LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Eastbourne Borough Council last evening, by special resolution, adopted Wednesday as the statutory h'aJMioliday. This day" has been so observed " for some years.

To give accommodation during the coining terms at the. boys' and girls' colleges it was reported at yesterday's meeting of the board that two rooms in the gymnasium were to be made available at the Boys' College, and at the Girls' College two of the hostel rooms were to be used. A portable building would also be installed there.

Building permits for the borough of Eastbourne last month totalled £5206, of which £12 in fees were. paid. The permits issued included two bungalows at £1150 each, and one each at £1100 and £920. Thg balance ,was made up of additions and alterations. From Ist April, 1923, to date 68 permits have been issued, representing an estimated total value of £27,768,, o n which fees amounting to £65 10s. have been paid. "There is a fascination about motoring on these northern roads".' We expect to find the South Island dull by comparison," said an Australian • visitor at Auckland, speaking of an Overland tour ?L 50001 miles in the North Island. There is nothing in driving on- good roads, no sporting element. But here you have all the joys of uncertainty'; and there is the sense of achievement when you arrive. We have even had the pleasure of spending the night in the car on your famous Rangiriris. After all, what would a golf course be without bunkers?"

Mr. S. M. Bruce (Prime Minister of Australia) has been taking an interest in the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board (says 'The Post's" London correspondent, writing on 17th December). Having seen the good results to the New Zeaand trade that Have' followed the establishment of the board, he requested Mr. it. b. Forsyth (London manager) to give him some facts with regard to it. ilr. Forsyth spent an hour - with the Australian Prime Minister, and explained the detaxjs of t)ie policy of the board and other matters. Mr. Bruce also asked for ? «»J»y of the New^Zealand Act which brought the- Producers' Board into being. The method of directing the traffic at the chief intersections of Auckland city streets by means of mechanical indicators I's not regarded with favour by visiting motorists. A visitor from Wellington stated to a "New Zealand HeraM reporter that he had an extremely narrow escape from being struck by a tramc3r at the corner qf Queen street and Wellesley street.- He was driving down SJueen steret, and seeing the sign "go" o-i the indicator proceeded to cross the Wellesley street intersection, -when an outward-bound tramcar swung round the corner. The motorist promptly and managed to back clear, averting a collision by an inch or two. He emphasised his preference for the Wellington method of, traffic direction, which is performed by constables without mechanical aid. ; f '" ' «f ir _GeorSe Fenwick, speaking at the Au Revoir Luncheon " tendered to him by the Dune4in Chamber of Commerce, said he did not. agree with Lord Leverhulme that New Zealand would not become a manufacturing country, reports "The Post's" correspondent. This was a manufacturing country now, and while, its primary industries must take first place, it would become a greater manufacturing country in time. We had not the population yet, but that would be remedied. Sir George added that he had been in Dunedin since he landed here in 1856, and there was no other place that he had seen in the world that had such a charm as that city. He believed that when the great Central Otago district developed, as it would develop under irrigation, Dunedin would receive a substantial fillip. The city was going to take a new lease of life, and they must make their citizens realise the fact. Dunedin was a progressive city^ and it ivas going td be more-progressive.

Charges, of having cruelly ill-treated a bull and a heifer were made against a farmer named John Reginald Welsby at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon. Appearing for the g.P.G.A., Mr. J. O'ConQvan explained that the two animajs had been joined together, by a short piece of harness strap. The country upon which they = were • grazing was very hi}ly and marshy, and this yoking of the animals certainly" w^s harsh treatment of them. Besides this, the bull had a ring in "its nose, and through the ring was passed a length of about, 15 feet of chain, the end of which was secured to the h'qrns, but tho greater portion dragged on the ground. Mr. J. -Rairiey, who" appeared for the accused, submitted that the yoking of the animals in this manner was quite a common practice. The Magistrate was of the opinion that tho act of the defendant certainly constituted "cruelty " and » fine of £10 with costs was imposed.

