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New Zealand Tablet, 10 April 1913, Page 36

Mr. M. C. Keane has resigned the position of associate-editor of the Dominion (Wellington), to take up similar duties on the Christchurch Press. Te Kuiti, a town that was practically unknown ten or twelve years ago, has carried a poll authorising the raising of a loan of £13,000 for water and drainage purposes. Captain Preece, of Palmerston North, stated to a representative of the Wanganui Chronicle that as far back as 1879 a man named Gotch grew tobacco in Opotiki, with results which gave every promise of its becoming a thriving industry. Captain Preece says that the industry was nipped in the bud by the Government of the day, who feared that the establishment of tobacco-growing on a large scale would have a disastrous effect upon the revenue. In Captain Preece's opinion tobacco-growing would do well in many parts of the North Island, and he points, in support of his opinion, to the ease with which the Maoris cultivate it. Depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank will read with satisfaction the announcement by the Post-master-General, the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, that from May 1 next the rate of interest is to be increased to 3|d per cent, on the balance held by any depositor not exceeding £3OO. For sums over £3OO the present rates will apply. Owing to the stringency in the English money market, and the general demand for money for development purposes in New Zealand, the ordinary rate of interest has risen, and it is only fair that the Savings Bank depositors should share in the improvement.