LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An Order in Council is published in the Gazette issued last evening, declaring that insulin shall be exempt from all Customs duties other than the primage duty of one per cent. "This matter has never been cleared up," remarked the clerk at to-day's meeting of the Makara County Council, referring to roads in the litahi Bay district which have never been dedicated to the council, though they have been made public roads to all intents by the vendors of property. The council decided to take steps to declare the roads public roads.

"Every Samoan is a churchgoer," said Captain J. M. Gillespie, who returned to Auckland on Tuesday, after a period of seven years' service in the Samoan Administration. He added that in one stretch of 35 miles there were 41 churches of different denominations, many of the buildings being capable of holding between 500 and 600 people. A new church being erected by the London Missionary Society was to cost £2000. The astronomical notes for Oune, 1923, published by the New Zealand Astronomical Society, contained a valuable article by Mr. A. C. Gifford, M.A.. F.R.A.S.. on "Giant and Dwarf Stars."

It is gratifying to the society to see that ™ the article has teen reprinted in ex- v tenso in the "English Mechanic" of 6th P1 July, 1923. The article refers to the »' work of Professor' Bickerton—now 82 £ years of age—published in the "Trans- V actions" o£ the New Zealand Institute " in 1878, 1879, and 1880. ™ Regulations with respect to the Board p of Maori Ethnological Research are pub- v I lished in the "Gazette," issued last even- a ing. The board has been set up to promote the study and investigation of the arts, languages, customs, history, and *j traditions of the Maori and cognate ( races of the South Pacific Ocean. The 1 board is to consist of:—The Native Mm- j ister, chairman; the Under-Secretary of 1 Native Affairs, deputy-chairman; the 1 Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs; the < members of the House of Representatives < for the time being representing the i Maori race, and such other persons as i may from time to time be appointed in ' that behalf by the Native Minister. A letter from Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P., containing a frank expression of opinion on Canterbury, was read at the meeting of the executive of the Port Christchurch League. The letter related to a proposal for the purchase from the Government of the Lake Coleridge hydroelectric works. Mr. Isitt said the chairman of the league, Mr. R. S. M'Kenzie, had urged him to facilitate the purchase by Canterbury of the Lake Coleridge installation, but to his surprise as soon as he mooted the. matter he found that there was strong opposition to the proposal by country people. . "It is," added Mr. Isitt, "the old old story of Canterbury—a house divided against itself —and until you can secure some unanimity it is worse than idle for me to make any attempt to induce the Government to act. Many of the opponents are strong Government men, and that being the case it seems to me a hopeless business."

"The object of completing the South Island Main Trunk railway along the East Coast route has met with two repulses within the last few days," states the Marlborough'"Express." One ■was inflicted by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce; the other by the Chamber of Commerce at Christchurch. They were evoked by communications sent out recently by the Marlborough Progress League,' in pursuance of _ the worthy purpose of definitely ascertaining the state of public opinion elsewhere in regard to the old-time project of linking Christchurch directly with Picton. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce informed the Marlborough Progress League that it would be pleased to talk the matter out with the latter's delegation; but the tone of the discussion is not promising. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce was as brusque as it was indifferent. It is satisfied with the pro-, vision made for the Tawa Flat and Eimutaka deviations, and has no enthusiasm to spare for the question of developing the South Island railway system."