Although he stated that the New Zealand railways have treated him splendidly, Lord Strathspey had two complaints as to the railways to majce when he was seen by a "Lyttelton Times" reporter. Firstly, as to the way in which passengers from the North had to wait for their luggage, Lord Strathspey said that the position could be im^ proved. "I suggest to the Railway Department that ip cßnneption with the ferry steamer from Wellington to Lyttelton, the passengers' luggage should be placed on the same train as that in which the passengers travel from Lytlelton to Chri^tchurch; not as now carried in a train leaving the port half an hour later. Fully ten minutes to fifteen minutes are lost before the passenger train leaves and why should not the luggage be placed on it ? It is very annoying to have to make several runs to the station to inquire regarding one's luggage. The slow express service on the Rotorua line was the socouil complaint, Lord Strathspey suggested that the Railway Department should speed up the service. "At the present time," he declared, "the train stops at too many small places, and one could easily cut an ho.ur off (he time to the convenience of all peorilc;,"

Yesterday was the 59th anniversary of the Battle of Nukumaru, which was fought just outside Wanganui on 25th •January, 1865. During the action, Sergeant Maxwell was. wounded and was c"ned off the field, by six bearers, but while he was being removed another shot struck him in the body and lie was killed. One of the bearer party was Alexander Morrison, who is still alive and weU and is employed as B toreman in charge of the Public Works Stores at Te Puke, on the. East Coast railway. A deputatiqn waited on the Hon. W. Downie Stewart at Dunedin, and asked for further money for the rebuilding of the Mackenzie Cairn in the Palmerston district, says "The Post's" correspondent. It was explained that the Government had voted £500,.but that the cost of rebuilding had now increased. The j Minister said that the Government quite recognised the;'propriety of restoring the memorial to so faiapus a man as Sir John Mackenzie, He did not think that the Government would challenge the expen- | diture if it was kept within £600. He would see if that could be done when he returned to Wellington.

Before leaving for Wellington last night, accompanied by several Ministers of the Crown, Mr. Massey said to a representative of the Press. Asspciation that there., was no reason why ' Parliament, shpuld meet earlier than usual. He thought he could see the. way clear to lighten the burden of taxation this year, and the matter woul4 receive early consideration by Cabinet. The national finances were buoyant and the" latest progress returns of. the consolidated fund were satisfactory. A substantia.l revenue was anticipated by the end of tlie financial year, and there was every indication of a satisfactory balance.

What is believed to be a record for Wellington College in the way of scho- ■ larship suqeesses was reported by the headmaster (Mr. T. R.'Cresswell) tp yesterday's meeting of the College Governors'. The list was as jpllows :—University Entrance Scholarship, 2; University National Scholarship, 1; Junior National Scholarship, 8; Senior Rational Scholarship, 18; total 29. The headmaster static; that tlie number of both Junior and of Senior National Scholarships wap greater than from any other schopi in the Dominion. Students a(, the Girls' College have obtained scholarships as follows r-r-Junior University, 1; University National, 1; Education Bqard Senior, 7, Education Board Junior, §.

The formation of a Dunedin Club, the object 'of which is to promote friendship and social intercourse among: ex-Dunedin residents, was decided upon at a meeting held in Auckland. The gathering was an unexpectedly large one, with the result that the meeting was/obliged tp adjourn to more commodious premises early in the proceedings. It was stated that a membership of approximately 100 was practically assured, states the "New Zealand Herald." The promoters intend to acquire a club room, where visiting Dunedin residents may be entertained, a register of members will be open for inspection ;by visitors from the South with a view to assisting in the, renewal of old acquaintances, and social gatherings will be held.

Why do school teachers resign? There may be various reasons why they do so, but one aspect especially was stressed at yesterday's meeting of'the board of College Governors, when it was an-, nounced that certain-member of the staff of the Girls' College had resigned.

"Are these frequent resignations in excess of those in other parts?" asked Mr. W. H. P. ;Barber. ■ "It is the same all over the Dominion," replied'''the* chairman (Mr. W. F^ Ward), who, added that teachers were classified into various grades and went to other, schools tp get on. "There is scarcely a meeting of the board without a resignation"coming before us;" Mr. Barber remarked. "We can't help it, 11 declared the chairman.

