LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 111, 11 May 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It was decided at the Industrial Association meeting last night to urge the authorities to come to a definite decision quickly as to the site of the new Girls' High School.

On view at the Industrial Association meeting last night were a number of pairs of ladies' kid gloves of local manufacture. They had been neatly made from New Zealand leather tanned in the Dominion, and it was stated that they could be sold at a lower price than imported gloves of similar quality. .The company undertaking the manufacture had obtained the services of an English tanner and a French expert in gloveniaking.

An officer of the Defence Department is at present in the South Island supervising the erection of temporary wooden crosses on the graves of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were buried at Ohristchurch, Dunedin, Timaru, and Ashburton.

Mr. Relph, superintendent of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, announced at* Christchurch that during the past two weeks £190,000 had been received in respect to the issue of 7£ per cent, bonds, and money was still coming in freely. The applications were- from all parts of the Dominion, and as far afield as Japan.

Stock and station agents and other businesses dealing mainly with farmers have naturally suffered a shrinkage in their profits as the result of the scarcity of ready money amonfr their .clients. In one big firm of this description in Hkwkes Bay reduction of 15 per cent, in salaries all round—from the manager to the office boy—has been put into operation. The reduction has been accepted by those concerned as part of their share of the burden of the present depression."

The name of the disease known as malaria is Italian in origin, and means "bad air," said Surgeon-General M'Gavin in his lecture last night. He believed that the prevalence of malaria in mosquito-ridden countries was what led to the old superstitious terror, of'the night! air. Except that it was colder, the ftir was just the same at night as by day. But people found that if they left their windows open they became ill with malaria; and they blamed.the "bad air," instead of the mosquitoes, which flew in the darkness and bit them.

Reference to the embargo on the importation of stone fruit trees from Australia was made at a meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association last .week. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) advised that nothing could bo done at present, but inquiries would be made shortly into various matters in Australia. Mr. J. Longton complainsd of the Government's dilatoriness. Mr. F. W. Cone (chairman) stated that they were up against the nurserymen, who were pulling the strings to suit their own ends. It was eventually decided to protest against the Government's action in the matter.

Satisfaction was expressed by members of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday that the Post Office Savings Bank returns disclosed a strong position from the depositors' point of view. Mr. A. L. Hunt (chairman) said the recent legislation affecting deposits with financial institutions might have had something to do with the matter. However," it was very gratifying to notice that the deposits showed an increase. Mr. h. A. Edwards remarked that in America, the amount per head of the population in savings banks was £12, whereas in New Zealand it was £36. He was quite sure that the present financial stringency in the Dominion would be but temporary, and that actifally the country was in a sound condition.

There was a long discussion at the meeting of tho Industrial Association last night concerning the disruption of the Manufacturers' Association, which was recently formed. The Dunedin manufacturers had withdrawn from the association, holding that membership of such a body should be confined to persons who were strictly manufacturers, and not partly importers. Much regret was expressed by the meeting at the Otago action. It was stated that it wa3 impossible to find a manufacturer who was not also an imoprter to 'some extent. Efforts are to be made to over-: come the difficulty that has arisen, as it is felt that manufacturers should be organised so as to speak with authority and to assist the Department of Industries and Commerce.

"Far too many children enter a secondary school who will never receive any benefit from such an institution," said Mr. F. Martyn Renner at the Secondary Schools Conference to-day. "Taking quite a conservative estimate, I venture to say that out of every hundred boys who enter a secondary school at least fifteen of them ought,, to bo either at a trade or learning a trade at a technical school. It is surprising to find how many parents send their children on to a secondary school without in the least considering their children's capabilities. The gaining of a proficiency certificate is no guarantee that a boy or girl is fit to go to a secondary school. So variable is the standard of the certificate that it is practically worthless as a standard of education. The possession of it merely entitles the holder to tuition at a secondary school. Speaking as a teacher, I must confess that I cannot understand how some boys gain their certificates. The diversity of capabilities and intellect among the two hundred odd boys that I have had to deal with nearly every year at Wellington Collego make me more than ever certain that some means must be devised whereby some uniformity may be attained amongst boys and girls who aro destined to pass on either to a secondary or to a technical school.".

