LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 58, 9 March 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A proposal that Mr. Alexander Yuill should be appointed taxidermist at the Museum was adopted by the City Council li.sfc evening. In a letter to. the libraries Committee, Mr. Yuill states that many of the birds in the museum needed attention, otherwise they would deteriorate and prove worthless. He stated that he had been a collector of birds all his life, and was attached to the Newtown Museum because of his early association 'with the late Mr. Petherick. It is his intention to donate about 1000 specimens which he- had preserved during a number of years. "I could have disposed of them to advantage in Australia," he v/rote, "but although I am not a wealthy man I cherish the idea of establishing a good natural history museum in Wellington. The Dominion Museum has been allowed to go too far, and doea not appeal to me in any way; therefore if the City Council can meet me in this matter it will be both a pleasure and a privilege for me to do all J can for your museum."

Land at Murphy street, Thorndon. upon which the City Council proposes to erect baths, has practically been acquired. Suitable arrangements have been m^de with the lessee of the dwelling, which will be removed. The City Engineer has been instrupted to prepare plans for the baths. Councillor Bennett said last night that Thorndop people desired that the baths should be available next season, but the Mayor did not comment upon this.

The presentation of the shooting prizes won by the successful competitors at the National Rifle Association Meeting at Trentham on Wednesday recalled to one of the oldest present, Sergeant-Major Bezar, a veteran of the Crimea and the Maori Wars, a similar occasion B7 years ago, when he himself won his.first shooting prizes. Addressing the gathering-, the old soldier, who still takes a live interest in most matters, recalled the presentation of prizes at a rifle meeting held just after the Crimean campaign. He related with amusement that 300 pounds of tobacco were offered as the reward for good marksmanship. As winner of the first prize, he won 100 pounds of tobacco. A day or two afterwards the quartermaster sent for him and instructed him to get a man to assist him in removing his prize. "We took it to my company's hut," said the Sergeant-major, "and the men set to work to smoke it. Some sensible person said it was not right to consume the winner's prize, and it was arranged with the pay-sergeant to provide me with a supply of stout or beer every day as long as the tobacco lasted. The supply ran out just about the time we'left that historic shore."

'."When a man makes up his mind to stand for election it is a very difficult matter to induoe him to stand down," stated the Mayor (Mr. B. A. Wright) at last night's ineeting of the City Council. Mr. Wright was not discussing the Mayoral election, but judging by the laughter of the councillors his remarks were applicable thereto. Councillor W. H. Bennett had suggested that one of the candidates for the Licensing Committee should be urged to stand down so that the expense of an election might be avoided. The Mayor replied that on the day nominations for the committee closed the Town Clerk spent the whole of the morning in an endeavour to avoid the necessity of holding an election.

Farther circumstantial evidence, if such were needed, regarding the sheep-killing propensities of the kea, came under notice on Saturday morning at Hanmer Springs, when Mr. J. Bedelph succeeded in shooting onft on the wing (states the Christchurch "Press"). On examination a quantity of wool was found tangled in the bird's claws. There were also stains on the beak, which had every appearance of being bloodstains, making it evident that the bird had attacked a sheep that morning.

When the City Council estimates for the next financial year are being prepared the following matters will receive special consideration: Formation of new concrete steps -at Upper Abel Smith street; erection of protective fence and turnstile at zig-zag. Norway street; repairs to Broadway and Monorgan road, Miramar; fencing off portion of drain, Moxham avenue, Kilbirnie; culverting of portion of drain, Princess street, Miramar; improved water supply at TeAnau road, Hataitai; extension of pipe line from Ma-rama crescent to Epuni street; extension of sewer and water services >at Norfolk avenue, Miramar.

The Crimean veteran, . Sergeant-Ma jor Bezar,. addressing the prize-winners at Trenthm Rifle Range on' Wednesday afternoon mentioned that away back in the "fifties," he met the present president of the National Rifle Association (Colonel R. J. Collins) as a little boy. As instructor in the volunteers forty or. fifty years ago', he also drilled Colonel Hughes, the chief executive officer of the association. The old soldier claimed that it was he who instituted the change from the old system of marking in rifle shooting, by which shooting was improved from 20 to 30 per cent. He was also the means of obtaining from the Government concessions for rifle teams visiting other parts of the colony for competition purposes.

