NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Large Shipment of Beech. Approximately 200,000 ft of Southland beech was shipped to Australia by tile Union Company's coastal trader Kiwi tea. which sailed from Bluff to Melbourne. This particularly large shipment (says the "Southland Times") indicates the increasing demand in Australia, and even further afield, for a timber that serves so many purposes in such an ellicient maimer. Timber mills in .Southland have been busier of late, and this increased activity is expected to continue. Seventh Day Adventists. Pastor ,T. L. McEllliany, of Washington, who was stationed in New Zealand some years ago, lias been elected world president of the Seventh Day Adventist organisation. His election took place at the world conference which closed in Sail Francisco a few days ago. The retiring world president is Pastor C. IT. Watson, who has held ollice for (lie last sixyears, and is returning to his home in Australia. Constable Wanted. Panmure wants a constable living "on the spot" in that district. In view of the amount of petty crime reported in the Mount Wellington and Panmure districts recently, members of the respective road boards, at a conference at Mount Wellington last night, decided to make representations to the Minister of Justice, the Hon. IT. (!. E. Mason, to have a resident constable stationed at Panmure. At present petty offences arc dealt with l>v the two constables stationed at Kllerslie.

The Orphan. "There is something sad about a clearing sale," remarked an old auctioneer the other day, when finishing up preparations for a sale, which meant the scattering of n little colony of domestic animals which had become accustomed to each other and to their human associates. Rather pitiable was the spectacle after the sale of a yearling draught colt left behind after his mother and other mature draughts had been driven away to their new homes. "I was surprised," said the salesman, "that the man who bought his mother did not buy him too." A hard-headed onlooker at many such a scene in his life turned round and tried to comfort the yearling, who was displaying all the misery of a deserted child. Hospital Auxiliary. Appreciation of the splendid help the Hospital Auxiliary had given during the past year was expressed by Dr. J. W. Craven, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, in his annual report to the Hospital Hoard yesterday. "We are indebted to them for clothing, and bus and tram fares for patients lately discharged from hospital," stated Dr. Craven. "Also for malt and ovaltine given during the year to our district nurses and for the provision of extra nourishment for poor patients in need of fxtra diet. While this extra diet is much appreciated, I feel that it is not right that this organisation should be called upon to provide food and clothing for other than those who are being discharged from hospital." *

Ragwort and Seed-fly. At last month's meeting of the \yaipa County Council a councillor asked for information about the ragwort seed-fly that had been liberated in parts of the county a few months ago. He explained that a settler had called his attention to some small Hit's that were seemingly voraciously feeding on the ragwort plants, and he asked if these were the insects liberated by the Cawthron Institute and Department of Agriculture. At yesterday's meeting the inspector of noxious weeds, Mr. Gordon Wall, reported: "From discussion with olTicers of the Department of Agriculture re the ragwort seed-fly, I am convinced that the insects observed by the settler 011 his Monavale property could not have been the seed-llv liberated officially. Only a limited lfntnber of these insects were liberated, and arrangements have been made to watch for their progress and distribution at frequent intervals."

