NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Name of New Zealand. "The greatest letter of credit that one can carry overseas is that one is a New Zealander," said Mr. Kidney Wren at a function to former scholars of the Otago Boys' High School in Dimedin. "We stand higher in tire esteem of the peoples of Europe than the subjects of the other Dominions, and it is only after having travelled extensively abroad that one realises how fortunate he is to be a New Zealandcr." Mr. Wren has been on the Continent for many years.

Finance Minister's Trip Home. "Although the work was hard and the results sometimes disappointing, I shall never forget the privilege which came my way to ( be present at the meat conference in London in 1935," declared the Minister of Finance, Mr. CoateSj when addressing members of the Auckland Cieditmen's Club yesterday. At another stage in his address Mr. Coatcs said that he wished to make it clear that he did not go to England to attend the King's jubilee celebrations. "That job .was done by Mr. Forbes," he added. Teasel Still Used. During a visit of inspection to the Wanganui woollen mills by members of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, particular interest was taken in a machine which is made effective by use of the burr of the teasel plant. "Even though machinery has been made as modern as possible it seems they cannot quite get away from grannie's day," a member observed. As a matter of fact the machine in question has been named after the plant which, ever since man has made use of wool, has played a part in dressing that product. Teasel plants are quite common «in the Wanganui district. " Let the Cobbler," etc. When the affairs of a company, now in liquidation, were being investigated in the course of an action in the Supreme Court at Xcw Plymouth, the question arose whether in the course of its formation it had had legal advice. Counsel stated that there did not appear to have been any solicitors to the company at that Htagc; the interim secretary was an accountant. This prompted the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, who was on the Bench} to remark that there was an old Latin proverb, "Xe sutor ultra cripidam," though his Honor gave only part, of the quotation, the common interpretation of which is: "'Let the cobbler stick to his last."

Mails to the Farmer's Gate. Wherever motors are run regularly through Xew Zealand, mails are also transported. The Postal Department has been a great factor in stimulating the development of motor transport along routes not reached by the rail. It has sent mails regularly to places where never before has the motor run to a time-table, and this regular, usually daily, mail connection has assisted in no small degree in the development and wellbeing of a great portion of the-farming community. Out of approximately 80,000 farmers in New Zealand, 23,000 receive and dispatch their mails at their gates by the mail motor every day.

Amusing Mistake. The misunderstanding of a word caused an incongruous and amusing idea to be conjured up in the minds of everybody when the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association executive was discussing the troubles of relief camp workers with the returned soldiers in one of the camps at Paraparaumu. One man complained at having to work in the drains in winter. Colonel A. Cowles asked: "Have you waders?" The chairman of the men's committee, to whom the question was addressed, hesitated and then replied uncertainly: "Oh, yes, men are appointed to wait —" There was a burst of laughter when it was realised that the chairman had thought Colonel Cowles, had asked if they were served at their plain nieiils in primitive surroundings by waiters. It was found that waders are supplied. Roadmaking in the Frost. The men who have been making a forest highway to Milfoi'd Have so far come through the winter well (says the '•Southland Times"), only one fall of snow seriously holding up work. They have, however, known what it is to live in an almost sunless valley, with the temperature well below zero day and night. A succession of heavy frosts which did not thaw made the valley* look as if it lay under a mantle of snow. Tents were coated with hoar frost just as a fish i•• covered witli scales. Thick icicles hung on the walls of cuttings. But it is a very healthy region, and none of the men has suffered from the rigours of winter in Fiordland. It is not anticipated that any further falls of snow which may be experienced will hamper operations. Auckland's Population. • Details of the population of Auckland city and adjoining boroughs were supplied by .the Government statistician in a report to the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board last evening. The estimated figures given were as follow, the letter "a" indicating the portion included in the drainage district: —