It was definitely decided by the City Council last night that the polls for the reticulation of Onslow and Karori, and for the proposal to purchase the Kelburn Tramway, be taken on the same day as the Municipal Elections. Councillor C H. Chapman protested against the multiplication, of issues on polling day. There would be seven distinct proposals, and that would mean a large increase in tiie staff, and the delay at the polling booths would be so great that many electors would be chopped out. Other councillors did not support Councillor Chaproan. "In the interests of economy make one day of it," was the point of view .of the majority. Councillor P. Fraser emphasised the danger of confusion, and' said that 'he officials of the council agreed with him. The council had not consulted its owr, officers. Why? Councillor Fniser si'id lie was convinced that hundreds of people would be unable to record their votes. Each year tliß local elections were becoming more difficult «nd complicated, instead of simplified.

The next meeting of the City Council will be held on the Tuesday before Easter.

_ The Union Steam Ship Company has intimated to the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce that it will be able to send the Marama to New Plymouth on 18th May to convey the party being organised by the Chamber to visit Sydney, returning from Sydney by the Manuka on 14th June. This will ensure a stay of over three weeks in Sydney.

Drivers in the employ of the City Corporation are negotiating for a new agreement with the council. ' Last night, the council agreed that the second wages "cut" of the Arbitration Court should not be enforced so far as tb,e drivers we concerned, and that the preference clause be the same as that in the general drivers' award. A request for the establishment of a dispute* committee was declined.

An offer of 25 prize books, to be awarded to the best scholars in French in New Zealand secondary schools, was recently made by the French Consul, M. Paul Serre, the books to be supplied by the French association "Alliance Francaise." In thanking M. Serre for the offer, the Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, has suggested that the books be given to the 25 candidates obtaining the highest number of marks for French in the University entrance scholarship examination.

A letter his been received by the City Council from the Civic League, asking that a public meeting be held to explain to the citizens the whole position in regard to the proposed purchase of the Kelbuj'n cable tramway. The Tramways Committee of the City Council is at present considering the Civic League's request. .

•The biggest telephone I?ne construction job now in progress in the Taianaki district is tha Taliora-Tatu line. Thi? witf cover the gap between Stratford and the Main Trunk district, and will give New Plymouth and other Taranki centres diract communication with the northern Main Trunk centres. The length pf tlie line is about 70 milee, and it will traverse fairly rough and broken country.

In compliance with, a request of the Defence Department, the City Council ha 3 agreed to take charge of unclaimed war medals of deceased soldiers. The medals v/ill be accepted in trust, and will be placed for safe keeping either in the Council Chamber or the .Public Library. Should the medal 3be claimed, the council will undertake to return them to the claimants. >-'

It waa pleaded in extenuation of the offence of a young law clerk, who was found on licensed premises in Christchurch after hours, that he had passed in all except one subject of his law examinations, states "The Press." "Has he not passed in the Licensing Act?" asked the Magistrate. ''That us not in the curriculum," said counsel for the defence, "it is a post-graduate course!" In summing up the case, his Worship said that although the offender was very young, he was nearly qualified to advise others on the laws of the country. Therefore no difference would be made in the penalty. Defendant would be fined 30s and costs. '

Commendation of th« work done by the committee in charge of Health Week was voiced by the Mayor .last night. Mr. Wrjght said he hoped that the in? coming council would be able to set aside moriey to make Health Week this year as successful as it had been on the first occasion it was tried. He ajso trusted that the people who had perved on the various committees connected with Health Week would act again in a similar capacity.

A misprint occurred in a letter on municipal matters "written by^the lHon; T. W. Hislop/published in "The Post" last night. Mr. Hislop wa^ contrasting the increase in the rates with the deficiency in" the annual accounts, and the passage should have read:—"Then consider this: the general rates in 1920-21 were £136,000, and the. following year, being the first year of the present Mayor, were over £165,000. Yet, notwithstancU ing this increase in rates, a deficiency of over £42.000 arose." In last night's issue the rates for 1920-21 were given as only £13,000.

