LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 64, 12 September 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The eighty-second' anniversary of the death of Governor Hpbson was marked on Wednesday by an interesting'school ceremony at the grave of New Zealand's first Governor and founder of Auckland. The idea (states "The Post's" Auckland correspondent) originated- with Mr. Spenceley Walker, headmaster o£ the Newton Central School, who took all Standard VI. and some others of the higher standards to Symonds Street Cemetery, where they, gathered round Governor Hobson's grave, and laid wreaths upon the plain'flat, tombstone that iapj/xs his resting : place. Mr. Walkeo; gave the children a short address, in which he pointed out.the many admirable traits in the character of the highminded English gentleman' who founded the city that had grown into the Auckland of to-day. The children then laid their wreaths, on the grave. For many years "Governor Hobson's resting-place was practically forgotten, by Aucklanders, and one day when somebody wrote to the papers in protest against the neglected state of his grave many people were surprised to know, that lie was buried there. ■" ,v '. •.

Sir Vincent Raven and- Sir Samuel Fay, who have been making an inquiry into railway administration in New South Wales, are expected to leave Sydney for Wellington in the first week of October. They are coming to New Zealand, at the instance of the Government, to make similar investigations with respect to railway matters in the Dominion, and make recommendations to Cabinet.

Keen public interest is still being taken in the new city telescope at Kelburn and what may be seen with its powerful aid. If the sky is clear the big telescope will be open to the public this and to-morrow evenings from 7.30 to 9.30 o'clock.

In the "Gazette," acknowledgment is made.by the Treasury Department of the receipt of conscience money as follows : — £18 15s forwarded to the Tax. Department, Wellington, and Ss 6d sent to the Railway Department, Wellington.

Hansom cabs have almost disappeared from Duuedin." So far as is known, there are only '. five left, and but two of these are in regular commission, one by daVj tho other by night. The greatest • number ever licensed at one time was 17, and they for years did brisk business (states the "Star")./One of the veteran surviving' drivers says that in Exhibition year he was kept going so much that during race week he got only ( 18 hours' sleep.

It has been suggested that the Thorndon Baths should be officially' opened to the public about the end of the month on the date of the visit of the 'Australian •swimming representatives at the Olympic Games on their way homo to Sydney. There is no question that if such an arrangement could be made the new baths would be opeijcd under the happiest auspices, and would open, moreover, to probably as largo an attendance as there has been at any swimming gala held in Wellington. Maybe the water would have a rather pronounced nip, but a warmth of enthusiasm would take the edge.off that early springtime feeling. The baths have been completed for some weeks, and are already filled and waiting for at least a touch, of summer.

The resignation of Dr. F. T. Bowerbank from the War Pensions. Appeal Board was considered at the last meeting of the Executive Standing Sub-Committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, and the following resolution was passed :—"That the Executive Standing Sub-Committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association places 'on record its deep appreciation of the services which Dr. F. T. Bowerbank has rendered in the determination of appeals as the representative of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers'. Association upon the War Pensions Appeal Board." The Ne^y Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has nominated Dr. \V. E. Herbert, of Wellington, as successor to Dr. Bowerbank." , . .-■

The audience at the Town Hall last evening at the first demonstration concert of the competitions festival was. no doubt, moved by the best of intentions when it applauded and applauded again at the conclusion of the canoe dance by the Maori poi dancers, but in an excess of enthusiasm over that item overstepped the bounds, and was decidedly and distinctly rude to the young lady whose name appeared next oh the programe. Encores had to be very strictly limited, owing to the length of the /.programme arranged, hut the audience was not satisfied .by the mere bow of the leader of the canoe dancer's and applauded again, curtain or no curtain, continuously. The curtain rose to a renewed round of acclamation and the young lady walked to the footlights. ,Her Low was mot by frigid silence. Hers was not a pleasant nionuinl, yet, perhaps, more pleasant than

The Moeraki, which left Melbourne at 5 p.m. on the 10th instant for Wellington, has on board 120 bags of mail from Australia, 18 .from the East, 2 from Africa, and 70 parcel receptacles.

The Maunganui, which left Sydney at 1 p.m. on the 11th instant for Wellington, has on board 116 bags of mail from Australia, 13 from the East, 2 from other places, and 24 parcel receptacles. "

The annual Otago area convention of the New Zealand Alliance was held yesterday, states a Press Association message from Dunedin. A resolution was carried : "That this meeting of Prohibitionists of the Otago area places on record its protest against any attempt to introduce license into the King Country." .

