NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sweeping Retrenchment. At its monthly meeting lust week the Bluff Harbour Board adopted a recommendation from a specially appointed committee, the effect of which will be a considerable reduction in the ordinary expenditure of the board. Two members of the present staff are to be dismissed, and the salaries of the others, with one exception, are to be cut down. The changes will result in a saving of £440 a year. Fog Over Auckland. One of the heaviest Togs experienced this winter lay over Auckland this morning. Ferry steamers crossing the harbour took 25 minutes in some cases instead of the usual 15 minutes, and the delay caused minor inconvenience to North Shore residents proceeding to their work in the city. The fog extended, in varying intensity, over the greater part of the city and suburbs, and motor vehicles and tramcars crept gingerly through the gloom. With the first streaks of sunshine the fog rapidly disappeared. How Many Cows? Thousands of years ago milk and butter 'were produced, said Mr. C. V. Carryer, speaking last night in a W.E.A. discussion on the question of milk supply. The cow thus came to :be looked on as a source' of wealth and health, and, naturally, as a source of happiness. It was little wonder that the cow came to be a sacred beast in India. "And they still judge a man's wealth by the number of ■cows he's got," added the speaker. "You go to a bank and ask for a loan, and the first thing ttiey asK you is: 'How many cows arc you milking?''' All Under One RooF. The approval of Cabinet has been received by the now Post Office contractors at Dunedin regarding the subdivision of all the upper floors, and this work has been commenced, reports a Dunedin correspondent. The business of the Post and Telegraph Department will be conducted, from the third floor downwards. The other floors are to be subdivided to provide accommodation for the Agriculture Department, Transport, Stamp Duties, Lands and Deeds Department, Valuation and Land and Income Tax Departments, Public Works, Audit, Treasury and Health Departments. "The Veteran."

Although over 3(3 years have passed since young New Zealanders went to South Africa 'to take their share in the Boer War, the latest issue of the "Veteran," the official organ of the South African War Veterans' Association of New Zealand, indicates that the men who served in that war are still youthful in spirit. The "Veteran" is a bulky booklet, of (S4 pages containing brief records of the activities of former South African war veterans from the Far North to Invcrcargill. While the membership of the various associations is small compared with the branches of the Returned Soldiers' Association, it is apparent that the ex-contingen-ters talie a keen interest in one another and are working together more than ever for the good of the less fortunate of their comrades.

Paper Hats. Even a judge of the Supremo Court admits taking a paper cap home from a function where these favours were distributed. During the hearing of a claim for damages brought by a motor cyclist this morning, Mr. Finlay, counsel for the defence, asked the plaintiff if he was not wearing a paper cap at the time of the collision which occasioned the claim. "You were carrying home some of the spirit of jubilation from the dance, then," said counsel, when plaintiff admitted-that he did have the paper hat on. To his Honor, Mr. Justice Callan, the plaintiff said he was one of the "no hat Drigade," and the judge said there was nothing unusual about him wearing the hat. "You would do the same," lie remarked to Mr. Finlay. "Your Honor, it is such a long time since you and I were boys that I have forgotten," said counsel. The judge retorted: "Well, I take mine home." Drama in New Zealand. "If we could get the Drama League in New Zealand on the same lines and with the same ideals as in England, we would go a long way to what we are fumbling for in our appreciation of dramatic art," said Miss Elizabeth Loe in an address on dramatic activities in England, given last evening at the University College Hall. The speaker said there was no definite standard in the Dominion, good criticism was not obtainable, and people were apt to become narrow. Miss Loe condemned as a "lazy short cut and substitute" those drama circles in New Zealand that read plays instead of acting them. She explained she did not mean private reading circles—which were a great aid to dramatic appreciation — but professional societies that dressed in costumes and gave performances either for the public or for members of their own organisations. She mentioned that in England the educational authorities were helping to cultivate a taste for drama, and that the increased leisure available was being utilised to an evergrowing extent in the study of drama. Dangerous Playthings.