A series of motions asking the City Council to deal effectively with the alleged nuisance created by fishermen on the Island Bay beach was recently forwarded to the council by the Island Bay Electors' Association. * The Mayor stated last night that the questions involved were now, under consideration. A report woura be submitted to the Finance Committee at an «arly date, and later the committee's recommendations would be placed before the council.

"It must be again remarked that the need for coaches is most pronounced," states the annual report of the Old Boys' Rugby Football Club, ''and it is hoped that the coming season will see us well supplied with those of our supporters who are willing to assist in the encouragement of the lower-grada players. It is to the lower grades that we look for future senior players, and the committee feels that with someone overseeing and guiding the younger players' efforts, their play in a short time would improve beyond recognition. The ' material—and good material at that—is there j all we need now are the moulders."

"How far have arrangemnts gone in connection with the provision of tepid swimming baths?" inquired Councillor P. Fraser at last night's meeting of the City Council. The Mayor replied that apparently not very much progress had been made lately owing to Mr. Morton s absence through illness. Mr. Wright suggested now Mr, Morton had returned that the sub-committee set up to deal with the matter might endeavour to push it forward.

Those who maintain that the push "bicycle is becoming a "back number" in these days of motor transit, will probably feel inclined to modify this opinion upon learning of the tour just completed by Mr. C. Barwell, states the "New Zealand Horald." Within ten weks, Mr. Barwell j has completed a. tour of the Dominion, extending over 3600 miles. Equipped with tent and camping gear, he has jou^ neyed from Te Reinga in the Far North, to Stewart' Island, and has successfully demonstrated that the most distant point in the Dominion can be visited on a j "pusli bike" bj anyone with, a six wesks' I vacation. I

The acquisition of further lanil at Island Bay for the purpose of completing the formation'of the refit park is to be considered by the City Council in connection with, the estimates for the next financial year.

In the first motor race on the long course at Muriwai on Saturday, the taxidrivers' event, some of the competitors struck trouble through running into-holes in the beach within quarter of a mile of the turn, states the "Auckland Star." One of the cars jumped a yard in the air on running into a deep depression at top speed, and the driver was lucky ill escaping more than a trifling injury as his vehicle danced and skidded. It was a number of seconds before he could straighteu up the car again, for the run, and by that time lie was out of the running. These holes were flagged off for the later races. Another incident of the day was the dropping out of a Ford from the cup race, when it had a 'winning chance. This was due to the sand from the leading car, just in front, whipping up the sand on to the radiator, :is well as into the facs of the driver, who was painfully peppered by it. but stood the orrlenj until the saiid worked through the radi'itor into the engine, and put the carburettor out o£ order.

A taxi driver appeared before the Oity Council last night to show came why hi« license should not be cancelled. He had been convicted of usinjr obscene language, and the Bylaws Committee was of opinion that he should, not be treated leniently. The matter was diecussed in committee, and the council decided that the man's license should bo cancelled..

The codlin moth, the curse of orchards, bids fair to become a thing pf the past in Taranaki. Some two years ago an insect was introduced by the Qoyernment Pomologist to attack the codlin moth. It has done its work exceedingly well, for in most of the orchards in North Taranaki thf> codlin has almost entirely disappeared this season, says the "Herald." T"h<» brown or ripe rot which attacks the stone. fruit is the next thing to defeat. So fay the various measures tried have, proved ineffective, but hopes are entertained that the cause of the rot will soon be diagnosed and a remedy found.

