General News.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19481, 30 November 1928, Page 8

General News.

In some quarters it is anticipated that the present Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer) may not receive the labour nomination for another teyjn of office, but that Mr D. G. /Sullivan, M.P., at present PeputyMayor, will be the choice of the party. It would not be till early in the New Year thiit the party's nominations will be available. The Citizens' Association is to meet a week hence to consider its nominations lor Mayoralty and f° r , seats on the Council.

The present asphalt footpaths in son>e parts of the City are to be replaced gradually by concrete slabs in accordance with the recommendations of the Highways Board in respect of standard pavements. These- slabs will be two feet square and two inches thick, and as they have a life of from 25 to 40 years their use will mean much economy in footway maitepance. The slabs are be* being manufactured at present, but will not be laid till they have been seasoned, which means at least sis months,

With favourable weather, the deepsea fishing at the Bay of Islands has oommenced again, and there is every prospect of a good season, states the "Northern Advocate." The honour of catching the first big game fish of tho season goes•to Mr H. P. Hobson, of Auckland, who, fishing from S. Adam son's launch Reliance, off Cape Brett, I landed a mako weighing 2061b after a great fight lasting 45 minutes. This is Mr Hobson's first experience of big game fishing, and he is much impress* ed with the sport. Besides seeing three other makos, he hooted one which got away. Mr Hobson also caught two kingfish, weighing 42$ and 301b respectively, "I have been broadcasted for the first time in my life," said the Right Rev. Professor Hewitson, Moderator of the Presbyterian Genera] Assembly, in to the gathering in the Auckland Town Hall of novul experiences fiat had befallen him since coming to uckland, reports the ''New Zealand Herald." "It reminded me of trie first time I prayed down an ear-trumpet. (Laughter.) I had the utmost difficulty —I say it with reverence—in remenii bering to Whom I was speaking. If I had not forgotten the machine when speaking at St. David's last evening I don't know what would have become of me. I am not forgetting it now," he continued, "for the item I have to announce will be of very great interest to tho listeners-in, namely, the offertory."

Some striking examples of jthe publicity posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board have been received by Mr Henry • Bodley, of Wellington. Mainly they emphasise the general idea of buying British goods, but there is great variety in the means used to convey this idea. One poster has a simple flag design with the Dominions and colonial coats-of-arms beneath and the words: "Follow the flag in all your purchases." Another hqs a bold outline of a merchant-adventurer vessel and the injunction: "Follow the Empire makers." Other posters advertise special products. Several attractive pictures are designed to extend the markets for British primary products, for the Empire Marketing Board is keenly interested in home-grown foodstuffs. All the posters are bright examples of poster art. They catch the eye with their colour. The British Medical Journal of October 13th contains articles by Professor Dixon and Dr. C. B. Heald, two prominent medical authorities of England, pointing out the dangers which may follow the improper use of ultraviolet lamps. Dr. Dixon says: "Many of the lamps emit rays to which man has never before been exposed. The evidence of the harm they may do is overwhelming. Few of us would dare to have a prescription containing poisons dispensed by an untrained person, but the dispensers of rays are uncontrolled, unregistered, and may be unqualified." Warnings, he said, have been given in England, France, and America as to the serious accidents which may result from the use of ultraviolet irradiations handled by incompetent persons Dr. Dixon says that "treatment by radiation may be either beneficial or harmful; that its employ, ment by unskilled people may cause serious ill-effects to the patient, and T suggest that the time has come when some sort of protection must be ex- , tended to the public."

