LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"Who are the leading bacteriologists in the world to-day?" asked Dr. Adams, when speaking to the- Sanitary Inspect tors' Conference at Wanganui. "Germans," was the reply. "No," said .the doctor, "they are Japanese^ After them come Germans. Britain has only. Sir Almroth Wright, who is working on tuberculosis, and Ross, who is working en malaria. Britain must step out, as she is woefully behind in this important branch of medjeal science."

"We are absolutely confident," declared Lieutenant i Ziegel, a member of the French Mission, in an address deliv-^ ered at the King's Theatre .yesterday afternoon, "in the future of the- French; automobile industry. But it is necessary, it is to prosper, to find markets in ajl countries which are big "buyers^; as France alone-.cannot absorb the output: French iftanufacturers have grasped the fact,' and in' order to succeed they are ready to make a' careful study of each one of these markers and to work hand in hand for efficiency. We shall feel happy if you will kindly let, us know your ideas and suggestions, which will be tranmittea to the manufacturers, andwill be gvien. careful consideration."

' "To the trained sanitarian a heap 1 of decayed cabbages, disagreeable.though it may be, is of far less importance than' the- person who carries typhoid germs in his body, though he be void of offensiveness," said Dr. Makgill at the Sani. taiy Inspectors' Conference at Wanganui. "But the public, while admitting the carrier into their homes or their dairies, will demand the ceasation of the nuisance caused by the cabbages. It offends their senses; the carrier does not. We have to bow to this old belief in decomposition as a source of disease, and" have to be energetic in our efforts for removing the popular scape-goa<r—but the real sanitary progress consists in.quietly placing the carrier where; he will do no harm."

Several exceptionaljy good school attendance records have been brought to the attention of the Auckland Education Board. The headmaster of the Te Awamutu school reported that Doreeri Boys, who had just obtained a pi-onciency certificate, had not missed one day s attendance during the whole eight years of her school life. Phillipa Gates, of Te Mawhai school, was another pupil whose record was the subject of commendation, it bedri'g reported that she had not missed a half-day's attenda-nce for seven years. Another case of unbroken attendance for three years was also mentioned. "All girls," commented one member of the board, in moving that a, special letter of congratulation be sent to Doreen Boys and recognition also made of the good records-of the other girls.

A "find" made under a bush at Wha-, taupoko, Gisborne, caused a little commotion on Tuesday night, and until the police arrived and carried out the. investigations; the rumour gained circulation that a murder had been committed, and that a woman was the victim, states the "Poverty Bay Herald." The '.'find" consisted of a lady's hat and some linen clothing, upon which were to be J seen some dark red stains. In the moonlight it was surmised that the dark stains could be. nothing else but blood marks, and the police authorities were communicated with. Post haste at about 11 p.m. the police went to the scene with visions of a sensational crime before them. An examination, however, of the bat and clothing disappointed them, for the red marks were merely caused by the "running" of the colours from some artificial fruit on the hat. It may be remarked, however, that the incident is not "wholly unconnected with crime, for it is understood that the hat andVclcthing had been removed from a Whaiaupoko house which was recently entered during the absence of the oqcupants. '

"Offensive, statements" made in.'^a letter to a local paper .on 16th December last, caused both Captain W. C. . S. Colclough and Mr. F. H. Denton to tender their resignation from the Greymouth War Memorial Committee, states the "Grey -Biver Argus." "After the remarks that appeared in the paper I beg to tender my resignation,", declared Captain Colclough at last night's meeting. "Oh, don't rush away like; that," cried Mr. J. D. Lynch, as Cajjtain Colclough walked to the door. "We all feel the same as you do in this; matter." But -Captain Colclpugli had f'one. ■• Mr. Lynch then read Captain Colclough's resignation, and also announced that Mr. Denton had handed in his. Captain ColcicmgU's resignation read: "His Worship the Mayor; I beg to tender you my 'resignation as a member of the War Memorial Committee. Let these who criticise others' actions .carry 011 the good, work.—W. C. S. Colclough." It was resolved t6 request both members^ to withllraw their resignations and to re: quest the writer of the offensive' letter to attend the next meeting of the centre nnd substantiate or withdraw his statements., ■ -

The schools under the Wefiiagton Ediication Board's jurisdiction are to reopen on Thursday, Ist February.

A complimentary social is to be tendered to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) \ and Mrs. WiHord on Thursday evening at tile Town Hall, Lower Hutt. ' .

The success that has-attended the working of the Rimu dredge at Hokitika has aroused the residents to a sense of the possibilties of the goldmrning industry in their immediate locality (says the "Inangahua Times"), and a prospecting association has been formed to explore the district. This association, having been strongly supported by citizens, is now considering which locality is to be prospected, and 1 work will be Started immediately.

Extensive erosion has taken place at the banks of the AsMbarton River month, due to ■ the recent floods. It is estimated that between 400 and 500 tons of earth from county council property has been washed away from the cliff near the campers' huts along 'the river. While the loss is considerable} the effect on the river frooi the campers' viewpoint- has been very favourable, as the channel, being changed, has opened the mouth, and people can now walk right from the huts on to the beach.