Auckland city (portion), 107,660 (a); Mount Eilen borough (portion), 20,550 (a); Mount •Albeit borough, 21,350; Newmarket borough, 3200; One Tree Hill borough (portion), 0050 (a); Mount Roskill road district (portion), 1350 (a) j total for drainage district, 100,050.The Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, said that that total represented 7.1 per cent of the total population in the metropolitan area. Smoking at Dances. Smoking at dances was described at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board yesterday as "mi extremely dangerous practice," and the superintendent, Mr. W. L. Wilson, was asked to investigate the matter when preparing a report on existing lire regulations relating to places of public entertainment. Mr. C. M. MoCullough said that he had seen people smoking while they were dancing in the Town Hall, and had also seen people in the lower gallery dropping ash on to the decorations below, another dangerous practice. "It only needs a spark to set alight some of those flimsy dresses, and somebody will be burned and there will be a panic," said Mr. McC'ulloiigh. "If people are seen smoking while they are dancing they should be asked to leave the floor.*' The chairman, Mr. J. J. Kingston, said that the danger was apparent, but the practice was extremely difficult to control.

Birkenhead Band to Break Up. General regret has boon expressed at the decision to disband the Birkenheiul Municipal Bund, which was formed in 1917, and for long was a popular institution in the borough.. The band for many years comprised 30 playing members, but owing to the economic depression most of the men had to seek employment elsewhere. Last year it was decided to endeavour to keep the hand going by recruiting learners from Northcote. In an effort to save the situation Mr. G. Davison, of Northcote, pave his services gratuitously as conductor. However, according to information before the Birkenhead Borough Council last evening, the practices of late have been poorly attended. Under the agreement, all the assets of the band become the property of the Birkenhead Borough Council on disbandment. Mr. Albert Haclfield, deputy-Mayor, said the assets were worth £GOO. A letter from the secretary of the band, Mr. V. l< 1 . Qucenin, informed the council that "owing to lack of enthusiasm and support by the members and Earners, tf;c committee had decided that the band be disbanded, and that uniforms and instruments be collected and left at the council chambers."

Birkenhead Boy Scouts. A site ( for the erection of a scouts' hall was granted to the local troop last night by the Birkenhead Borough Council at an annual nominal rental. The location is the recreation reserve in Onewa Road, and the area half an

Saving on Butter Freight. The chairman of the Bay of Plenty Dairy Association, Mr. Singleton, of Te Puke, lias informed suppliers that the reduction of ">/ a ton in the carriage of butter recently made by the Railways Board will save the association £700 per annum. The Public Referees. In responding to the toust of "Parliament" at the Star Rugby Football Club banquet at [nvercargill on Saturday evening, Mr. James Uargcst, M.P., likened Parliament to football, and said: "You footballers use your boots and your brains; we uav, our tongues and the people's money; there is team work, but we haven't got a. referee to order us off the field; we leave that to the public, and they will probably do it this year." A smile greeted the final remark. Undercharging Passengers. It is an offence for a taxi-driver not to charge n passenger the full fare. Seven taxidrivers found this is so when they were charged in the Wellington Magistrate's (Joint with failing to charge the fares laid down by the Wellington City Council. The offence- lay in their omission to charge the extra (id for luggage on the carrier. This is the first time such a prosecution has been made in Wellington, and the defendants were convicted and ordered to pay costs bv Mr. K. D. Mosley, S.M. New Zealand's Credit. In explaining yesterday to members of the Auckland Creditmen's Club the principle of balancing the Budget, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, said that ho would not Bay there were not troubles ahead. Some of the recent increases in the nation's revenue were what might ba termed windfalls. It could be stated definitely, however, that tlio picture presented to-day was an entirely different one from that presented a few years ago. It could also be said that the Dominion's credit to-day was very sound.