The plans of the Municipal Conceit Hall, Christchurch, have now been completed and blue prints are to be forwarded to experts in Australia and Harvard (U.S.A.) for their opinion on the acoustics of the building. The plans provide for a -well-equipped theatre to seat 1500 people. The main hall, which carries a circle, measures 72ft by 95ft, and the stage space is 72ft by 48ft. The principal entrance will be from Manchester street between the new municipal offices and the offices which are to be built on the Manchester street frontage of the property, and which will be let to private tenants. The stairway will lead to a foyer from which entrance will be obtained to the circle. Surrounding the stage will be a set of dressing rooms and all the necessary conveniences will be incorporated. The main auditorium is roughly pear-shaped and all angles will be eliminated. The floor will be curved and the ceiling arched. The proposed construction is in accordance with the latest ideas to provide the greatest ease for seeing and hearing (states "The Press"). The plans were prepared by the City Surveyor, Mr. C. Dawe, and the chief draughtsman, Mr. H. Willis. Marlborough's future railway policy was the subject of a long discussion at a meeting of the Marlborough Progress League, an effort being made by\ _ the Wairau Valley representatives to divert the league's attention from the prosecution of the South Island Main Trunk line in favour of agitating for a connection between Marlborough and the West Coast by way of Wairau Valley (writes a local correspondent). The league, however, decided to adhere to its original programme of seeking sup-

port for the East Coast project oy sending a deputation to Christchurch to meet the Canterbury League, but it was understood that if the required support is not forthcoming, the league will then review its railway policy. The president (Mr. E. F. Goulter) said they would all like to see a railway connection between Blenheim and the West Coa3t, and it was simply a question as to which came first in importance. At the league's first meeting it was unanimously decided to try to push ou with the South Island Main Trunk and to put the case before Canterbury, and if the whole-hearted support were forthcoming to go on with the scheme. If this support was not forthcoming, they would have to reconsider the position. They had heard a lot of reports about what Canterbury would do and would not do, but the matter had to be put to the test. If Canterbury turned the proposition down, tho league would consider the West Coast policy, but it was no use trying to maintain two policies at once. "He thought the proposal from Wairau Valley could be better dealt with on the return of tho delegation from Christchurch, but ho quite agreed with the suggestion that when the delegates were on the West Coast they should talk the matter over with the people there and so obtain all the data and.information possible in regard to the merit of the West Coast connection; That j view prevailed, and the meeting decided to defer consideration of the WestCoast railway scheme until after the return of the dulegtaion from Christen urch.

Notwithstanding the recent fall in the price of butter in London, the Auckland "Herald" predicts an early advance in the local retail price in that city.

Six degrees of frost were registered in Dunedin on Wednesday night. For this season of the year the irost was an exceptionally severe one, and considerable damage is reported to have been done to potato crops. The Auckland Returned Soldiers' Club, a four-storied building, will be closed down on Sunday, the attendances having diminished till it is no longer possible to keep the building going. The club, states a Press Association message, is the property of the Eeturned Soldiers' Association^ who have secured smaller premises, including a rest-room for limbless men. The Union Steam Ship Company's offices in Water street, Dunedin, have been undergoing a change of late, the intention being to transfer the New Zealand Shipping Company's quarter from Bond street to there. The New Zealand Company's office furniture and other appurtenances were removed to the new location on Tuesday 7 and the staff changed over on Wednesday. The "Union Company's fine premises have been altered to suit both shipping companies

A Press Association message states that Professor Smith, a member of the Overseas. Immigration Delegation, and party arrived at Whakatane yesterday, and were met by Mr. P. Keegan, president of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce. Professor Smith was greatly impressed with the quality of the Rangitaiki land and stock, and made special mention of a fine mob of bullocks on the property of Mr. L. Sisam. The party went straight on to Opotiki, Kotorua, and other districts.

"Well, I've never known that happen before," said the Registrar of the Christchurch Supreme Court (Mr. A. H. Holmes) on Tuesday, when the Court adjourned. "I have been here nine and a half years, and we've never got it over before in one day." He referred to tne criminal session, which has now been concluded. Another member of the Court staff said he could not remember such a thing happening in 40 years. The lightness of the session was probably due to the fact that it followed so closely on the last one. Writing to "The Post" on behalf of the Wellington Hockey Association, the secretary of that body, Mr. J. L. M'Alister, expresses thank 3to the St. John Ambulance Association for the help it had given hockey throughout the past season. Members of the association have always been available, he states, whenever and "wherever the game has been played, and they havo given their services voluntarily for the alleviation of the suffering caused by thop accidents which are almost inevitable) in field games.