The tramway systems of Wellington and Chxistchurch were discussed recentr ly by an Auckland business man who had just returned from a visit to the South. Wellington certainly led the way in respect to destination signs, he said. In addition to bold name signs, there were shpwn distinctive coloured headlights as a guide to the route of the car. "Probably, on the other' hand, Christchurch can boast the politest conductors," said the speaker. "Frer quently I sa\v can delayed while anxious mothers with young children were as? sisted in alighting at the stopping places (reports the ''New Zealand Herald"). The idea of the observation car trip in Wellingtop, where one is conveyed over the various routes for approximately thirty miles for 2s 6d, is one . that might well be copied by Auckland."-

Erosion along the beach front. at Eastbourne in southerly weather is causing residents a deal of anxiety. Last evening the council were asked by a resident on tha wateFfront td move in regard to the matter. Councillor Shortt expressed the opinion that groynes built of heavy wire-netting and loaded with rocks should be run at right angles from the foreshore. Sea walls had been proposed, but he was of the opinion that these be expensive, arjd would also probably affect pfcher narts of the beach. Councillors decided to inspect the beach during th.c week-end, with a vjew to deciding what should be done. The finance committee in a later report recommended that a, loan of £1000 be raised forthwith for the purpose of protecting the foreshore from Makarp street to. Karamu street. Final decision was left over, pending examination by councillors.

If a repprt now circulated is correct, the entrance to the Otira Tunnel will within a week or two be the setting for a long-awaited ceremony, in which the Hon. J. G. Coates will fill a, dual role (states the Crmstcbur'ch <'Sun)! As Minister in Charge of the Public \Vorks Department he \vill hand over the control of the tunnel to'the Railway Department, of which he is the Minister in Charge. He will give with one hand that which he will accept with the other. Although the tunnel was opened in Aug■ust i the Department of Public Works, which had charge of the construction work, has up to now maintained the tunnel a;id imposed special rates on passengers and traffic using the same. Traffic has been heavy in the" past few weeks, especially the passenger traffic. The desire is general that the Bailway Department should tfike over because it is promised that rates then will be lower.

"There are so many bylaws that one needs to be a bit- of a Philadelphian lawyer to move a muscle \vith any reasonable degree of safety," wrote • a defendant in a letter to Mr. J. \y. Poynton, S.M., when charged at the Auckland Police Court with parking a motor-car within six feet of a fire plug "Apart from that, I would like you to stroll around to the alleged locality and see if you really think it fair to fine a man for leaving a car in front of something which it is very difficult to/notice, even when you know it ib there. At least they ought to be made conspicuous. ' There are several little iron squares in the path, some marked F.P., some F.H.,some T., and S.M.. other with np name at all.' How are 'you to distinguish which uro water plugs for fire extinguishing purposes? Today, after closely inspecting the footpath, I shifted my car three t.r.ies, and then was not sure whether I was right." The writer of the letter and eight others were each lined 10s and conic.

Saveral Dunedin citizens have marked in tangible manner their appreciation of the splendid exhibition by the Otago cricket team in fighting an uphill game in the recent Plunket Shield match says "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent. They haw forwarded subscriptions to the Otego Cricket Association tor utilisation to the bast advantage in fostering the sport.

_ About fifty photographic views of Wellington city, harbpur, suburban, and N country' districts have been ■ /specially taken for display in the New Zealand Court,of the British Empire Exhibition. The pictures, which are of large size— 2ft by 3ft and lft by 4ft—are splendid examples of photography. They will be on view at M'Gregor Wright's studio, Lambton quay, for a few more days before being packed for dispatch to Lou-' don.

The Melbourne " Age," in dealing with the figures of trade between Aus^ tralia and New Zealand, incidentally pays a compliment to the Hon. \V. Dpwnie Stewart (Minister' of Customs). It states that ■ New Zealand made a good bargain when the treaty was signed, and that the steps taken by the Dominion Parliament to force reciprocity were recognised in Australia as drastic, but it was hardly anticipated that their effect on Australian manufacturers' - export trade would be so disastrous and so enduring as the NewZealand import figures indicate.

, The Auckland Harbour Board's tug To Awhina, which left Auckland lasi week with^ four large punfs in tow, arrived safely in the Manukaii Harbour on Sunday afternoon. The tug was delayed on the west coast on Sunday by a moderate south-west sea. The punts, which consist; of a pile-driver punt, a transport punt, and two ordinary pupts, are {or use m building the new wharf %at Onehunga (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The work, which has been delayed for some time owing to boisterous weather preventing the punts being despatched from Auckland, will be started at an early date.

