General News

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23001, 22 April 1940, Page 8

General News

Road Board Abolished On the gazetting of a special order on Thursday, the Le Bon's Bay road district was merged with the County of Akaroa and the road board was abolished. "New Zealand Illustrated" Evidence of interest with which the centennial number of "New Zealand Illustrated" has been read overseas is contained in a letter re- i ceived from Gibraltar by Mr Morton Aldis, of j Parnell, Auckland. "I must confess that I had no idea New Zealand had so many fine towns and cities . . ." the letter reads: "This magnificent centennial number must be circulating right round the Rock, for I left it with a civilian friend of mine who in turn passed it on, and so on. Don't be surprised if, when the war is over, half of Gibraltar's civil population comes on a sight-seeing tour of your fair Dominion. To me, having had some slight experience of newspaper work, this paper had a tremendous appeal, and to anybody familiar with art reproduction and lithographing it must have been an object lesson." School Committeje Elections For the election of school committees, meetings of householders will be held throughout the Canterbury Education Board's district tonight. The last election was held in 1938. and the successful candidates this year will be elected for a similar period of two years. Every claimant of a vote at a school committee election, or a candidate, must, on inquiry by the chairman, furnish reasonable evidence of qualification. Algerian Oats May be Admitted A reply to the request by Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., for the introduction either of, Australian Algerian or of Tasmanian oats free of duty to meet the winter feed problem in Canterbury and North Otago has been made bv the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin). The reply was that consideration was being given to the possibility of admitting a limited quantity of Australian Algerian oats, but remission of duty presented a difficulty as marketing would be entirely upset to the detriment of Southland growers. An Unexpected Arrival Officials at the old jetty at Akaroa were caught unawares through no fault of their own qn Saturday when the launch bringing ashore the Governor-General (Lord Galway) came from the Government steamer Matai. Earlier in the morning a launch owned by Mr T. N. Gibbs, of Christchurch, had been using the jetty, but when the time of the GovernorGeneral's arrival neared,' he was advised to leave the jetty clear. Accordingly he took the launch for a short run across the harbour. When he approached the Matai he was signalled to go alongside, and on doing so was asked whether, as the Matai's launch was unavailable, he would take the Governor-General ashore. The appropriate pennant was hoisted. Lord and Lady Galway and their family went on board, and the launch set off back to the jetty. Recognising it as the craft they had previously warned away, the officials took little notice of its approach, and it had made fast to the jetty, and the Governor-General was almost ashore, before many of the welcoming party realised what had happened. Pheasants Raid Gardens Because of their cheeky habits, pheasants have been a nuisance to gardeners in parts of suburban Auckland in recent weeks. Inßemuera, Kohimarama, and other places where they enjoy sanctuary, as many as half a dozen have been seen together attacking autumn vegetables, particularly potatoes and kumaras. Working vigorously with claws and beak, they quickly find their way down to the potatoes. Though easily frightened away, they persistently return and continue their raids. Besides the older birds, many well-grown spring chickens have taken part in these depredations. Issue Before Dominion Long applause greeted the Minister for Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, during an address at a recruiting rally in Auckland, when he described the issue facing New Zealand in the present war. "The issue," he said, "is whether we shall retain our liberty and freedom, retain our Government and Parliament, and think and act as we will, or whether we are to be subject to.the government and possibly the persecution of Nazi Germany. The answer is that already given by the soldiers in the audience." i German Moral Education "For the last 30 years I have always maintained that Germany has s'adly neglected her moral education, in spite of the fact that many German scientists and musicians have had world-wide influence," said the headmaster of the Takapuna Primary School, Mr G. H. Matthews, at the annual meeting of the householders. "The result of this neglect is selfevident. Germany has become a bullying nation; she has chosen the wrong path and has refused to respect the views of sister nations. This has led to the present strife and bloodshed." Propaganda Among Maoris . The operation of subversive influences in the district and the distribution of seditious literature were causes for expressions of alarm at a meeting of the Wairoa Harbour Board. It was decided to draw the attention of the Government to the distribution of literature of this nature, with a request that it take immediate steps to put a stop to it. One of the chief causes for concern was the manner in which this propaganda was being distributed among Maori people. It was stated that there were a number of subversive forces showing their hand in this country, and that it would be nothing short of criminal for public men to sit back and do nothing about it. It was for them to show these forces and the Government that they would not stand by and see the efforts of this country sabotaged. It was their .duty as public men to stand behind the Government and assist it in every way they could. Mr O'Kane said men were going about the country distributing pamphlets and books which were against the British Government, the Government jf this country, and Christianity. Lectures of War Interest . . i An indication that the extension lectures arranged by the . Auckland Institute and Museum at the University College this year would emphasise matters of importance in the present war situation was given at a meeting of the Museum Council. The first will be on chemical warfare, by Professor F. P. Worley,, while others will deal with aeronautical engineering and science in relation to war. Special Constable for Waiheke A special constable, Mr A. T. Macßeth, foreman of the Ostend Road Board, has been sworn in to undertake duties on Waiheke Island. This is the first appointment to be made on the island. Section 69 of the Municipal Corporations. Act provides that special constables shall exercise and enjoy the same powers and immunities as constables, '. ■ ■ ..' Erosion Threatens School As a result of continued erosion of the Coro- . mandel school grounds by an adjacent creek and a consequent threat to outbuildings it was decided at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board to consider; the provision of a new site for the school. The Hon, A. Burns, M.L.C, stated that a protecting wall had recently been buili to prevent the creek undermining an outbuilding;. However, the heavy rains of last week had swollen the creek, with the result that a large portion of the wall had been swept away. On the motion of the chairman Mr W. J. Campbell, it was resolved to avoid continual patching of the bank of the stream by purchasing another piece of land and Replacing the old school by a modern building.