LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

War Contributions Interest-free loans and donations to the Government amount to £2,461,997. The latest list includes a further £2OOO from the Auckland Meat Company, Limited, for the duration and six months. Patriotic Funds Aided For patriotic purposes the sum of over £I7OO was raised in a competition for a' motor-car given by Newton King, Ltd., at New Plymouth. Shilling tickets were sold in Taranaki, the Waikato and elsewhere. The car was won by Mr F. Weston, Stratford. Conscience Money “It is pleasing to know that, unlike the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, there is at least one honest person in Wanganui,” said Mr. J. J. Scott at the Wanganui City Council meeting when referring to a person who had refunded money for tramrides and also included the interest. The money returned amounted to ss. Infrequent Showers Rain ceased in Hamilton at a late hour yesterday morning, and until about 7.20 this morning the weather remained fine. A light shower was then experienced, followed by a -heavier one at about 9 o’clock. For the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. this morning, ,65in. of rain was recorded. American Journalists Arrangements have been made by the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, to entertain the American journalists who are to fly to New Zealand from San Francisco on August 10. Plans are also being made to enable the party, which is believed to contain 15 representatives of the United States press, to make a one-day trip to Rotorua and Wairakei.

Share Dealings Authorised The Stock Exchange Association of New Zealand has received advice from the Reserve Bank authorising, under the finance emergency regulations, 1940 (No. 2), quotations of and dealings in the following shares: Bank of Australasia; National Bank of New Zealand; Union Bank of Australia; Dalgety and Company, Limited; Blackwater Mines; Consolidated Goldfields.

The Wrong Shoes A Dunedin woman put a brand new pair of shoes out in the sunshine on the day of the collection of clothing for refugees and found a few hours later that they had disappeared. After fretting about the “theft” for some time she thought of inquiring of the postman in charge of the Lady Galway clothes drive in this district. A diligent search among 500 parcels at last revealed the new shoes that had been mistaken for an “old clothes” gift.

“ Swinging The Lead ” While English was full of phrases once nautical technicalities, “ swinging the lead” was not one of them, said Professor, J. Y. T. Greig, professor of English at the University of Witwatersrand, in a lecture on slang in Auckland. Originally it was an army term, “ swinging the leg,” derived from a dog’s habit of running on three legs long after an injured limb was well. Thence it meant a malingerer. Landlubbers later confused it with the naval custom of swinging the lead, which to them appeared an easy job.

Hawke’s Bay Wool Wool in very good condition is likely to be shorn in Hawke’s Bay during the approaching season if the quality of crutchings already received in store is any indication, states a Hastings message. The appraisers have , completed their work on 5000 bales of crutchings at Port Ahuriri, and it is understood that the prices realised were most satisfactory. The crutchings in-, spected reveal the 1940 clip is likely to be heavier and better grown than last season, and all that is now required is good weather for the remainder of the winter.

Sulphur Deposit Apparent. Up till yesterday no rain had fallen in Hamilton for a fairly long spell, yet residents of the town were surprised to notice yesterday that rain was lying in pools on many areas which are usually well drained naturally. The opinion has been given that a sulphuric deposit on the ground during the dry spell accounted for the moisture failing to drain away rapidly. A great deal of sulphur smoke has been drifting from White Island recently. A farmer of Rukuhia noticed a sulphur deposit on a trough side where water had been drained off.

Timber Company’s Year A net profit of £10,227 was earned by the Taupo Totara Timber Company, Limited, Putaruru, in the yearended April 30, against £8434 in the previous year. Tax provision was £15,019, compared with £5095 in 1939, while depreciation was £13,885, against £13,326. In addition to the fixed preference dividend, the directors recommend a dividend of 2\ per cent on ordinary shares. This compares with 2 per cent in the previous year. No payment was made in 1938. A consolidated balance-sheet of the company and its subsidiaries shows assets at £314,230, against £311,383 a year ago.

Centennial Art Exhibition The exhibition of New Zealand art and the coronation picture now at the Bledisioe Hall is one of the finest collections ever gathered together. The history of New Zealand and cultural development is fully shown, covering a period of more than 100 years. The coronation picture gives one a very good idea of that historical ceremony which took place in Westminster Abbey. The richness of the robes is beautifully brought out and the colours of the stained glass windows and heraldic designs make a fine harmony. The exhibition is open daily and in the evenings.