LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Comforts For Soldiers Soldiers on guard duty at various vital points in the Waikato have very few comforts in their quarters. An appeal is being made for floor coverings, chairs and other items of furniture. Donations of suitable gifts may be left at the Hamilton Women’s Patriotic Committee rooms, Garden Place. Soldiers Hear Record To hear a record of items by a concert party which had proved very popular when they were at Papakura Camp was a pleasant surprise for men of the second echelon at their camp in England recently. The items were by Miss Patricia Boyle and members of her concert party, the record having been taken to England without the men’s knowledge. American Journalists The 15 representative American pressman guests of Pan American Airways, who will arrive at Auckland on the American Clipper next week, will be entertained by the New Zealand Government during their stay, among the functions being a State luncheon. It is also probable that the visitors will be taken to Rotorua. The Government will be represented by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. 40 Acres Offered An offer of an area of 40 acres near Tomoana showgrounds for cropping purposes, provided the proceeds from the crop are devoted to patriotic funds, has been made to the Hastings District Council of Primary Production by Mrs M. Ellison, Te Aute. The land is to be sown in Cross 7 wheat, and Mr W. F. M. Burns, Mahora, has undertaken to carry out the cultivation work free of cost. Rain Stops In Time Week-end holiday makers and sportsmen had their chagrin turned to pleasurable surprise when they awoke this morning to bright sunshine. Last night’s consistent rain boded ill for the week-end, but the change this morning, supported by the fact that the barometer was rising, indicated that the rain had stopped in time to allow week-end sporting activities to be carried out to schedule. For the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. this morning, a total of .45in. of rain was recorded. Clothing For Refugees An indication of the success of the collection in Hamilton of old clothes for refugees was the consignment of 110 cases from Hamilton to Auckland today. The clothes had all been sorted and packed under the auspices of the Lady Galway Guild in Hamilton. The weight of the various articles despatched approximated 20 tons. There were 44 cases of clothing suitable for women,’ 15 cases for men, 17 for infants, 7 for girls, 6 for boys; 11 cases of shoes for women, two for young women and children, four for men, two for boys, one for girls, and a case of clothing suitable for hospital wear.

Butter Kept in Store “Owing to war conditions, New Zealand butter is from six to 12 months old before it goes into consumption,” said Mr M. H. Wallace, Government dairy instructor for Northland, speaking at the annual meeting of the Waipu Dairy Company. Butter was often months in store in New Zealand awaiting shipment, Mr Wallace said, and, owing to- rationing, even when it arrived in England it might be many more months in store. Under these conditions it was essential to maintain the highest quality, along with increased production. Insurance Dividend The annual report of the directors of the Standard Insurance Company, Limited, states that income for the year ended June 30 amounted to £222,307 and expenditure to £185,026, leaving a balance of £37,281, to which has to be added the carry forward from last year of £22,331. After making full provision for taxation, outstanding losses, depreciation and provident fund, and placing £IO,OOO to reserve, the directors recommend payment of a final dividend of Is 3d a share for the half-year ended June 30. Motoring Costs A factual - minded Auckland motorist interprets an unusual phase of wartime motoring costs, and points out that for each gallon of petrol his eight horse-power car consumes he has to pay 2s 6d for petrol and 3s 3£d for taxation, a total of 5s 9£d. He reaches this proportionate basis by dividing the 48 gallons, which represent his annual petrol ration, into the annual cost of taxation and fees, totalling £7 18s. They include £3 8s for registration, 5s for drivers’ license, 5s for two warrants of fitness and £4 for insurance. He disregards repair and wear-and-tear costs.