Veteran miners can spin many a yarn about narrow escapes through misunderstandings when detonators were being used, and there have been many hair-raising tales from the goldfields concerning children who have been found using the deadly little cylinders as playthings, but it is not often that a case of that sort is reported almost in the heart of the city. The latest happened in the Auckland Grammar School, where a master taking a junior form discovered one of his pupils making splendid progress with a pen decorated at the nibbling end with a real "live" detonator, the metal casing of which gave every evidence that the lad had not hesitated to exercise his jaws. Inquiries proved that the boy had found the explosive near the school, but did not know what it was. The headmaster of the school, Mr. C. M. Littlejolin, said this morning that although a warning card with a detonator tied to it had been 111 the school for years, the' one which the boy had found was of a different type. "He was a very lucky lad," said Mr. Littlejohn. Armchair Critic on New Zealand.

"A ratlier absurd article on New Zealand by Anthony Winn is published in 'The Times,' London," writes a correspondent. "One does not recall that Anthony Winn has visited New Zealand, certainly in recent years, and his article smacks strongly of the smug, armchair critic who, after looking up an atlas to see where the 'little island' is, writes his article with tlie assurance of one qualified to speak authentically. 'It is a matter of surprise that 'The Times' should publish such antiquated views. The article states: 'Rupert Brooke, visiting the country just before the war, described it as "all very gentle and Fabian." Armed with the first compulsory arbitration courts, State fire insurance, and 11011 -contributory old age pensions, New Zealand proudly called herself "the experimental laboratory of the world." Whether he abuses or praises it (and lie prefers the former line), the average New Zealander lias more deal-, ings with" the Government in the course of his daily existence than the citizens of any other democracy. This is the environment which has assisted the New Zealanders to be physically fearless and mentally fearful. Out hunting they jump open wire from choice as much as necessity, but cannot face a conversation which leaves the rutted tracks of sport and farming. They have also preserved, within one-class socialistic framework, an Edwardian outlook. The people themselves are not happy about this paradox. What is I not clear is whether the new has 1 been put in office out of fear or courage. **

Birthday of 70-Year-01d Twins. Coming from Patumahoe for the occasion, Mr. J. Hooey joined his twin sister, Mrs. J. McKearney, of Hall Street, Cambridge, in the celebration of their 70th birthday yesterday. They were born at Patumahoe in 1860, being the only children in the family. Mr. Hooey is a retired farmer, and has lived at Patumahoe all his life. Mrs. McKearney has lived in Cambridge for 40 years. No Liquor at Dances. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. Mannix, has issued an instruction to all priests in the arcli-diocese of Melbourne that no alcoholic liquor shall be permitted at parochial functions. The instruction applies to all parish functions, such as dances,* card parties and socials, organised for church funds by the parish priest ox his deputies, as well as to balls held at the Catholic University College and public schools. Previously the admittance of alcoholic liquors to these functions was a matter decided by the priests themselves. Some allowed it, and others banned it.

Learning to Drive. At a meeting of the Seddon Memorial Technical College Board yesterday Mrs. F. Mcßride directed attention to a suggestion made recently that the teaching of driving should be made part of the curriculum of schools, and she desired to know what t)ie board thought of the matter: The chairman, Mr. .T. A. C. Allmn, said it would be better if the children were taught to use* their legs. He thought it would be impracticable to carry out such instruction. The principal, Mr. G. J. .'Park, pointed out that students undergoing instruction in motor engineering were taught driving at the present time. The discussion was allowed to lapse. Tribute to Health Department. A tribute to the Health Department was paid last night by the vice-president of the People's Health Society, Mrs. M. M. Dreaver, at a meeting of the society. Mrs. Dreaver referred first to the address given by Dr. T. J. Hughes, Medical Officer of Health in Auckland, who spoke during the evening. She said the address had shown the work that the Department was doing. It was a work that was being done quietly, with no ostentation, and more or less behind scenes, but the general level of health in Auckland was a reflection of the care that the Department was taking, and of the tremendous amount of detail that was necessary.

