NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 252, 24 October 1931, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Windscreen Wipers,

"Soon the time will come when we will have to insist that windscreen wipers should travel the whole length of the screen," said Mr, F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, at an inquest held yesterday afternoon into the death of a passenger in a motor car which collided with a meat van in Epsom on October 7. This comment by .the coroner was added to his verdict as a rider.

Disarmament Petition. A total of 25,000 signatures to the world disarmament petition would he secured in New Zealand within the next few weeks, reported Mrs. E. Gibson at a recent meeting of the Women's International League. The publicity given throughout the Dominion to the disarmament meetings held in Wellington and Auckland had materially assisted the campaign for signatures. The total number, of signatures in Great Britain toward the end of September was approaching 1,500,000.

Unemployment and Theft. In the annual report of the Auckland Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, the hon. secretary, the Rev. G. E. Moreton, states that unemployment is a very real and recognised cause of delinquency, especially of petty theft. presses gratitude to Mr. W. Slaughter, officer in charge of the Labour Department, for the great assistance his Department gives in placing men in suitable employment.

A Possible Masterpiece. Picked up for half a crown from the jumble of a Palmerston North auction mart, a picture of The Christ wearing the crown of thorns is now 'believed to be an Italian masterpiece by Guido Reni, a sixteenth century artist., It is not known how the picture came to be in its neglected state, but the . present owner, Mi - . J. L. Weiglitman, has submitted it to experts, who agree that it is sixteenth century. The only question now remaining is whether it is an original or a copy. It is being submitted to a London firm of experts of the highest repute for authentication and valuation.

Milk of Good Standard. Analyses of scores of milk samples year have led the Dominion Analyst to the conclusion that the percentage of adulterated milk in the four centres is small. His annual report states, however, that more supervision in country districts would appear to be warranted. In other classes of foodstuffs examined at the Dominion Laboratory there was little evidence of serious adulteration. An inspection of the report shows that the laboratory's work covers a wide range, including- several cases of supposed poisoning. Innumerable samples of sbils, rocks and roading materials were analysed during the year.

Football Tourists. A large and gay crowd assembled on Queen's wharf yesterday to bid farewell to the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League team, ■vyhich completed its match tour of Auckland Province on Wednesday. Before the Maunganui pulled out into the stream, en route for Sydney, streamers were much in evidence and • compliments exchanged. The. hearty cheers of the departing players indicated their appreciation of this 1 country, which most of the party had visited for the first time. "We will not forget New Zealand," said the manager, Mr. John Quinlan. "The boys _ have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their stay, and they are delighted with your people, climate and scenery." ; ' r.

Bombay Deviation. Advice has been received by the Auckland Automobile Association that the Bombay deviation will not be open to traffic week-end. Recently secretary of the association, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, -inquired from Mr. F. S. Dyson* Auckland district engineer of the Public Works Department, whether it would be possible to have the deviation opened for the Labour Day 'week-end, especially in view of the good condition of the surface and the large number of motorists who would be travelling. Mr. Dyson said that an agreement had been reached between the Main Highways Board and the Franklin County Council, and tenders had been called for the metalling of the deviation. The road had been carefully repegged and levelled. It was essential for the pegs to remain undisturbed and the road to stay in its present condition until all contractors had viewed it and calculated their quantities.

Fanners' Eating Penalty. The difficulties of farmers in paying their rates were discussed by the Piako County Council, when it was learned that a remit had been forwarded to the Counties' Association urging the repeal of section 57 of the Counties -Act. Many farmers cannot find the money to pay their rates at the time preceding an election 01: poll, and it is considered unfair that .tliey should be penalised. The Hauraki Council considers that penalties for non-payment, and facilities afforded by law for enforcing payment, are quite sufficient without action under section 57, and that it is inequitable that a special rate should be inflicted on a settler without his having any voice in the matter. The following is a typical case of the hardship inflicted under section 57: —A ratepayer whose rates are about £200 per annum received his rate demand on July 1. His previous rates had all been paid. A poll for a loan was held on March 20 following. This ratepayer was unable to find the money to pay his rates, and was precluded from exercising his, three votes. The poll was carried by two votes.

Brilliant Waratahs. Around Wh'angarei there is a surprising range of Australian plants and shrubs. Undoubtedly the waratah is the most brilliant, and i< has been at. its best during the past fortnight One in a private garden has no less than 6C blooms, which average 9in across. These flowers of a glowing crimson, have only to be touched tc send out a shower,of glistening nectar in the early morning. It is a curious contrast to watel: the tiny blight birds, or waxeyes, swinging or the huge flowers. The bird is dwarfed by the brilliant inflorescence. In view of the tendency to introduce more, flowering shrubs into parks and public gardens, the waratah is -of specia interest. It makes for brightness wherever it is seen, and the blooms are seldom cut by the proud (grower. One reason, of course, is that the cutting of one bloom this year means the loss ol two or three next year. The flower is about the same size as that of a rhododendron, but is more compact,, and it is easy to understand the popularity of the waratah in Australia for decorations, and its claim to rank almost as an emblem of the Commonwealth.

"Fugit Irreparabile Tempus." Some of the suggestions that have been made for an inscription for the clock in the Otago University tower, presented by Sir Thomas Sidey, were before the University Council this week in a letter forwarded by Professor T. D. Adams (says, the "Otago Daily Times"). His choice, it would seem, also the choice of the donor of the clock, fell upon the Vergilian quotatiorf, "Fugit Irreparabile Tempus," partly because even those who do not know Latin can understand it, and partly because of the impressive sonority of the central word "irreparabile." Professor Adams, however, admitted an. allegiance to the greatest and most truly representative of the Latin poets which was shaken only by the personal directness of the admonition contained in the quotation, "Vivite'ait Fugio" ("Here, it says, I am hastening on"). Several 'sundial legends were also included, and pride of place in the list was given to the Lucretian line, "Vitaque mancipio nulli "datur omnibus usu" ("Life is granted for nqne for freehold, to all on lease"). ,Ifc was decided to*approve the inscription recommended bv Professor Adams, and to make immediate arrangements for th j affixing of a suitable "brass plate.*" . : '■