General News

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21250, 23 August 1934, Page 8

General News

—*__ Where is Denmark? A witness in the Supreme Court yesterday told his Honour Mr Justice Johnston that she was born in Denmark. "I see that in the marriage certificate your birthplace is given as Germany," said his Honour. | "Well, Denmark is in Germany," replied witness. "It will be soon," said a voice from the barristers' benches.. "Science-Consciousness"' The opinion that more "scienceconsciousness" was needed in New Zealand was expressed by Mr R. M. Bruce in an address to members of the Craftsmen's Guild last night. A greater degree of "science-con-sciousness" had been apparent in Great Britain in the metal trades, particularly since the Great War, and there had been a decided tendency to establish central research stations, so that there would not be a duplication of expensive equipment. Many important discoveries had followed. Mr Bruce considered that if more intensive training were given to engineers in this country in chemistry and physics there would be a better prospect of cultivating an appreciation of the value of scientific research. It was needed most, he thought, in engineering and allied trades.

Addington Market Prices in the main sections at the Addington market yesterday were satisfactory to vendors as in most cases they were quite as good as they were at the Grand National double market a fortnight ago. There was a slight improvement in beef due mainly to the relatively small entry, and the scarcity of the best quality. Cows were particularly eagerly bought when they showed quality, and there were many that did. The fat sheep yarding was of exceptionally good quality, the pronortion of the primest heavy sorts being rather too big for the demand at first. As the sale progressed the fall of two shillings a head that was recorded early in the sale was fully made up, and over the later stages the auction was steady at values slightly above those of a fortnight ago. Five spring lambs were yarded, and they met keen competition at prices equivalent to Is 3d a pound. The fat hogget section contained only a small offering, and attracted buyers at prices fully up to those at the last sale. The store she p section contained a small and mixed offering which showed little change in price.

Stock on Bridge The practice of driving stock over the Wairnakariri bridge was condemned last evening by the chairman of the Waimairi County Council, Mr W. P. Spencer, who said it, was bad for the drivers of vehicles and damaging to the stock. Cr. W. J. Walter said drovers were not supposed to take stock over the bridge. Action should be taken against them. Cr. Spencer said big notice boards, drawing the attention of drovers to the regulations, should be erected at each end of the bridge. The county clerk said the control of the bridge was now vested in the council. Finally the chairman and the clerk were authorised to report on the subject to the next meeting of the council. Chance in Science No discovery in science lias been made by chance alone, although some people hold contrary opinions, said Mr R. M. Bruce, addressing members of the Craftsmen's Guild last night. He mentioned the discovery in England of stainless steel by a scientist named Brearley. Shortly before the Great War Brearley was investigating the erosion of steels for use in guns and rides. The samples on which he had been working were kept, and some time afterwards it was noticed that some had not rusted. These were found to be those with a large chromium content, and investigations which followed ended in the production in 1914 of stainless steel. This discovery resulted from the ability of the trained observer to recognise a slight deviation from the usual phenomena in research.

Site for Huge Steel-works Huge steel manufacturing works are likely to be erected on the reclaimed foreshore of Dunedin. Recently the agents of a British firm have been investigating sites in New Zealand for works with water and rail access, and the Olago Harbour Board, it is understood, has been asked if any land is available. Fifty acres of reclaimed land near the old cement works at Pelichet Bay have been placed under offer to the English syndicate. Yesterday the chairman (Mr H. C. Campbell) and other officials of the board left for Wellington on financial business, and also to place the board's proposals before the agents, who will then advise their principals in London on the sites available in the Dominion. The City Council, it is understood, is also keenly interested in the project, and the Harbour Board will be supported in Wellington by a civic deputation.—"The Press" Special Service.

The Transport Board "The Transport Board runs the Government," declared Cr. W. G. Chapman at a meeting of the Waimairi County Council last evening. "The whole thing is to benefit, the railways, and the board has far too much power," he added. Several councillors agreed that the board had too much power. The chairman (Cr. W. P. Spencer) said he knew of one man who had paid for his truck and was doing good business, but the board had put him off the road bv refusing him a license. "And there you have a monopoly and an increase in freights," said Cr. Chapman. Black Teal The Auckland Zoological Society thinks the black teal should be placed on the list of absolutely protected game. The society's chief reason is that, through the advance of civilisation, the teal is rapidly decreasing in numbers. The black teal is an endemic species and it is felt that every effort should be made to save it from extinction. In some districts, such as the lower Waikato, it was probably the most numerous of the waterfowl about 30 years ago, but now it is rarely, if ever, seen. Other reasons why the society thinks the teal should be protected are that it is tame and foolish and an easy prey to the shooter, that it is a non-sporting bird, and that, as it is on the shooting list in some districts the brown teal, an absolutely orotected and uncommon bird, may be mistaken for it and destroyed.

Centenary Stamp Design Advice has been received by Mr J. Berry, a Wellington artist, that one of his entries for the Melbourne centenary stamp design competition has been awarded a bronze medal. The medal was offered for any design, other than the three prize-win-ning designs, considered to be of special merit.—Press Association-,