Not Always the White Butterfly. In a recent article on the white butterfly mention was made of the denuding of foliage of a huge area of lupins in the Hawke'a Bay district. This is haraly correct (says a correspondent), as the damage is done by another caterpillar and periodically for years lupins in many districts have been so attacked. The difference between the white butterfly caterpillar and that which attacks the lupins is re; lily observed. Many gardeners have blamed the white butterfly * for damage to ilower plants; whereas other caterpillars are nearly always responsible, the diamond moth being considered in some lor-lities to be far worse than the white butterfly. Penalty for Car Stealing. "It -must be well over ten years since we first asked the Government to increase the penalty for the theft of a motor vehicle," stated Mr. W. A. O'Callaghan, president of the North Island Motor Union, in his address to the union conference in New Plymouth. "Our first representations were coldly received, but notwithstanding regular rebuffs, we continued to urge the necessity of firm measures if this class of crime were to be stamped out. It "is pleasing to be able to record that the Minister of Justice now advises us that it is hoped it will be practicable during the forthcoming session of Parliament to introduce the necessary legislation increasing the penalty for car Btealing."

Arch Hill Gully Culvert. It was reported jit the meeting of the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board last evening that work had now been commenced in connection with the construction of the storinwater culvert ill Arch Hill Gully, as a subsidised relief scheme, 12 workmen being employed at the present time. It was stated that it wus intended to increase gradually t ho number of workmen to u .maximum of 50, which it was anticipated could be conveniently employed for a period of 18 months. In reply to it question Mr. H. H. Watkins, eugineerBeciotary to the board, said that the board hud accepted responsibility for the gully some time ago. It would be a great benefit to have the culvert completed. Over 164,000 Listeners'"Licenses. At the end of laet month there were ltif;,()7l radio licenses issued in New Zealand. This total comprised 104,411 paid receiving licenses, 10.460 dealers' permits, 880 amateur experimental licenses, three experimental research licenses, two special licensee, 3."57 free licenses and 22 broadcasting licenses. The number of now licenses for" receiving sete taken out last month totalled 1052. Of the present total of 104,411 paid receiving licenses —an increase of 31,558 on the figures at th'e same date lust year —50,209 :ue In the Auckland district, 01,352 in Wellington, 30,039 in Canterbury and 22.511 in Qtago. Radio dealers in the Wellington district total 300, as compared with :t45 in Auckland, 201 in Canterbury and 140 ill Otago.

Handwriting and School Slates. "Taking the handwriting of the children by and large, 1 am heartily ashamed of it," said Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wangnnui Education Board, at o meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua School Committees' Association in Palmerstbn North. This statement was in reply to a question whether, as an old teacher and chairman of the board, he thought the use of pads, instead of slates, was conducive to good writing. The matter, Insaid, was outside the jurisdiction of the board, but, he agreed that there was nothing like the attention paid to handwriting in the schools to-day that there was years ago. The majority of present-day children seemed to write frightfully. Some of the best writers, he had noticed, were Maoris, and lie would like to see a return to slates. What Causes Fires? The various catises of the fires which the fire brigade attended between July 17 and August 20 were detailed in a report prepared by Mr. W. L. Wilson, superintendent, and presented at the meeting yesterday of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Hoard. Of a total of 47 calls received, the report advised, 21 were false alarms; The report said that the cause of one fire was the search for a gas leak with a naked Jighfe; that of another was a person inioking in bed; a third the drying of dollies before an open fire; of a fourth, the collision of a motor car with a hedge. In the total number of calls 14 were to fires in premises, 11 were chimney fires, and one a grass fire. Of the 21 false alarms, six were justifiable, two were accidental, two due to line faults, three to faulty installations, and eight were regarded as malicious. Technical School Wanted. The need for technical educational facilities in the district was referred to by Mr. If. W. Lamb at the meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council last night. The academical aspect was provided for on the North Shore, 1 he said, by the Takapuna Grammar School, 1 but the children had to be sent to the city for teelmieal instruction. Young apprentices also had to go to Auckland for To relieve pressure on the Scddon Memorial Technical College the Department had e'stabI liahed a technical high" school at Otahuhu, - which- provided for the eastern suburbs. Another technical high school was needed on the North Shore. On his motion the co-operation jof the Northcote Borough Council and the Waitcmata County Council is to be invited in forwarding a joint request to the Minister of Kducntion to have the Xortheotc District I High School raised to the status of a tech--1 nical high school. ,