker and Kingston, Ltd. your next shopping place. We invite you to try the coats on undergo obligation whatever—s**

Bonuses Distributed. —The withproflt ordinary branch policyholders of the Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Company, Ltd., have received their bonus certificates for 1937. The company has allotted for the year reversionary bonuses 3 amounting to £1,174,000.

Girl Stowaway.—An Australian girl (16) stowed away on the Montere'y when she left Sydney and was landed at Auckland yesterday. She said she wanted to see the world and had run away from home. She was taken before the Childrens’ Court, which ordered that she be returned to her home.

New Radio Journal.—‘‘Tenders are under consideration for a new radio journal for New Zealand,” said the Minister In Charge of Broadcasting, Mr F. Jones, recently- “It is hoped that it will be possible to issue this publication within the next few months. The new journal will be a shade cheaper and a considerable Improvement on the present publication.”

Claim Upheld. —As the sequel to an accident on the Pirongia-Oparau Road on January 31, a claim by Samuel Ernest Henry, farmer, of Te Akau (Mr E. F. Clayton-Greene), for £7 19s from. Oliver Samuel Shale, of Roto-o-rangl (Mr A. R. Hill, Cambridge), was upheld by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., In the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, this morning. Shale entered a counterclaim for £3 9s 3d, which was disallowed.

Prisoners at Large.—The prisoners, Ronald Dempsey Crook and Harry Ossie Fielding, who escaped from the Waikune prison camp, about four miles from National Park station, on Sunday afternoon, have not yet been recaptured. Warders and police formed search parties and combed the countryside within a radius of 30 miles, but without result. It Is believed that the men had an accomplice, w'ho w’as waiting for them In a motor-car.

Waterfalls Damaged.—The Victoria Falls, on the Kapuni River, a wellknown show place on Mount Egmont, were extensively damaged as a result of exceptionally heavy rain on the upper slopes of the mountain. What was previously a 20ft. wate'rfall Is now but a swirling water-race. The flood w'as the worst experienced since February, 1934, when the then new power station was wrecked.

Flax Plantation Fire.—A verdict for plaintiffs for £750 was returned by a jury In the Supreme Court at Wellington yesterday In a case in which the Wellington Flax Company sued Sir Kenneth Douglas for £SOOO damages. The action arose from a Are which destroyed a large area of flax at Mar.-, garoa in November, plaintiffs alleging that Sir Kenneth, w r ho owns an adjoining property, w'as responsible for the fire. The defence was a complete denial.

New Private Companies.—The following private companies have been registered in Auckland:—R. Challiner and Company, Limited, travel agency; capital, £IOOO in £1 shares; subscribers, R. R. v. Challiner 875 shares, E. M. Slater 125. Brookland Motors, Limited, motor traders and garage proprietors; capital, £SOO In £1 shares; subscribers, R. G. Cramer-Roberts 499 shares, Mrs R. B. Cramer-Roberts one share.

German Jews for Australia. —On their way to start life anew in Australia, between 25 and 30 German Jewish professional and business men arrived at Auckland yesterday by the Niagara as through passengers to Sydney. The migrants, some of whom have their wives and families with them, comprise doctors, lawyers, university teachers, dentists and commercial men. Members of the party did not wish to talk about the trials their race were suffering under the Nazi regime.

Housing Problem. — “In 1933 only 2213 wage-earning employees were engaged In building occupations, while last year there were 9721.” said Mr H. Atmore, M.P., in his broadcast address from Nelson last night. ‘‘Still, there Is much leeway to be made up, and I am of opinion that the State alone cannot cope with the position, and private enterprise must be encouraged to assist. Many builders contend that the public works plans provide for unnecessary expense in building homes for the people, and they assert that equal comfort, appearance and utility could be achieved at lower cost If outside builders or architects drew the plans. I should like to see loans available up to 95 per cent, of cost for workers’ homes.”