LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 148, 26 June 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Union Company's ferry steamer ! Maori, vvhich arrived at Wellington from Lyttelton this morning, was a ■theatrical" ship. Nearly half the number of passengers were theatrical people. Members of the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company and the Long Tack Sam Company arrived by the vessel. ■ At the opening of the Christchurch rooms of the Old Collegians' Sports Club m connection with Christ's College on Wednesday, Mr. .Henry Cotterill, referring to the assistance given to the I college, by old boys, stated that the amount contributed by them during the last 18 years was £40,000, most of I which had been spent on buldings. [ The following resolution was adopted at a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday :—"That the St. Helens Hospital as it stands be not taken over by the board, and that the -Einance, Property,-and Policy' Committee wait upon the officers of the Health Department and confer with them in regard to the question of providing maternity . wards at the Wellington Hospital. ".: ■■■-•.■■ The following resolutions were passed at a recent meeting of the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Institute:— National Park: (1) The New Zealand Institute strongly protests' against the granting of leases in the park to private .individuals; (2) the New Zealand Institute takes strong exception to the introduction of exotic game birds that, according to the Press, the Tongariro, Sports Club and the Auckland Acclimatisation Society propose to liberate in the vicinity of the Park, and it urges the Government to withhold permission for the introduction." Probably the most" important function of education at the present day," said Professor Tennant in his evidence to _the University: Commission yesterday, "is to combat the urbanisation of our population, and to create a true rural spirit. This can never be done effectively by bringing country youths into the towns, giving them a taste of the city's more specious attractions,;vand then sending them out as missionaries in the cause of country, life." The professor was suggesting-the establishment of a smaller training college in a country centre. : ' ■■-. Mr. G. Petherick, at a meeting of the Wellington ■■ Hospital Board, yester-day,-drew attention to the fact that during the month of May there had been 52 cases of diphtheria admitted to the Wellington Hospital, as compared with 32 cases for the month of May last year. [The medical superintendent, Dr. D. M. Wiison, said that this was the time of the year when diphtheria was most i prevalent, but he would not go so far as to say there had been an epidemic. It would be premature to say that. When parents noticed that a child had a sore throat or difficulty, in breathing it was wise to seek early medical advice. weeks after the British defeat at Gate Pa-, Tauranga, the Maoris were overcome at Te Ranga, a few miles inland, by Colonel Greer with detachments of the 43rd arid 68th Light Infantry and the Ist Waikatos, the force totalling 564 of all ranks. The action took place on 21st June, 1864, last Sunday marking the 61st anniversary. The Maori losses, which were estimated at considerably over 100, ■ included Rawiri Pukitaki and Henare Taratoa, heroes of the Gate Pa affair. The British losses included eight killed, two who succumbed later, and ■42 wounded. The Maoris were. well entrenched and had challenged the troops to come and dislodge them. ■.;..■■-.-■ The new City Engineer at Christchurch, -Mr. Galbraith, formerly of Western Australia, has pointed out to the Mayor, Mr. J. K. Archer, that roadways of 66ft wide will be too narrow for main arterial ways as the city grows. Mr. Galbraith suggested that. the ■ Christchurch Council ' should decide at once what roads and streets should be of 100 ft width, that it might make provision for the future when approving of plans and subdivisions. It would be necessary for the Christchurch Council to obtain special power before it could set about so widening streets, the provisions of the Public Works Act not extending so far, and representations in that regard have been made by Mr. Archer to the Prime Minister, Mr. J.G. Coates. , _; Perhaps there is no coastal ship trad--ing to Wellington attracting more attention than the small auxiliary cutter Comet. Of only 65 tons gross register, this little vessel is usually employed carrying cargo of various kinds between Pelorus Sounds and Wellington. To the large number of men who take a stroll' along the waterfront during their lunch hour the Comet seems to appeal as an interesting craft. Whenever the little vessel is in port, no matter whether her choky little winch is loading or discharging cargo, it is certain that there will be a knot of interested spectators gathered round the vessel. The Comet may be a minnow in size, but as far as interest in her' is concerned she is a leviathan. . „ • In reply to a question asked by the Rev. J. A. Lochore. at a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday, [the medical superintendent said that members of the nursing staff, assisted in attending D.T. cases when they were brought to the Hospital. Male attendants, however, gave asistance where necessary when such patients were noisy. Only ten D.T. patients were admitted I during the past year. There were many cases of natural illness which were more objectionable to attend to. Mr. Lochore remarked that some of the D.T. patients were in a filthy condition :on their admission. The medical supepj intendent replied that male attendants were available to give assistance in such cases when required. In reply to a further question, Dr. Wilson said that the nurses had nothing to do with male venereal cases. In exporting overseas nearly fifty-five million pounds' worth of their produce in a single year, the people of New Zealand have accomplished something in trade which no other community of equal number has ever approached unless it was Victoria in tho middle of last century, or Western Australia somewhat later, when haudfuls .of people were flooding, the world with easily-won fiolrl (says the "British Australian and New Zealander"). . .. . "The excess of £5,000,000 in tho value of her exporls over thoso of her imports is evidence that, io this extent, .the interest is being ]>aid out of current production. Imports might, as they sometimes do, exceed exports without signifying more than that the country was obtaining additional capital abroad to invest in reproductive enterprises, but it, is nevertheless satisfactory to a- new . country when exports-outweigh imports ou the balance of trade."