..tm "- erly visitOT." in a letter to ihe Tost, ' pays the following tribute to the city train service:—"As a visitor to Wellington I "should^ like" to express my appreciation of your splendid tram service, and most particularly of the patience, .courtesy, and gentlemanly behaviour, even under rather trying circumstances, of the tram conductors. I may also add that the unselfishness and kindness of the younger ' members of those travelling in the cars helps to make the visit of an elderly person to Wellington an exceedingly pleasant one."

"Excitement on the gold find at Tarawera still continues," writes a Whakatane correspondent. "The Native who made the find was pig hunting in the "bush country. He chased a pig into a deep gully and found the outcrop. He considers the reef to be about 30 feet thick and has traced it for three miles. The correspondent has seen some of the quartz, which is very like the Waihi stone. About 40 years ago a quartz outcrop was found out in the fern country, some miles from where the present find has been made: Another sample of stone brought in by a Native looks like silver ore, and has evidently at one time been subjected to a terrific heat." I

We have always understood it is 'infra dig' for journeymen plumbers to go out without a boy," observed Mr. Justice Frazer in the Arbitration- Court at Auckland on Wednesday, when matters affecting plumbers' apprentices were under discussion (reports "The Post's" .Auckland correspondent).' Mr. Clarke, for the union, replied that the information was not correct, as there were some plumbing shops without apprentices. At a later stage of the case a young plumber, who had just completed his apprenticeship, said that' for two and a half years of his apprenticeship he was sent out to jobs "on his own." His Honour remarked that the formation of apprentices committees should prevent that sort of thing.

In bidding* competitors farewell at the competitions last evening, the judge of elocutionary classes, Mr. J. H. Hopkins, remarked upon the all-round- improvement of work this year as upon the standard of previous festivals. The competitions, in his opinion, were doing a: great amount of good, and those who did not gain a place had riot spent their study in vain, for, undoubtedly, it had helped them to cultivate an artistic taste. Mr. Hopkins warmly complimented the society and its executive, and referred to the valuable assistance that had been given him in the very considerable task of judging something like 1500 items. Speaking at Te Afo Advancement Association yesterday, Mr. A. P. Harper instanced the growing number of boards and bodies with rating powers. These bodies, he said, were apt to go in for a policy of expenditure which increased the burden of taxation. In view of this tendency it behoved every one who had_ any stake in the country, especially business men, to' take"a 'practical interest in public life. "Take Wellington." added Mr. Harper. "Every other man that one talks to will criticise the City Council's expenditure and allege wastefur methods and inefficiency. These outside criticisms, even if warranted, were of no use. What was increasingly necessary was that the best business heads .in the country should take a. practical hand ijn'" politics on local bodies." . "Minor collisions between vessels of the launch class contine to occur, and the time has arrived when an elementary knowledge of the Collision Kegula'tions, etc., should be demanded of all persons who have charge of such launches," says the Secretary of Marine (Mr. a^C. Godtrey) in his annual report. "At present, launches which are licensed to carry passengers and cargo may be in charge of persons whose only qualification is anability to drive the engine of such vessels. In the interests of safety to life and property it would appear necessary that such persons should be qualified so as to enable them to take proper action to avoid collision. The same would apply to pleasure yachts, of which there is a large number, and the persons in charge of. which are not at present required to possess any knowledge of the Collision Regulations, etc/,- or even to show a slight ability to avoid collision' if such became imminent. This matter is now under consideration." "Oh, they eat one blow-fly a month each, and I have. difficulty sometimes in getting them to eat that," said Mr. C. Burton, who is in charge of the pair of tuatara lizards which have a home in a small pen- at the Christchurch Hospital: Tho lizards are of a large size and appear to enjoy a life of ease with regular meals—one a month—and plenty of water Ho bathe in; On Wednesday a "Star" reporter visited the lizatds and found one awake. All that could be seen of the other was a foot sticking out of a piece of drainpipe, the tutaras favourite sleeping place. Tho animals are coldblooded and are kept for observation purposes by the medical staff. Most of the time the lizards lie still and appear to be lifeless;" but when handled they soon show signs of animation by opening them mouths and giving their tails a waggle. A peculiar point concerning these creatures is the length of time they can live without air. A few days ago Mr. Burton kept one of. the pair under observation and found that it lay with its head under water for two hours and then calmly took a .breath as if nothing- had happened. ; . The award for the furniture trade was filed in the Arbitration Court yesterday. The award is a Dominion one, with the exception of Marlborough, Nelson, Westland, and Taranaki. The term of the award is two years. The hours are fixed at 44 weekly, except for furniture packers, where.the-hours-are regulated by the Shops and Offices Act. The wages of picturrframe makers and wire mattress makers are fixed at 2s o£d per hour; unskilled workers, Is 9£d per hour; and other workers, 2s 2d per hour. Female workers are to be paid £1 for the first year, £1 7s 6d second year, £l 17s 6d third year, £2 5s fourth year, and £2 13s fifth year. Payment for overtime is fixed at time and a half for the first four hoiirs, arid;double time thereafter. Workers on Sunday, Good Friday, Anzac Day, anH Christmas Day are to receive double pay, aiid on other holidays piiy and a half. In a note.to the award, Judge Frazer says: "The Court has settled the clauses relating to wages, female employees, improvers, termination of employment, and term of nward, the other clauses having been settled in the Conciliation Council. Owing to there being no unions of employers or workers in tho raranaki, Nelson, Marlborough, or Westland districts) the Court lias struck out all parties in those districts/.'but reserves potver t,o udd theui on application."

