NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Question of Paternity. "My friend is putting up straw theories and knocking tlieni down again," counsel saicl during the hearing of a claim for damages in the Supreme Court, Wellington, before Mr. Justice Blair and a jury. "Ami asking you to father them?" his Honor suggested. "Yes, sir," counsel replied, "and we are guiltless of these affiliation proceedings." A Grant for Linesmen's Wives. At a meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board the finance committee reported that it had discussed the question of remunerating the wives of troublemen for their services during the recent storm periods, and recommended that the sum of £5 be granted to the wife of each troubleman. The recommendation was adopted. Prince's Wharf Roadways. The Auckland Harbour Board in committee yesterday decided that the question of covering in the roadways on Prince's wharf would be brought in in next year's estimates as an urgent work. The estimated cost of the work was £9540. The provision of ladies' conveniences at the eastern and western vehicular ferry landings was also deferred until the 1930-37 estimates were being considered. Their Own Fault. When the shortage of farm labour was being discussed at the Farmers' Union Conference last night several speakers said that in no small measure was the shortage due to the way in which the farm workers had been treated" by the farmers. One speaker said that if the workers had been treated with a little more consideration plenty of labour would have been offering. His statement was challenged by other speakers, who were emphatic that the farm labourer in most instances was regarded as-"one of the family." Motor Camp's Needs. There is need for more kitchen accommodation at Western Springs motor camp, according to the superintendent of parks, Mr. T. S. Aldridge. In the course of his annual report op the city's reserves and parks Mr. Aldridge said that the camp had proved very popular, the revenue for the year amounting to £400. The swimming baths, tennis courts and children's playground had been much appreciated. The camping . ground at the Avondale South Domain had also been well patronised, and £15 had been collected in fees. "For Shame!" During a discussion on immigration at the Farmers' Union Conference last night one speaker said that on one occasion he had, at the request of a friend, nominated a "farm hand" who was to come .to Auckland from England as an assisted immigrant. "When the 'farm hand' arrived I was introduced to my friend's mother-in-law," said the delegate. Later another delegate, relating his experience with assisted immigrants, said, "I have ,had four families —" Cries of "Shame!" "Are you a Mormon?" and "You have done your duty!" greeted the speaker. The Greatest Speculation. A suggestion that a board should be set up by the Government to advise prospective purchasers of farm lands to prevent speculation in such lands was turned down at this morning's meeting of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Captain Colbeck said that speculation would' never be avoided. "If you go to buy a cow you don't go to anybody for advice, or if you want a vacuum cleaner you don't seek advice." A delegate: "You might be advised to get a good wife." Captain Colbeck: "Yes, a wife, the greatest speculation in the world." _ - i Sport of Wallaby-hunting. Wallabies are rapidly increasing in numbers in certain parts of the South Island, particularly in and around the district of Wainiate, South • Canterbury, where they are reported to be very numerous, especially in the hills around Waihao Forks and the Downs. In recent weeks several parties have visited this locality wallaby hunting, and have mot with marked success. An Oamaru party made the journey over the week-end, and was successful ,111 securing a good number of skins, all of which were in excellent condition. The rugged nature of the country, however, serves to act as a deterrent to many sportsmen who would otherwise make it the venue for their activities. Full-time Work in Parks. The fact that the system of' rationing work among the staff made necessary by the depression has now been abolished and fulltime employment lias been restored to all null in the department is commented upon in the annual report of the parks and reserves committee, which was made available yesterday by the chairman of the parks committee, Mr. E. J. Phelan. The new arrangement, according to the superintendent of parks, Mr. T. S. Aldridge, will greatly assist and add to the cleanliness and appearance of the parks and reserves. Particularly will this be the ease in the outer areas, which have been rather neglected on account of financial stringency. Harbour Boards Will Not Suffer. Following representations made by the harbour boards of New Zealand, a letter was received yesterday by the Auckland Harbour Board from the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, in which he gave