LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 172, 4 May 1937, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Construction of the first of the 209 houses to be buiit at Orakei under the Government housing scheme in Auckland was commenced yesterday (says a Press Association telegram). Only a small staff of workmen is engaged at Orakei at present, but as the work progresses the number of men will be increased, anci later there will probably be more titan 200 men employed.

More efficient means of advising farmers of Roods were discussed at a meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union. It was decided to urge the installation of an electric recording machine at the Gore Post Office, thus enabling direct and constant contact with the level of the Mataura River. It was suggested also that a similar arrangement should be made for the benefit of sottle.vs whoso properties are affected by the Aparima and Oreti Rivers.

There is an interesting relic connected with Count yon Buckner’s raider Seeadler in Wellington, about which a fascinating story could be written were all the facts known. This is half of one of the Seeadler’s signal flags, used at the time Count von Buckner was raiding in the Pacific. It is only- half a Hag, black, red and gold in colour in. triangular sections. Lne flag is the property ot Mr Arthur Jacobs, and was forwarded, to him many years ago ironi Tahiti as a memento of the beeadler’s exploits, lhe other half is said to have served a distressed woman marooned on a lonely Pacific island as a costume.

The view that a trans-Tasman an service would not take long to come was expressed recently at- Wellington by Mr William T. Miller, of the United {states Bureau of Air Commerce. J*e has now loit- Wellington for Sydney, wnere he will inquire whether the possibilities of air traffic from Australia will warrant a Tasman link to connect with the Ban Francisco-Auck-land service. “It is sure to come, said Mr Miller, “and with it there vyill bo the biggest expansion of air service the southern hemisphere has evei known. It is quite possible there will bo more than the one ; iine operating across the Tasman Sea.”

“In laboratory and clinical work we have a great deal to learn, but New Zealand lias an asset that nobody else on earth has got,” said l)i. J* _ Duncan (Government balneologist m charge of spas in New Zealand; on ins return by the Niagara to-day, attei visiting the principal spas oi Europe ( sav s a Press Association telegram from Auckland). ‘‘Our baths, massage and pliysiotnerapy are as up-to-date as anytaing 1 saw in Europe,” lie said, “lhe waters of Rotorua are infinitely more valuable and potent than anything in Europe. Those in charge of spas on the Continent would give their eyes to have our waters,”

The necessity for a person who is retiring from active work to take a live interest in affairs and to develop a hobbv was stressed by several speakers at 'the staff gathering which farewelled the retiring Government Printer Mr G. H. Roney, tho other afternoon. Each of the speakers suggested different alternatives. Councillor J. Burns, ex-Govcrnment Stamps Printer, said that one of the most engrossing activities in one’s retirement was an interest in local body affairs. Although ho was long retired, he had no idle time whatever. Mr Marcus Marks, a former Government Printer, said that the first thing he would recommend a man when ho retired was that ho should travel. Most people wore frightened off by the apparent cost, but the real trouble when one was working was not the cost but the time. On retirement, the time was there for enjoyment, and he could give plenty of advice irorn practical experience "wherobv the excessive cost- might bo eliminated. After travelling, one returned more contended and a betto' citizen. Mr W. A. G. Skinner,, also a former Government Printer, said that the four years of his retirement had been the happiest of his life. He had not been idle, however, and ho wanted to impress upon all those present that they must do something, develop an interest—in anything at all—when they retired j otherwise they would rust out.”

A donation of five guineas to the King George V. Memorial Fund was last evening made by Court Ashburton, Ancient Order of Foresters.

There has been a considerable amount of sheep-stealing on a small scale going on in the Kaiapoi district recently. Several farmers have missed, sheep, and it is ttiought that the thieves are operating with a motor-car and removing sheep at night, thinking that they are not being missed.

Because the crowing of roosters at night and in the early morning disturbs the sleep of guests in hotels and boarding houses, the Rotorua Borough Council lias adopted a by-law prohibiting the keeping of poultry in the inner area of the town. Another new by-law provides that dogs in the streets in the same area must bo securely held by their owners on a suitable leash. This was enacted owing to complaints by shopkeepers that stray dogs were an increasing nuisance as well as a danger to traffic.

The general committee of the Paris International Exposition, which is to •bo held this year, might be expected to hav.e a knowledge of international affairs, but apparently this does not extend to New Zealand, for the envelope containing a copy of the official magazine of the Exposition .received by an Auckland business man bore the address “Queen Street, Auckland, Australie.’’ The recipient suggests that Now Zealand might be represented at the Exposition by a large map to show Paris and the rest ot J? ranee exactly where this country is, and so avoid, a repetition of tne address ‘ Australie instead of “Nouvelle Zelande.”

Nelson orchardists will have little reason to complain of the iocai market this year, ior lew of them have fruit left on their hands, says the “Nelson Evening Mail.” The misfortune ot the Hawke's Bay orchardists, whose crops were almost wiped out bv lrost and hail, meant good fortune tor the Ne - son fruit-grower. it lias been estimated that the loss of the northern crops has diverted at least 190,06) cases ot Nelson apples and pears Horn export to the Dominion market, Ltuge quantities oi fruit have been sent to Auckland from this district am the Wellington cool stores are full, iai geiy of Nelson fruit.

