NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF

Live Wire Causes Fire

The breaking of a support wire on the tramway overhead gear near the intersection of Willis and Manners Streets, Wellington, about 11 o'clock yesterday morning, caused fire to break out in two places on neighbouring shop verandas. In falling, the support wire came in contact with a live wire, and the power was sufficient to cause the verandas to smoulder. The efforts of a constable to extinguish the flames were,, unsuccessful, and the fire brigade was called, and quickly suppressed the outbreaks with bucket pumps. Temporary repairs were effected to the overhead wire, and 20 minutes after the break the street had returned to normal. Traffic was only slightly disorganised.

New Plane for West Coast. The De Havilland Dragonfly twinengined machine which Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., has bought for use on its West Coast service arrived at Christchurch a few days ago. Mr. J. C. Mercer, chief pilot of Air Travel, and Mr. A. O. Templeton, ground engineer, will assemble bhe machine, with the assistance of the staff at Wigram aerodrome. The machine is one of the latest of its type, and will carry five passengers besides the pilot. It will carry fuel sufficient for five hours’ flying, and is equipped witli wireless.

Rail and Bus Services. “When the railway is electrified and operating, will the present buses be taken off the road?” was a question asked at last night’s annual meeting of the Khandallah Progressive Association. “We would never have supported the railway scheme of electrification if the bus service is not going to be run as at present,” said the president, Mr. M. S. Galloway. He was given to understand from the General Manager of Railways that the 20-minute bus service would not cease. “I don’t think there could now be any change since that assurance was given,” he said.

Food for Footballers. “I do not know what the Springboks eat, but I wish I could say all I feel about the All Blacks’ training diet this week,” said an Auckland food authority, before Saturday’s Test match. “When one reads that the New Zealand team consumed 50l'b. of schnapper at one meal and a whole spring lamb at another, it is hard to avoid fearing the worst. Athletes do not want huge quantities of protein when they are training; what they want is starch. Olympic championships are not won nowadays on row beefsteaks, as Lovelock o r any American trainer could tell you. And what is best for runners is best for footballers, too.”

Earth Worms Perturb Farmers. The tremendous spread of earthworms on some parts of the Hauraki Plains was discussed at the meeting of the Kerepeehi branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union last week. Mr. H. D. Jamieson stated that, according to a test taken at the Peka Peka Road, there were 82,000,000 worms to the acre. In wet months the worms rose to the surface, and in the dry season the earth cracked and caked, making it impossible for moisture to reach seed sown, and preventing germination. There was no specific cure i’or the pest, except a severe flood or a very dry summer. He thought the Department of Agriculture should be approached, for the worms were increasing and spreading rapidly.

Success of Art Students. “From time to time the success of students in the Art School indicates that the training given in fundamentals is sound,” stated a clause in the report of the director, Mr. R. G. Ridliug, at last night’s meeting of the Wellington Technical College Board of Governors. “Our most recent success, however, shows that in life drawing and painting work a high standard is maintained. Recently a student, Charles Johnson, left for England and made application for admission to the Royal College of Arts. Out of 100 students,! whose work at figure drawing and life painting was examined for entrance, this student was among the eight chosen. A result like this is encouraging to the members of the staff and a stimulus to other students.”

Youth in Industry. Of the 17 boys and eight girls who have left the Wellington Technical College since August 27, 14 boys and seven girls have gone into industry, according to the report of the director, Mr. R. G. Ridling, presented at last night’s meeting of the college board of governors. Nine of the boys and two of the girls had enrolled in the evening school. Seven of the boys who had left were in their first year of postprimary education. “The demands for youth labour is such that young lads are attracted into industry and are permitted by their parents to take up work without counting the cost to themselves in the effort that has to be expended to maintain both work and educational activities during early adolescence. I cannot too strongly condemn this practice,” Mr. Ridling said.