General News

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21257, 31 August 1934, Page 10

General News

Book Shops Compared New Zealand's book shops are generally much bigger and more extensive than those of Australia, according to the impression of Mr E. V. ChafTey, who returned yesterday from a visit to Australia. Book shops in the Commonwealth were smaller than those of New Zealand, he said, mainly because ground in the cities was so valuable, and space therefore much more restricted. The Australian shops could not carry such extensive stocks as New Zealand shops. Another reason for the difference was the better climate in the Commonwealth, allowing people to get out into the open air more than the people of New Zealand could. Because of this there was a slightly smaller demand for books. T irift' Relief "In the opinion of primary producers generally, the reductions in duties recommended by the Tariff Commission do not give adequate relief," says a clause in the annual report of the Dairy Export Control Board. The report adds that it was still possible that amendments might be made to the Customs Bill before it passed the House. "Cheap Administration" "There are between 14,000 and 1(1,000 men and women in New Zealand devoting themselves voluntarily and willingly to service on school committees," remarked Mr A. A. Roberts, president of the New Zealand Federation of School Committees, when speaking last evening at the meeting of delegates to the Canterbury School Committees' Association. "I do not think that the Government realises hoi*- cheap!v its primary school administration is carried out," he said, in pointing out that members of school committees were not paid for their services. More than that, the school committees of the Dominion had raised between them about £50,000 for ■ school purposes. j Lous Week-ends An agreement between employers and employees by which no work at all is done on Saturdays has enabled workers in a number of Sydney factories to enjoy a long weekend and go long distances from the city. Mr PI. V. ChafTey, who returned from Australia yesterday, remarked that although this system might appear expensive to the employers, actually it was not, because it cost them practically as much with a steam plant to get their; machinery into operation, and because in addition to this they lost a considerable amount of time through the employees discussing the races or football they were going j to see in the afternoon. An agree- | ment was usually readier whereby j the few hours lost on Saturday were i made- up at various ;imes during the | week. |

Police Force's Proud Record "We. in New Zealand have every reason to be proud of our police," stated Mr George Ebbett. J.P.. district coroner, in a speech made at a farewell ceremony at Hastings, to Senior-Sergeant D. J. O'Neill and Sergeant G. F. Bonisch, two officers of the Hastings police force who will shortly be leaving on transler. "When we read what has been done by members of the police forces of oilier countries, and we realise that not one in 100 of our own police force can be bribed, then we are all the more proud of our police, he said. "They are a wonderful body of men and are held in the highest regard." Bananas Grown in Taranaki After having been merely an ornamental plant for at least 14 years, a banana tree at Baines terrace, New Plymouth, is bearing fruit. The bananas are about two inches long. The tree blossomed about four months ago, right in the middle of winter, and now the flowers are giving place to fruit, which, with the coming of warm weather, are expected to ripen. Though there are at least a dozen banana trees at Baines terrace, this is the oniy one to bear fruit. Sydney Bridge Criticised "It is onlv a personal opinion, but I do not think the great bridge has improved Sydney at all." sa d Mr E. V. Chati'ey, who returned yesterday after spending four weeks in Australia. "There used to be a large fleet of ferry boats on the harbour," he said, "but the motoi 1 raflic across the bridge has tied them up. That Venetian-like charm of the harbour has disappcai ed, and in its place is a great piece of meccano work." Site for Steel Industry That an English steel syndicate was negotiating for the lease of 50 acres of reclaimed land in Dunedin was mentioned by Mr .1. Miller at a meeting of the Wanganui and District, Development League. He offered the suggestion that the Wanganui Harbour Board might negotiate with the syndicate for a branch of the industry to be started at Wanganui. Mr Miller said that the port of Wanganui was in a central position. It was agreed that the Tlarbour Board should be asked whether it was advisable to take steps in the matter. Charms ami Illness Several survivals of ancient superstitions about the treatment of illness were mentioned by Dr. J. W. Craven, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, in an address at the University College. He said charms had been used for centuries in the belief that they were a safeguard against, ills, and even today there were women who wore amber necklayes. thinking that they lessened rheumatism. Lawns by Roadside Motorists on the Rotorua-Taupo highway recently have noticed a novel development in road maintenance methods, states a Taupo correspondent of a North Island paper. On the section between Whakarewarewa and Waiotapu there are numerous fillings where the route crosses guJJles and depressions, and, to minimise erosion, strips of grass are being sown on both sides of the formation, so that the road runs across such embankments between edgings of "lawn" about 3ft in width. Several of these edgings already show a good sward of grass, while others are in differing stages of progress. Sods have been cut and placed to hold the soil, while the grass is becoming established, and where necessary channels have been provided to Jake the surface water from the water-tables formed by these sodedgings. Pumice country lends itself to good road surfaces, provided erosion is prevented, and the grass seems to do this. A shilling advertisement m the classified section of "The Press" will sell your goods. Try it. 12 words Ik, three insertions 2- f>d. —(J