ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 11

ITEMS IN BRIEF

About People and Events £4OOO FOR UNEMPLOYED An all-nations fair to raise funds for use in helping sufferers from unemployment during tbe winter mouths concluded on Saturday in Christchurch, states a Press Association message. In four days the fair realised £2326/12/11, and there are still funds expected from entertainments held by outside organisations in conjunction with the fair. A street appeal some weeks ago realised £1575, so that the total amount available should be about £4OOO. Contract System Advocated. “Contract work is advocated for all works exceeding £500,” says the report of the Wellington Civic Inquiry Commission. Found Dead. Airs. Eliza Skinner, 3 Devon Street, aged about 61, was found dead at her home yesterday morning. Basketball Injuries. Following the practice of the Rugby Union, in prohibiting players with injuries to the head from taking part in games, the-Wellington Basketball Association has made a by-law giving referees power to stop girls from playing after bead injuries bad been received. Boys’ Band. With its members boys of ages ranging from 9 to 16 years, a band from the Salvation Army Boys’ Home in Eltham was playing outside of “The Dominion” Office last evening. It is understood that no boy has been learning for more than IS months, and in view of that fact the standard of performance was most meritorious. Digging Up .Streets. The digging up of streets is a burning question in every municipality, and difficulties arise In spite of precautions, according to the Wellington Civic Commissioners’ report. Conferences are usually held between representatives of the different bodies, and agreements arrived at, but new and larger buildings may be erected requiring a large loud of electricity which tbe cables are not able to supply, hence another trench.

Salvation Army Bands. “1 -want to express my dee]) appreciation of the beautiful way in which the bauds in New Zealand have played the music of the Salvation Army,” said General E. J. Higgins, when speaking at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. “And in Wellington,” he continued, “I have listened to some of the finest music I have heard in any part of the world.”

Tourists for New Zealand. “The point that I intend to stress in America is that you have here all tbe national and scenic wonders, and all forms of sport,” said Air. H. E. Pippin, passenger traffic manager of the Matson Line for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, who passed through Wellington last week. Air. Pippin said there was an intensive campaign in the United States aimed at diverting a large quota of the huge American tourist traffic toward New Zealand.

Magnificent Harbour. “I do not think that the people of Wellington quite know what a great and majestic harbour their city possesses,” said Archbishop O’Shea, during bis address at the ojiening of the new Redemptorist Monastery of St. Gerard’s, on the Oriental Bay heights, yesterday. "It is only when one visits other harbours that have been written about so extensively,” he added, “that one realises the great asset this city has in Port Nicholson and its magnificent surroundings.”

Railway Innovation. For the first time in tbe history of the North Island Main Trunk, an express, running on its regular schedule, arrived at Wellington on a Sunday, yesterdav. This is caused by the alteration to 'the Auckland express timetable, which became operative on Monday last. Instead of the Auckland express leaving for Wellington shortly after the Limited each night it now leaves at 3 p.m. daily, except on Sunday, in accordance with the Wellington practice. The express arrived at 7.42 a.m. yesterday, and there will be no Auckland express arriving to-day.

Naval Ratings’ Generosity. When a sailor is drowned at sea it is customary in the Navy to sell bis kit. and give tlie proceeds to next-of-kin. Oo the voyage from Sydney one of the crow of H.M.S. Diomede was carried overboard during a severe storm and was lost. As he had a wife dependent on him the ratings were in full force at the auction, determined to help as far as their pockets were able. Two lanyards, originally worth 3d, went for 8/-,' while some cigarette coupons were sold for a shilling each. Several articles were bought at double their original value and thrown back for re-sale.

Titalii Bay Road. AVith the growing popularity of Titahi Bay, with its fine stretch of oceanwashed beach and its attractive golf links, the necessity for improving the road between Porirua and the bay has been one of the district’s ‘‘long-felt wants.” Under an arrangement with tlie Makara County Council the Public Works Department is now treating this section of the road in a very thorough manner. At corners and narrow spots the road is being widened out;on a generous scale. After scarifying tlie existing surface a solid base of metal and metal chips is being well rolled in, as a preparation for sealing. When this work is completed motorists will have a bitumen track the whole way between the city and Titahi Bay.