At the. executive meeting of the Otago Cricket Association, Mr. G, A. Martin said that he regretted that he had to hand in his t resignation as president of the association, reports "The Post's" ptinedin correspondent. He was riofc leaving Dunedin. because he wanted to but because he had, accepted a position •in Wellington. He, wag pleased if he nad been able to do anything in the interests, of cricket in Dunedin, and ha was gla.d that Otigp cricket was rismm standard. He was proud of the tight the Otagp boys'had put up against Weliington, aad hoped that they would soon vT top-". Mr- J. J. Clark said that he did not thmk that Mr. Martin's resignation should be accepted, as there w?» vice-presidents, who were prepared to carry on" tfll the end of the year. It was decided tp take this course, and to aot in,conjunction with the Carisbrook Uub m showing recognition of Mr. Mar tin s work: .

. Melbourne has not yet Recovered from the affects of the police strike," said Mr i>. *alek in the course of a chat with a reporter upon his return to Christchurch after A two months' visit to Australia The authorities cannot' get sufficient men of the fight type to replace ttfe strikers, and as a result the city is not adequately policed. Melbourne is the worst city in Australia for it,pushes, v and the ordinary civilian has an uncomfortable feeling that the lawless element,.-though kept down, is not far. below, i£ c surface. T."haive' seen jostling by. the toughs in Collins street as,. eJ»ty.•*.-6 »'<-lock.in the.evening. The police V. s^Ul.pat«p}ling in pairs, and occasionally the 'scabs,' as they are called, are. struck by a missile. Some of tna pofeemeß who lost their positions through th« strike are working on /the trams, and many are unemployed. No mortal can. say how the scooping of the Ka.warau bed will pan out when the dam holds back' the Wakatipu water (remarks the Dunedin "Star"). Any person pi common intelligence can, hpwever, see that tp earnestly and hopefully try- for the gold that is certainly in that river must bring about liveliBe££ >« the Cromwell district/ One may reasonably suppose:that labour will b« plentifully on offer. There are hosts of men in Otago who at some time 01 other have enjoyed the freedom and the independence of a miner's life, or havo been told about it by their fathers, and are even in their older years easily tempted to, that sort of occupation. These men, mostly possessing. families, will probably set up good camps, and be glad of the chance Uf hire out their boys, for fruit-picking, or? to •go to that 'and other work, themselves in" the summer months, -when .the river cannot be worked. Therefore, even if the goldscooping is only partially successful, it seems sure,that the heart of "the Central" will experience a sort of settlement boom. If, by,good luck the gold is got easily and, in great quantity, justifying the roma.nce that some enthusiasts are indulging in, there will be no further need to advocate Central^Otago's claims as a land-of promise. Our people will rush' it.

The Eev. J. :A. Seymour, M A., S.T.D., of Chalmers Church, Adelaide, who has been called to the charge of Knox Church, Cjiiristchurch, was born in Dundas County in Ilastern Canada, in the province of Ontario. He toot his ea^y university course at Toronto,,and afterwards went to the famous Yale University, in the United States, where he completed his academic course. He subsequently went to British Columbia, where he was for five years, and spent two years in the Klondyke. He returned to Yale to do post-graduate work, after which he sperit two years in a pastorate in the State of Connecticut. In the States he married an Australian wife, and they came out to Australia in 1912. Dr. Seymour was called to the charge of Murrumbeena, in the suburbs of Melbourne, where he remained for four years. From that charge he was,calle"ci to Chalmers Church, Adelaide, in' 1916, and: he is now minister of that church. During his stay in Adelaide he has been Moderator of the Assembly of South Australia, and was convener of the Home Missions Committee until, the .beginning of 1923. He is cqnvener of the Theological Hall Committee. He is at present, and has been'for three years', lecturer on Church History in the Union Theological Hall," Adelaide. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Girls' College in Adelaide, and is chairman of the Evangelisation of South Australia, snd president pf the Council of Churches. last April Dr. Seymour ■wa.B senior chaplain in^'the Fourth Military District. Dr. Seymour took his B.A. and B.D. at Toronto University, his M.A. and 8.D.. at Yale,' and his S.T.D. (PpcifoV oT gapred Theology) at Temple University, Philadelphia.