A work which is to be put' in hand by the City Council shortly will be the removal pf the tram lines in Willi« street to the centre of the street. This, win necessitate alterations being made to the levels, and' the council decided last night that the pavement between Manners street and Lambton quay should.be relaid to conform to the new levels. The cost of the work is to be borne equally between the District Fund and the Tramways Department. "I feel justified in commenting on tha special session of Parliament, just concluded, and in saying that the tone of some discussions wag not in conformity with the dignity of that assembly," dsclared^ Mr. A, Thompson, president of the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association at Auckland on Monday. He stated that the political situation in New Zealand at the present time w^s j>ot all that could bo desired. There was an extreme necessity for stable government, and they could only hope that the good sense of the majority of the representatives would enable the work of the country to proceed on the lines of sound progress.

There is at present a good deal- of di». cuasion among mountaineers as. to whera the proposed hostel in the Tongaiiro National Park should be built in the park. Some members of the Park Board favouj a site on the main ridge runing west from the Tama lakes in a direct line between Whakapapa Hut and the hill known as Pukeonapi. This site, which is about twn miles north of Whakapapa Hut, commands a magnificent view, but is bleak and cold in bad weather. On this account some people consider tha:Whakapapa sita the best, as it is well sheltered by native bush, and has other attractions in the way of waterfalls, str«am§, and biipl* walks.

A fervent remark at the Auckland Kotary Club luncheon on Monday struck a responsive note 5 in the gathering. Mr. H. P. Kissling was relating how he had travelled with a retired American rugcqllector, just home from Smyrna, where he had been taken prisoner by the Turks and released. through the good offices of the British Navy. The collector stated that had it not been for ovjf navy authorities closing the bridge at Constantinople on the occasion of the celer brations following I^mal's victories over the Greeks a massacre unparalleled in recent years would have taken place, reports the "N.Z. Herald." The American's final remark, said Mr. Killing, was one that most of us have uttered since 19J4: "Thank God for the British Na,vy." ' ' •■.••..■■■*

The Commonwealth Government is taking steps to place the English mail services on a more satisfactory footing;, says the Melbourne "Age." At present there is oijly a fortnightly service, as against a weekly delivery before the war. Although no concrete proposal ha* been placed before Cabinet yet, it 15 knows that the Pcetmaster-General hats been making inquiries; and has even gone to the extent of interviewing the managers of the shipping lines which now carry mails to «cc what can be done towards improving the wrvics. Pending a mor« satisfactory arrangement it is understood! that the Government will utilise every, possible means of transport outside tha, regular mail boats for mail-co Tying purposee.. By this means the public should receive a far better service than that which it has had to endura through tho Hughes Administration. •

An example of what happens by thg premature pruning of specimen trees was pointed out by Mr. W. Wickens to a party who visited the Christcburch City plantations on Monday. Mr. Wickens demonstrated his remarks whilo the 1 party were standing beneath the trees in Fitzgerald avenue near Chester streei. Ha said that many years ago the trees sustained the process of artificial pruning and the result was that they developed into what were knovrn, as "mopheads," their natural development being- affected and their appearance spoilt. Several o£ the trees co treated were shown. Mr. Wiekens added that from quite anothei cause many of th 9 trees along that avenue died. out and had been replaced by new trees, reports the "Press." -Those latter trees had not been prematurely pruned and all now possessed a fine appearance. Such pruning as was required shoujd be done very carefully and only! a little at a time..

An interesting instance of the manner in which money has been squandered and every principle of macadam flouted, by the maier* of certain Auckland roads was given on Tuesday by Mr. C. Barwell, the veteran cyclist, states tha "N.Z. Herald:" "When I was cycling through North Auckland a couple "of years ago," he said, "I rode over a clay road. A great number of men were preparing the surface and laying melal of excellent quality on this clay section, which was several miles in length. When I rode over the same highway again this year I naturally expected to find a splendid metalled road. I found instead a- highway that was an absolute horror. The crude metal had actually been laid to a depth of 6in or so on the raw clay foundation without an ounce of binding nor any attempt whatever to make th© surface waterproof, which are among the first principles in macadam. The inevitable consequence was that the rain had oonverted the clay beneath into a soft, putty-like paste, the wheels of ye« Males had forced the metal down into it* and great clay, ridges were pushing themselves up through the metal between these ruts. A more hopeless mess and waste of money could not be imagined."