Australians took absolutely no interest whatever in their recent eleo tioris, according to passengers .who returned by the Ulimaroa at Auckland. "I didn't even know an election was on," said one Aucklander. "No one took the slightest interest in the elections," said another. "As far as I could see it was a fiasco." "Xobodv bothered about them," was still another comment. "Compared with the interest in New Zealand the elections were terribly dull." "Mnny stars are spending thousands of dollars 011 voice production—Hollywood is in a panic," said Mr -Martin V. Merle, American playwright and scenario writer, who arrived in Auckland by the Ulimaroa. " 'The 'talkie' will take five years to perfect," oddcd Mr Merle, "but it is going to cause a reconstruction of the whole motion picture industry. Nine stars out of ten are stars just because they can 'register' and photograph well. The time is coming, though, when the whole cast will have to be vocally perfect as well as good photographic subjects." The Delicious apple', one that is among the most popular in New Zealand, is not favoured in Southern England. When commenting on this fact, at a meeting of Poverty Bay orchard-' ists, Mr H. E. Stephens, overseas representative of the New Zealand Fruit Control Board, stated that this year New Zealand Delicious were coming into favour, but the frequency of the brown core, and the fact that much of the fruit must have been immature, had spoiled the sale of the remaining quantities. He hoped, however. t)iat the bad reputation that a portion of this variety held in England this year would be outlived. Two southern solicitors, Mr D. Solomon, of bunedin. and Mr M. Mitchell, of Inyercargill, who returned this week from a trip to Sydney, stated on arrival at Auckland that they were both impressed with the rapid system in vpgue in the Australian Courts, and tile consequent lacking of the dignity and careful thoroughness characteristic ot tho judicial system in New Zealand. They remarked that the more powerful criminal element appeared to have plenty of money behind it. "There J9 also evidence of intimidation of witnesses," added Mr Solomon. "Many witnesses in the case "we heard seemed frightened to speak, and the proceedings were hampered for this reason." "Mr Herbert Hoover, the new President of the United States, is a very fine man. We have known him for years. He comes from a fine old family, of Quakers and ho attends a little Quaker church in Washington.'' The speaker was Mr A. G. Daniells, one of the world leaders of the Seventh Day Adventist movement, who arrived at Auckland by the Ulimaroa from Wash- ' ington. Mr Daniells said that along with many other Americans they were delighted' with Mr Hoover 's election. He was a man of high morals with a wide outlook 011 world affairs. "Of i course," added the visitor, reverting to tlie subject of Mr Hoover's Quaker connexions, "he is not as strict as* his j old parents, but his actions show that ! he had been well grounded in sound ] moral principles. He has never.yet made a failure of any big undertaking 1 and we believe that he will make a very fine President of .the United j States."

"I went to England prepared to be disappointed after an absence of 'thirteen years, but I have come back filled with admiration for the old place," said the Rev D. B. Malcolm, of St. Peter's Anglican Church, Wanganuj. after returning to Auckland by the Uljmaroa, Mr Malcolm said that in the South of England he found marked signs of progress and relatively little unemployment. He knew, however, that conditions were not so favourable ir> the north. One of the things that impressed the traveller was the extent of building activity in residential localities. "They are going in for semidetached homes now," • he said, "far more than for the old style of tenements. I noticed this improvement, particularly in the outskirts of London and Birmingham," "Enaland has a tremendous amount of ljfo in her." added Mr Malcolm, "and there is no doubt to my mind that she will be as sound as ever." Strong criticism of the action of those responsible for the debt of •£4OOO 00' St. George's Cliuroh, Frankton, was expressed by Bishop Cherrington in a sermon at Frankton on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the church. The Bishop said the debt wa& contracted five or six years ago. The Standing Committee of the Auckland Diocese should never have allowed tho debt to accumulate. At the present rate of income it would take 40 years to discharge the Jjpbility. The Bishpp appealed to the parishioners to make a special effort to.reduce, the amount by £IOOO next year.. He suggested that 100 willing and earnest helpers BhouJd collect £lO each. He further suggested that a period of self-denial should be observed. If 200 people did without tobacco and sugar for a week or a fortnight, they could save something for the church The Salvation Army had raised £33,000 throughout New Zealand in one week and much of this money had come from the pookets of .Chnrolj' of England people. The army was a-worthy cause, but he considered charity should begin at home, and that their own Church should be assisted first.

"Tho Girl Guide movement is making rapid strides in England, and I believe that the movement has a great future in New Zealand also," said Dr. Margaret Knight, provincial commissioner for Auckland, on her return to Auckland by the Ulimaroa. "It was my pleasure to stay with - the chief guide (Lady Baden-Powell) and Sir Robert, at their charming home, Pax Hill, in Hants," Br. Ivnignt remarked. "They named their home Pax Hill because they bought it the day after the Armistice. I enjoyed my Btay there greatly and gained a lot in the way of knowledge and inspiration from the chief guide, which I shall be able to pass on now that lam home." Asked how Sir Robert Baden-'Powell was wearing. Dr. Knight said that he was as young as ever. In fact, he was a marvellous man. In' July there was a training camp for Guide commissioners, and Sir Robert addressed those who attended. He was greatly interested in the movement among the girls, and on their side the leaders of the Guides had arranged that the girls should assist the Boy Scout movement in its arrangements for the jamboree which is shortly to take place in England. The two movements were working in cordial co-operation.

For Autumn Top-Dressing, the ideal equipment is the Booth-Dunn Grass Harrow to scarify the sod-bound turfallowing the super—or other top-dress-ing—to get to the roots and put in its good work. Then distribute the fertiliser with a Booth Double Drive Top-Dresser and you'may expect to get the maximum results. Illustrated pamphlet of each machine with prices, etc., on request. Booth, Macdonnld and Co., Ltd. 0521