The Policy of Preparedness. A strong appeal to the young men of New Zealand to take a keener interest in the defence of their country was lnade by Colonel J. [largest, M.P., at the annual reunion of the Te Awamutu branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association on Monday. "I am a thoroughgoing pacifist," said Colonel Hargest, "and I view with horror the present world turmoil, for I realise that, should we l>o involved in hostilities —however reluctantly—thousands of young men will again respond to the call of arms. Yet are they preparing themselves for such an eventuality? 1 cannot help thinking that the young man of to-day is a little less thoughtful of his responsibilities in this direction. I count myself fortunate in belonging to a generation that faced up to its responsibilities. If it costs me my seat in Parliament, I will continue to urge the young men of New Zealand to follow the example of the men in the Great War." Colonel Ilargest added that political prejudices were swept aside when the welfare of the returned soldier was concerned. The Labour Government's Defence Committee was working unitedly in the interests of the returned man. The Rubber Market. Mr. L. E. White, of Khota Barn, Malaya, plantation manager of the Dominion Rubber Company's estate, says rubber planters have been having a difficult time lately owing to overproduction as a result of extensive planting by natives in the Dutch East Indies (reports the "Star's" Dunedin correspondent). Lately, however, the output has been restricted by international agreement, which has had the effect of putting up the price. When Mr. White left Malaya rubber was selling at 7d per lb, which meant they were just able to make it pay. The rubber output in 1935 was 41(i,S!)l tons, and by international agreement only 05 per cent of the total crop was allowed to be exported. Under this agreement stocks were going down at the rate of 10.000 tons a month, and the potential output and consumption are expected to balance about 1040. After that it is thought that the agreement will continue, but that planters will be able to export 100 per cent of their crop in his area. Two plantations managed by Mr. White cover about 2000 acres, and between 300 and 400 trees are tapped every day. One tree will produce Gib of dry rubber a year. Errand of Mercy. One evening recently, when Mrs. Mabel C'hristmas-Harvey, the veterinary surgeon, was about to leave her consulting room in Courtcnav Place, Wellington, she heard a timid knock upon the door. Opening it, • she discovered three little boys, the eldest of whom could hardly have been more than eight years of age. This boy had something inside his coat, which, after shuffling into the room, lie produced. It was a seagull with a piece of string hanging from its sharp beak, and was palpably suffering. Mrs. Christmas-Harvey ascertained from the boys that they had found the gull on the rocks at Point Jerningham, just opposite the guiding light. "They could see that it had swallowed a fish hook," she said, "so thought they had better bring it to nie, which was very thoughtful and clever of them. I fixed it tip after some little trouble. The gull seemed very exhausted, so I gave it some brandy and water, when it brightened up. I then gave it back to the boys, asking them at the same time what they wore going to do with it. 'We're going to take it back to where we got it, on the rocks round the bay," said one boy. 'If we took it anywhere else it might lose its way.' So these little chaps tramped all the way back to Point Jerningham to liberate the seagull in its home waters."

Ponsonby Plums. The vagaries of Auckland weather, with a long spell of sunshine and occasional fairly high temperatures, has resulted in some arboreal freaks in Auckland. A Ponsonby resident last evening had ripe plums at tea time, picked from a tree in the garden, which usually yields a heavy crop about Christmas time. ' Much of the Ponsonby area lies to the morning sun and escapes Gie hard frosts through being close to the harbour. A " Nuisance." A jocular reference to Mr. F. L. Cullen, M.P. for Hawke's Bay, as an absolute nuisance was made by the Hon. I). G. Sullivan in a speech from the newly-built rail car to a gathering at the Hastings railway station. Mr. Cullen, he said, followed him all over the place, for ever asking him when Hawke's Bay was to have a rail car service and trying to nail him down te a definite promise. "When I see him coming," said Mr. Sullivan, "I go for my life and hide somewhere." Not Quite What Me Meant. A witness in the Otahulm Police Court was giving evidence in an accident case when the magistrate asked how long he had been driving a car. The witness replied that lie received his license just before Christmas, and as the accident took place in January thp magistrate remarked that lie Ijadn't had much experience as a motorist. "But I was driving for quite a while without a license, sir," said the witness. "Oh, were you?' said Mr. TTunt,| amidst laughter, as the witness hastened to assure him he meant that he had been driving in the company of a licensed driver before he obtained his own license. The Last Reinforcement. When the roll call was in progress at Ihe Te Awamutu R.S.A. reunion last Monday evening each returned soldier present was asked "to stand up and give his name and regiment, with number, and the progress of the roll call was of absorbing interest, for it revealed men from every part of the Dominion and several from overseas. All went well until one man stood up, recited bis name and number of a certain reinforcement, adding: "And too damn late to do anything!" I lie announceme.it was received with a salvo of applause. Uncertainty Exists. Only three replies were received by the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday from firms who arc willing to supply butter to the hospital. It was pointed out by the firms concerned that owing to the uncertainty existing until the effect of the Government's legislation was definitely known, the firms could not quote a price to apply over any lengthy period. "We are not likely to get any tenders while (lie present uncertainty exists," said the chairman, the Rev. W. C. Wood. It was decided that the purchasing committee purchase butter for the hospital from month to month until the effect of the Government's legislation was definitely known.

