NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 306, 22 September 1934, Page 9

NEWS IN BRIEF

The National Flower

Voting carried on during the two days of the Wellington Horticultural Society’s show resulted in the kowhai easily topping the poll as New Zealand’s national flower. The voting was: Kowhai, 586; pohutukawa and rata, 389: clematis, 228; and manuka, 124. In voting which has taken place elsewhere for the same purpose the kowhai has topped the poll, although the other flowers have always been in the running, so it would seem as if the kowhai is really the Dominion's popular choice. Firemen’s Diplomas.

Station-officer A. F. McJennett, Senior-Fireman A. E. Cartwright and Auxiliary Fireman 11. Hefford have gained diplomas as associate members of the New Zealand Fire Brigade Officers and Members’ Institute. At yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Fire Board congratulations were extended to them.

Claim for Damages. Decision was reserved by the Full Court yesterday , when the hearing was concluded of the case to decide whether a passenger in a private motor-car who made some payment to the owner or driver could recover damages under the Vehicles Insurance (Third PartyRisks) Act for injuries received through the negligence of the driver.

Road Cycling. It is reported that at the next meeting of the New 'Zealand Amateur Cycling Association, to be held on September 27, the Wellington, Canterbury and West Coast Centres will support the action of the delegates at the previous meeting in declaring a general amnesty tc all professionals who competed previous to 1918.

“Ridiculous Facilities.” “I realise the ridiculous facilities that are offered in this Concert Chamber; that is why I can forgive so much," said Mr. Leo du Chateau, the adjudicator at last night’s session of the community drama festival, when criticising the performances and pointing out that producers and players should make themselves conversant with the conditions under which they must work.

Father and Son Banquet. The Wellington Y.M.C.A. will hold its annual “father and son” banquet this evening. The Governor-General will deliver an address, and Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., will also address the gathering. The “father and son” banquet held each year provides an opportunity for inspiring and intensifying the relationship of the boy with his father. The Y.M.C.A. acts on the principle that a father and his boy should be chums, and these “father and son” gatherings are held in nearly every branch or association throughout the world. Danger from the Air.

" New Zealand would meet a swift fate if it/ were invaded by a hostile nation, in the opinion of Mr. J. E. Strachan. In an address at Christchurch Mr. Strachan was emphasising the efficiency of modern destructive weapons. “Supposing,” he said, “that a hostile nation wanted to attack New Zealand. Its fleet could be 40 or 50 miles off the coast and no one here would know anything about it. In a quarter Of an hour from the word go every city in New Zealand could be bombed from the air and destroyed. There is no defence against that sort of thing.” S' Bluff’s Oldest Resident.

Recently a birthday party was held at Bluff, Southland, to celebrate and honour the oldest loeal-born resident, Mr. Wm. Speneer. sent., on the attainment of his ninetieth birthday. When Mr. Spencer was born there were only four Europeans at Bluff. Mr. Spencer’s father fought under Sir John Moore at the Battle of Corunna in 1809. an.'l under the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterlooo in 1815. Mr Spencer has three sons and three daughters, 24 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren. The latter include one set of triplets and two sets of twins.

The Companies Act. Commenting on a necessary provision of the new Companies Act in regard to the appointment of duly qualified accountants as auditors, Mr. J. Murray, Registrar of Companies, told a meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants that in South Australia the appointment of liquidators of companies was subject to safeguards In some projected new legislation. He remarked that the Companies Act of that State provided for the Governor’s appointment of a Companies’ Auditors and Liquidators’ Board of at least three members-(the Registrar of Companies, a nominee of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce, and a public accountant) which would control the licensing of auditors and liquidators. In the case of a liquidator no license would be granted unless the applicant had given “security in the prescribed manner and amount to the satisfaction of the board.”