General News

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21806, 11 June 1936, Page 12

General News

Urgent Trip to Lighthouse A special trip to Cape Maria van Diemen' 4 with a doctor who was urgently needed to attend a lightkeeper and his family was made by the Government steamer Matai, which arrived at Auckland yesterday. When the Matai arrived at the cape, the doctor found that Mr Thompson, one of the lightkeepers, and his wife and child, were suffering from a severe skin ailment. They were brought to Auckland by the Matai for further attention.—Press Association. Trans-Atlantic Airship Service Particulars of the inauguration of a regular airship service between North America and Europe are contained in a recent issue of the “New York Times.” Headed “Europe by Air in Two and a Half Days,” an advertisement stated that the Zeppelin Hindenburg would, commencing May li last, make trips to Europe, averaging about two a month. The fare is £BO, including berth, meals, and tips. Mail is carried at the rate of Is 8d a half ounce or fraction. Lighting Harper Avenue The need for improved lighting Of Harper aVenue, skirting Hagley Park on the Riccarton and Fendalton side, was emphasised by members of the Waimairi County Council last evening. A letter was received from the City Council agreeing to take over the lighting, provided Waimairi continued to pay its proportion of the annual cost. “Ninety per cent, of the traffic belonging to Fendalton uses the road,” said Mr C. E. Cross. “It is time it was lit up.” The chairman, Mr G. G. Gardner, said, he thought it would be worth while to continue the system of lighting used on Riccarton road through the park. It was decided to write to the City Council asking,for particulars of the share of the cost Waimairi would be expected to pay. Mixed Sentiments Speaking at the Auckland Rotary Club luncheon, Dr. David Lang said that when Sir Wilfred Laurier was once making a speech in the Canadian legislature on the need for unity with Great Britain, he quoted the words in the Book of Ruth, “Entreat me not to leave thee . . . Whither thou goest, I will go," as expressing Canada’s attitudp, to the Motherland. A member of the House promptly rose and said he admired the sentiments. He did not know whether they were from Shakespeare or Milton, but they fitted the situation. “That reminds me,” said Dr. Lang, “that I once had a very close friendship with a man. Someone referred to it as approaching the friendship of David and Goliath!” Record Catch of Sprat One of the largest shoals of sprat which has ever been trapped in the Calliope Dock was imprisoned when H.M.S. Wellington was being docked at Auckland. When the dock was being pumped dry about four hours later a writhing mass of fish could be seen on the floor. It was decided to leave them in a few inches of water overnight until arrangements could be made for their disposal. A large number of persons took away large supplies of the herrings, but the quantity of fish in the dock was so great that they made little impression. Workers, who have been employed at the dock for a long period, said it was many years since they had seen so many fish trapped at the one time. Criticism of Title Objection to the word “Australasian” in the title of a trade journal, the “Australasian Manufacturer,” was taken by Mr F. N. Ambler when a copy was tabled at a meeting of the general committee of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. Mr Ambler said that the word was detrimental to the interests of New Zealand and was apt to be confusing, particularly to people overseas. The secretary, Mr J. Findlay, said the matter had already been considered by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, but no action had been taken. It was decided to write to the headquarters of the journal in Sydney suggesting that the words “Australian and New Zealand” be substituted for “Australasian.” Broken Street Lamps “A regular epidemic” of street lamp breakages was reported to the Waimairi County Council by its electrical engineer last evening. Although every effort was being made to trace the culprits, both by night patrol and by enquiries, there appeared to be little hope of sue- . cess. This destructiveness was particularly noticeable in the Riccarton area. It was fair to inform the public that the offences, in the aggregate, could cause quite considerable expense. The matter had been put into the hands of the police. Cattle on Riverbanks Considerable damage has been done to the banks of the Waimakariri river at Clarkville, according to a report made to the Waimakariri River Trust yesterday by the engineer, Mr H. W. Harris. The damage, it is said, is being done by straying cattle, and although many requests have been made to the tenants, the nuisance continues. “With the winter now here’ and the probability of wet weathet, the damage will be increased,” reported Mr Harris. The trust decided to give the tenants notice that unless the terms of the leases are complied with they will be cancelled. Applications for New Awards With the passing of the new labour legislation it is understood that a number of unions will lose no time in applying for a revision of awards, according to Mr D. I. Macdonald, secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association. Already several new disputes have been created, and immediately the Arbitration Court gives an indication of its attitude to the 40hour week and of its views on the basic rate of wages the number of conciliation councils sitting will be very large. It is also understood that applications will be made in the near future for awards to cover workers not at present subject to any award. Three of these will be soft goods warehouse employees, hardware and crockery employees, and wireworkers. Bad Language ♦ “Anyone learning a foreign language learns the bad words first,” was the way in which a ship’s cook, giving evidence in the Hastings Magistrate’s Court, explained an example of Chinese he had used against a Chinese defendant. Later in the proceedings the defendant told the interpreter what had been said to him, but the interpreter refused to repeat it, finally compromising bv writing it down for the defending solicitor to hand to the magistrate with the comment: “It must be conceded that they are a fairly catholic indictment.” The witness had explained that he knew that the words were swearing, but did not know what they meant. Empty Churches “We hear much talk of empty churches,” said the Rev. O. Gibson. Tauranga, at the Dominion conference of the Church of England Mens Society at Cambridge. “It is said the churches are not as full as they used to be but it must be remembered that in other times there was more of a tendency to go to church wa s. considered ‘the thing’ to do so.” Mr Gibson S3id a better quality. of worshipper was more desirable than quantity. Di\ M. T. Greig, M. 8., Ch.B., New Zealand, has been appointed university demonstrator in the Department of Anatomy. Cambridge, for three years from October 1. Mr George Hogg, who has been on the engineering staff of the Lower Hutt Borough Council for some years, has been appointed asto the Westport Borough Council. Mr Hogg was entertained by memthliV ms * de . sta ff of the council and on their behalf presented by the Town Clerk (Mr \ Knox Wlth a slide rote and set of scales. Ihe borough council congratulated Mr Hogg on nnWo PPol^ tm * ei £’ and gave him a reference under seal of the council. A motiqn of congratulation to Dr. C. J, P lrec t° r *General of Agriculture, was passed at yesterday’s meeting of the general SSIS? t i e S ° f th f- Canterbu ry Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and tributes were paid by several members to his services to farming in New Zealand over a long term of years. The Hon F. Waite, M.L.C., and Mr C. Morgan Williams, M.P., were among the passengers by the steamer express from Wellington yesterday morning. J