The trial aeriel mail service between Auckland and Whangarei has now been inaugurated, return trips being made daily. On Monday a seaplane left Auckland at 12.40 p.m., and arrived back at 5 p.m. Another trip was made yesterday. '

"By this, time to-ihorrow I shall be dead and buried," said Mr. J. P. Luke yesterday at the civic reception to Dr. Hertz, the Chief Rabbi, referring metaphorically to his descent from the Mayoral chair in favour of Mr. R. A. Wright. In his speech later, Mr. Wright said that Mr. Luke was far from dead yet. Compared with the old Hebrew worthies, Methuselah and others, he was but a young man; and there was a great deal of work which he could still do. He hoped Mr. Luke would yet occupy apposition much more exalted than that of Mayor of Wellington.

. What the Sun describes as one of life'slittle comedies occurred in Christchurch on Monday. Standing by the edge of a sidewalk in a Christchurch street were two girls, who evidently were waiting for a tramcar, and who were talking to one another. As"he crossed the street, a man noticed a threepenny-piece lying on the ground just in front of them. Perhaps he was diffident about stooping almost under their noses and walking off with the money. He picked it up, but held it out, and remarked, " Excuse me, but does this belong to either of you ladies?" They both claimed it! So the mere man left them to settle the ownership of the threepence.

Prior to the commencement of business at the Supreme Court. at New Plymouth yesterday, Mr.. Justice Reed, who presided there for the first time, was welcomed by the Taranaki Bar. Reference was made to his Honour's wide experience in practice," and his reputation as a- sound lawyer. Hope, was expressed that his careei would be a long aad pleasant one. Replying, his Honour said he believed every Judge endeavoured to be_ absolutely.impartial,-.and he did not think a charge of partiality could ever be placedl, with any degree of justice, against any Judge -who had sat in New Zealand.

"I might give a Little advice on the subject," remarked Mr. Justice Hosking while summing up in a case at the Supreme Court yesterday, when a young iman was charged with a Tacecourse forg<ery : "Bo not consent to act as attorney 'for anyone and everyone at the totalisatoij, lest you find yourself in' Hie dock." His Honour said that the present case did^ not altogether illustrate his remarks, but there had been cases in which persons standing in the queues at totalisators had agreed to oblige strangers, and had found themselves in trouble as a result. _ He mentionedj. in particular, a Palmerston North case, in which an agreeable person had consented to pur--chase a ticket for a stranger, but, as the note given him was a forgery; quickly found himself in. trouble, though eventually he was acquitted.

Cashmere Hills walkers ■ were in sorry plight on Sunday (says the Lyttelton Times). The No. 2 car which left Cathedral Square at 10 a.m. was well filled when it reached the hills terminus. At that time the, weather certainly did not look promising, but there seemed a sporting chance of a fine day, especially if one ignored v a bank of dark cloud slowly nosing its way up the Canterbury Plains from the south-west. At any rate, no one would turn back. The road ahead was' dotted with climbers who had got an earlier start. Then rain set. in. Next came snow. A rush for shelter followed. Down the hillsides ran, slid, slipped, and stumbled drenched and soggy pedestrians. The rest houses received pathetic little groups, and the trams conveyed shivering forms to warm firesides and dry1 clothes. The day helS not a few amusing incidents, which, viewed in comfortable perspective, furnished capital teatable talk.

"We ars beating the air in a great many tilings,'' said Mr. E. 0. Outtoii, S.M., at the Auckland Workers' 'Educational Association's social on Saturday evening, in criticising the importance attached by the association to such subjects as economics. "Some people maka a fetish of economics and polities, and I think that undue time'is spent on th-ein in the association's work," he said. "Far too much reliance is placed by people on material means of progress, and too little importance attached to moral means. If w© concentrated the greater part of our efforts upon the moral realm the rate of social progress would be multiplied' many times." Which, asked Mr. Cutten, was more desirable, an unpretentious industrial machine, with abundance of the oil of goodwill, or a delicately-balanced' machine with sand in it bearings? Loo-king at things generally, the points that should be drawn attention to most were character and' character education..

