Lamb preferred to beef, mutton
The figures for the past freezing season at the three Otago works at Pukeuri, Burnside, and South Otago show an increase of some 36,000 carcases as compared with last year’s figures. In 1921 the three works put through a total of 495,436, but this year 531,550. The beef dealt with has been negligible, and owing to low prices for mutton very little of it has been exported. The great bulk of the meat dealt with has been lambs.
Whose language is it anyway?
It is a paradox of human speech that
an error repeated, and repeated, and still repeated, ceases to be an error. As soon as everybody makes the same mistake it is no longer a mistake. Usage makes law, general consent makes usage. General consent is authority for any change. Given a general consent, whatever is, is right.
DCC tough on gas leaks
Hitherto (says the City Council gas committee’s report) it has been the practice for the committee to make rebates to consumers in cases where an abnormal registration of the meter has occurred due to a leak in the consumer’s fittings. It has now been decided to discontinue the practice, and to bring to the personal notice of all consumers that the council is responsible for the condition of the service between the main and the meter only, and that it is the duty of all consumers to see that all piping and fittings leading from the meter to the illuminating or heating paints within the premises are maintained in
proper order and condition. No liability will be accepted by the department for defects in consumers’ fittings, or for leakage of gas therefrom, and no rebates allowed.
Labour not pulling voters
Neither the candidates for the local Labour selection ballots nor the small group of enthusiasts which was present at the two public meetings held this week have reason to be satisfied with the results. Both meetings were poorly attended, and the speeches failed to reveal the existence of any latent political genius who can be expected to popularise the impossible programme to which Labour has been committed. In no case was there evidence that the candidates possessed a knowledge of the practical issues in the politics of the dominion, though each of the speakers was unsparing in his criticism of political opponents. With one accord the candidates confessed their faith in the platform of the party,
and, it has nothing of practical value in meeting and coping with the present crisis. Most of the criticism was valueless because of its exaggeration, and, as usual, the press was charged with suppression and misrepresentation. It is blamed, indeed, for Labour’s failure, but even the facts of this week’s meetings clearly show that Labour is wholly responsible for its own failure.
Sendoff for Palmerston bride
On the eve of her marriage, Miss Winnie Hurndell was entertained at a farewell social in the Town Hall last Wednesday night (writes our Palmerston correspondent). In spite of the unfavourable weather there was a large attendance, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. In presenting the guest of the evening Mr G.B. Dawson referred to Miss Hurhdell’s many good qualities and her unfailing readiness to assist in all local entertainments. — ODT, 26.8.1922