NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 11 February 1926, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

The Franklin Memorial. The Franklin memorial to tbe late Bight Hon. W. F. Massey is to take the form of an endowment to provide scholarships for annual competition by students at any school in the Franklin or Manukau electorates. This includes districts which were within their boundaries at any time daring Mr. Massey's term as member ' for Franklin. The number of scholarships to be awarded annually will be dependent upon the ■ amount of the fund. It is proposed that they should be tenable for two • years at any secondary school or technical college or university college, while the trustees are to be empowered to grant extensions for a further two years to scholars. Boilers Again. An inquiry has been made by a correspondent, MFiat," dn regard to the failure of a considerable area of the pavement in Thorndon quay :-+■'■' Some time ago, like many other of your readers, I read with a good deal of interest and concern of tbe attitude adopted by the Wellington Corporation in regard to the purchase of steam rollers. It now appears that the bitumen surface of Thorndon quay is being dug up on account of it having developed very serious waves. Through your columns I would be pleased'if some one could inform, me whether this particular road was rolled with an American or an English roller, as it was claimed by those in authority that English road rollers created waves, which was not the case with American machines." Inquiries were made by a "Post" representative of the city authorities, who state that an English roller was used on Thorndon quay. Waterfront Incidents. Many little scenes are enacted on the Wellington waterfront daily. The most prominent "draw" on the waterfront, as a ferry steamer is about to steam out into the harbour, is the farewelling of a bridal party. The other day at Wellington as a couple was being sent happily on their' honeymoon, an excited member of the. party—a lady— r produced from her coat pocket an old boot. Just as the'final leave-taking was in progress she threw the boot with a merry "yell, "Good Lnek!" The boot, unfortunately, struck the bridegroom on the nose, and before the boat sailed there were several crimson handkerchiefs in the party, for the bridegroom's nose bled copiously. Thorndon Railway Button. Attention was drawn by Mr. J. T. Martin at a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last, evening to the congestion of passengers and luggage at the Thoradon Bailway Station. While appreciating the difficulties of the Department, Mr. Martin said it was evident, even without the increase in traffic that was bound to take place, the congestion would be a much more serious matter in the course of a year or two. As far as he could gather, it was unlikely that the new railway station would be erected within the next five years. He thought that, in the meantime, steps should be taken by the Department to overcome the existing difficulties. Mr. G. Mitchell supported Mr. Martin's complaint, but added that in the past the Department had held that nothing could be done until the necessary reclamation work was completed. A sub-committee was appointed to wait on the Bailway Board in connection with the matter. Ho Money for AdTarttsJag. While it may be quite in sympathy with the idea of making the potentialities of New Zealand known to all the world, tl^ Victoria College Council holds the view that it must expend its moneys in a manner that will satisfy the Auditor-General. At last night's meeting of the council „a circular letter was received from the Hon. G. W. Bussell soliciting a subsidy for a new and revised edition of "New Zealand To-day," a publication which is shortly to be issued under the auspices of the Government Publicity Oifiee for the purpose of advertising the Dominion. "New Zealand To-d»y" first appeared in .1919, when Mr. Russell was Minister of Internal Affairs, and his letter indicated that the new edition was to be widely circulated at Home. It was suggested that Victoria College Council might arrange for the inclusion of an article illustrative of the activities of the college. The Finance Committee, which had dealt with the letter, reported that it had no recommendation to make on the suggestion of Mr. Bussell that the council should grant a subsidy of £5 per page. Mr. A. Fair, K.C., failed to see how the council's collaboration with the effort would attract students from Great Britain to attend Victoria College, and the ehairmany Mr. B. M'Callum, thought the several legal members of , the council would agree that it had no power to make a contribution. "It would be injudicious," he said. "We cannot see our way to expend the council's money on this subject." No action was taken. Orer-smart Methods. ' ■ Steps have been taken by the Anek- ; land Electric Power Board to correct an . erroneous impression created by the rer presentatives of certain electrical firms | to the effect that if householders did not link up with the board's' system ; they would be charged a non-eonsum- , era' rate (states the "New Zealand , Herald")- The chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, stated at tbe meeting of 1 the board yesterday that he had heard 1 of the statements, and had at once re- | pudiated them. He had then communicated with the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, which replied stating the complaint had been ' brought under the notice of the elee- ' trfeal firms with a request that steps ' should be taken to hare the offenders ; checked.

