ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 160, 2 April 1931, Page 11

ITEMS IN BRIEF

About People and Events A FIXED EASTER The executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce recently considered the advantages of a fixed Easter in New Zealand. A communication was sent to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire stating that the New Zealand chambers approved of fixing a date for Easter before dealing with other aspects of calendar reform. School Holidays. The State schools will break up this afternoon for the Easter holidays, and will reopen on Wednesday next. A Dentist’s Job. “I was living from hand to mouth, ’ said a bankrupt dentist replying to a question yesterday. His solicitor: “That s a dentist’s job, isn’t it?” Death from Poison; Andrew Waugh Willans died on Monday after admission to hospital, states a Press Association message from Napier. Thirty minutes earlier he told a neighbour that he had taken poison by mistake. Old Wellington College. The tender submitted by Smith and Norman for the demolition of the old building at the Wellington College has been accepted. Collection Not Dodged. It is sometimes jokingly said that those who listen-in to the broadcasting of church services escape the collection. That such is not always the case was proved last week when £1 was forwarded to First Church, Dunedin, by a "listenerin" in response to the appeal made for a special collection by the minister. Five Burglaries in Night Five burglaries were committed at Palmerston on Wednesday night, says a Press Association message, the premises entered being all business establishments. The premises entered were those of Mr. J. Moody, tailor; Star Stores Ltd., Friendly Societies’ Dispensary, Capstick and Cosgrove, bakers; and Martin and Turina. butchers. This is the second time that a visit has been paid to the Star Stores.

World Tour Afoot. Two seafarers at present In Wellington have expressed their intention of walking round the world. They are both New Zealanders,, and know something of the world from the ocean standpointOne of the men, who called at "The Dominion” office yesterday, said he and his comrade were endeavouring to work their passage out of the Dominion as soon as possible. He claimed 11 years’ experience at sea, and said he wanted to spend two or three years tramping about continents.

Harvest of Eels. The outlet of Lake Wairarapa has been closed for the past fortnight, consequently the Maoris are reaping a rich harvest of eels, states a “Dominion ’ Special Service message from Masterton, Every night large catches are made, the record catch so far being approximately two tons.

Question of Bail. The question of bail was raised in the police court yesterday after a prisoner had pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a large sum of money. Mr. E. Page, S.M., said he considered the case was similar to that of a prisoner convicted by a jury and put back for sentence. In this case the offence was a very serious one, and he did not feel that' he could grant bail.

Two Malapropisins. Wellington has produced two prizewinning malapropisms during the past week. The first was heard in the police court a day or two ngo, when a witness who referred to an unsigned letter said that “a unanimous letter” had been received. The other was heard in a large drapesy establishment yesterday when an elderly woman on the first floor said she had come up from the ground floor "by the percolator.”

Cheaper Meat. ( “When meat prices go down, butchers shops spring up. At the present time there are 25 per cent, more butchers shops operating in Wellington than there were two years ago, and in addition meat is being sold at auction at several places in the city. Hams were sold for 6d. a lb. by auction at the markets this week.

Weevil at Lyttelton. Serious damage has been done to a quantity of wheat which was stored at Lyttelton through the insect known as the weevil. The grain, which was the property of the Wheat Pool, has been in store for nearly two years. All the wheat is being removed from the affected store and is being isolated in the Harbour Board’s dock store. The building in which the trouble developed is being disinfected and treated with «n insecticide.

Penalty of Overspending. “There is always an unsavoury aftermath felt by nations as by individuals who overspend, for the day follows when the mortgagee’s ‘wages’ have to be met. and the only safe course is for ones commitments to be kept within the bounds of ability to pay. unless one would soon enough subscribe to tbe-im-moral code of disregarding obligations of all categories,” declared the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Mr. D. J. McGowan, in his annual address.

Our Beautiful Country. Writing to Mr. H. Poole, of Low®.' Hutt, Mr. Guy L. Wilson, the Irish daffodil expert, who visited New Zealand in 1929 said his visit to the Dominion had been’ one of the most wonderful and delightful experiences of his life, and one which he would always look back on with intense pleasure. The great kindness and hospitality from all he met had made the experience an intensely happy one. hoped some day to again visit your beau tiful country.”

Early Morning Fire. Well alight before the city brigade "■ot there, a five-roomed wooden residence situated at. 14 Havelock Street. Mornington. was badly damaged, with its contents bv fire which broke out early yesterdav morning. The alarm was given at 3.35 a.m., and when the brigade left the central station the reflection could be seen in the sky. The building is owned and occupied by Mr. William Thomas Brown, and it is understood that ther* was a policy of £l4O on the contents ami £7OO on the building.

Criticism of Referees. Criticising those who criticise referees the Rev. P. H. Leonard, president of the Rnngitikei Referees' Association, Iv attacked the offenders, states a Dominion” Special Service message from Wanganui. He stated that it was done not only by members of the Rugby Union but bv other referees on the sidelines The practice of referees on the sideline, the street, or in the hotel pulling fellow referees to pieces was strongly con demned.

Government in Business. “The entry of Governments into business in competition with their own taxpayer* has resulted in many prominent instances of huge losses of the people’s capital. With freedom from taxation and the benefit of Government backing, these Government enterprises eventually mean a burden being cast upon the narrowed taxation field represented by all other sections of the community, which arc then called upon to bear the cost of the normal Government revenues plus s share of any lasses incurred in those speeb ally privileged enterprises which fail, said Mr. D. J. McGowan in his presidential address to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.