NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 81, 5 April 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Joint Welcome to Admiral Byrd,

Such a largo number of local organisations h.'ivo made applications to lender a welcome to Admiral Byrd during his stay in ' Wellington next week that, at tho request of Lieutenant Lofgren, Admiral Byrd's secretary, tho Wellington. branch of the EnglishSpeaking Union, is convening a meeting of representatives of all such organisations for Monday afternoon next, for the purpose of holding one joint function, which will probably take place about 17th April, after Admiral Byrd's return from Eotorua. This function will bo apart from the civic reception and tho Government luncheon to be tendered to tho Admiral next week. Danger of Fires. As tho dry weather during the past two months has left the grass and gorso on tho hills around Wellington in a highly inflammable- condition, scrub fires havo been frequent. Several recent fires behind the Wireless Hill have destroyed valuable trees, and similar damage has been done elsewhere. Tho Director of Parks and lieserves (Mr. J. G. MacKenzio) stated to-day that with the Town Belt, particularly part of Mount Victoria, in its present parched state, great care has had to be exercised in keeping oft' the Belt all material likely to start a fire. Fortunate Nelson. Speaking at a function held in his honour at Beefton on Wednesday, Mr. G. C. Black, M.P., referred to the changes to bo brought about in the educational system by the Hon. Harry Atinore. Since the foundation of the Nelson Province in 1842, said Mr. Black, there had never been more public money spent within its*, confines than during tho financial year ended 31st March, 1930. That was a big statement to make, but it was nevertheless true. Yesterday's Earthquake. Two distinct shocks composed the earthquake felt in Wellington yesterday. There was a short interval between the two shocks, which had their origins in tho North and South Islands respectively. The records obtained at the Dominion Observatory show this clearly. Tho shocks were felt at many places between Gisborne and iNelson and Blenheim, apparently being most severe in tho latter neighbourhood. The magnitude of the shake is variously estimated as being of 3 to 5 on the Kossi-Forel scale. The origin of the first shock was probably about 100 miles from Wellington. New Wireless Mast. At the wireless station on the Tinakori Hills there is at the present time in the course of erection a new wiveless mast. This when completed will bo 160 ft high, and it will replace the present one, which has a height of 70ft, and which was erected when the steei mast blown down a few years ago. The new mast is of tho modern lattice type, and its erection has been rendered necessary by the growth of the Pose Offics wireless business. Direct short-wavo communication with tho Islands and expansion in other directions more than doubled the activities of tho Post Office' Wireless Department in tho last year or two. Oversubscribed. It is generally considered that there is at present a shortage of money in the Dominion, but if such is the ease it has not affected the operations of tho Christ church Drainage Board. Just over a week ago a parcel of debentures, bearing interest at the rate of 5} per cent., and maturing in 36 years, was offered to the public (states tho Christchurch "Press"). The response was so good that between £40,000 and £50,000 worth were sold without difficulty, with the result that further applications received on Wednesday havo had to be declined, the board's requirements having been satisfied. The secretary of the board (Mr. C. F. Champion) states that the applications have come from all parts of the South Island. Airport for Auckland. The Papatoetoe Town Board on Tuesday evening received a letter from tho Minister of Defence in reply to the board's representations that the Otahuhu Trotting Club's property at Mangere Crossing should bo considered as a suitable site for an airport for Auckland (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The Minister stated that the property had been inspected, and reports received indicated,that the ground was suitable for an aerodrome, provided certain wires and obstacles were removed. The grounds being considered by tho Auckland City Council had the advantage of being near the sea, and could thus be used in conjunction with a. station for flying-boats and seaplanes. Tiro Minister added that in the event of the Trotting Club's ground being used as the board recommended, he foresaw numerous complaints from the residents near the ground, and he would rather leave the seloction of a suitable ground to the authorities in Auckland. On the motion of Mr. W. J. Nicholson, the clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the letter to tho secretary of tho Papatoetoo Welfare League. A Wealthy Body. The Shipwreck Relief Society will not get a contribution from the Lyttelton Harbour Boara this year on account of the healthy financial position of the society (states the " Christchureh Times")- Tho societyVaccumulated funds at 31st March, 1929, totalled £13,866, and during the year it. paid out £.3222 to those who lost possessions in the wreck of tho Manuka. At its last meeting the board held over an application from the Shipwreck Belief Society pending tho production of its latest balance-sheet. The balance-sheet for 'the year ending 31st March,; 1929, showed accumulated funds invested to bo £13,866 4s 4d, and last year's income to havo been £1221 18s Bd, including £656 Is 6d interest on investments. In view of tho position disclosed by the balance-sheet, tho board decided yesterday not to make a contribution. New P. and T. Salaries. The new salary schedules authorised, by tho Postmaster-General (Eight Hori. Sir Joseph Ward) havo not improved the position ol- the great majority of the General Division men, according to the secretary of the P. and T. Officers' Association (Mr. J. H. M'Kenzie). He said that only the minor claims of the service had been conceded, the position of young officers on low salaries beingimproved by bettor increments and fewer steps. The plight of tho £240 salary class would call for concerted and constructive effort to secure betterment. In tho clerical, division prospects for improvement of the 'position of men on the maximum were no brighter than in the general division. Additions to School Buildings. The Education Board has received intimation from tho Minister's office that grants havo been approved for tho following works: Island Bay and Bandwick, addition of two rooms; Wadestown, addition of two rooms and remodelling. The population has so increased in theso districts ; that this additional accommodation is* urgently necessary. Tho plans for these buildings will bo completed as soon as possible. Tho board .trusts that . grants will shortly be approved for other buildings urgently required. A contract has been entered into with Messrs. Norman and Jennings for tho eroction of school of two rooms on a, site of three- acres at Happy Valley, purchased some time ago by_ the board,