assurance that the boards would not suffer as the result of the passing of the Primary Products Marketing Bill. So long as the Government continued to acquire title to the dairy produce at the f.o.b. point, wharfage and other harbour dues would be payable by the factories as at present. In the' event of title to the goods being taken at an earlier point, dues would be payable by the State. The Hon. T. Bloodwortli. M.L.C., was thanked by the board for his endeavours on its behalf. Concession to Dental Clinic. Whangarei is to be the first centre in Now Zealand where a dental clinic will be connected with the telephone at a concession rate. Representations to this end have been made consistently over the past 15 months bv the Whangarei Country Schools' Dental Committee! Previously the Departmental reply had been that the "telephone connection would he charged for at full business rates. The committee pointed out that the Plunket Society, which occupied the adjoining rooms, received the telephone at residential rates and that the same concession applied to numerous sports bodies. On the other hand, dental attention for school children was a national service. The matter was taken up, with the Ministerial authorities by Mr. J. G. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden, and' the Dental Committee has now been advised that the telephone will be installed at the clinic at residential rates. The Future of Burma. "Burma is a new star in the Commonwealth firmament," said Mr. W. J. Grant, editor of the "Rangoon Times," who, on a tour of the Empire, is in Auckland. "I have wiven a scries of lectures in various Dominions on this mysterious and little-known province of India, and have tried to make known its unique attributes. Burma will bring a new note into the Empire. Mongolian culture as well as the Buddhist religion are features which will be an enrichment to the Commonwealth." Mr. Grant explained that Burma had recently been granted political separation from India, and her new status would officially commence from March next year. Burma would then be virtually a democratic country, ready and Willing to take her share in Empire problems and responsibilities. That country's future as regards trade was almost, unlimited, Vast mineral resources when developed would prove a valuable market ; for New Zealand and Australain exports.

Old Auckland Tug. Built in Mr. Hector MaeQuarrie's yards in Mechanics' Bay in 18S4, the wooden steam tug Awhina sank recently at her moorings at Albany, West Australia, where she had been handed over to the sliipbreakers after many years of service. Stripped of all its fittings, the hull is to be beached on some out-of-the-way shore and left to decay. Employment at Ellerslie. Accepting the Labour Department's offer of a subsidy of £2 5/ weekly for each man, the Ellerslie Town Board decided to employ eight or ten men on a five-day week for the metalling, kerbing and channelling in Walpole Street and Mania Road. The chairman said that it might be advisable to arrange additional work on the intermittent scheme, whereby a larger number of men could be assisted, but he considered that the present works would bo better carried out if standard wages were paid. Air Mail Services. The first letters by the duplicate air mail service between London and Sydney reached Auckland yesterday, but the Director-General of the Post Oflice, Mr. G. McNamara, has stated that New Zealand will not get the full benefit of the extra service until there are better arrangements for transport across the Tasinan. At present the mails are sent from Australia to New Zealand by every available steamer. It is considered that if the British Government carries out a proposal to reduce the charges there will be a big increase in the amount of air mail matter. Popular Motuihi Island. The popularity of Motuihi Island as a picnic resort for Auckland crowds is referred to in the annual report of the parks and reserves department, of the Auckland City Council. In spite of adverse weather during the spring and summer, it is stated, the island proved very popular, and during the year was visited by 42,799 people. Mention is also made of the council's farming operations on the island, operations which had given satisfactory results. The percentage of lambs was not up to expectations, but the' value of the wool and lambs sold was £SSO. The value of stock on the Island had increased by £400. Parachutist's Talisman. It is not uncommon to find that those whose callings are attended with some degree of risk or danger carry talismans or "good luck" tokens. Mr. G. W. Sellars, a young Auckland parachutist, who has made between 30 and 40 descents in the past twelve months, has for his "magic charm" a small image of Buddha. Mr. Sellars said he was not superstitious, and, in support of this, mentioned that he made his first flight on a Friday, which had also been the thirteenth day of the month. He has had three narrow escapes from