General News

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21146, 23 April 1934, Page 10

General News

New Zealand "I hope you are more impressed with New Zealand than I am," said Professor J. Shelley, president of the New Zealand Society of Artists, to Mr C. R. Chisman, organising director of the Empire Art Loan Collections Society, at a luncheon given in honour of Mr Chisman on Saturday. Professor Shelley modified his statement by saying that Mr Chisman had been in New Zealand for only 14 days, while he himself had been here for 14 years. Mr P. R. Sargood, of Dunedin, later referred to Professor Shelley's words, saying that he had been in New Zealand for more than 40 years and that he had found it a wonderful country. "Although I am an Australian born," he added, "I am a loyal New Zealander, and I think that New Zealand surpasses Australia in every way."

Dowries in France "A woman without a dowry finds it very hard to marry in Brittany," said Mr Sydney Thompson in a lecture on the Breton people to the Workers' Educational Association on Saturday evening. "The Frenchman's idea is that he should not be called upon to keep another man's daughter. He is quite willing to make every sacrifice, and almost slave, to give his own daughter the best dowry he possibly can, for he does not expect a man to marry her without this." Film Investigation The Parliamentary Committee which has been investigating the film industry has completed its deliberations, and prepared a report which will reach the Government during the next few days, said the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.). to a representative of "The Press" yesterday. The committee, he added, had sat from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Farmers and Daylight Saving

The suggestion of the Mastcrton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union that daylight saving time should be extended for the whole year is not likely to meet with the approval of many more members of the union. Mr J. D. Hall, president of the North Canterbury branch of the union, said on Saturday that the Mastcrton branch expressed the opinion of only one individual branch, and was not the idea of the union as a whole. At the latest conference the present arrangement was approved, and one branch could not alter that decision. Daylight saving will end on April 28.

New Zealand Well Known "New Zealand is becoming well known on the western coast of the United States," said Mr J. R. Cuningham. who returned yesterday from a trip to California and Mexico. Mr Cuningham said that the activities of American shipping lines in organising a service to the Dominion were largely responsible. It was surprising to find how many Americans knew of New Zealand and of its attractions for tourists. Had the depression not set in, Mr Cuningham considers that there would have been very big crowds of Americans on tour in this country during the last two years. Changing Weather A heavy fall of rain began in the city shortly before midnight last night, but within half an hour the sky had cleared again. By 1 o'clock this morning six points had been recorded for a period of 4o hours. There was doubtful weather all through the week-end with short periods of sunshine at.d an easterly wind. A shower of rain fell at midday on Saturday, but the weather was fine for the winter sports fixtures and there was beautiful sunshine again yesterday morning. Soon after mid-day the sky was again threatening and it remained so until the rain set in last night.

Humour Among Judges The uncompleted section of the, Dargaville railway line, which j figured in a compensation case before the Court of Appeal in Wei- [ lington, was the subject of subtle , metaphorical allusion from the judges when they were seeking in- j formation about it. Mr Justice j Blair asked: "Is it a railway that is j still going on, or a Kathleen] Mavourneen railway, or what?" The j Crown Solicitor, Mr A. PI Currie. I explained that work on ihc line had j been abandoned, and it could not j now be completed without consent! of Parliament. The Chi;:f Justice ■ Sir Michael Myers: "It's "Mahomet's \ coffin." Mr Currie: "Exactly, s.r." Mr Justice Blair: "One <:f those tailways 'Mr Bernard Shaw spoke about." Success of British Films "British productions in particular have progressed to an amazing de- j gree, and now enjoy equal success in the United States with good Hollywood pictures," said Mr A. W. Kelly, of New York, discussing the modern trend in the motion picture industry. Mr Kelly, who is distributor of the United Artists Corporation, which represents 15 producers, including two British companies, said, in an interview in Auckland, that this progress had been largely clue to their increased popularity in the United States, which had enabled British producers to make their successive pictures bigger and more lavish. British pictures had now found a world-wide market, including non-English-speaking countries. In Paris they were a great success and the premiere of a new picture was made a social event, gala nights being held. Eighty Applicants for Position An indication of the keenness with which work is sought was given at a meeting of the Onehunga School Committee last week, when | 80 applications for the position of j school cleaner were considered. Enquiries came from places as far disI tant as Dargaville and New Plyj mouth. In former days the posiI tion was not very eagerly sought. I but the present applicants included j men from many walks of life, among them being a sea captain, sailors and soldiers, one of whom had been decorated by the King of the Belgians, stewards, carpenters, plumbers, and electrical engineers.

Mr A. W. Martin, Kupturc Specialist, from Dunedin, will make his twenty-ninth annual visit to Christchurch from Saturday, the 21st April, to the 28th, and may be consulted free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Central Hotel, corner of Lichfield and Colombo streets. — f >

At the recent tri; Is held at the Lincol, i Agricultural College the Duncan drill was the winner in every test against all makes, both imported and local. Farmers are invited to view our newly-designed drill, fitted with the latest spring pressure and adjustable coulters, and compare oui m-.chines and their prices with a"' others. P. and D. Duncan, Limited, 196 Tuam street, Christchurch, and at Ashburton. —3