The reward offered to persons supnlving information leading to convictions m cases where tarpaulins are wrongfully taken from railway trucks and yardings lias been increased from £2 to £3. “The wrongful use and conversion of railway tarpaulins tor private purposes is a very serious matter ” said tne Minister ot Railways (tne Hon D. G. Sullivan), referring to tne reward. "I Mid tout in past years it has been costing the department approximately £12,0U0 annually for the renewal and replacement ot taipaulim, many of which have been wrongfully removed from the railway. ik«' ®* partment keeps account of the 1110 merit or tarpaulins over its hneb, an knows when *nese sheets bhould b available at country stations tor U mg outward loads, it tarpaulins have been wrongfully removed, delay and inconvenience, and sometimes loss, s occasioned to farmers and otneib m eluding tne department, it is loi tins reason that tire department would ai preciate the assistance of the puuite m stopping the practice.”

“This is one of the worst pieces of vandalism that has ever come to my notice, and it might have resulted i grave casualty to ships using tins coast,” stated the harbour master at Gisborne (Captain A. Carson) in j disclosing that damage had been dehbea atelv done to the lighthouse on fuahinc Point. “It was mere good foituue that prevented the light from being extinguished and a warning thus •being removed from an extremely dangerous reef.” Captain Carson stated that when officials of the liarboui boar made their periodic visit of inspection to the lighthouse on the previous do, It was found that one ot tto class panes that surrounded the light had been broken. The damage was apparently wilful, and liad .been caused by rocks thrown from the top ot the tin opposite the lighthouse, traces of stone being found inside the light iortunatefy only a small hole had been made in the glass pane by the ™ lS * l ‘ Had the glass been shattered the ton would have been more serious.

An up-to-date iron shooting boat lias been constructed at Papakura by two Auckland sportsmen the boat is ac murkaule in that the frames,. aie oi angle iron electrically welded to geuier and have been covered by 18 tauge iron welded m the same nit - ner The deeic is ot wood and is arched, and then covered with sheet galvanised iron. The ieng his with a 6ft beam, while the side Raines are Stt 6m hign. tne boat 1S by a 7 h.p. motor-car engine. Two hatchways are provided on the dec v lor use as shooting platforms. Along the deck are rails through which willow branches can be interfaced to turn the boad into a floating maiman i'he caein is a revelation m finish aa regards the conuort ot the it is lined with three-ply wood and painted artistically. it is electricity, and has sleeping acco modation for foiir adults, ana is coin ipiete with all the necessary cooking utensils. Ventilation tor the Jia * obtained from four vemilatois o deck and this lias caused the boat to bo nicknamed the R.M.S. Queen Maiy. The boat will be used on the Gaikaio River.

A serious decline in tho school rolls, which was attributed to the falling birth rate, was emphasised at the annual meeting of the southland Education Board. Members suggested vanous other causes, but it was generally agreed that the birth rate was largely responsible for the falling rolls. Mi F G Stevenson opened the discussion bv referring to the average attendances for the last five years quoted m the annual report. These showed that in lUiJg the average attendance was 11 034; in 1933, 10,360; in 1934, 10,082; in 1935, 10,066, and m 1936, 10,312, the first year quoted being before the raising of the school age and tho last year the first after five-year-old children were readmitted to tho schools. It was quite apparent, said Mr Stevenson, that the school rolls were not increasing. Nine years ago the roll number had been considerably larger. Mr W. Grieve said that the fall in school rolls because ot tiie declining birth rate was a problem throughout tho British Empire. In all instances the rolls were falling. The chairman (Mr S. Rice) said that . the falling birth rate was a world problem. Mr J. Hargest, M.P., asked to what extent the growth of private schools could be held responsible for tho falling rolls. Several members expressed the opinion that the private schools would have very little effect on the position.

Notices of engagements for publication in the “Guardian” must lie signed by both parties to the engagement. A charge of os will he made for each notice.

An order for four Miles Hawk trainer aeroplanes for re-issue to aero clubs was placed in England some time ago by the New Zealand Government (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). The Minister for Defence !(the Hon. F. Jones) said yesterday that two of the machines were to be shipped this week. The advice received indicated that the other two would be shipped early next mouth.

The Ashburton Catholic Club held its weekly meeting in the club rooms last evening. The president (Mr F. L. Connell) presided over a large attendance. One new member was nominated. An invitation from the St. Stephen’s Club to be present at a lecture by Dr. G. I. Miller was accepted.After an interesting talk by Air M. Crequer on “Communism,” and a pingpong tournament, which was won by Mr F. H. Taylor by a narrow margin, the evening concluded with supper.

According to adyice received from the Labour ’Department by the Clothing Trades Federation, treble pay must be paid for work performed last Monday by female employees in clothing factories who are covered by awards, providing that where Anzac Day falls on Sunday a holiday shall be observed on the Monday (says a Press Association message). The names of about 10 firms who have withheld payment for holiday work, despite the earlier ruling, have been forwarded, to the Department by Miss A. G’ossey, secretary to the Auckland Clothing Trade Employees’ Union.

Although it was impossible to say who was supplying the drug traffic in China, it had grown to an alarming extent through the activities of Japanese and Korean traffickers, said Dr. T. Z. Koo, the well-known Chinese missionary, who arrived at Wellington by the Awatea to spend a month in the Dominion (says a Press Association telegram). Dr. Koo said that the "Chinese Government was gravely concerned about the position, and was taking strong measures to check it, but unfortunately it had to work from the wrong end, and he did not think much could be done until the source of supply was blocked.