NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

German Capital to be Welcomed. At the annual reunion of the Waikino Old Boys' Association on Wednesday evening the majority of the speakers sounded an optimistic note as regards an early revival in the mining industry (report* the "Auckland Stars"). German; or any other foreign capital was to be Welcomed, not rejected, as suggested at a recent meeting of a southern local body, said one Bpeakcr. The early history of the industry in the Tipper Thames was also tdUohed on at the gatheririg, which was attended by representatives of local authorities throughout the district, and which proved a great success. A Strange Pat. Dogs, Oats, and birds of all kinds are common pets with seafaring men, but very few ships can boast of such a mascot aS is owned by the crew of the auxiliary Scow Kohi. It is a halfgrown white pig, which has been on the vessel for Several weeks, and has become quite tame. The crew say that the animal is quite a good sailor. Admission of Infants. A" discussion on the question of whether infant children should be admitted to the schools throughout the year, or only at certain definite periods, took' place at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board on Wednesday. The question was introduced by a letter frbm the Education Department expressing the opinion that it would greatly simplify the Organisation of infants' departments if children were admitted only in February and July. Many teachers were opposed to any change, especially in cases whefe the admission of a few more children wquld: affect the grading of the school. 'The Department suggested that the question should be referred to 'the Education Institute, and added that if teach' ers generally desired it the regulations would be amended accordingly. Members oi the board expressed the opinion that the change would be very desirable in city schools, where the admission of children at odd intervals disorganised the work of whole-classes, but might cause hardship in country schools by affecting their grading and affeciting the teachers' salaries (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). Mr. H. S. W. King moved that the matter be referred to the institute, with a statement that the board favoured a change, but it was decided to express no opinion. Praise for the Hospital. Having had three weeks in the Wellington Hospital a ' correspondent, "Where are the Nine?" writes in appreciation of that splendid institution. "I want to eulogise' those wonderful nurses who are putting up an heroic fight against pain aild disease. For courage, skill, kindness, arid tact they are unbeaten and unbeatable. I saw them often working at a pace and for a length of time that would make Eose wish ffor bedtime. Their, iihf ailing cheerfulness, their kindly skilful touch, and sometimes a charmingly flippant remark to someone feeling too sorry for himself have a wonderful effe'et. Whatever the nurses' pay is it .might be quadrupled, and then could not be enough, for much of their work is inspired by the divine nursing instinct and above money value. If Wellington householders wonld offer hospitality and friendship to the nurses, I think it would be appreciated. Many of thorn are away from their own folks, and although they have the Nurses' Home, they want to bo free from the nursing atmosphere occasionally. My uilceasing gratiudc goes to the nurae3." Strengthening Builders' Status. Addressing the members of the Wellington Builders' Association last Wednesday, Mr. W. Mill, vice-president, asked to give his experiences during a recent trip to the Old Country, said he had consulted the president of the London Builders' Institute and others on a matter which had given the local association some thought, the securing of a better status. He waß told that the London institute had gfowri front a London society, ,and how entrance to membership on the institute was carefully guarded by examination in sound practical and theoretical qualifications. Steps were being taken to obtain a Eoyal Charter, receipt of which was not in doubt. The membership, which had reached 700, depended upon at least three years of master buildership, or similar qualifications, and the institute.paid full attention to tile latest scientific developments and the value of university training. It was intended to ostablish branches ill other parts of the world. He hnd been asked to confer with others here, and it was probable that New Zealand and Australia Would have branches of the London institute eventually.