New Zealand and Canada. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has been advised by the authorities of the Canadian National Exhibition that the New Zealand Government has agreed to participate in the forthcoming Exhibition at Toronto. The request was made for booklet* or other publicity matter for free distribution at the show. Mr. J. T. Martin explained at a meeting of the council of the Chamber last evening that the exhibition was an annnal one. He expressed the hope that the Government would send a responsible officer to Canada to represent this eonntry. In his 'opinion the increasing trade between the two countries warranted an officer being stationed in Canada. The council decided that the question was one for consideration of the Government and the Dominion as a whole. A Priceless Heritage. Mr. Phil Myers, who presided at a meeting of Seatoun residents last evening, moved that the City Council be urged "to expedite the opening of the Point Halswell road." He said: "You can go all the way round one way, until you come to a gate, and yon can go all the way round the opposite way and then come to that gate; but yon cannot go through that gate. It is time that road was opened. It would give one of the finest roads by the Ma that I know-of anywhere in Australia or, .for that matter, in the world. This road is a priceless heritage of the city. It would give a road all the way by the sea from Muritai to Happy Valley." The motion was carried, after aome discussion about the greater needs of Seatonn itself, and the liability of ratepayers for the. cost of putting the road in order. ... < Boys' College Successes. The high plaice occupied by the Wellington Boys' College in the record of .examination successes at the end of last, year is shown by an analysis of the passes. Five University scholarships, 15 senior national scholarships, and 16 junior national scholarship* were won, a total of 26 scholarships, which the headmaster (Mr. T. &. Cresswell) believes was not excelled last year by, any other secondary school in the Dominion. The only school which seriously challenged the college was the Auckland Grammar School. TII3 matriculation pajtes, full, partial, and completed, numbered 116, representing a 20 per cent, advance on the results for the previous year. In the Public Service entrance examination the college gained 22 passes, while about 150 pupils passed the senior free place examination by recommendation and &?» by examination. The disparity between the North and South Islands ir. respect to the University scholarship awards for 1925—eleven to Auckland and nine to Wellington as against one to Dunedin—has been exercising the minds of educational people in Christchurch and Dunedin. Referring to this comment, Mr. Cresswell remarked yesterday that he could say without fear of contradiction that Wellington College did not make a special feature o'j preparing pupils for the scholarship examinations. /'Every scholarship gained by this school," he said, "is got as a result of the ordinary evcry-day work; there is no special tuition for scholarships.',' Doubts Expressed. Although various opinions are often expressed whether the annual contests for the Sanders Cup have proved beneficial to yachting, there is direct evidence that these races have been the means of Bringing boating men, of the Dominion together (states. the "Otago Daily Times"). Past friendships have been formed—friendships which would probably" not have existed otherwise. Mr. J. B. Johnston, president of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association, who visited Dunedin last week with the Auckland launch Buamano, stated before his departure that he had found proof of the friendly feeling between boating men at every port at which the launch had called. He stated that when the Buamano reached the Boat Harbour, Be felt quite at home because many prominent Duaedin boating men were waiting there to greet him. Most of these men, including Mr. D. Paterson, he had met at the Sanders Cup contests held "in Dunedin and Auckland. ' Trading Horses by Night. The custom in New Zealand of horsemen leading horses by night keeping to the right or offside of the road is held by Mr. Wyvern Wilson, &M. to be illegal. In a case that came before him at Hamilton a farm hand was charged with failing to keep on the left or near side of the road. Defendant was riding a thoroughbred mare with foal at foot at night on the Hamilton-Ohaupo road, j A drunken motor-lorry driver, who was | subsequently fined £30, approached. The lights of the ear startled the horses, which were on the right or offside of the road, and the foal was injured by, the lorry. Expert evidence was given that it was the custom in New Zealand to