■ In connection with , the relief fund started by his Grace Archbishop Julius to help sufferers from the disastrous earthquake in Japan, a first instalment of £1000 has been cabled to the presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church in Yokohama. The idea of the fund is that it shall be administered by the church authorities in Japan for the benefit of. the most deserving sufferers, quite irrespective of whether they are Christian or not. It is hoped that further donations to the relief fund will be sent in promptly to any of the Anglican clergy, or to the Rev. F. B. Redgrave, Wellington, ,who is the honorary organiser of the fund.

The necessity for all persons having an income of £250 or over to furnish their annual return as.promptly as possible was stressed by Mr. J. A. Tudhope, of the Crown Law Office, when a draper named Joseph Creasey appeared before Mr. E. Page,, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, on a charge of failing to supply a return for last year. Counsel pointed out that a man with a small income, by his failure to comply with the regulations, inconvenienced the Department just as much as did the £5000 per year citizen. The present defendant was in receipt of a salary of something over £400, and the offence had been committed only in regard to the one year. A fine of £2 and costs was imposed. The inclusion of the names of several professional and business men in a list

of those whose subscriptions to the Auckland Automobile Association are seriously in arrears occasioned some merriment mingled with surprise at a meeting of that body this week. The secretary explained (states "The Post's" Auckland correspondent) that these gentlemen had already "been written to" several times, but they had merely ignored the gentle reminder. "Cross them off" peremptorily advised one member. "Give them another chance," pleaded another. "Write and tell them that if they pay up their resignations will be accepted." It was stated with regard to one defaulter that he "hadn't a feather to fly with," but that the others were all sufficiently well endowed to be able to meet their obligations. Captain P. J. Stopford, E.N., who. was in New Zealand in command of H.M.S. Philomel, but who is now living at Brockenhursfc, England, having retired from the Navy, writes to the Hon. W. H. Triggs, M.L.C., as follows:—"I find plenty to do. Among other jobs, I have been put on the Parochial Church Council, and at a meeting which I have just attended, the question was discussed of rehanging and augmenting the bells in the old parish church. It was suggested that, as there was a hospital here for New Zealanders during the war, and upwards of a hundred are buried here some of tho.'is who were patients, anc the relatives of some who died, mighj like to contribute towards the cost. '! shall be obliged if you can make thii known for me. ■ The smallest contribu lions will be welcomed, and should b sent to the vicar, Brockenhurst, Hants 'For Church Bells Fund.' " The work which the State Advance Department is doinc at present is state

to be unprecedented, and it Is said to be quite impossible to cope with the applications received as quickly as desired by those applying for loans, even though the utmost expedition is shown. Payments are being paid out to borrowers at an average rate of £119,1X/'O per week. During the last two months over 6000 applications have been received, and the needs of tho applicants exceed £7,000,000. During the last six months loans authorised amounted to £4,025,607,' whilst the amount paid over has amounted to almost £2,500,000. With reference to loans for the same period for housing purposes, over £500,000 has been paid for the purpose pf erecting homes, whilst over £600,000 has been advanced for the purchase of houses already erected. In addition, the sum of £34,200 has been advanced to local bodies for the purpose of erecting workers' dwellings. For the six months ending September last about £800,000, has been paid over for the purpose of repaying existing mortgages. Other advances have also been made on chattel securities, etc.

A new shipment of the very newest ideas in. Madras Muslins, plain and figured, just opened at Kirkcaklie and Stains, Ltd. 30 to 52 incheo wide, from Is Ud to 22s 6d per yard. Sea the Lambton quay window display.—Advt. Physical fitness depends on nervous eneTgy. Athletes take Ceregen, the great nerve food, to build up nerve force. All chemists, 2s 6d to 13s 6d.— I Advt. :