"Up-to-date Schools. A request for photographs of the exteriors of certain schools in the province was received from the Education Department by the Auckland Education Board on Wednesday, reports tho "New Zealand Herald." Tho Department stated that tho photographs wore required for an album which was being prepared for Sir James Parr, and which would be of great value for publicity work in England. It was decided to comply with tho rqquest, and also to forward interior views of some of the schools, as it was considered that those would show moro effectively tho thorough up-to-datoness of tho building. "Brick on Concrete Base." According to the schedule of tho 1925 paving loun tho steeper length of Ghuznee street was to be paved, not with bitumon, but with brick on concrete base on account of the fairly severe grade and tho danger to horsedrawn traffic,' but this length, in fast, is shortly to'be paved with bitumen. There is a certain amount of fooling among owners of horse vehicles over this decision, a "Post" reporter was told, and it is-probable that an inquiry will be addressed to the council in a formal manner as • to how much more "brick on concrete base" is to be translated as . straight:out hot-mix. Other lengths for which, in the schedule, brick pavements were proposed wero tho hilly parts of Adelaide xoad, Bowen, Constable, Molesworth, Eintoul, and Upper Willis, streets, Wellington road, and parts of Karori road. Brick and concrete, it was stated when the loan was put forward, would be a more expensive paving than bituminous surfacing) but was advisable on the steeper lengths in the interests Of Safety. Customers Never Wrong. Applied psychology in business is the subject of a brief contribution to the "New Zealand Draper" by Mr. Bernard C. Joyes, display manager of a big Wellington drapery house.. "Rightly or wrongly right, there is generally only one safe policy in dealing with our patrons," writes Mr. Joyes. "To argue or annoy, or disappoint a patron, is not to win a dispute. Allow that the patron is right, and the pitron will allow that you are all right. Put the patron in the wrong, and the patron will eventually put you in the wrong over and over again. Grievances aired among friends or neighbours have the trick of e^er-widening expansion,. similar to the circle caused by casting a pebble into the Water. There is only one safe policy—satisfy the customer, not only the customer'■ needs, but the customer's personal feelings. Acquiescence in petty differences is a part of the true spirit of service, it is kindly chivalry, dignified self-effacement, and a promoter of faith and goodwill. The business man Who allows any part of his service to. come into petty conflict with his patron is harbouring germs of ill-will which Will inevitably spread to an epidemic Of public disfavour. 1' The customer must be regarded, as always right. ;.;•."• ',■-'..-■. Dunedin War Memorial. •-.. ' Every day sees an additional step in the erection of the Dunedin War Memorial, and it is now expected that the monument will be ready for unveiling about Armistice Day (states the "Otago Daily Times"). The present height is a little over SO feet, and there is another 40 feet to climb before it is finished. It will be surmounted by an urn emblematic of sacrifice. To avoid the appearance of hollowness, the column is being tapored by means of ah entasis; that |is, a slight outward curve instead of a; straight slope. The base is 60 feet in diameter and the Whole structure is octagonal in shape. A big lion, of solid marble, has been carved at the bas<^ and there now remains somo floral carving to be done. Queen's Drive.' : ■' The preparation of an estimate of the cost of Widening and generally making Queen Js Drive, Lyall Bay, safer is an annual affair, but the Lyall Bay Association has decided that it is time something came of it. Really it is a case of deciding again, for there were complaints seven or eight years ago about the dangerous state of the roadway, particularly as many childron pass along it on their way to and from the Lyall Bay school, and the council first, took notice in 1020, when Queen's Drive improvements we're definitely promised. From time to time since that year provision for the work had been made in the estimates/but each year's end came round with nothing done. The local association, failing to get the work done by its own efforts, has now asked the Civic League to lend a.band, and it was decided at the last meeting of the league that it should send representatives, with members of the Lyall Bay Association and the School Committee, to wait upon the Works Committee to ask that the work Should not only be provided for in this year's estimates, but should bo carried out. The association wants tho drive widened from tho Coutts street end .and a fodtpath to Freyberg street. Another matter which the league was asked to inquire into, by the Melrose Association, was the improvement of Sutherland rOad, in regard to which a report will be drawn ,up for the next meeting.Horse Available. Several complaints from members have been received by the Auckland Automobile Association,. to the effect that deliberate attempts are being made to make Small stretches ok the Mamaku Bush road impassable for motorists, states the "Auckland Star." The con' sequence is that, when cars are stuck, their owners are forced to employ the aid of horses and drivers. The association has communicated with the District Engineer of the Public Vorks Department, with a view to immediate action being taken to prevent this practice being carried out on that section of the road from Tirau to Steele's mill, on the top of the hill. Tho Rotorua County Council has also been communicated with and this body is taking steps to prevent anything of the kind being perpetrated in its areas. It is understood that the complaints do not concern any of the Public Works men engaged on the road. National Park Station. Waimarino has been the name of the railway station at tlie top Of the Spiral ever since tho Main Trunk line has been in existence, states tlie "Auckland Star." It is the getting off place for visitors to the Tongariro National Park as well as for tourists Vrho wish to go to Taupoj Wairakei, and Napier by that route. Some time ago an agitation waa set up to have tho name altered to National Park, and this has been the subject of much discussion and correspondence between those concerned and the Government. On making inquiries a "Star" reporter was informed at the Auckland head office of the Railway Department that it had been decided to change the name of the station from Waimarino tb National Park on Ist May.. / A Powerful Argument. A novel if somewhat drastic method (which might appeal to housewives) of forcing hesitant husbands to install electric power . in. tho home was brought forward by Mr. Jasper Clark (chairman of the Otago Power Board) at the switching oil of the electrio power at Waitati oh Thursday, states the "Otago Daily ,Times." Addressing tlie ladies who were present, he adjured them to persuade ,the heads of their households to allow theni to uss electricity for all 'domestic purpbsles. "If they don't do it," said Mr. Clark, /'let me know, and I'll see if Mr. Coatcs will have the Divorce Act amended so that you can get lid of them."

