NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1930, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Parishioners' Protest. Another protest, has been made against the noise at evening motor cycle races. At the n:eeting of parishioners of St. Paul's Anglican Church the following resolution was carried:— "That this meeting of parishioners strongly protests against the nuisance caused by broadsiding and its attendant mechanical music at Blandford Park, and requests the incoming wardens and vestry to use all endeavours to end it." Reminder for Motorists. The registration of motor vehicles, which commenced on April 22, is progressing very slowly, less than 1700 vehicles having been registered up to yesterday afternoon. It was anticipated that there would be 400 applications daily, but so far the average has been about 200 each day. Owners of vehicles are reminded that May 31 is the last day on which registrations may be made, and they are asked to apply as soon as possible, in order to avoid the lastminute rush. Very few motor cyclists have yet registered their machines. Canteen Funds Administration. A protest has been forwarded by the Southern Cross League to the Minister of Defence in connection with the canteen funds. The league considers that the" voice of all ex-soldiers should have been heard, and not only the various branches of the R.S.A., as the majority of the men are outside the associations. The league considers that a referendum should be taken as to whether the funds should remain as at present under the existing board, or be dispersed in the interests of survivors and dependents. Volcanic Activity Increasing. A member of the Auckland Tramping Club, who took part in the recent excursion to Tongariro National Park, sends a description of the volcanic wonders which were seen. A close examination of the crater of Tongariro was made. The Ketetahi Valley, with its. boiling mud and water and fuming blowholes, was very active. One member, who is a constant visitor to the park, stated that it is now more active, than at any other period since 1921. The crater lake on Ruapelui has also been reported as becoming warm again, so it seems that the activity is increasing all round, except in the Ngauruhoe crater, which is still quiescent. Mattress Values. A short discussion on the price of mattresses was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. In the statement of claim in a civil case, damage to each of several double mattresses was entered at £5. ''You would be surprised if I told you that you can get the very best mattress in Auckland for £4," said counsel for the defendant. "I bought one recently, and it cost me £4 12/ C, and it was not the best, either," remarked the counsel for pjaintiff. "I don't know where you can buy the best for £4," said the magistrate. "I will tell your Worship," smiled the defending counsel. "You'd better tell defendant; he's the person that will be interested," remarked plaintiff's solicitor. Hints on Fruitgrowing. A lecture on fruitgrowing was delivered by Mr. L. Paynter, senior Government orchard instructor, at a meeting of the Institute of Horticulture held at the Seddon Memorial Technical College last night. The importance of thorough consideration of the site of the orchard, the means of drainage, the presence of shelter and the quality of the soil was stressed by the speaker. The trees, he said, should ba given special attention in the first years, ae that period was the most important for later productivity. Successful fruitgrowing depended not on one single process, but on attention to all factors relating to the cultivation of the trees. Lamentable Ignorance. To see ourselves as others see us presents on occasions a rather amusing reflection. In thisway we often learn of some astonishing facts about ov./selves from enlightened people abroad. There have been numerous examples of lamentable perpetrated during past years in overseas references to New Zealand, but it is surprising to discover a sister dominion offending , in this respect. The latest "howler" comes from the reputable Vancouver "Sun," and refers to the return to Dunedin of the Byrd Expedition. It speaks for itself: "It happens that this week Dunedin has a wool buyers' convention, and both hotels are almost full. The despair of the hotel men is that they have a convention and a returning expedition at the same time. Men are demanding good food and clean sheets. Dunedin -is making room somehow."

Radon as a Cancer Cure. Interviewed regarding the cabled reports of the use of radon, or bottled rays of radium, in the ruie oficancer in England, Dr. P. Clennell Fenwick, therapy specialist at Christchureh Hospital, said there was nothing new In the system, which had been in use in many parts of the world for a number of years. Describing radon, Dr. Fenwick said it consisted of the emanation from radium element, collected and placed in tiny tubes not larger than a grain of rice. These were enclosed in gold, and in use were buried in the tissues of the affected patient, being forced into position so that they attacked the cancer cells. He did not cast any.doubts on the effectiveness of the radon treatment. "Radon is still radium," he remarked, "but in this hospital we prefer the use of radium element." Cultivation of Bulbs. The prospect of developing an industry of considerable importance to New Zealand was advanced by Mr. D. Taimoek at the annual meeting of the Otago District Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, held at Dunedin. He referred to the cultivation of certain kinds of bulbs. For an example, he quoted fclie Lilium formosa, or Easter lily, some samples of which he brought along for inspection by members. The blooms exhibited were of an attractive size, and had been raised from seed after two years of sowing. The main feature about this bulb was that it flowered at Easter time, thus making it possible for the bulbs to be produced in New Zealand and sent Home to flower in the autumn. Mr. Tannock stated that he had several Communications from nurserymen at Home for various classes of bulbs, and he thought that the Lilium formosa offered the chanee to meet that demand. He suggested that this was something that the National Botanic Gardens could take up. Wool Sales Scheme. Particulars of the wool realisation board scheme for the stabilisation and better marketing of the wool of the Dominion have been received by the North Taranaki executive from the Farmers' Union. Stabilisation was not to be translated as "artificial fixation of prices," hut as the means of minimising or eliminating as far as possible such price fluctuations as produce "booms" or "slumps." The majority of the 2<£,000 sheep farmers in -the Dominion were small owners, and at present had little or no protection from slumps. The boßrd would replace the -present Wool Committee, and would combine to make sales and quotaa to bo offered. It would consist of nine members, who would be bona fide sheep farmers, and would hold office for three years. In the employ of the board would be an expert valaer and ciasser, who would also act as manager. Members would be elected by the sheep owners, and a small levy (a fraction of a penny per lb) would be made on all wool sold either locally or exported for sale. The board would also have an expert in England to adirise it on the position there. Other functions of the board would be to market clips in the most attractive manner, to endeavour to' secure al reduction in overhead charges from shed to (Slip, also steamer freights, to arrange for finance, on unsold clips, and to arrange wool advertising campaigns.