-A good story is going the rounds: qbncerning a settler up the Wanganui River who recently discovered that his telephone was out of order. As search for the defect proved futile he had to procure the services of an electrician. The latter experienced similar difficulty in locating the trouble, arid finally decided to inspect the line. About three miles from the house his search was rewarded. At a" spot where it sagged considerably some Maori women were using it as a clothes-line.

The incivility of some of Wellington's taxi-driver.s is the subject of a complaint made by a local resident who took a tali from the Queen's Wharf the other day. His destination was Island Bay. The fare of 12s 6d quoted by the first driver he approached seemed unreasonable, and he moved on and asked a second what his far© would be. "Fifteen shillings," was the reply. With that he <feturned and engaged the first man, Whereupon the higher bidder subjected him to a. good deal of abuse. The passenger was not so much concerned about the half-crown difference in the fares— he understood there was. ,a definite schedule of rates—as he was indignant at being abused over a business transaction. "One naturally takes advantage of the best offer," he said to a "Post" reporter. "It is just the same as making a purchase. What I object to is being abused by the defeated tradtesman;"-

"Is this thing so prevalent as it used to be';" asked Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M.^ in the Police Court, at Christchuich, when a case of alleged bicycle stealing was being taken. Senior-Detec-tive T. Gibson replied that not so many oases were being reported now as -used to be. "I think there is a slight decrease," he said. "There were thirtyone reported missing la3t '< December." "That is a considerable decrease," said the Magistrate. "I was told that in one year 1700 bicycles were reported missing. It used to be 80 a month, now it is down to about 30." "' (

The rain over the week-end has again thrown harvesting operations . back a little (remarks the Ashburton "Guardian.") It is not thought that very much, damage has 1 been done to crops in stook or on'the ground. Grass-seed' crops probably suffered the most. The amount of rust in wheat will no doubt be added to. The cutting of wheat crops commenced a: few days ago, and this work is fairly general in districts east of Ashburton. Yields of up to 40 bushels and over are expected'iu certain parts of the Wakanui district. In parts of Eiffelton the grass-seed crops are not op to standard, v' •

Deer shooting licenses.for the Ashburtoh back country • districts were drawn yesterday. There were fifty-six applications for twenty-three licenses. Among the successful applicants were:—For Eakaia, top section above Mount Arrowsmith, Mr. F. M. Kitto (Nelson); below Arrowsmith, Mr. George Reid' (Masterton), and Mr. Ralph Ross (Martinborough); for Block 4, Rakaia District, Mr. J. A. M'Leod (Maryborough). The other successful applicants for the Rakaia and Alford Forest Block belong to Canterbury. For the Rangitata Block one local man and three Danedin men secured licenses.

Low water at the Stunner pier on Wednesday afternoon again proved a dangerous trap to two small boys from Bromley. About 4 o'clock the two lads, who, apparently, were ignorant of the presence of the river channel, thinking they were, .walking. on a shelving beach, stepped out ;for paddle and suddenly sank in deep water. Unable to help themselves, they were tteing carried away by the current when 1 a young lady who was on the.Cave Rock saw the danger the boys were in, and rushed into water fully clothed. She proved equal to the heavy task and safely landed both victims. The mothers of the visitors expressed their warmest thanks to the rescuer, who was not a little exhausted by the ordeal. Complaint that they were working very much in the dark with regard to the Empire Exhibtion to be held at London next year was made by several members of the Auckland Commiutee at a meeting bald on Tuesday. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said that nobody in Auckland seemed vej-y interested in the exhibition, the only queries that had been received being from people who wanted to know whether there were going to be cheap fares to England. They had received no literature whatever with regard to the exhibition, and the only cabled information seemed to-be restricted to disputes and scandals. The English authorities should send out a plan of the whole exhibition, showing the position of the New Zealand Pavilion and giving whatever detailed ( information was available. Th»«ommittee must have something definite to work lipon to rouse local interest (report* the "New Zealand .Herald"). It was agreed that ths Advisory Council should be asked to try to obtain some idea, of what actually was being done, and particularly to secure a plan showing the lay-out and the provision made for the New Zealand Court.

"There is an idea very widely "spread abroad," said Lieutenant Ziegel, of the French Mission, at the King's Theatre yesterday afternoon, "that in the conception and construction of their motor-cars, French constructors have lost, owing to the war, the undisputable mastership! they . owned till 1914. This is entirely false; war has been for them, on the contrary, the hardest "but most effectivei of trainings. All motor plants have been at work to meet the requirements of French and Allied armies in shells, aircraft motors, tanks, and various precision works.. _ New wqvks were even built for these -purposes. Most of them had resumed or undertaken motor fabrication by the time of the Armistice. More modern, than any other^similai works in the world, they should afford the lowest costs, sifter being adapted to their new production. ... It must not be forgotten that -one of the best tools of our victory, the tank, was entirely designed by Louis Renault. It was derived from the. caterpillar tractor, and, fitted with .a.22.4 h.p. lorry-motor, is still used today on the 3-ton lorries. The sucessive ameliorations which made of it a firstrate war machine, have, profited the ag- . ricultural tractor."

