LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 19, 22 July 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Government electrical engineer and an Acclimatisation Society's ranger relate the discovery of a magnificent moa skeleton at Waikaremoana (states a Press Association message from Paliherston North). They were exploring a routa for high tension wires last week, and came upon a ravine into which access could only be gained by ropes. In a dry cave which had been blocked by a huge boulder the explorers found a splendidly-preserved skeleton, which, when assembled, ■ will show the bird' 3 height to have been 12ft 9in. This valuable and interesting specimen has been safely transported to Wairoa.

"For initiative I will back _ tham against anything else produced in the Empire, while giving the 'Aussie' the full credit for what ha can say and do," jocularly remarked the Prime Minister at the Soldiers' Club, Palmerston North, on Monday, when in light vein reminding the returned men of some of the "tall stories" told by tho Dominion troops when abroad.

There was now a party policy which, i aimed at nationalising State and pri- J vate enterprises, and it would be for the pcoplk to choose whether they would lose' their freehold (said the Prime Minister, Mr. Coate3, at Palmerston North on Monday). The principle of nationalisation of everything would mean that alt would be State servants— State pawns—and no longer would one be able, to say "this is my homo and no one else's. All property would be valued, mortgage equities would be investigated, aud to conduct adjustments along that line would mean financial chaos. The mortgagee was, he continued, essential. Few had the capital_ to develop a business or a holding without him, although there might bo a reaction in slump times. "I have a mortgage and a pretty hefty one too, j forcefully declared tho Prime Minister. I "Like many others, I could have done without it,' but if one desires to improve the productive value of his land one must spi-nd money." He added that that was the keynote of business enterprise—development —and few thero were who could effect desired improvements without borrowing money. As to New Zealand's position and the matter of the people's mortgages, he felt confident that British thrift and indus-« try could, and would, pull them through.

A strong committee ™ set up in Petone last evening to consider -ways and means of entertaining the men. of the American Fleet. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and representatives from the various sports clubs and friendly societies were present It was decided to get in touch with the City Committee and the American Consul to ascertain how many men would visit Petone. Suggestions were made for entertaining the men at a Maori concert, social, and dance, and baseball match. Sub-committees we' 6 set up to obtain necessary information, and the meeting adjourned until next Tuesday. "The Audit Department has sprung a surprise on us by announcing that at the end of each financial year not only must the county funds be in credit, but also the funds ,in each riding of the county," stated. Mr. T. Mason Chambers, chairman of the Hawkes Bay County Council. If such a decision proved correct, he said, it was going to be very serious for some of the ridings. It would mean that as soon as their money was expended they would have to clos# down on all work and discharge' their men. Mr. A. H. Ferguson, county clerk, thought the Audit Department's decision wrong, but stated that the Counties' Association would probably take the matter up. It is interesting to note, says "The Post's" London correspondent, that since Ist January of this year, 5283 assisted emigrants—all of whom have been guaranteed positions under the nominated scheme—have sailed for New Zealand. In view of statements that hava been made that assisted British emigration has fallen away 6ince the war, these figures, like those of each year since 1920, show that quite the contrary is the case so far as New Zealand is concerned, as the numbers are higher than during the pre-war period. The Shaw, Savill liner Arawa, which is due at Auckland shortly from Home, is bringing 264 assisted passengers, among whom are seven public school boys and forty domestic servants.

"New • Zealand is jealous of the position held by her representatives at the Imperial Conference. I hope and believe that _ the bulk of the people ot the Dominion desire that in due course you will be New Zealand's representative at the Imperial Conference," sai<^ the Mayor (Mr. F. J. Nathan), addressing the Prime Minister at the civic welcome accorded him at the Borough Council Chambers, Palnierston North. Amidst the applause which greeted the observation, Mr. Nathan said it was realised that another such conference would have to be held in a few years' time. That Mr. Coates could worthily represent New Zealand there could be no doubt. Ha was a New Zealander by birth, had lived -all his life here, and had fought for his country. A further storm of applause succeeded the latter utterance.

, At Tapanui yesterday, Sir Heaton Rhodes was intei"viewed by both parties to the dispute over afforestation of the Blue Mountains. Fanners who have large holdings in the Oookston district spoke strongly in favour of the scheme. Subsequently a deputation of farmers from various parts met Sir Heaton and represented the opposition, but they explained that their objection was not to afforestation. They- were in favour of it. What they feared was that it would add to ths deer nuisance. The Commissioner- assured these objectors that the Forestry Department was as anxious as anyone to get rid of the deer trouble, proof of which was that within the past twenty months it had paid for 3100" tails, and during th« last fortnight for 400. He was assured that deer were now scarce on the Crookston side of the Blue Mountains, and he added that it was the intention of the Department to destroy those that remained.

Pointing out that shs is in ill-health and destitute, Beatrice Bray, of Kilbirnie, is petitioning Parliament asking for the widow's pension. The petitioner states that her husband died on 20th August, 1914, the certificate of death being pulmonary tuberculosis-haemor-rhage. He worked in certain mines from 1882 until 1894, and lost an arm through an explosion in a mine, and was subsequently employed as a messenger in the Government's service. Mrs. Bray submits that had her husband died after the passing of the Miners' Phthisis Act, 1915, he would doubtless have been granted the necessary medical certificate entitling him to a pension. In March, 1915, the Mines Department paid the petitioner £50 on account of her husband's death through miners' phthisis. The petition was presented by Mr. A. L. Monteith (Wellington Eaßt).

Referring to the Palmerston. North railway deviation, the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, stated on Monday at a, civic reception that the money for the work had been voted and the scheme was now in the hands of the engineers. The land required was also being taken and the lay-out of the yards was being prepared. The lay-out that had been arranged did not quite meet with the approval of the traffic management. The system proposed for Palmerston North might appeal to some, but it did not appeal to the speaker, and was not the best for modem railway traffic. Any causo of delay would be from a desire to get the most economical and moat up-to-date working yard that modern thought could provide. Such a yard ■would cost money, but that could not be avoided, although it might be difficult to arrange finances in the nest few years. A. year to year view could not be taken of such matters, but one must look well ahead. The Department was' also exceedingly anxious to eliminate tho human element from the railway yards as much as possible and so endeavour to avoid those shunting accidents of which there had been so many lately. The road-roller purchase was mentioned at yesterday afternoon's special meeting of the City Council, but finality was not reached, and it was decided to consider the question again at' a second special meeting on Friday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. C. B. Norwood) said that he was particularly anxious that the matter should be dealt with, as any further delay in the placing of an order would lead to real difficulties owing to the' consequent late delivery of the machine. . Notice of motion had been given in the direction of rescinding the council's resolution authorising the purchase of an American machines, which motion could only be considered at the next ordinary meeting of the council unless by consent of the council it .might be disposed of then and there. The representatives of the British manufacturers were making inquiries as to whether a British machine embodying the features of the particular American machine could be supplied, but no reply had yet been received. Councillor Maadowcroft stated that that reply was expected to-day. The Mayor referred again to tho serious difficulty which would arise if the roller were not on hand in time, and asked whether tho mover would withdraw the notice of motion. Councillor Monteith declined; he and those who thought as he did wished to have all the available facto beforo discussing or deciding the position. It was then decided 1o determine the matter on Friday, whether or not a reply from the British manufacturers had been received.