NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Kawarau Dam

Advice was received in Dunedin last week from Cromwell that, under a per nit from the l'nbli/> Works Department, tl e gates of the Kawarau dam were to be closed this week for four days, or longer, if the weather continues favourable. Mr. Vickerman, the engineer for the company, will make an investigation but general mining operations are not likely to be carried out. The dam is across the outlet of Lake Wakatipu into the Molyneux River at the Shotover, a famously rich alluvial goldfield of the early mining days.

An Interest to Tourists. Mention of tin. fact that there are in New Zealand a number of beautiful birds and interesting animals was made by the in charge of the Tourist Department, Mr. A. Hr.inilton, in an address to the Auckland Travel Club yesterday. Bird and animal life, he said, should be particularly encouraged round the Dominion's tourist resorts. Visitors to the Jenolan Caves in Australia were always much interested in the wallabies which were to lie seen there; in fact, he believed that the wallabies were even a greater attraction than the caves themselves. Cease Complaining. Referring to the contention offered from many sides that the Government or Unemployment Board should find full-time employment at standard wages for all the unemployed, ilr. W. Bromley, deputy-chairman of i the board, speaking at Dannevirke yesterday, said those making the complaint had never put forward details showing how it could be done. It appeared that the Government and the board were carrying the blame for the inevitable results of a system everyone appeared to be afraid to change. It was high time to call a halt in complaining, because the Unemployment Board could not make a 5 h.p. engine do the job of a 20 h.p. engine. The country would get back to prosperity more quickly if all pulled the same way.

Not His Excuse. Two defendants in the Magistrate's Court at Winton, in Southland, were asked to explain why they were on licensed premises after hours. The excuse of the firist offender was that he lived in the country, and that he had with him a pair of boots he wished to get repaired. On coming into the town he overlooked the hour the shops closed, and as he did not wish to take the boots home with him again he took them into the hotel to leave them there. On coming out he met the constable. "I make the hotel my home when I am in Winton anyway." lie added. The excuse of the second offender was sought. "I suppose you went in taking a pair of laces for the boots," remarked the magistrate, Mr. W. H. Freeman. Defendant did not answer. When the constable told the Court that one of the defendants had two bottles of ale and the other was in a half-drunken condition, the magistrate was not further interested in excuses.

i Rotorua's Future. The opinion that Rotorua was destined to become a big town was expressed by the Minister in charg. of the Tourist Department, Mr. A. Hamilton, in his address to members of the Auckland Travel ' Club yesterday. "There are not many Kotornas in the world," he said, in indicating that lie would always lie in favou:- of improving facilities for visitors, to the thermal district. Enjoying a good climate, he added, Rotorua was a splendid attraction for visitors from overseas at all seasons of the year. Miniature Relics. A silver penny dated 1800 and bearing the ikon of George 111. was produced to a "Star" representative yesterday by Mrs. McElroy. of Koliimarania, in whose family the tiny coin has been for over 100 years. It was accompanied by a miniature book containing a calendar, list of the Kings and Queens of England and of the Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of London. Both the coin and the book j are relics of the days of specialisation in miniatures and individual craftsmanship. Busy Queen Street. This year's Winter Exhibition must have attracted more visitors to town than heretofore, for from morn until night busy crowd.* throng Queen Street, inspecting here, buying there. One Queen Street shopxeeper expressed the view that while there were more shoppers than are usual at this time of the year, buying was spasmodic. "At certain stages," he remarked, "the sight of so many customers savoured of holiday time, while at others there was a complete lull in trade. However, on the whole, business was, he thought, much brisker than usual. War Pictures. On the page of very fine war pictures published yesterday in connection with the "Star's" competition, there were two errors in the titles. The group of "Diggers" of the 3rd A Company was described as First Battery, when obviously tlie men were of the First Battalion. The title under the photograph "Up Walker's Ridge" mentioned steel helmets, when the reference should have ueen to pith helmets, since the "tin hat" was not in general use till a much later stage of the war. Remarkable! "You don't mean that the men under the No. 5 scheme got that message over the wireless?" asked his Worship the Mayor when Mr. A. W. Jones, chairman of the Jnvercargill reserves committee, said that the superintendent of reserves had broadcast a warning to the relief workers employed in the gardens that they would not be required on Monday morning. "Quite a number did," replied Mr. Jones. "Well, that's remarkable," commented his Worship. "I haven't a wireless." "Never mind, we'll soon get you one," replied Mr. Jones. Ban on Smoking.