lead horses on the right side of the road (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). The Magistrate, in a reserved decision, said that English and Scotch eases and decisions showed that there was reason sad possibly law in support of the leading of horses on the offside of the road, bat they ali contemplated happenings by day when the parties could see each other. He did not think they were applicable to the circumstances of ease before him, which happened at night, when the defendant knew of the approaching ear and knew the ear driver was unaware of his presence. Defendant was convicted for failing to discharge his duty of keeping to the left when meeting the lorry, and was, fined 20s and costs 7s. Education Professorship. Some information as to what was done at the conference of educational authorities on Tuesday was imparted to the Victoria College Council last night by Mr. P. hevi. The conference, he said, had disapproved of the idea of the Professor of Education being also head of the training college, but considered that he should have aeeess to training colleges and to all schools and co-operate with the principals and the senior inspector for the purpose of conducting investigations and experiments. The recommendation of the University Commissioner that the Education Professor should also be head of the training college was disagreed with' on the ground that Professor Tennant and Mr. Gould thought it would be impracticable if the professor was to carry out anything like the duties at present performed by the principal of the training college. That had been the experience in Wellington during, the year or two the Professor of Education had been the principal of the training college. Professor Tennant seemed to think that the Professor of Education ought to have a small training college, distinct from the regular one, which he could use for experiments, but this was not supported. It was also the wish of Professor Tennant that the Professor of Education should have the status of an inspector, both of the training college and of the schools. Mr. Lev! added that very few of the resolutions at the conference were carried unanimously.' The council decided to ask to be supplied with copies of the resolutions poised at the conference. As it was agreed that the council could net accept Professor Tennant's resignation in the mesa tints, it was decided, on the suggtstiMi of Professor Hunter, to ask him ta aiwsjpt the work of 1926.

Bankruptcy Legislation Rsrision. At a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening, a letter was read from the Aseociated Chambers, asking' for suggestions for improvements in connection with proposed bankruptcy law revision. Several members expressed approval of action being taken on the lines suggested. It was agreed that further consideration of the request be deferred until the next meeting. A Legal Point. Whether the Magistrate's Court can entertain a complaint of a destitute person, made against an. estate which is subject to a protection order made under the Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act, 1912, was the subject of a decision given by Mr; E. Page, S.M., in' the Magistrate's Court to-day. The complainant in the case is the mother of the defendant. She alleges she is a destitute person, and prays that a maintenance order be made in her- favour. The estate of the defendant is subject to a protection srder, with the Public Trustee as manager. "I can find nothing in the Act to justify the contention that a protected person is released from the liability to be pro* ceded against under any statute or at common law; nor-is there in the .Act any substituted procedure under which the complainant could proceed," said Mr. Page. "It seems to me that cx^ eept as expressly stated by the Act, a protected person may still be sued at common law (as for a tort) or proceeded against for a statutory liability, as in the present ease." BMtsun Water Berries. Not for the first time wa» Beatonn recently wholly deprived of water. