NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Praise for Navy Recruits. Officers at the Devonport naval base this morning expressed satisfaction with the progress being made by the 40 boys, comprising seamen ratings anil stokers, who recently joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. 'J'lie lads are displaying'a keen interest in the instruction courses and lectures, and, it was reported, are well up to standard. The boys arc being fitted this week with uniforms. Naval Sports Events. A whaler pulling race between crows from the flagship Dunedin and the training ship Philomel and members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is being held this afternoon. The contest is for the cup presented by the North Shore Rowing Club. On Saturday, Slay 30, a team from the Devonport naval base will play a Soccer match against Auckland at Blandford Park. Clash of Sporting Fixtures. The Wanganui Jockey Club's races on the King's Birthday will clash with a representative Rugby match, Manawatu v. Wanganui. Efforts were made to arrange for the match to be played in the morning, or in the alternative for the races to start at 11 a.m., and thus finish in time to permit of racegoers attending the match afterwards. However, negotiations on these lines failed, and the Rugby Union has decided to play the match in the afternoon, irrespective of the races. What's In a Name? He once applied for a Government position, and was asked if he held a proficiency certificate, said a delegate at the annual conference of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers' Association at Wellington. He had replied that lie held a university degree, but was informed: "That's all right, but have you a proficiency certificate 1" The conference approved unanimously a Timaru remit urging upon the Government the desirability of Government Departments' accepting the senior free place as an alternative to the proficiency examination. No Escape. Any New Zealander contemplating taking up residence in Czecho-,Slovakia to escape civil or commercial obligations incurred in the Dominion, or any Czeelio-Slovakian coming to New Zealand with a similar idea in his or her head, will find that the arm of the law has a very long stretch, and that obligations and business worries cannot be evaded in this way. The last issue of the "Gazette" contains a long exposition of the extension to New Zealand of the conventions between the United Kingdom and Czceho-Slovakia respecting legal proceedings in civil and commercial matters, but to the layman it would' seem improbable that the articles of this convention will be invoked on many occasions.

" Baches " as Permanent Residences. Reporting to the meeting of tlie Upper ITutt Borough Council, the borough inspector, Mr. C. E. IT. Yurnell, stated that for a number of years "baelies" had been permitted to be occupied as permanent residences. This practice could not be considered desirable from a health point of view. He wanted to know if there was a possible remedy to prevent intending builders erecting this type of building and what should now lie done where the "baches" were occupied. Councillors commented on the number of "baches" occupied as permanent residences, and the matter was referred to the by-laws committee. Market for Oranges. Although it was predicted by a Christchurch merchant last week that a shortago of oranges, with consequent high prices, would occur in New Zealand shortly unless the embargo oil South Australian oranges was lifted, inquiries made later indicated that there was not likely to be a shortage in Wellington in the course of the next few months, for' the reason that ample consignments are due shortly from tlie Cook group. It was contended that the plea to admit South Australian oranges before the usual time (August) would be to the detriment of New Zealand's own island growers, who have not met with a good market for the last season or two. Ski Contests. More than ordinary interest will be attached to the annual winter sports to be held at Tongariro National Park at the end of August and beginning of September, because of the entry of six prominent Australian skiers, under the leadership of Mr. T. \V. Mitchell, who has twice previously won the New Zealand ski-running championship. In addition to the championships of the Ruapchu Ski Club and the New Zealand ski championships, the first inter-Dominion ski contests between Australia and New Zealand will be decided. The Australian team will include both men and women, while several other Australian skiers are expected to take part in a private capacity. The noted English amateur ski-jumper and racer, Mr. Colin Wyatt, will also compete. The dates of the contests have been provisionally fixed as follow —New Zealand championships, on August 25 to 27; Ruapchu Ski Club championships, August 28 and 29; and the inter-Dominion contests, August 30 to September 1.