A donation of £11 18s id has been received by the Wellington Hospital Board for a cot in the children"s -ward, me gift was sent by the Rev. 0. K. btent, on behalf of hia parishioners at Eastbourne. . A. gift of hot water bags is acknowledged.from Mrs. A. Corbett. A question is to be asked in the House ot Representatives of the Minister of .Lands by the member for Bay of Islands (Colonel A. Bell) as to whether it is intended to introduce.legislation this session to enable holders of national endowment lands in suitable localities to acquire the freehold. ' "When may we expect the longpromised regulations to protect men employed in the painting trade from the ravages of lead poisoning?" -was the effect of a question which Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) gave notice ia the House of Representatives yesterday that he intends to.ask the Minister of Labour. In the House of' Representatives yesterday the Hon. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) gave notice to ask the Government whether legislation will be introduced this session, ■ seeing that this is election year, affording Maoris the opportunity of voting on the licensing question in the same manner as pakehas. The question of dispensations from attendance oh religious grounds was touched lightly upon afc the University Comlmssion yesterday. " I had the daughter of Jewish gentleman," said'a witness. " She made no objection to attending lectures on Saturdays, but refused to be examined on Saturdays, because that was work." /'When will the Department of Justice be in" a position to hand over the Terrace Gaol site to the Education Department for the purpose of erecting the new school' in place of the school in Upper Willis street V' is a,- question which Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice in the House of Representatives yesterday. .. ' • _;At the last meeting of the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mr. Vivian Riddiford, of Lower Hutt, was elected a life member.' The society's inspector 'reported that since the previous meeting he had instituted _ two prosecutions for cruelty, and that in both cases fines were imposed. Subscriptions and donations, amounting to £18 3s, were acknowledged. The year's estimates will probably be considered at a special meeting <5f the City Council next week. The Reserves Committee, the last of the committees to present its little account, met on Wednesday, but before, the estimates can go before-the full council they must be considered by the City Treasurer, and then placed before the Finance Committee. ... : . - . . . . . .An important conference of Anglican Churchmen took place on Wednesday at Rotorua, states a Press Association message,, at which Archbishop Averill, the Bishop of Waiapu, Archdeacon Chatterton, the Rev. H.; Williams, and many clergy of both races attended. The conference was called to consider the Ratana religious movement and matters affecting Maori spiritual life. The conference was held in, camera, but the 1 results, will be published later. „Th.c Hospital Board yesterday adopted the following report of a committee:— That the District Lodge, 1.0.0. F., be informed that this board is willing to renew its agreement for a further period of one year from Ist .July, 1925,' on similar 'Krms; viz.,' 1 to accept their guarantee of payment of, half-fees for their members,- dependants, and children -undergoing treatment in the Wellington Hospital and its institutions—no concession to be made in regard to. out-patients and special deparments." Evidence that the, Department. IS ''on .the job" has not lately been lacking. The latest departure in connection^ with suburban routes is circulars issued by the Railway : Publicity branch, and placed, in the carriages, which_solicit the support of "Mr. Subur! ban Resident." -She circular . ends — it you see anything wrong with the rai ways, let us know. We. will put it nght~if we can't we will tell : you why.' ...... . J v In the opinion of Professor Rankine Brown, Vice-Chancellor of tho University, as expressed to the University Commission yesterday, a combination of in«t£ *an j exter7lal examiners was best. _ The tendency ib : for the outside 'examiner to- fail a student,- and for. the internal examiner to pass him," commented the chairman (Sir Harry R. Reichel). Professor Brown said'he thought the majorityof the Senate agreed with him that the ideal system was a combination ol teacher and outside examiner In any case, the verdict of two examiners was desirable.. . { ... ...; , ; : _A common method of defeating the Licensing Act and enabling a person to obtain liquor after hours is for the thirsty one to in" as a guest at tlie hotel. Under this cover he is then able to imbibe as, frequently as he desires, without fear of prosecution. 1 A police officer was endeavouring to explain this practice to Mr. J. G L Hewilt, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, but the Bench; interjected with: "It's all right. I know all about it. I was five or sis yearson the W.'st Coast!" ; ,- .'»",■ Tho Wellington North Ratepayers' Association, stated the secretary, Mr. P. Crowther, to a "Post" reporter to-day, has received practically unanimous support from the ratepayers' associations"" and allied bodies of the city to its resolution protesting against the laying of any-further tram tracks in the city and contending that future passenger transport should be by way of.trackless car or other road transport. '.. Strong support had also been accorded a resolution by his association calling upon the City Council to safeguard bathing and recreational'facilities at Evans Bay when the reclamation work is put under way. A matter to. which the association has called- attention is the dangerous state of the side channel of Wellington terrace at the top of Woodward street. Mr. Crowther has put forward a scheme for the rounding of Quintan'scorner, to give easier and safer access to Bowen street from Lambton quay, and to permit of the placing of an island waiting shed in the centre of the roadway triangle which would thus be formed. . ■ ■ ■ , "There can be no doubt that if a single University with an adequate staff and equipment could bo established it would be far more efficient and economical for a population of one million than the present system- of . four colleges," said Mr. J. H. Howell, giving evidence before the University Commission this morning. "It would seem, however, impossible to-day 'to contemplate such a radical change as an amalgamation would involvo; and, therefore, assuming that the four colleges ,will remain, in my judgment the advantages of making eaciran independent Univev- • sity outweigh the disadvantages of the present arrangement. The colleges should, however, provide only for "students who are devoting tho whole of their time to University work; and consequently all lectures and laboratories should bo held not later than 5 p.m. Every encouragement should bo given to students who are prepared to'mako ibe sacrifice involved in a full-time University course; while, on the other hand, the prevalent belief that students can obtain (lie benefits of ;i Universitytraining after they have spent the day in, their ordinary avocations should bo discouraged in every yrait"