General News

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 10

General News

New Coastal Vessels The Union Steam Ship Company announces that orders have been placed inthe Unrt«i Kingdom for two new cargo vesse-s one a coal . burning collier of 3250 tons and tne motor vessel of about 2000 tons, ai selected are Korowai and Karitane B°th stops are intended for the New Zealand coastal traae. —Press Association. Slope of Canterbury Plains The inner edge of the Canterbury about 1200 feet above sea level and actually higher than the Sign of the Kiwi, according to Dr G. Jobberns, lecturer m geography at Can terbury University College. He said at a lecture yesterday that compared with other gams, such as the Amazon plain, the Canterbury plains were like the side of a house. New Zealand and Canadian Scenery "New Zealand mountain scenery, although on a much smaller scale, loses nothing in comparTson wTh the beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains," states Mr H P. HerberljOf church, in a letter written to a Chnstchurcn friPnd after a trip across Canada on his way to Grlat Britain. "Although the scenery is very beautiful, and the Rocky Mountains are on a stupendous scale, Mount Cook is higher than anv Canadian peak." In discussing the beauty oftte CaSan prairies, Mr Herbert states in his letter that although they cover such huge areas, they are not as attractive as the plains of New Zealand. Milk Shortage in Dunedin Because of a shortage of su PP lie * *£* di £l bution of milk to Dunedm schools has been discontinued! It is hoped to resume after next wee k.—Press Association. Stickers for Cyclists Many cyclists have already found their machines moved by City Council traffic inspectors after they have left them on the footpath. In future, the cyclist will find more than his machine, however. The traffic committee of the City Council has had printed a small sticker which will remind the owner that he has committed an offence. The sticker will also inform him if the bell, brake, and light do not comply with the regulations. Invalidity Pensions The peak number of applications for invalidity pensions cannot be expected till at least 18 months or two years after the taking effect of the legislation, according to the Commissioner of Pensions (Mr H. Digby-Smith), who was m Christchurch yesterday. Mr Digby-Smith said that many of those who might be eligible for the pensions did not apply for some time, some of them not realising that the pensions were available. "Applications are coming in quite freely, and are keeping the department going at a pretty fast rate," he said. The reason for his visits to centres all over the Dominion was that the Minister (the Hon. W. E. Parry) desired that those persons who wished to should have an opportunity of interviewing the Commissioner. There were cases where medical evidence was uncertain, and where a personal interview would indicate the applicants eligibility. Common Anniversary Day The Government will soon give consideration to a suggestion that Anniversary Day, observed on different dates in various parts of the Dominion, should be observed throughout New Zealand on January 2. The Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand told the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night that it had asked the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to abolish the several holidays and introduce a national one following New Year's Day. The Minister has promised that the suggestion will be considered. B Class Radio Stations Grave concern at the possibility of B class radio stations finding it impracticable to carry on was expressed at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday, lne president (Mr W. R. Fee) said it would be a relief to the people of New Zealand if the Government would give a definite assurance that the rights of free speech over the air would be safeguarded.—Press Association. Monowai Ready for Sea For the first time in nearly a year, the Union Steam Ship Company's passenger liner Monowai will put to sea to-day to replace the Aorangi in the Pacific service until the damaged crankshaft on the Aorangi has been replaced. Several weeks were spent in reconditioning the Monowai at Auckland after her long period of inactivity. The liner was moved this week to Queen's wharf. She will embark passengers to-day and sail for Sydney at noon. The work of providoring the Monowai has been of some magnitude, and has occupied the stewards' department of the company for several weeks. —Press Association. Law and General Knowledge "A lawyer should have as wide a general knowledge as is possible to acquire—the more solid the general cultural background the sounder lawyer he will be," said Mr K. M. Gresson, president of the Canterbury Law Society, in an address to members of the Canterbury University College Law Students' Society last evening. "It is not extravagant to claim that upon their early training depends the future competency of our Judges and barristers and solicitors and to some extent also of our legislators, statesmen, and administrators. It is more important that the community should be served by lawyers of high education and broad culture than that parents shou'd be relieved of the cost of maintenance of children at an early age. It is necessary if the community is to be protected from the incompetent practitioner and the practice of law to be anything more than a trade." Ashburton Irrigation Interest in the irrigation scheme in the Ashburton County is being taken by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. Last night the council of the chamber agreed to a suggestion that arrangements should be made with the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce for members to inspect the scheme. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) will be invited to join in the inspection. Maintaining a Status Quo "Christchurch and the areas adjacent to the Waimakariri river are rated so that the river can be kept where it was when the first white settlers arrived and took up land," said Dr. G. Jobberns, lecturer in geography at Canterbury University College, during a lecture at the conversazione of the Canterbury College Scientific Society yesterday afternoon. "Before that it did not matter where it flowed. The river does not want to continue flowing where it is at present. That is not its normal behaviour. Its normal behaviour is to flow capriciously. But it is the task of Mr H. W. Harris, the engineer of the Waimakariri River Trust, to keep it where it is." Dr. Jobberns said that there were old courses of the river at Prebbleton, Sockburn, and Paparua, and it had flowed in these places not very long ago. A Chair of Law "I am very dubious whether a Chair of Law would be to the advantage of the teaching of law in this college," said Mr K. M. Gresson, president of the Canterbury Law Society, at a meeting of members of the Canterbury College Law Students' Society, held last evening. "There is no magic in a Chair of Law—a college may or may not get a profound scholar as professor. Lecturers who are in actual practice are ■ a guard against teaching that is too academic." Effect of Sand Deposits "You might even live to see the time when Sumner is high and dry," said Dr. G. Jobberns when addressing a party at the conversazione of the Canterbury College Scientific Society yesterday. He was referring to the large amount of sand carried down by the Waimakariri river, and he said that the time might come when New Brighton Beach would extend out beyond Banks Peninsula, and Sumner" would be an inland village.