The Family Tradition. With the departure from Port Chalmers on Wednesday for London of the Shaw, Savill and Albion motor ship Coptic, a new link was made in a chain of association extending over a period of more than 00 years between a New Zealand family and the mercantile marine. In 1848 Captain W. Reliant came' to Port Chalmers in the ship Rlundell. His son, Captain C. 11. Renaut, paid several visits to the port in the 'sixties and was in command of the Shaw, Savill and Albion vessel Crusader on one of these occasions. Twenty years later ho was followed by his son, Captain C. M. Renaut, who commanded the Maori and other Shaw, Savill and Albion ships, and was later in the employ of the Union Steam Ship Company until he took the position of superintendent of mercantile marine at Lvttelton, from which he retired last year. A member of the fourth generation, Mr. J. O. Renaut, son of Captain C. M. Renaut, lias now followed in the steps of his forbears and has signed on as an assistant-electrician for the homeward trip of the Coptic. Mr. Renaut lias not yet decided whether he will take up a seafaring career.

Westland Timber Experiment. For the first time in history, South Westlancl milling timber is to be shipped direct from Bruce Bay to Melbourne, which possibly will mark a new era in the development of the vast timber resources of the far South Westland. Tlio experiment is to be made by the Union Steam Ship Company's Omana, which will load at Bruce Bay approximately 17;),000 super feet of white and red pine for Melbourne on account of Bruce Bay Timbers, Ltd. Bruce Baj r , known in the early days as Weld, is 140 miles south of Greymouth by sea and 170 by land, and is. not at present connected by road or rail with the railhead at Ross, 40 miles south of Greymouth. As a consequence the development of the district lias been retarded. Some small shipments of timber have been taken by the coastal vessel Gael, but this is the first occasion upon which an attempt has been made to load a large cargo. If the experiment is a success it may possibly mean the establishment of a regular trade. The bay itself is a wide, deep indentation in the coastline, protected from south and southwesterly winds by a headland. The loading of. the Omana will be carried out by lighters, which will receive the timber from the base about half a mile along the headland and half a mile from the sawmill.

Poppy Day Appeal. The final -returns for the annual Poppy Day appeal on April 24, when the total sum collected is put aside for the assistance of distressed returned soldiers, are now to hand, and officials of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association have finished the counting of the money collected. The total sum was £1828 10/11, a decided increase on last year's figure of £134ti 12/8. Motor Drivers* Licenses. Slow progress has been made in issuing motor drivers' licenses at the Town Hall since May 1, and, in spite of the fact that drivers must possess their new licenses by June 1, the traffic department office has so far issued only 2000. This is far below the number normally issued in the city area, which is 10,000. To drive without a license, it is stated, is not only an offence, but renders the third-party) insurance invalid. Unmannerly Crowds. One unfavourable impression brought back from England by Mr. N. J. T. Webster, a Xew Plymouth man who recently returned from a tour abroad, is the cavalier treatment of women in London crowds. "It is every man for himself in the London tube," Mr. Webster told the New Plymouth Round Table Club. "I saw women knocked violently aside by welldressed men in the rush for seats. When I offered a woman my seat in the tube the whole compartment registered suspicion and amazement." With Commercial Aviation in View. Officials of the Public Works Department have been making engineering and topographical surveys in the Port Waikato district, with the view to establishing emergency landing grounds for commercial aircraft. Operations have been in progress for some time on Mr. Alma Raker's run, "Limestone Downs," and on the property of Messrs. Binnery and Sutton at Waikareutu (reports the "Star's" Tuakau correspondent). Aircraft travelling from Auckland to New Plymouth on reaching the Waikato Heads frequently encounter dense fogs. The coastline for many miles is so rugged that a forced landing on the beach is impossible. Dole for Immigrants.