The Fire Brigade acknowledges receipt of a cheque for £10 10s from Messrs. R. Martin and Cj. for services rendered at the recent fire in Manners street. The donation was maids to the brigade's re--creation fttnd.

"In. 18 years' experience in Masterton," remarked a well-known nurseryman to a "Waiararapa Age" reporter, "this is the freest season 1 have known for cabbage moth, and fly. I have never known the gardens so clean, probably owing to the weather.. B«ds of seedlings this year have kept quite free of theee paste without any spraying."

The children from the Te One and Te Eoti schools, Chatham Islands, at present on a visit to Dunedin, return to Christchuroh by the first express on Monday. The programme for the remainder of their stay in Christchurch has adt yet been arranged, states the "Press," but it will include a. train trip to Arthur's Pass, a visit of inspection to the newspaper offices, and, possibly, arrangements will be made for the children to visit the Sea Scout ship Annie Hill at Redcliffs. . " l

"H6w was it there were no big epidemics in the Army? Simply because carriers were isolated. There is no other way to stop the spread of disease," remarked Dr. Adams, at the ..Sanitary Inspectors' Conference at ■ Waaiganui, when urging the isolation of all contacts with a patient suffering from an infectious disease. The patient was not able to do much damage—he was usually too ill—but those who had been in contact, with him were a real datager. Until they had been given a clean bill of health they should be isolated. This should be a universally observed law.

A hearty laugh went up from the workmen' engaged on the bridge-work at Gisborne, when a pile snapped while an attempt was being made to lift it out of the mud. A tremendous lifting strain was applied by the winch and derrick on the pontoon, and when the pile snapped below water line, the pontoon swiftly returned to ite normal level. The resultant wash caught unawares one of' the men who was handling a small boat near the float, states the "Poverty Bay Herald." H« saved himself a wetting, by diving into the bottom of the boat, but the wave landed the boat well up on the mud.

A Dannevirke lady resident who has an, unfortunate "habit" of losing diamonds had another snch experience a few days ago, says the "Dannevirke Evening News." When going out in the gloaming she discovered that a stone was missing from her cluster of diamonds. "Seek and ye shall find" is the. injunction eh« now always acts upon on such occasions. The footpath along which she had walked and the interior of her' habitation were unsuccessfully searched,' but eventually the diminutive stpne was located in the corner of her overcoat pocket. Incredible as it may seem, this is about the sixth time this lady'has lost .diamonds from her rings! and on every occasion they have been located—in the street, in rubbish receptacles; and all sorts of queer places.

The manner in which mails for New Zealand were despatched from Sydney last week was the cause of considerable delay in receipt of a large mail at Auckland, stated the "New Zealand Herald" on Thursday.' The Maxama, which sailed for Wellington on Friday, 1 was given 554 bags, including 'mails for England and the East, for Auckland, and the Ulimaroa, which sailed-for Auckland direct the following day, had only IS bags of Australian mails for. this port. The Marama arrived at Wellington at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, and the Auckland portion of her tetter mail was despatched North by train 26 hours after her arrival. It would reach Auckland on Thursday morning. The newspapers and periodi; cals, under,the Government scheme of economy, would come by a slow goods train, and would arrive in Auckland on Saturday. On the other hand, the TJlimaroa arrived in port shortly before 2 a.m. on Wednesday, and all her mail matter was tpvttd ift. time to allow private box-holders to receive their mail that evening. <

Keen interest is being shown at HelensviEe' in the boring for additional supplies of mineral water, which, when tapped, gushes at a boiling temperature (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Since the successful bore last year, when a .supply equal to about 173,000 gallons a day was,obtained, further efforts have been made to tap the subterranean stream of medicinal water. On one pro-, perfcy adjacent to the Domain baths at, Parakai springs extensive boring is being done, but so far without .complete, success. A fairly good flow was struck at about 100 ft down, but even after penetrating another 100 ft the yield was not sufficient to' justify further operations in that bora. Drilling has been resumed at anothei' spot, and it is-con-fidently expected .that the enterprise will sooner or later be rewarded. There is talk in Hetensville about the prospect of a commodious hostel, with-extensive hot-water swimming baths, being erected on the site of new bores, but nothing definite as to plans appears to be available. It is certain that in the future there will be a keen demand lor more accommodation at the ■ Helensville spa, since those who take the baths there speak appreciatively of the healing virtues of the hot mineral water, both internally and externally.' It is interesting to note that water-diviners are said to look rather unfavourably on the Helecsville flats as a source of subterranean springs of cold water for'domestic purposes. In some parts it appears "to be easier to strike hot miners.* water than it- is to obtain cold water for everyday service.' The Kaipara dairy factory, has recently received a good supply from a bore 500 ft deep. It is of good quality.