NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 13

NEWS IN BRIEF

High Exchange Rate “The high exchange rate is intjcn quoted as equivalent to a further protective tariff, but I think it can *> e agreed that, while the resultant depreciation of our currency gave local manufacturing industries a temporary aid. the benefit has been largely canescent, and, in accordance with the recognised economic principle, conditions have so adapted themselves as largely**) nullify any exchange advantage,” said Mr. A. M. Seaman, in Ids presidential address to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Christchurch yesterday. Two Bankruptcies. Two petitions in bankruptcy were filed in Wellington during October. There were none during the corresponding month last year. Close Season for Seals. Seals in New Zealand waters or coastal places are to be given a further opportunity to multiply. An Order-in-Couneil published in this week s Gazette extends the close Beason for seals for an additional three years from November 30 next. New Karori Post Office.

The new Kijrori Post Office on which work has been commenced, is expected to be completed early in January. The cost, will be approximately £B5O, Tlie building is being erected ten feet back from the Karorl Road frontage of tlie section at the corner of Karorl Road and Beauchamp Street on which it being built, and a lawn will Ik- laid in the space between the building and the street This arrangement will maintain visibility for vehicular traffic at tlie corner. Gorse a Nuisance.

“South Island pastoralists whom I have seen recently have too many weeds among the crops. Whin, or gorse as von call it here, is very beautiful in the landscape, but. in tbe Homeland It would be considered a veritable nuisance. It is. of course, valuable for the protection of stock during storms, and is quite appropriate, therefore, in hedges, but it should not lie allowed to fill tlie paddocks as is the case frequently.” So said Dr. T. Oliver, visiting Scottish technologist, in an interview with “The Dominion’ yesterday.

Adventures of a Cup. The vicissitudes of an old rowing trophy which was ou view at the Canterbury Rowing Club’s jubilee dinner was tiie subject of comment by the chairman, Mr. F. I. Cowlishaw. The cup was rowed for a regatta on the River Heathcote in 1864. Then it disappeared and Mr. Cowlishaw bought it in a pawnship many years later. The incident was given some prominence, and Mr. Cowlishaw received a letter from the surviving member of the crew that won the trophy, Mr. Chamberlain, of Dunedin. This old oarsman had a replica of the cup, and on his death he bequeathed it to Mr. Cowlishaw, as president of the “Christchurch Boating Club.” “And this," added Mr. Cowlishaw, “is further evidence of the club’s association with tbe old Christchurch Boating Club of the ’sixties.” Impressing the Young Mind.

The value of the use of material objects to illustrate addresses to children in church is believed in by the Rev. L, McMaster, of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church, who brings into his pulpit each Sunday morning things generally familiar, but sometimes unusual, with wliich to teacii a lesson. Among these have been lately toys of various kinds, the forerunner of the Braille system for the blind, a football and a model aeroplane. At last Sunday morning’s service the young people’s curiosity as to what would be the means of fixing in their minds the minister’s “talk” to them was satisfied when an Australian kookaburra in celluloid form appeared, and was hung on a branch of the day’s floral decorations, and their delight was added to when the “laughing jackass” rendered his “song” per medium of a gramophone record. . This cheerful bird, said the minister, provided an example of a quality God sought in His human creatures, both young and old.

Ballot, for Taxi Stands. Designed to give each operator a definite point of business and telephone and to prevent overcrowding, a ballot for 49 vacancies on taxi-cab stands will be held In Wellington today. Applications closed yesterday. The cost for general stand licenses Is £3 a year, and £1 per vehicle for companies which provide their own telephones. It Is understood (hat the City Council at the present time is losing money on the telephones it provides at the general stands, and that steps will be taken to remedy the position. The loss of revenue has been attributed to the "cruising” type of taxi-driver who does not belong to any particular stand. In the last two years several licenses have been refused, with the object of keeping down this type. There are ISO licensed taxis in Wellington now. "as compared with about 320 two or three years ago.