Stressing tlio imporinncc of nn increased population if New Zealand is to make the most of licr wonderful future, Commissioner J. Barnard Turner) of the Salvation Army, said at Xupier that he believed the solution of the problems of the lack of population in New Zealand and surplus population and unemployment In Cire.it Britain lay in immigration to New Zealand. He suggested a novel method of giving the immigrants a failstart in their new life —to continue to pity them the English dole, until such time as they were in a sufliciently strong position to support themselves. This method would benefit both countries, as it meant that Great Britain would 110 longer have to support her surplus citizens, while New Zealand would gain a number of good citizens, for whom she would have ample work. Level Crossing Signals. Methods of preventing accidents at railway level crossings were discussed by the Automobile Association (Auckland). A letter received from the Rev. Mr. Drake, Hikurangi, stated that complaints had been made that engine drivers did not give adequate whistle signals when approaching crossings. The Railway Department advised that the regulations were fully complied with, and that complaints had been received of too frequent whistling. Mr. F. Q. Farrell advocated the system of "buHV-eye*" signals as used at Westfield. A suggestion that the method found in the United States and France of "gates" automatically operated by the engines might be adopted in New- Zealand was made by Mr. ,T. Seabrook. Mr. A. Grayson, who presided, pointed out that the Highways Board was endeavouring to have all crossings eliminated. The Weekly Pay-day. "The retail trades are going to ask the Government to make the working week end oil Monday, and they will auk that wages be paid early in the week so that retail shopping may be spread over the week," said Mr. D. I. Maedonald, an employers' assessor, during the hearing of an application for a Dominion award for motor mechanics in the Conciliation Council at Christehureh, when the payment of wages was being discussed. The union proposed that all wages should be paid weekly and on Friday, but Mr. Maedonald contended that the second stipulation tied the trade down, and suggested that wages should be paid weekly 011 airy day other than a Saturday. The employees asked that payment be made within 10 minutes of employees ceasing work. One employees' assessor complained that wages might then be paid 011 different days each weex, but the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. S. Ritchie, considered this an impracticable objection. The clause will be considered again when the hearing of the dispute is resumed next month.

Public Deceived. What was described as a deliberate attempt by certain Australian packing companies to deceive the public was brought before the notice' of the. South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce by Mr. .T. A. Nome, reports the "Timaru Herald." Stating that it was the duty of the chamber to protect the aeneral public, Mr. Norri<? exhibited two packets of Australian raisins, which at first glance appeared identical in brand, size and weight. He said lie sold one packet for 74d, but it had been brought to his notice that what seemed to be the same article was being sold in the town for Old., .On investigation he found that, while the marking 011 both packages was the same, in small letters was written 011 one "1'20z." The packet vhicli he sold was marked lfloz, and the other package had a dummy bottom to make it up to the same size as the heavier one. "I am satisfied that that packet is put up for the benefit of unscrupulous traders who want to put it across," declared Mr. Norrie. He contended that the matter should be placed before the proper authorities.

Covering the Waterfront. The eastern waterfront of Auckland city presents features of great beauty and interest these autumn days. Yesterday at mid-day, at the full tide, the harbour was as calm as a mill pond, w.itli most subtle hues of blue and grey and silver reflected in the placid water. The seashore is the "spiritual home" of the average Auckland boy during the school holidays, and this week it has been very gratifying to see parties of boys happily engaged wading, clambering over the rocks, repairing small craft and model boats in Judge's Bay, and even swimming off the yacht club steps as though mid-winter day were six months away instead of six weeks. All along the rocky seaward slopes of the waterfront road family fishing parties have been established, each little group with a corresponding group of sentinel gulls waiting either for a piece of spare bait or in anticipation of a "catch." Considerable progress has been made of late with the filling of the triangle of water between road and railway in the middle of.Hobson Bay. On the part already filled some chance-sown marigolds are flowering bravely; it seems rather a pity that hardy flowering plants are not sown broadcast to beautify the reserve until the permanent planting scheme is decided upon. Those who remember the volume of pathos and irony expended in tlie campaign for seats along the waterfront road will be rather amused to see the concession made to their pleas—one single, solitary seat, of green-painted laths and iron, half-way .across the bay. Still, that is a start, and those who use tlie road frequently report that it is surprisingly often occupied, so per- j haps others may follow. A seat, preferably with a shelter, could well be placed at the bus stop by the. eastern tidal outlet at Orakei, for many have to w/, £ for buses at this point, including school < ildreii.