NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Panning Not Popular. Although applications have been called from bovs (sons of New Zealand ex-servieemen) for training as farmers at Flock House, the response had been particularly poor, according to information placed before the Manawatu Patriotic Association. So far only fifteen boys have signilied their intention of making use of the facilities ■ afforded them. One Point of View. When it was pointed out at a meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools' Board that the registered school blazer cloth was obtainable by other than boys of the school, one board member feelingly remarked that to him the most important aspect of the matter was that he could not be sure in future if the boys he detected raiding hie orchard were high school boys, or not. Free Instruction For Unemployed Boys. The Technical College Board decided, at its meeting yesterday afternoon, to institute a scheme whereby boys under the age of 21 years are to receive free daytime instruction at the college. Tho cost will be met by the managers of the board out of their own pockets. The board wrote to the Unemployment Board and the Education Department asking if they would assist towards the cost of paying a teacher, but refusals were received in both cases, the reason given being lack of finance. These Parlous Times. On a dark night, the hour was late, when an Ornri (near Timaru) resident was crossing his section, a violent explosion, and the sting of pellets hitting his body, sent him in rapid retreat to the house. The occupants of the house were also seriously perturbed by the violent report, but an examination of the "victim" revealed no wounds. Investigation outside disclosed that a tyre on the owner's motor lorry, which was standing in the yard, had exploded, scattering the loose shingle just at the moment the resident had been walking past it. Pitfalls of Pillion Riding. To reach the scene of their hunting exploits, two Blenheim youths used a motor cycle. _ A watercourse was encountered, and tho driver threw the machine into low and accelerated to climb up the steep bank on the far side of the stream. After another mile or so he realised that his machine was going along exceptionally well, and remarked on the fact to his companion, but there was no reply, for the passenger was missing. Investigations showed that he had been left in a sitting position in the creek, and ho was somewhat annoyed about itKing's Empire Veterans.

The usual luncheon for the King's Empire Veterans on the King's Birthday will be held this year in the Veterans' Home at Royal Oak, instead of in the Town Hall, as formerly. The function will be on a reduced scale this year, and of the briefest character. Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe, will be present at the home about noon on that day, and the luncheon will be held immediately after their Excellencies have left. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, will preside, and, following the loyal toast, there will bo only one other. The Human Touch.

Most of the relief measures in Hamilton and other towns principally concern the provision of necessities for those in need. A new scheme has been evolved by the Waikato Children's Camp League, which will not only assist the families of the unemployed, but will bring a little pleasure into the lives of their children. The idea is to ask families in Hamilton and the surrounding districts to take two or three children each Saturday or Sunday dming the winter months, and provide them with mid-day dinner. The league has already received a number of offers of assistance.

Another Legal Kecord. Seventy-eight witnesses in three and a half days is a new legal record, which has been established during the riot trial at the Supreme Court. Not only was the number of witnesses unusually large —there were 52 for the prosecution alone — but hardly any of the evidence was of a formal character. In almost every instance there was keen cross-queetioning after cxamination-in-chief, and frequently questions were asked by the judge. The case has also been remarkable for the number and bulk of the "exhibits," which included a large crate full of broken palings, as well as many smaller, but none the less effective, weapons, such as short lengths of lead piping, home-made batons, a revolver, aud a catapult. "Breaking-up" Funds Discontinued.

A communication was received by the Seddon Memorial Technical College Board from the Minister of Education, at the board's meeting yesterday, to the effect that, in pursuance of the Government's policy of economising, the Department would no longer continue to supply funds for "breaking-up" ceremonies. Mr. G. J. Park, principal of the college, said the college did not hold "breaking-up" ceremonies, only the annual prize-giving, which cost the board about £70. The funds for this, beyond £25, were not contributed by the Education Department, but out of the profits of the school trading account. Between 80 and 90 prizes were distributed annually, each prize costing about 15/. Automatic Carillon Airs. The installation of the automatic playing mechanism in the Wellington War Memorial Carillon is expected to be completed in about a week. This apparatus works on much the same principle as a player-piano, in that perforated paper rolls are used, in conjunction with a clock arrangement, which enables the same melody to be played at the same time every day for a week if desired. It is operated by an electro-pneumatic system, which is also used for the ivory keyboard, an alternative method of playing the bells. The keyboard was damaged in transit, and is now being repaired, and should be in position within a week. There is no definite plan at present for using the automatic player.

Enough For Twenty-five Years. Sufficient applipationa for art unions are now before the Government to keep art unions going continuously for the next 25 years, while the applications which have been considered already by the Cabinet sub-committee are sufficient in numbers to keep art unions going continuously for the next twelve and a half years. This announcement wae made in Hokitika by the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, when replying to a deputation which had asked for assistance in securing a permit for an art union to assist prospectors. Personally, he said, he did not approve of art unions as a general thing, for people could not get on by gambling. In this case, however, if full details were given him of the proposals, he was prepared to use his influence with the Minister of Internal Affairs .to get a half-share in a future art union. "Dropped" Her Anchor.

When the' Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's steamer Herminius arrived in the stream at Lyttclton early on Friday morning, she dropped anchor just off Camp Bay. The anchor went to the bottom —and stayed there —as did a good length of cable, which, like the Dutchman's, had "not been tied to nothing," and the ship floated free. The mishap was caused through the cable having been overhauled at the previous port. It was unshackled to permit of several worn links to be replaced, and had not been properly shackled again. The anchor and cable are valued at over £150. A reward of £10 was immediately offered to any fisherman or launch owner who succeeded in picking up the cable and buoying it ready for the steamer to pick up when she leaves Lyttelton. Several launches have tried without success, and the company also chartered two small launches for dragging purposes. They, too, were unsuccessful.