LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Currency in London Gold in London was quoted yesterday at £7 Ss 3Ad an ounce £7 8s 4* on Monday), the dollar at -i.GBi (4.68 5-8) and the franc at 177 (176 15-16). Hurried Tourist Visit After a Dominion tour of 1650 miles in nine days, a party of 17 wealthy American tourists returned to Auckland yesterday and embarked on the Awatea for Sydney. In spite of the hurried nature of the tour, which was mainly by special motor-cars, the tourists enjoyed most of what they saw. Holiday in Plane Over 2000 miles were covered by Mr and Mrs R. Diggle, of Pukekohe, in a monoplane in an aerial holiday from which they have just returned. Mr Biggie is a member of the Auckland Aero Club, and the machine, a Miles. Magister low wing sports model, was obtained from the club. Floodlight Carnival Permission to hold a floodlight carnival at Hinemoa Park on February 22 and to make a charge for admission was granted the Physical Fitness Committee by the Hamilton Domain Board last evening. The board also decided to assist the committee in the preparation of the ground. Power Board Inspection Members of the Central Waikato Electric Power Board decided to-day to undertake a tour of inspection of the board's area. On Monday, February 27, an inspection of the Raglan area will be made, the remaining districts to be covered at dates to be lixed later. Taxi-Driver Acquitted Tried at Auckland yesterday on a charge of negligent driving causing the death of Mrs Elizabeth Muir, of Papatoetoe, Herbert Kane (37), a taxidriver, was acquitted. The Crown alleged that accused caused the accident by driving in between Mrs Muir's car and a tramcar and then cutting across the front of Mrs Muir’s car. Prices for Russian Ballet In Sydney and Melbourne the prices charged for reserved seats for the Russian Ballet were one guinea on gala nights and 15/- on other nights. “A nine weeks’ season was played in each city, which is remarkable when compared with the usual 15 nights seasons in New York,” said a member of the company to a Waikato Times representative. Railway Society’s Name The biennial conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at Wellington yesterday decided to rescind a motion to alter the society’s name to the New 7 Zealand Union of Railwaymen, and retain the present name, which has been in existence for 53 years. The motion came before the last conference as a remit and was carried, but not put into effect owing to legislative difficulties. Maori Woman’s Death The inquest into the death of Mrs Heni Wii, a young Maori woman whose body was found floating in the Pataua River on February 3, took an unexpected turn at Whangarei yesterday after the evidence had been given and the district coroner, Mr G. H. Morrish, was reviewing the case. A Maori in the Court produced a sodden parcel which contained dress materials. In it was an unsigned hand-printed note alleged to have been written by Mrs Wii and stating that she intended to take her life. The coroner adjourned the inquest, for further inquiries. Export of Cricketers “You know we are an exporting country but there is one product which w 7 e do not wish to export, and that is cricketers,” said Mr A. E. Sandford, president of the Waikato Cricket Association, extending a welcome to Sir Julien Cahn’s English cricket eleven at Seddon Park to-day. Mr Sandford expressed regret at the number of the Dominion’s most promising cricketers obtaining positions overseas. “We have a Government in power whom we might approach to see if something cannot he done to restrict this trend in exportation.” (Laughter). Found Dead in Bed When he appeared to be making excellent progress after being Involved in an accident near Waiwera in January, Mr Carl Lionel Oldershaw (30), married, was found dead in his bed at his home in Morrinsyille yesterday. Mr Oldershaw was driving from Auckland to Russell at the time of his accident. The wheel of the vehicle came off and ran into a hank. He suffered severe head Injuries ajjd was taken to the Auckland Hospital from which he was discharged ten days ago. Subsequently he received medical attention in Morrinsville. As a doctor's certificate has been furnished an inquest will not be necessary. Te Awamutu Traffic Control The Te Awamutu Borough Council on Monday evening devoted an hour to consideration of a report from a recent conference of representatives of the Automobile Association (Auckland), Transport Department, Public Works Department and the council on the subject of traffic control. Recommendations included u slight change in the position of the existing traffic filter at the junction of Alexandra, Sloane and Arawata Streets; parallel parking in Market Street and in the vicinity of the post office in Sloane Street and one block of Arawata Street; limited parking periods for trucks and lorries in the business area; and pedestrian crossings in the three principal streets. The recommendations were approved. unhappy Spain—ltalians Responsible “The war in Spain would have been over in a few months bad it not been lor the Italians," said an Englishman who had lived in Spain for ten yeaus to a Waikato Times representative. ‘•As in South America, the people in Spain ‘boil over' periodically, but the trouble is usually settled in a little while and they settle down again to a period of peace. Unfortunately, Italian intervention on a big scale made this war a much more tragic event than the Spaniards anticipated, and both sides are wondering what price they will have to pay to Italy when the struggle ends. It is a great tragedy that these happy, friendly people, whom 1 had grown to love, should have become involved in such a war." Miss Joyce Berlei is now in attendance. fitting in our corset siuw.-oum till Friday the 18th. Ring or call at Hooker and Kingston, Ltd., and make your appointment for a personal fitting now —at once ! Miss Berlei is so friendly and understanding you will find yourself chatting to her quite easily. Surgical fittings are specialised at times such as this, and we urge everyone to take advantage of this splendid free offer."*