Commercial Travellers' Drive. A final reminder is given that the annual combined ' "drive" for clothes, books and money by the Auckland Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association will be held throughout the city and suburbs to-mor-row. Clothes will go to the poor and needy, books to the Auckland Hospital Auxiliary, and the money will be divided among the boy scouts and various charitable organisations. The "drive" will embrace the city and suburbs on every side, including the North Shore, and is expected to last between 8 a.m. and noon, during which time nearly every house in the area should be covered. More vehicles are needed, and also more assistants. The placing of parcels on verandahs or doorsteps will be of great assistance to collectors.

New Redemptorist Rector. The Very Rev. Father H. V. Bird, who has been appointed rector of the Redemptorist Order in New Zealand, arrived from Sydney on Tuesday, and has taken up his residence at the monastery in Hawker Street, Wellington. Father Bird, who is Australian-born, has served the order in many places in the eastern States, of recent years in Sydney and Byllarat, and for the last 12 months has been stationed at Ivew, Melbourne, where there is a Redemptorist mission house. He has not been to New Zealand before. The Very Rev. Father McManus has been transferred to Oeelong, w"hich is about half-way between Sydney and Melbourne. The Redemptorist Order has a college there, but Father McManus will be attached to the mission &ide of the work. Thief's Hoard Unearthed. Relief workers digging behind a bathing shed on the river bank at Gore, Southland, recently unearthed jewellery, which, it was found, had been stolen nine years (before when the home of ~ Mr. J. J. Reynolds, Ardwick Street, was entered by a thief and a small box containing several heirlooms, consisting mainly of jewellery, was taken. Subsequently the thief was arrested at Riversdale, and received a long sentence, but the jewellery was not recovered, and was given up for lost. One of the men engaged on the relief job actually drove his spade through the box, scattering its contents. There was little for the men to identify the jewellery as belonging to any particular person in normal circumstances, but among the contents was a dux medal for the Gore Primary School, bearing the words, "Cecil J. Reynolds, 1921." Mr. Reynolds is a son of Mr. and Mrs. ,T. J. Reynolds, who owned the jewellery. The jewellery restored to Mrs. Reynolds was in surprisingly good condition. Sydney Eisteddfod.

The council of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod has received many requests from country competitors asking for extension of time owing to the prevalence of influenza, which has interfered with the work of music teachers and pupils, and has decided to accept entries wherever there has been a reasonable cause for delay. The 1930 Eisteddfod has drawn very wide entries, and for the first time West Australia and New Zealand will be represented, while two champions at the recent New Zealand National Eisteddfod will compete. These arc Eileen Courtenav, who won the vocal championship of New Zealand at Wellington in May, and Shona Bennetts, who won the dancing championship of New Zealand at the same competitions. The prize for the championship of New Zealand was a free trip to Sydney in order to compete at this year's Eisteddfod there. The Southern Lyric Choir, under Mr. George English, will represent Victoria in the inter-State choral championship. For the first time the Civil Service Choir has entered in this section. Another new entry in the Sydney competitions is the Police Choir for the male choral contest.

Wellesley Street Land. Mention of the fact that the whole of both sides of Wellesley Street East was a reserve, and there was a possibility of the land in the future becoming a park, was made by the chairman of the Seddon Memorial Technical College board of managers, Mr. J. A. C. Allnm, at a meeting of the board yesterday afternoon. Discussion on the subject arose when the town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham, advised that it appeared quite unlikely that the area occupied by the Wynyard Arms Hotel, at the corner of St. Paul's Street and Wellesley Street, would be available for some considerable time for the extension of the grounds of the college. The area was leased, said Mr. Brigliam, for a period of 99 years from May 0, 1875, and it would be seen that the lease had some 38 years to run. The annual rental was £45, and presumably the only way in which the area could be acquired would be to purchase the goodwill of the lease. The Hon. A. Burns, M.L.C., pointed out that the Education Board's property in Wellesley Street was freehold, but Mr. Allum maintained that that did not prevent them visualising the time when the whole of the area would be- an open space right up to Symonds Street. The letter was received, and the principal, Mr. G. J. Park, was instructed to communicate with the owners of the hotel to ascertain if the site was available, and at what price.