NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 243, 15 October 1931, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Not Wanted. That there are only two ways of raising revenue in connection with broadcasting was pointed out bv Mr. A. C. Tucker at the meeting of listeners. One way was revenue from _ the listeners; the other, revenue from advertising. "I am cure that no listener wants to go home in the expectation of enjoying a programme and then find that he has to tune and retune to get away from stations that are advertising on the air," said Mr. Tucker. "What all the listeners want are good programmes that are free from advertising. - '

More Fertilisers. One result of the reduced cost of fertilisers in the Auckland district is an increase 'in the orders for delivery next autumn. There 3s also a little improvement in the demand for prompt delivery. The use of fertilisers is now spread over the greater part of the year, contrary to the practice years ago, when top-dressing was always done in the spring and autumn, and the buying now continues through the summer and winter, though it has been curtailed to the extent of 30 or 40 per cent in the past-few months. Ex-Student Teachers. A return dealing with the unemployment among teachers in the Auckland district shows that there are 229 ex-students of the Training College out of permanent positions, and, of these, IGS are women. The number includes 153 who are in temporary employment. Only seven men are .unplaced. This return will be sent on to the Education Department to-morrow by the Auckland Education Board, and at the end of November all the teachers who are not in permanent employment, and are seeking appointments, will be required to send their names to the Department.

"All's WeH That Ends Well." To liave her car catch lire and have to take refuge in a restaurant from curious eyes was the embarrassing experience of a bride on her way to her wedding yesterday. The motor car was going up Queen Street about 5 o'clock, when a great number of people are in the street, and when just near Wyndham Street it caught lire. The bride, "vyth the two bridesmaids, had to alight, and push their way through the crowd which invariably collects on such occasions, to the nearest building. There they waited until a taxi was summoned. The bride was late for the ceremony. Court Gates Closed. The closing of the iron gates leading to the Police Court from Courthouse Lane was _an unusual feature of the casse yesterday morning, when a Communist was charged with inciting to lawlessness, in connection with an eviction at Norfolk Street, Ponsonby. A large crowd had assembled in Courthouse Lane by ten o'clock, and when the Court opened there was a rush to get into the building. Police constables intervened to ensure an orderly entrance by the public, and when the Court was full, closed the gates, letting no one in unless for especial reasons. For over an hour after, however, groups of people loitered in the lane, awaiting further developments.

Value of a Dog. "So many dogs have proved more valuable to their owners dead than alive that wc will have to protect our members from this form of extortion," said Mr. G. W. Hutchison at the general meeting of the A.A.A. last evening. "Exorbitant claims.have been made by owners of dogs which, before the unfortunate motorist killed them, were known to be absolutely worthless." Mr. Hutchison moved that the benefit of free legal defencej be extended to, members against whom claims which'the council considered exorbitant were brought by . dog owners. A proposal to extend the provision to apply to claims for the death of any animal was abandoned on the suggestion that legal difficulties might be involved, and Mr. Hutchison's motion was carried. Old Colonists. Although the New Zealand Old Colonists' Association has a remarkable record of _ early settlers, the executive would like to make it still more complete. Everyone who has been in the Dominion 50 years or more, whether born here or not,.is eligible.- There is no entrance fee and 110 subscription. Members may purchase a badge for 5/ if they want one, and the association js always glad to receive donations. Put the main idea of the association is to secure as full a record as possible, and the indefatigable secretary, Mr. S. Coldic'utt, C, Hellaby's Buildings, Queen Street, will be glad to receive names and addresses of all who wish to register. _ The old people thoroughly enjoy the annual reunion organised by the association, and everyone who appreciates the value of tradition in character-forming will appreciate these yearly gatherings to commemorate the coming of the pioneers. Safeguarding Cheltenham Beach.

A large deputation, among whom were several women, representing tlie residents of Cheltenham Beach, waited on the Devon port Borough Council last evening to oppose the council's tentative scheme of erecting bathing sheds 011 the beach. Mr. E. Glover and Mr. P. Cuilen were the principal speakers. They opposed the erection of any such buildings in the centre of the beach, for it would have a detrimental effect upon property near by. Mr. G. Hardy contended that the beaches were for those who could not afford motor cars, and therefore required facilities on the beach. In all other districts people were clamouring for greater conveniences 011 the seaside. He could hardly understand the opposition. The Mayor, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, said that the revenue derived from the beach had to be expended upon beach improvements. He assured the deputation that their requests would be considered.

Very "Fishy." With bloodstains showing through the newspaper wrapping, a parcel, perhaps 2ft long, lying between the,, lines at the old railway yard yesterday, had all the first signs of a deep mystery. A city business man, taking a short cut across the yard to reach his office, had his attention drawn to the parcel, and scenting—scenting is the correct word —the possibility of a tragedy, he quickly got in touch with a newspaper man, and the pair decided to investigate. AVith handkerchief over his nose .the reporter bent over and cut the twine binding the parcel, and then with a piece of inch water pipe gradually worked the newspaper from round the contents. The tragedy proved to be a couple of fish, which at one time had been perfectly fresh. They had evidently been posted on a goods train, and had arrived at Auckland late—very late.

"J.W.'s" Experience,

Mr. J. W. ("Jack") Hardley, the New Zealand bowler who died in Sydney yesterday, had a remarkable memory and a fund of reminiscences. He was fond of recounting an incident in his early life, when he arrived on the West Coast diggings in the late 'sixties. Mounted on a packhorse, in company with a sister and a brother, lie caught sight of Charleston, near Westport, from the high country above, after a tedious journey from Dunedin. He was a mere boy .at tlie time, and was much struck by the appearance of a city of some thousands of tents. The lure of gold soon caught liim, and, in 1380, led him to try his fortunes in the great rush to Kimberley. With his cousin, Mr. John Hardley, he landed at Derby and walked for 300 miles along the Fitzroy River. After some months on the goldfields. in the interior of the country he made his return by way of Wyndham, Cambridge Gulf. Before reaching Wyndham, the two men came across a salt pan which extended for many miles, and Jack Hardley narrowly escaped death. The water which they were carrying in a canvas bag was /exhausted when tliey were some 15 miles from the port, and the temperature was 120 degrees in tlie shade. Only those who know the Australian climate can realise what' Tortures of thirst tlie two men must have suffered on the linal stage of their journey.