Dysentery to he Notified. Following on outbreaks of dysentery »in the North, it is announced in the "Gazette" that dysentery is to be a notifiable infectious disease within'the meaning of the Health Act... Oamaru's Diamond Jubilee. ,' To-day is the diamond, jubilee of Oamaru as a municipality under the Municipal Corporations Ordinance, 1865. The first meeting of the first Borough Council was held on 6th August, 1866. Prior to that date the local governing body was a. Town Board, which had jurisdiction for about three yoars. War Pension Amendments. Amended regulations under the War Pensions Act are gaEetted. A scale of foes which shall be payable to medical practitioners of hospital boards is laid down, and under the heading of "medical treatment" it is provided—'' (1) Accommodation supplied to service patients suffering from pulnonary. tuberculosis shall tako the form of either a specially constructed tent or of alterations or. additions to the patient's residence. In the case of structural alterations to any residence the cost shall not exceed the sum of £20. (2) The Department will not be responsible for the maintenance in the cases of structural alterations or additions, but repairs to or replacement of tents may be con-' sidered, having regard to the circumstances of each case, and provided that the necessity for repairs or replaconient is due to fair wear-and-tear. (3) To provide items of furniture for accommodation, a cash grant not exceeding £5 may be made to, the service patient by the Department, but this must be deemed to be a final grant. The Department will not bo responsible for the maintenance or replacement of articles of furniture." Conscience Money. Some consciences have been pricking, or atonement has been made for lapses of memory. The Secretary of the Treasury acknowledges in the "Gtazette" receipt of two payments of conscience money—£l forwarded to the Pensions Department, Wellington, and £3 forwarded to the Treasury Department, "Wellington. Railway Finances. ■ , \ The ifailway returns for the eleven months ended 27th February are published in this week's "Gazette." The revenue for the eleven, months totals £7,237,550 7a s<i, as compared with £6,428,221 14s Id for the corresponding period of last financial year.. The expenditure figures are £5,808,420 Is 6d for 1925-26, and \ £5,064,402 13s •6d for last year. For 1935-26 the expenditure is 80.25 per cent, of revenue; for last year 78.78. The comparative statement of traffic shows increases in 1925----26 for all freights—for all goods and live stock. In every section 1 there was an increase in the quantity carried. But on the passengers side there is a decrease in the number carried, and this decrease is under all heads except season tickets, which show an increase of 61,570 (544,281—482,711). The passengers' total is BhoWn at 10,796,040 for the current eleven months, against 11,----605,916 for the corresponding period of last year, a decrease bi 710,876. Private Schools Eegiatered. , . A list of private schools in the Dominion registered under section 7 of the Education Amendment Act, 1921, is gazetted. It shows that there are 301 private. primary and secondary schools, the number in each education district being: Auckland 63, Tarandki 16, Wanganui 31, Hawkes Bay 30, Wellington 49, Nelson 11, Canterbury 64, Otago 25, Southland 12. Over 180 of the institutions are Roman Catholic, the remainder being Anglican, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventists, or undenominational. Catching Trout' to Time-table. .'■•;■• - - During the recent visit of a friendly society'to Rotorua, the question of fish* ing cropped up, and a local fisherman, in order to disprove the statements seen lately in the papers about poor flshing, offered to make a wager that he would,catch a trout of over 21b Within five minutes, oil the fly (states the "Auckland Star"). A party of about twenty journeyed to the scene of operations next day, which was in the Kaituna Stream, not far from the Ohere landing. The fisherman having got his tackle ready, in the shape of a light steel rod about 9ft long, and a. fly known locally as the matuka feather, took up a position in full view of the party, arid at the word ''go",from tho timekeeper, made a cast. The spectators did not have long to wait for things to happen," for in 35 seconds a fish was hooked, and after taking up another three minutes to bring to the bank, Was successfully gaffed, anlid the applause of the onlookers. On being placed on the scales it proved to be 31b 9ioz in weight, and showed, that it is still possible t» catch trout to time-table in RotorUa.