NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 228, 25 September 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

To-day's Sports Results Owing to the general election there will be no publication of the Auckland Star Sports Edition to-night. Thousands of Eels The opening of an outlet from Lake Forsyth last week resulted in thousands of eels being stranded on the Ninety Mile Beach, South Canterbury, and Maoris of the Little River district got a rich harvest. When the lake is let out in the spring time it is the Maoris' custom to go to the outlet and gather up the eels for drying and smoking, as they are considered a great delicacy. They got a particularly large supply this year. Appropriate Description Commenting in the Supreme Court yesterday on a short industrial order relating to minimum wages in an essential undertaking, counsel drew Mr. Justice Callan's attention to the fact that clauses one to three were introductory, and five to seven interpretative, while the gist of the matter was contained in clause four—in the middle. The case had reference to the freezing works industry. With a twinkle in his eye, his Honor remarked, "I think, considering the industry, you can safely say clause four is the guts of the case." September Equinox The date of the equinox this year, when the sun entered the zodiacal sign of Libra, was a day or so later than usual, being yesterday—September 24. At this period day and night ■are of equal length throughout the world. Popular belief links this period with a cycle of heavy wind, such as the gales of yesterday and previous days in the week. Meteorological science is inclined to be a bit sceptical about equinoctial gales, in which there is a widespread popular belief. Accurate observation over long period of years tends to show that it does not blow any harder at the time of the equinoxes than at other times of the year.

A Serious Decision An Auckland justice of the peace commented to-day on the number of girls who had asked him to witness the consent of their parents to thenmarriage before they were 21 years of; age. He stated that frequently in such cases he had inquired of the mothers their feelings on the question of such youthful marriages, often on short acquaintance between the contracting parties. The almost inyariable reply from mothers was i that they had counselled waiting a year or two, but on finding their daughters deaf to such advice, had deemed it better to let youth have its way under sympathetic direction than make a youthful adjustment of the kind more difficult by parental disapproval. Three Hundred Pies "Catering arrangements for a sports day on October 2 for lower grade plaj r ers occupied some time at a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, as" members endeavoured to estimate how much nourishment should be provided for 250 hungry boys. "A pie apiece at least," suggested Mr. G. Scrimshaw. "It would be . risky to start the boys dividing pies . . . And one bottle of lemonade apiece." Mr St. J. J. Dunne remarked that two bottles of lemonade for each boy would be nearer the mark. He recalled that one boy consumed 20 glasses of soft drink at last year's sports and seemed to thrive on it. "He is now a senior," said-Mr. W. Maxwell. It was decided to order 50 doS bottles of soft drinks and 300 •dips The soft drinks must all be in bottles this year, as no kegs are available.

As Old as Crusoe "The 40-hour week is a very old thing," said Mr. K. J. Holyoake, replying to a question at a meeting in Woodville. He said the Labour Government had made the 40-hour week compulsory when many people wanted to work longer hours. "To show you how old it is," - said the speaker, "Robinson Crusoe did his own work and had it finished by Friday."

Higher Output of Lime During the last six months a steady increase has been recorded in the output of lime in Southland, the Winton railway figures showing that more than 60,000 tons were handled for the period. This is an increase of about 25 per cent over the same period in 1942. The record was reached, in the week ended May 1, when 4663 tons were dispatched. The recently established works at Fernhills are now turning out about 40 trucks a day, and the new works at Lady Barkly will be ready to begin operations shortly. Second-hand Envelopes "Is this show hard up?" Mr. E. S. Parker demanded at a meeting of the Marlborqugh Power Board. "We get our notices in old second-hand envelopes. It costs more to paste on new fronts than it's worth. The lawyers and the power boards seem the only mean ones." Mr. A. H. Nees said he objected too. "When I get the board's envelopes I just can't use them again," he said. Mr. Parker added that the borough council sent out its notices in new envelopes. "But aren't they an extravagant crowd?" the chairman inquired, innocently. The secretary explained that the practice of using envelopes a second time was adopted to be in line with the Government's policy

Courtesy Plus An inadvertent effort to promote harmonious relations between members of the Allied Nations caused amusement in a full city-bound tram yesterday. Four young subalterns, on furlough from service in the Pacific, rose and offered their seats to several women who boarded the tram at one stop. They had overestimated the number of seats required, however, and with all women accommodated there was still one seat left free. Before the young gallant formerly occupying the seat realised this, another passenger came aboard—a small, middle-aged Chinese gentleman. The newcomer slipped in behind the officer and, with a grateful smile at the unsuspecting khaki-clad back, subsided into the seat. While the officer was still grinning good-humouredly at the joke, the little man matched his courtesy by standing up for another woman who embarked at the next stop. "Economic Stability" The meaning of the term "economic stability," as used in the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, 1942, the general purpose of which is to "promote the economic stability of New Zealand, was discussed in the Full Court recently. Mr. Justice Blair confessed that he did not know, and Mr. A. C. Stephens (Dunedin) agreed that it was very difficult to define economics. Counsel quoted from Murray's English dictionary, which says that economics is the science relating to the production and distribution of material wealth, usually with reference to practical and specific application—for example, rural economics. "Stability" was defined as the quality of being stable, and "stable" as securely established, not liable to destruction or essential change, able to maintain its place or position, presenting resistance to disablement, not easily shaken or dislodged. Counsel submitted that the rsguia'nons allowed some m>. "*ure of ct> ->o- N -he laslc rent.