With considerable reluctance women students at Auckland University College have accepted the bail placed by the Professorial Board 011 women smoking inside the college. The Professorial Board ban officially announced that the diseusnion may now be considered closed from its point of view, despite the fact that information received from Southern colleges is that in women's common rooms smoking in an accepted practice. It its realised by the women students that nothing more can be done this year, but they are determined to reopen the question next year, when it is felt that a change in the executive control of the Professorial Board may bring about a changed outlook. Cost of Relief. The direct annual cost to the State for relief aid to unemployed to-day is averaging 2."/ per week per man, and while deemed to be hopelessly inadequate, means £32,500 a year for each 500 unemployed, not counting administration costs. This statement was made yetterday * Mr. W. Bromley, deputychairman of the Unemployment Board, in an address to the Dannevirke Rotary Club. "Were theso men in employment averaging £4 a week, they woul' contribute to the fund for the relief of unemployment £4325 |>er annum. This amount, rdded to the cost of relief, brings the direct national annual cost to £30,825 for each 500 men, measured in eon-| trast with employment at an average wage of £4 a week. This loss is yours and mine," said Mr. Bromley.

Health Stamp Campaign Organiser.

lit connection with Ihe 1 'J.'i.l "Health" stamp, which the Post Office will issue towards the end of the year, the Department has been fortunate in securing the voluntary assistance of Mr. L. H. Hooker, of Hawera, whose organising ability has been frequently shown in connection with altruistic objects. Mr. Hooker, who is a member of the Ilawera Hospital Board, will carry out an active campaign with the object of interesting all sections of the public in the twopenny "Health" stamp, one penny being for postage, the other penny going without deduction to the funds of the various children's health camps throughout Xew Zealand. An attractive design has been prepared, and the stamps ure to be printed in Australia.

Lair in a Garden. A hiding place equipped with a ground sheet, rugs, a pair of slippers, and an iron bar was discovered in a secluded shrubbery at the bottom of a garden in Carrington Koad, Xew Plymouth. The police used it as a trap, hoping to apprehend the person who recently removed a car from Xew Plymouth at about the same time that a car taken from Wangalini was discovered .it Xew Plymouth. Two police officers maintained a close watch over tli ■ lair all night, hoping that the man who had prepared it would return, but either his suspicions had been aroused or he had abandoned the hiding place. Later the gear was taken to the police station. It is thought possible that a recent arrest at Auckland has some connection with the car incidents at Xew Plymouth.

Sharp Rise in Jubilee Stamps. Unused jubilee postage stamps which were withdrawn from sale by the Post Oilice less than a month ago are already selling at a substantial premium, states a Southern exchange. It is a peculiar fact that when things are within the reach of everyone, tliey are not always assessed at their true value, and now that the jubilee stamps can no longer be purchased at post oilices many persons who allowed opportunity to pass them by are anxious to secure specimens. Stamps of the sixpenny denomination are now selling freely at one shilling each, and it is likely that they will increase in value still more. But a premium of 100 per cent in less than a month is something exceptional, and it is doubtful if it has been equalled with any previous issue of stamps in New Zealand.

Tree-planting Proposal. Tlie State Forest Service has informed the Unemployment Board that there exists a surplus of tree stocks which may be made available to local bodies as directed by the Unemployment Board, which desires that where possible local bodies having suitable areas for planting should avail themselves of the offer, and organise a programme for the utilisation of unemployed labour in preparing the ground and planting the trees. As far as the Auckland City Council is concerned, the only area available for extensive planting is Cornwallis Park, on the shores of the Manuka u Harbour, but a large quantity of scrub would have to be cut before anything could be done, and the planting season is getting late. The members of the City Council will probably visit Cornwallis Park, so that the position can bo viewed and a policy for t'»"l future decided upon.