LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

One Bankruptcy One petition in bankruptcy was filed in Hamilton last month, the bankrupt being a painter. In August last year there was only one bankrupt, when the petitioner was a butcher. Cost of Timber Evidencing the great increase in the cost of building timber, -a builder stated (says the Wanganui Herald) that he is now paying 42s net a 100 superficial feet as against 14s net in 1910. Hamilton Fires The Hamilton Fire Brigade received calls to eight outbreaks last month, compared with six (including an accidental false alarm) last August. All the fires, with the exception of the one on Saturday night, were of a minor nature. Downpour In Cambridge Torrential rain fell in Cambridge yesterday afternoon. Up till 9 a.m. .60in was recorded, but nearly 'all of this fell during a short period in the afternoon. Hamilton also experienced a heavy shower, and .43in of rain fell during the same period. Enemy Among Friends ! When a Spitfire brought down a German raider one of the crew was killed and three were interned. One of these who spoke fluent English, asked farm-hands who ran to the plane: “Are you British?” Receiving an affirmative, he exclaimed, “Thank God!” “Swanee River” Composer Honoured Specimens of a new issue of United States stamps, honouring famous Americans, have arrived in New Zealand. One of them portrays Stephen Collins Foster, the composer of “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Old Black Joe,” and many equally popular melodies. Ambulance Work The value of the services which the Hamilton branch of the St. John Ambulance renders the community can be gauged from the following figures:—During the past month 76 patients were moved and the mileage covered was 2327. For the month of July the figures were 55 and 1617 respectively. New Bridge at Thames The old wooden one-way bridge on the main highway near the northern boundary of the Thames Borough has been replaced by a modern two-way concrete structure. As soon as .the approach fillings have been consolidated this bridge will be opened for traffic. The old bridge had stood for many years, but floods had damaged the foundations. Vital Statistics A sharp rise in births over August of last year was disclosed in last month’s vital statistics for Hamilton. In August, 1939, the births registered in Hamilton were 53, and those for last month numbered 75. Deaths last month numbered 39, and there were 35 for the corresponding month last year. Last month there were 25 marriages, a rise of four on the figure for August last year. Night Shift If Necessary “It is expected that the factory during the coming season will be manufacturing to capacity, and if necessary we are prepared to run a ■night shift in the flush of the season,” said the report of the Tararua Co-operative Dairy Company. Manawatu, presented to shareholders at the annual meeting. The urgent appeal for the production of larger quantities of cheese had resulted in the company’s resources being placed at the disposal of the government, an offer that was promptly accepted. Boneless Veal Discussing the possibility of shipping boneless veal to Britain at the annual meeting of the Meat Producers’ Board, the chairman, Mr T. A. Duncan (Hunterville) said the present did not appear the time to send a trial shipment. The suggestion, however, could be left to the board to take up with the DirectorGeneral of the Department of Agriculture to see if it were worth investigating. Mr G. A. Hamilton (Southland) said there might be profit from the sale of eels and poultry, provided a market could be found. Flowers Stolen Hamilton seems to be suffering from an epidemic of flower-stealing. It was reported a week ago that daffodils had been removed from the Lake grounds. Now the bed of giant pansies at Garden Place is receiving attention from vandals. Not content with picking the flowers, they have transferred the plants bodily to their own gardens. Those who have, admired the display at Garden Place will hope that the epidemic is soon checked. Visitors to the town have joined in the admiration of the Garden Place beds, the exhibition pansies being particularly praised.