Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-03-08
NORWAY.

mis- mas Deeu a year OF couhdSfd a
tions with but few parallels in the
history of Norway. The terrible fire
that swept Bergen few days after the
| beginning of the new year was hardly
| extinguished when news came that the
beautiful city of Mode was burning.
The public responded promptly and lib
orally to the appeal for assistance and
offers of help came in from all parts
of the world. Help offered from Nor
wegian sources alone was so liberal
| that it was not necessary to accept the
assistance rendered by foreign govern
mems and institutions. For Bergen
| the fire will in the long run be of
great benefit through the opportunity
thus obtained to improve the central
and most valuable part of the city.
The part that was burned was built
after 1901, when the saUe district was
ravaged by fires. The buildings were
small. cramped and built mostly Of
wood. The biggest street running
| through this district was nothing more
than lane Fortunately none Of the
many buildings of historic interest or
| valuable collections were touched by
the fire. The only building of special
| interest that was destroyed was the
old drug store "Svanen"-the swan,
where Norway's famous violinst. Ole
Bull. was born and reared. Another
! house from about the thirteenth cen
fury also was burned. but had little
| historic interest except for the crypt
| like cellars which remain intact. The
total loss caused by the fire is esti-
mated at s2000O.O0O. A great part
| insurance. In Molde the conditions
are worse. as the fire hit the
| district of the poorer class and
! those being least able to stand the
loss: but as contributions are coming
steadily in, the worst OF the suffer
ings are now alleviated. The king was
exceedingly active after the fire at
both places. He went to Bergen to in.
spect the conditions and learn the
Feeds OF the people and set good ex-
ample by giving $4,000 to the relief
fund. AS soon as he learned of the
fire in Molie he set out for that city.
| There also the king showed the same
interest and gave an equal sum to the
| alienation Of suffering.
| One shipping firm is paying 80 per
cent dividend and it increased it's re-
serve fund WITH sum representing
more than 80 per cent of the capital,
( and as the freights continue to rise the
/ prospects are that these enormous
/ earnings will continue as 1cng as the
war lasts. Wild transactions in ship
! ping shares have been subdued by the
banks refusals to loan. money on new
| company stocks, and normal condi-
! lions are now ruling on the stock mar.
| ket. AS a consequence CT this posi-.
/ ton taken by the banks there has
| been a rather downward tendency in
| the price of shipping stock, but as a
whole the legitimate market is strong,
with prices ranging from eco to 300
| per cent above ordinary values. IL the
war should end sooner than calculated
J by those specializing. there will be
some heavy losses to pay by those
| holding these abnormally high-priced
I stocks. but If the present market con.
ditions continue for a year or more
the values will have been equalized by
money flowing in from foreign sources.
This influx is now so strong that ex-
| change even on points like New York
and London is below the normal. 1t
is an experience quite new in Norways
economic life and shows strong mon
etary position without any parallel in
the history of the country.
The Norwegian Women's Christian
association of London is running a
home where Norwegian women may
stay and get their board. all for 1915
| week.
The value of the daily catch on the
fishing grounds along the coast Of
Romsdal is from $4,000 to s1e0. 0O0
About 5000 men are engaged In the
work.
waterfalls. having capacity of OF $780,
600 horse power.
Eight years ago the old steamer
Stalheim was sold to Swede for $751;
600. After the beginning of the war
Norwegian bought it for si6e, 600.
But this is not all. II has changed
owners several times during the last
few months. and the last price paid
was SS7l,250.
|
Stavanger had real estate boom in
1915. the deals aggregating S1,240. 600
for the year. This Is about twice the
average annual sales. Most OF the
deals Involved small houses worth
from S2,5o0 to $4,000