Speaking at the welcome to the Chief ißabbi (Di\ J. H. Hertz) yesterday, Mr. iR. A. Wright, the Mayor-elect, referred to Dr. Hertz's mission by comparing it ivvith that of Joseph, whom Jacob sent out with, the instruction to "see whether it be well with (he brethren and with ■the flock." Dr. Hertz had come to see ■how the Jewish flock .in New Zealand ■fared, and if the shepherds were doing their duty. (Laughter.) If things were amiss in Auckland or Christchurch, or Dunedin, he was sure that Dr. Hertz (would have some pithy remarks to make, to the shepherds. But in Wellington, ■where Mr. Van Staveren cared for the Jewish people, he would have nothing to criticise. The flock was particularly well looked after here, and he hoped that, •with forty years of service behind him, Mr. Van Staveren would have still a long period of activity before him. (Apfplause.) Mr. Wright made play with ihe result of the recent election, in which Mr. Van Staveren's poll for the Harbour Board was enormous, and a plain testimony to his great popularity. "Why," said Mr.. Wright, with well simulated indignation, "he even beat me."

There are mosquitoes in many parts of New Zealand; but, fortunately, there is one kind that is not represented here, known as the Anopheles. Anyone can recognise it by the fact that its "nose" is in line with its body, which is practically straight from end to end; and from its habit of resting on a wall with its head close to the wall and its tail lifted so tfiat the body is at an angle of 45 degrees or more. Surgeon-General M'Gavin, in his lecture on "Sanitation" last night, said that New Zealand should be very gratified that this mosquito was not found in New Zealand. It is the kind that carries malaria, and the disease cannot be communicated by any other means. There were a great many people in the Dominion with malaria in their blood, ready to become sources of infection; and if the Anopheles lived here, or was introduced, there would certainly be a spread of malaria, and it would become epidemic, especially in the North of the Dominion, whore the climate was favourable. The lecturer said he had made careful inquiries, but could not findlany v evidence that the Anopheles had ever been seen in Now Zealand. This was remarkable, because it flourished in places not far away. .

Kirkcaldi© and Stains, Ltd., are making a special offer of well-cut Skirts in good navy serge and clerical grey worsteds—all New Zealand woollen .fabrics. Usually 52s 6d ; how 355. See window.—Advfe

Commercial travellers of cheerful voice and sunny countenance are much in evidence throughout New Zealand now, thanks to Keep Smiling Floor Polish. A, S. Patterson and Co., Wholesale Agents for K,S. Floor Polish.—Advt.

Dr. J. Hight has been elected for a further term on the New Zealand University Senate. His was the only nomination to fill the vacancy caused by his own retirement.

A fear that insufficient progress is being made with the Mangahao hydro-elec-tric works was voiced by Mr. W. T. Cotton at yesterday's meeting of tho Council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cotton said he was afraid that the Government was "slacking off" in regard to the number of men employed at Mangahao, but to find out what the position actually was h<s intended to visit the works personally. Mr. Cotton agreed to submit a, report to the next meeting of tha Chamber.

"My opinion is that counsel, who reserve their defenco in the Lower Court often do their clients an infinite amount of harm," remarked . his Honour Mr. Justice Hosking while summing up a case at the Supreme Court yesterday,wherein the defence was somewhat in the nature of an alibi. No mention had been made in- the Lower Court, said his Honour, of the witness who was to prove the accused's movements, and naturally one looked with suspicion upon a story told at the last moment. Had the police been informed of the witness, they could have looked him up in the meantime, and verified his story, and so greatly assisted the defence, if the defence was a true one.

The students of Victoria College havo produced a war memorial Dumber of thu Collegis Magazine, The Spike. There has been no effort at pretension in the compilation of the book, which, as should be the case with such things, has about ib the sincerity of simplicity. As 'typical' of the spirit of the book, there may be quoted this extract from. the editorial : "It would' not be fitting here to tsi) of the deeds of any single on© where allhave equal honour in our sight." The list of lolled and of thoss who died of wouuds or sickness is given separately, as are the list of distinctions won andi the active service list—as full as the most searching inquiries have been able to make it. Tho balance of the- book is devoted to biographical sketches and! photographs of the'falien.