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Seatoun and Bays Progressive Association last evening, and a motion of protest carried, with the added suggestion that the supply should be directly connected with the city system. It is drawn from a .reservoir in the hills. It was subsequently explained that the reservoir held enougfl for all requirements, and that the Gas Company had been WTongly vblamed for .drawing off supplies, leaving the district waterless. Mr. A. W. Parton, a former city councillor, explained the position. He attributed the recent trouble to the ''failure of the human element" in the system. The Gas, Company,' he said, was not to blame at all. It was all a question of management, and reetifiable. The mdtion was passed, however. ;' , ; Kaingaroa Carvings. Some time ago Mr. Henry Hill, of Napier, visited the Kaingaroa plateau country in Hawkes Bay, and inspected the Tock face where the canoe carvings were found.. He differed from Dr. P. H. Buck, of Auckland, and Mr. Hamilton, and considered that the carvings did not go further back than the Native troubles in the sixties and seventies following the Hau Hau rising, which began on the West Coast and ■ spread throughout the Tanpo country to the East Coast. He mentioned the fact that the country was traversed again and again by the Arawas. In-' terviewed by a representative of "The Press," Dr. Buck,said that he had not claimed that the carvings were of very ancient origin, but they we're certainly a great, deal older than Mr. Hill would have one believe. The remains in the cave were distinctly of Maori origin, and of pre-European-influeneed days. On the floor of the cave" were "found flakes of obsidian, volcanic glass, which the Maoris used for cutting, the use of which they abandoned when Europeafn civilisation , brought knives. As regarded- the question of the Arawas, raised by Mr. Hill, the Arawas knew nothing of the eav^e; of that Dr. Buck was certain. Even the Ngatimanua tribe, in whose territory' the cave is, knew nothing about it. This was proved by the fact that when the Ngatimanuas made a petition to Parliament 'a little time ago, the tribal landmarks-were all. earcfuHy noted, but no mention ,was made of this place. "Cutting the Painter." The New Zealand Bngby Union's protest against its treatment by the International Board regarding the request for a voice in the control of the game has given the Home authorities little peace. Support for New Zealand's claim is forthcoming .in good measure, in English Bugby circles, and the attitude of the body in supreme control of the Bugby game is coming in for a good deal of adverse criticism. Another warning has been given by "Sporting Life" of the real danger of the Dominions "cutting the' painter over their failure to secure recognition in international, affairs. The paper quotes a letter from Mr. S. Wilson, president of the Canterbury (New Zealand) Bugby Union, who states:' "There is a limit to our patience. Soon the Dominions will have- to unite to conduct their own affairs.'* In dealing further with the matter "Sporting life" says: "The singular suggestion is afloat that Britain cannot give'the Dominions representation because they are guilty of an occasional flirtation with professionalism. Nothing could be more ridiculous.?' New Zealand, of course; has a representative on ythe English Bugby Union, but this does not give it a voice in the control of the Thou Shalt Not— The well-known story of the careful parent who would not permit its child to go into the water till it could swim had a corollary recently, when a youth, who was learning to drive \a motorcycle on the Hutt road, was apprehended by a constable, and ultimately ehaTged with the offence of not possessing a driver's license. "What can I dot" asked the defendant, when he appeared before the Magistrate. "I must learn to drive somewhere." The Magistrate advised the defendant to go out with somebody in a side-chair and learn that way. "At any rate,' 1 he observed, "there are other places where you could learn to drive." His Worship imposed a fine of £1. Broken Weather. January was a- disappointing January, from a paving point of view, and February has started out not. one bit better. Had conditions been, favouaable repair work in Thorndon quay should have been completed by now, but, as it is, a part of the roadway is still barricaded off. Kilbirnie crescent will be taken in hand .next, and, following that, Crawford road. The preparation work on this length.is,well advanced, including the banking of corners in the better interests.of traffic safety. The paving of John street and the Wallace street extension is completed, and has made a World of difference to the locality. Traffic follows pavement, and Wallace street may become an important road from the city to the southern districts, but hardly so nntil the bituminous surface is carried on to meet the paving in Taranaki street, for at the present time this macadam length is anything but ideal. At present the job is half done, but whether it is to remain so nntil tram track renewal or redesigning (down Taraaaki street) is carried out has not b««n stated. , An end of Sale Special for Winter Wear at Kirkcaldis's Gigantic Clearing Sale. Navy All-wool Repp, a beautiful quality (or tailoring purposes, 18s 6d. Special sale price 13s lid a yard. For Friday and Saturday many pfaenonMoal bargains have been pat out. Kirkcakb* and Stains, Ltd.—Advt. i