NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Too Insular?

"In this country we are too insular,” .Mr. M. G. C. McCaul declared at the meeting last night of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce when he urged the need for greater population in New Zealand. “We sit down here, a small corner of the earth a long way from the centre of things, and think our thoughts and speak our speeches and imagine that the whole world waits, watches and listens. It: doesn't do anything of the kind. We arc very small potatoes, really.” Building Trade and 40-hour Week. Some time before September, it was staled at a Conciliation Council in Wellington yesterday, a conference will be held of building trade employers’ organisations whose sections of the industry will be affected by the operation of the 40-hour week.

Cyclist Injured. ■While riding his bicycle in Hopper Street yesterday morning, Douglas McGrath,. message boy, 65 Riddiford Street, collided with a motor-car and was thrown to the ground, lie was taken to hospital by the Free Ambulance suffering from shock and an injury to bis scalp. Aerodrome Extension.

Complimentary reference to the expedition with which the work of extending the aerodrome at Rongotai was being carried out. was made at lhe meeting last, night of the "Wellington Chamber of Commerce, ami it was decided to send a letter of congratulation and appreciation to the Wellington City Council.

New Route to Karori. Full approval of the action of the ■Wellington Ratepayers’ Association in putting forward the claims of the proposed Norway Street route to Karori has been expressed by the Brooklyn Ratepayers’ Association. A letter commending the Wellington association on its attitude was received from the Brooklyn association at a meeting of the former body held last night.

Court of Arbitration. Many applications for exemption from the 40-hour week in factories are expected to come before the Court of Arbitration when it begins its sitting in Wellington on Monday next. Under the provisions of the new legislation the 40-hqpr week will be introduced on September 1. but: employers are allowed to apply for exemption and seek permission to extend the hours to not more than 44.

Sheep-worrying by Dogs. The problem of sheep-worrying by stray dogs is still concerning the Wellington .Society for, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Several cases have been notified within the past month, and in addition to the cruelty caused to the sheep, very heavy losses have been suffered by the owners. The society was now co-operating with the farmers in the Wellington district, with a view to concerted action being taken. A Big Sale. All the fittings, plant and appurtenances of the Ritz, restaurant in Manners Street were sold by auction yesterday. This constituted the biggest sale of its kind held in Wellington for many years. There were literally regiments of plated teapots, jugs, sugar basins, battalions of pepper and salt castors, hundreds of knives, forks and spoons, besides tablecloths, trays and other articles. To add the spice of variety, there was a Steinway baby grand piano, xylophone, timpani, cymbals and saxophone. The lease of the premises has been acquired by Shillings, Ltd. Centre! of Debates.

After the president, Mr. U. J. B. Norwood, had emphasised the desirability of keeping debates within manageable limits because of the length of the order-paper which usually had to be considered, with some of the important subjects to be dealt: with toward the end of the meeting, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night decided that for further meetings movers of motions should bo allowed to speak for 10 minutes and all other speakers for five minutes, the mover then to have the rigid: of reply for five minutes, it being understood, however, that reasonable extension of time would be given where desirable.

Pet Poisoners Sought. A report, submitted by the inspector to a recent meeting of the committee of the Wellington Society for the Pre vention of Cruelty to Animals stated that during the past month there had been numerous cases of poisoning of animals, particularly in the vicinity of Central Terraco, Kelburn, Tinakori Road and Fitzherbert Terrace. A reward of £3O was offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons laying poison, but so far the society has not been able to trace rhe offender. The society proposes to take immediate proceedings against any persons .found laying poison.