"It will be a source of gratification' to all cricketers to know that the erection of the new pavilion at the .Basin Reserve is now well under way," states the annual report of tho Wellington Cricket Association.- "Members of your committee were_ given an opportunity to see the plans prior to commencement, and it is very satisfactory to be able to report that ample accommodation in the way of dressing rooms is being made, while the provision of a large luncheon room will supply a long-felt want."

Little time was wasted by the Auckland executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association in dealing with the Labour Party s suggestion that • the death penalty be deleted from the Articles of war and Regulations affecting the administration of the New Zealand forces, states a Press, Association message A motion was carried opposing this,'" but favouring the right of appeal to the New Zealand Supreme Court, in respect of court-martial sentences of over two years' imprisonment. '

Saturday evening and Sunday were mentioned in the Arbitration Court at Auckland on Wednesday as the only times that were; suitable for a conference between employers and employees on questions affecting apprentices. Mrl L. Dickson, for the employers, was rather doubtful about meeting on a Sunday. Mr.. Justice Frazer mentioned that, the Court had done it on several occasions. "Far be it from me," he added, to suggest that you should \ depart from the paths of virtue." • -

Purchasers of fruit will no doubt be interested in the following regulation published in the "Gazette" issued last evening:—(l) "Container" means any package of a capacity not exceeding 31b net weight, of the fruit contained therein. "Fruit" means strawberries, loganberries, raspberries, and cherries. (2) All fruit sold, or offered or exposed for sale in a container shall be packed in sucii amanner—(a) That any fruit exposed to view shall -fairly represent in size, maturity, and condition the whole contents of the container; and (b) That the container shall be full of fruit. (3) Nothing in these regulations shall be held to prohibit "facing"^—that is to say, the methodical arrangement of : the individual fruits that: are exposed to view in a container, provided the requirements of clause 2 hereof are complied with. (4) Every person Who does anything contrary to the provisions of clause 2 hereof commits an offence against these regulations, and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding- twenty pounds. .

.. It will probably come as a, surprise to many smokers, and certainly to' most non-smokers, to know that there are something like half a hundred brands of cigarettes sold by tobacconists, (says "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent). One retailer confessed to 46 brands and about thirty makes of pipe tobacco. lii its way this great increase in the cigarette output (for consumption has1 increased greatly as well as makes during' the past few years) is an indication of the greater expenditure upon^ luxuries that has followed the war. There are also a great many more women, now smoking than formerly, and concentration of manufacturers upon "catchy" names and pleasing methods of colouring and packing .has been doubtless, due largely to the new.market provided by the gentle worshippers of "My' Lady Mcotine." Two. years ago or "so new brands, of cigarettes were appearing on the market at a remarkable rate,, but the output has now eased up, although it has far from stopped. The general opinion of .retailers is that the variety is much too great. "There is' sudden demand for a brand," said one, "and we have to stock it. Then public taste swings to something new.again.'- And the brand we have just stocked probably has a slow sale. The-position is not at all satisfactory from our point of view."