disaster while in possession of his talisman. Recently he carried out two jumps without having' the token, and, although these descents were successful, Mr. Sellars said he did not feel entirely "at home." Prosperity Returning. "Xo matter which way one turns, there is unmistakable evidence of returning prosperity in New Zealand," said the Rt. Hon. M. .1. Savage at the Waikato Winter Show and Exhibition. He quoted figures illustrating his point. For the five months from December 1, 1935, to April 30, 1930, exports from Xew Zealand totalled £22,000,000, an increase of £0,700,000 on the figures for the same period last year. This in effect meant that the producers of wool received 40 per cent more for their produce, butter producers 20 per cent, and cheese producers 14 per cent. The imports had increased by £2.000,000 for the same period, showing that there was increased purchasing power and confidence. Motorists, Beware! Hundreds of drivers of motor vehicles in Auckland have so far failed to take out driving licenses for the year 1930-37, find although there has been a fairly solid rush for licenses at the traffic department of the Auckland City Council so far this week, it appears inevitable that all owners of cars will not be the possessors of new licenses by the stipulated time. If motorists are wise, they will renew their licenses without delay, for it is a yearly custom of the traffic staff make a raid on unsuspecting drivers out for their Sunday "joy ride" shortly .after June 1. Better to pay the odd 5/ than double the cost of a license in fines and Court costs. Damage on a Dredge. _ Reporting to the Gisborne Harbour Board on the condition of the dredge Korua, now lying at moorings in Waikanae Basin, Captain A. Carson, harbourmaster, mentioned that extensive though superficial damage had been done to the ship by persons gaining access, probably during the week-end. The harbourmaster's report stated: "Some irresponsible person or persons with a bump of destruction strongly developed has caused considerable damage to the fittings of the dredge. The hatchway in which the hoisting engine is placed had the hatches and covers removed, these apparently having been dumped overboard, thus leaving the engine open to the weather. All the glass covering the deck electric lights has been smashed." The question of placing a watch on the Korua was deferred for discussion at the next meeting. Prime Minister's Disclaimer. "I am not responsible for the collection of the sales tax," said the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Prime Minister, when officially opening the Waikato Winter Show and Exhibition in' 7 Hamilton yesterday afternoon. "And 1 want to say -that I am looking forward to the time when we have a more scientific method of collection of our revenue. The figures from the sales tax for the first four months of this year, however, show an increase of 15 per cent —another striking example of the increased purchasing power of the people." Later in his remarks Mr. Savage referred briefly to unemployment. He said that it was one of the greatest considerations of the era. Despite record production there was record unemployment. During the last four months, however, unemployment in New Zealand had decreased by 11 per cent. That did not mean he was satisfied, and Mr. Savage reiterated that he would not rest until all people were fitted economically into the financial situation. Harbour and Skyline. The personnel of the French sloop Savorgnan de Brazza could hardly have timed the arrival of their vessel more happily than between 8 and 9 yesterday morning. Over the blue water hung a light mist, not yet dispersed by the sun's rays, through which moved slowly ferries and small craft. To the north there rose above the mist the gay flags of the warships at Calliope wharf, still wearing their Empire Day decorations, and further to the west, apparently rooted in mid-air, could be seen , the rugged pines of Onewa (Nortlicofc Point). To the south the dazzlingly white War Memorial Museum rose clear from the mists which mantled the lower Domain slopes. Few Aucklanders realise that the lofty Norfolk Island pine trees Which characterise the Parnell skyline, and which so interest those seeing the city for the first time, are a direct link with Bishop Selwyn,' who Was so much a lover of these .trees that he had the young trees and seeds brought from Norfolk Island in the mission boat,-and distributed them to friends who would care for them in their [gardens. Two of the best known are those beside Bisliopscourt and in the garden of Miss Mowbray in Parnell Road. There is also a very old and lofty pine adjacent to the Jubile institute. Several of Bishop Selwyn's Norfolk Island pines are still to be seen along the Great South Road between Auckland and Pokeno, for the Bishop was wont to plant his island trees in the gardens of. those who offered him hospitality during his long evan-j gelising journeys, usually made oil foot. J