NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF

Airways’ Record Day

Despite the amount of low cloud about Wellington yesterday, Cook Strait Airways carried the largest number of passengers on any day since the service began. Some residents near Keiburn became alarmed at the low altitude of the machine as it flew below the clouds, but an official of the company said last night that neither machines nor engines had given any trouble, and all crossings had been made on time.

More Rates Collected. The announcement that rates collected by tiie Petoiie Borough Council lust year were £1357/12/4 greater than those collected in 1934 was made by the Mayor,' Mr. A. Scholefield, at last night’s meeting of the council.

Building In Petone. Criticism of some buildings being erected in Petone was made at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last night, and it was decided to review the by-laws to determine if certain buildings conformed with them.

Man Falls From Ladder. As a. result of a fall from a ladder yesterday, Mr. R. McNair, salesman, residing at 6 Westland Road, Wellington, received injuries to his right hip, shoulder and arm. The accident oc-, curved at 10.35 a.m. in the BriscoeMills building in Jervois Quay. The injured man was taken to hospital by the Free Ambulance.

Poultry-keepers’ Dogs. An appreciation from the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation that some concession be made in dog registration fees for poultry-keepers was received at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last night, but no action was taken. The council’s inspector stated that he had no recommendation to make. Most people kept a dog for protection purposes, and that was worth the present registration fee, lie said. Wellington-Grown Loquats. In a recent issue of “The Dominion” there was a reference to well-laden loquat trees at Akaroa. A boxful of loquats attached to branches, has been sent to ‘‘The Dominion” by a resident of Hataitai. Wiien he planted the tree lie was informed by jieople who should have known that it would never bear fruit; but after 20 years the tree has borne an excellent crop of fruit (judging by the sample). The writer also mentions tiie case of an Island Bay resident, whose loquat tree has borne an abundance of fruit, this season. Furbishing Up Town Hall. The main ground floor corridor and entrance of the Town Hall is receiving its annual furbishing. The plaster walls, which get very grubby during the year, are being given a coat or white paint, which restores their pristine appearance and gives that air of well-being which grubbiness so effectually destroys. The exterior of tiie Town Hall has now been painted cream for a little over a. year and, judging by the way this has lasted, it will not need any attention for another two years at least. Short Court Sitting.

Since Christmas there have been some very short sittings of the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington. Yesterday the minimum possible without the court disappearing altogether was reached. One first-offending “drunk” was fined. He was out on. bail and did not appear, so the only persons officially in the court were the magistrate, who occupied the bench for less than a minute, the clerk, the seniorsergeant of police, and the constable who had arrested the “drunk” and had to give the few- words of formal evidence. There were no spectators.

Ban on Buck,jumping. Believing that the use of a flank-rope on a horse giving a buckjumping display is a form of cruelty, the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association has decided not to allot space at any of its future shows for such exhibitions. A letter received at a meeting of the association’s committee from the South Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals asked that the association should support the society in its endeavour to stop the practice or lhe use of any other artificial, means of inducing displays of outlawry. The acting-chairman, Mr. A. S. Elworthy, said that it did one good to see a buekjumping display when the animal bucked of its own accord, but not if compelled by a flank-rope. Horses went from show to show and were made to buck by the use of flank-ropes. Mr. P. Porter said that the practice was a cruel one and moved that the letter be supported, and that the association refuse to allot space for any buckjumping display involving the use of a flank-rope. The motion was carried.