NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Drawing Of Art Union

The drawing of the “My Lucky Spin” art union is to take place at the Alasonic Hall, 'fhe Terrace, this evening at 6 o'clock.

Air Services Cancelled. Although there were no alterations in the air services between Auckland and Wellington yesterday, the boisterous conditions caused the afternoon services across Cook Strait to be cancelled. The morning services were run as usual.

Heavy Gun Practice. The public are warned that heavy gun practice will take place from Fort Dorset. Seatoun, to-day, over an area between Baring Head and Palmer Head. The practice will be held between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Opening Postponed. Yesterday’s heavy rain prevented the holding of the official opening of the new gate at Berhampore School, at which the Alinister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, was to have been present. The opening was postponed until the New Year.

They Think Quickly. “They walk slow'ly in the. north of Ireland these days, as If they had clay on their boots—but they still think quickly,” said the Rev. W. J. AlcElhinney. Dean of Rockhampton, Queensland. He arrived at Wellington yesterday in the Rangitane on his return to Australia from Ireland. He had been absent from Ireland for 30 years and he saw many changes. “The men running the country now were in swaddling clothes when I left,” he said, and added humorously, “I don’t say they are now.”

Free Ambulance Service. A total of 975 cases were attended by the Wellington Free Ambulance for the month ended November 30, according to the report of the superintendent, Mr. F. Roffe, presented at yesterday’s meeting of the service. Of this number, 134 were accident cases, 827 transport, 13 slight office cases, and one serious office case. For the same period last year, the cases totalled 1050, being made up of 130 accident, 914 transport, four slight and two serious office cases. Cases attended by the service since its inception total 86,911. the ambulance mileage being 792,086.

Schoolteachers Farewelled. Two retiring schoolteachers. Aliss L. Hargreaves, of Ohiro Bay School, and Mr. R. Cole, of Petone Central, were farewelled yesterday at the annual Christmas afternoon tea given by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Air. W. Alartin, of Brooklyn School, presided, and the Alinister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, was present. “I should like to thank you both for the work you've done —and all other teachers in the Dominion,” said the Alinister. He congratulated them both on their long periods of service—3o and 50 years respectively. Toll of Marriage.

Loss of women teachers through marriage had severely taxed the efforts of the Education Department to increase the supply of teachers and reduce the numbers in classes, said the Alinister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, addressing the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute yesterday afternoon. During the slump young men had not been so able to marry, but since good times returned many had been able to afford to do so, and in consequence a loss of young women trainees had been noticed in not only the teaching profession but among nurses and dental nurses. “But even if from time to time they counteract our efforts, we are glad to see the marriages taking place,” said Air. Fraser.

Closing Streets to Motor Traffic. AVith a view to making the task of the Christmas shopper easier the main Wellington streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic except trams from 6.30 to' 9 o’clock to-night Inspectors will be on duty at several places to detour traffic, and their work and the comfort and safety of everyone in the shopping streets will gain from the ready cooperation of motorists. The streets to be closed are Cuba Street, between Alvian and AVakefield Streets, Alanners Street, between Taranaki and Willis Streets, AVillis Street, between Alanners Street and Lambton Quay, and Lambton Quay, between Featherston and Willis Streets.