The Miramar Borough Council recently brought an action against the Wellington Gas Company for pollution of a stream in Kings-road/ Miramar, with coke-breeze and other matter. After hearing the facts, which were admitted by the defendant company, the Magistrate adjourned the case in order to give the parties an opportunity of coming/to an agreement. The case was mentioned again yesterday afternoon before.Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, and Mr.' T. Neave (who appeared for the company) said that a settlement had been arrived at. (Ho suggested that any penalty imposed should be a nominal one. Mr. Hunt, said he would fine the company £3 an'l order ,them to pay £7 7s costs. Mr. D. Jackson appeared for the Miramar Bofough Council. /

"It pays to advertise" is. a maxim, the value of which is apparently appreciated by the manager of Everybody's Theatre (Aliek Hodson), who appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., hi tha Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, on a charge of causing: the people to congregate outside his theatre. Serpreuns O'Haira, who appeared for the police, said that Hodson had engaged two boys to give a display of boxing in the vestibule of the theatre, in order to advertise a certain picture, and1, in consequence of this, this police had experienced, sonitf difficulty m dealing with.the crowd. For the defence Mr. W!'"E." Leicester, whila admitting the facts, said that the picture concerned.was "The Wonder Jinn," and such_a form of advertising as had! been outlined by the police, was very popular. He .pointed out that the display had been, stopped as soon as the police had brought the offence under the: notice of the defendant. Mr. Huut imposed a fiiKb of £1 and costs.

"I really am. ashamed of our Church', speaking generally, that it shows so little interest in this question," remarked the Rev. Dr. J. Gibb at last night's meeting of the Wellington Presbytery, when a proposal - that congregations should be asked to make special collections in aid of the Theological Hall was under discussion. "It is hard to understand. You take up an appeal for the orphanages, and money comes pouring in. We started our orphanage here eleven years ago with £35, and now, the assets amount to £10,000. But, here is a thing that lies at the very heart of the Church life—the training of our ministry, and you' cannot get collections. I"- know that collections keep mounting up, and you do not know how to save your face sometimes, making collections for this and that. Ido feel, however, that the responsibility largely devolves on ministers in this matter." It was decided to urge upon ministers the importance of taking up collections in aid of the Theological Hall.

That the main arterial roads of tha country should be placed in a satisfactory state, in order to withstand Civet strain of the increasing volume of motor traffic, was urged by Mr. L. A. Ed1-. ward's at yesterday's meeting of t!ifl Central Chamber of Commerce. Mr., Edwards moved: "That this Chamber is convinced that properly-cpngtructcrll and maintained' roads are inseparable! from the economic welfare of this Dominion, and, as motor traffic will be thd road traffic of the immediate future), r,u equitable motor tax should be imposed,, and the proceeds therefrom applied to-, wards the-upkeep of main, arterial roads; that th© method of raising revenue froni toll-gates is ineffective, obsolete, and unduly harassing." Mr. H. S. Hart seconded the motion. Mr. W. T. ,Cot-. ton considered that an immense-amount of revenue for road improvement purposes could be derived by means of at wheel tax. It was not fair that motorists should- bear the whole burden of: road taxation. The Chairman (Mr. A. L. Hunt) said it was recognised that toll-gates were a "barbarous relic of tha past," but something would have to ba dona to improve the roads. Motorists were prepared to pay a fair share of tha taxation. Mr. Edwards said that motorists could provide only a portion of the amount required by the Government. There were 30,000 motor-vohicles in N*w Zealand1, and a tax,of £10 per vehicle would produce a revenue of £300.000. In Stratford County alone, £209,000 had been spent on road improvements. The motion was carried, as was also a further motion by Mr. ■ Edwards, urging' that the Government should bring down a. comprehensive Dominion schema of road improvements, which should, first of all, be submitted to local bodies for consideration.

Boot Week at the firm of G. Fowlds. —Watch our windows for special reductions in high-quality Boots, Shoes, and Slippers for men, women, boys, and girls.—Advt.

If there is one thing I do enjoy, it is a bit of cheese. The delicious taste of Taylor's Old Port Cheese will therefore appeal to you. Taylor's is specially selected New Zealand cheese, skilfully ripened, and scientifically prepared. Ask the grocer for Taylor's Old Port Cheese. There are substitutes, but take only Taylor's.—Advt.

To avoid harmful chemical vinegars, order vinegar always by name. Ask for Ohampion's Vinegar, tile purest malt brew made in England. Chnmpion'3 excels in purity, the barley malt gives it rich arcm?., smoothness, and fine flavour.. Can acid-made imitations give the same? No—avoid them. All grocers sell Champion's English Malt Vinegar—ful( bottles.—Advt.