Little Known. A very valuable but litle heard of branch of the hospital is the children's school. Since it was started 011 September 7, 1020, 0050 children had been admitted to the .school, three or four obtaining tlicir proficiency ceitilicatcs each year. A Standard VII. class is alwavs open to pupils wishing to take a firstyear "course ill secondary subjects. "The success of the. school is largely, if not entirely, due to Miss Kenton, who was the first teacher Appointed, and who is still with us," stated Dr. .1. W. Craven, in his report to the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday. "Her understanding of children, especially the sick ones, is outstanding, and she still continues, in ner own way, to materially assist those little ones who are unfortunate enough to have to be admitted to hospital to recover their confidliiicc and to carry on their school work, not as a task, but as a pleasure and an interest. Kites Banned Near Aerodromes. A warning against the flying of kites in the vicinity of aerodromes throughout, Xew Zealand was issued yesterday by the Minister of Defence, the Hon*. F. Jones. He explained that the practice was prevalent, and that it was looked 011 by the aviation authorities as verv dangerous, especially to pupils who were taking initial courses in flying. r l lie Ministei mentioned that the practice of flying kites had been most marked at Rongotai aeiodioiue, Wellington, and that the chief instructor of the Wellington Aero Club had drawn his attention to the danger. "The practice of flying kites." said Mr. Jones, "constitutes a. real danger to airmen, and particularly to the machines, which in many instances are being flown by club pupils." The Minister pointed out that under the Air Xavigation Regulations of 1933 it was provided that "no fixed balloon, kite or moored airship shall be elevated in the vicinity of any aerodrome without the special authorisation of the Minister."

Fireman's Luck. About half-past eight this morning the Central lire station received a call to the High Street Post Ollice by an automatic alarm connected with the station. At that time many city workers were on their way to the various places of business, and to see (he pedestrians scatter from the street and the traffic pull in to the kerbs was to realise that the public, as well as the lire brigade, is well trained. The engine literally flew down Queen Street and swung into High Street, only to find that the alarm had been caused by the overheating of one of the thermostats through a fault in the installation of the alarm. The bell was still ringing when the engine arrived, and a crowd was waiting iu expectation of seeiii" the firefighters bring their hoses into action. The looks on the faces of the firemen were a study. While the superintendent was making inquiries in the building the firemen sat outside on the engine, a liew one, many of them exhibiting an obvious desire to be on their way. Evidently some of tlicin had had to leave their breakfast behind at the station,. Defects in Bread and Flour. Problems which are facing the baking trade as a result of the Government restrictions on the use of Canadian flour were referred to yesterday by Mr. S. Green, secictaiy of the Auckland Master Bakers' Association. Bread appearing in places as if it has been insufficiently baked, has been the cause of complaints,. and the defect has been ascribed to the use of sprouted wheat in milling, caused) by the abnormally wet season experienced in wheatgrowing districts. Mr. Green said that Auckland bakers had been particularly j affected, because it had been their practice to use a greater proportion of Canadian flour to improve the New Zealand flour 'than the j per cent allowed by the regulations recently brought into force. " Representations had been made to the Government for permission to increase the proportion of Canadian flour, and no doubt the Government would do whatever it. considered necessary to remedy the trouble. The chief chemist of the Wheat Research Institute, Mr. E. W. Hullett, in reporting on the baking difficulties, admitted that a good deal of milling wheat this season was sprouted; in varying, degree, added Mr. Green. The mosti common defect in the flour was a crumb appearing insufficiently baked and sticky to the touch," especially when the bread was taken from the oven.* When cool, the bread was rather doughy, both to eat and to the touch. Sprout damage, however, should not be confused with weakness of flour, and the customary method of correcting for weakness —i the addition fo Canadian or other strong, flour —was of little avail. Mr. Hullett sug- ( gested baking methods to deal with the, trouble, one being the leaving out of malt, because the mixture reacted as if suffering from an overdose of malt. Another was to | increase the salt content and to shorten | fermentation. 1