NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 110, 5 November 1926, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

• The People's Savings. The amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings Banks of the Dominion for the first six months of the current financial year was £15,501,272, and the excess of deposits over withdrawals was £56,182. In addition to this, £2,905,633 was deposited during the same period in private savings banks, where there was an excess of deposits over withdrawals of £354,----802. Population of New Zealand. The population of the Dominion, according to the "Abstract of Statistics," is now 1,410,000. This estimate does not include the population of the Cook and other Pacific Islands (14,000), of the Tokelau Islands (1000), or of Western Samoa (41,000). The population of the four chief cities and their suburban districts is now given as follows: —Auckland, 173,000; Wellington, 117,000; Christchurch, 98,000; Dunedin, oi,000; total for the four chief centres and their suburban areas, 472,000. Goitre and Radium. At a meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury Dr. B. B. D. Milligan submitted a progress report on experiments that he is carrying out in connection with radium emanation and goitre production. He stated that he had treated rabbits with immense doses of radium emanation over a period of three months with the object of producing goitre, but found that no effect had shown in the animals. He had compared the thyroid glands from tho rabbits under the treatment with glands from rabbits living in normal conditions and found no difference (reports the "Lyttelton Times"). The rabbits treated with radium emanation, he stated, lived just as happily as those not under the treatment, and he was satisfied that it had not produced goitre. Intensive Farming. The opinion that New Zealand farms are not employing sufficient labour, and that agricultural development should be more concentrated, was expressed at Henderson on Friday by the Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture) states the "New Zealand Herald." "I am forced to tho conclusion that we are progressing fairly rapidly in our use of the land," Mr. Hawken said. "We are now getting far away from tho old sheep-run days, and in the North Island and in parts of the South Island the land is becoming more intensely worked. No other class of farming can compare with fruit-growing in its intense use of the soil. I believe this will mean the employment of more labour than we imagine to-day. I am one of those who believe the country is undermanned. For many years past farmers throughout New Zealand have been cutting down their work until they are now doing only what is barely necessitous. There is evidence in orchards throughout New Zealand that more labour is required. What I havo seen to-day is an example of what can be done with good methods, but I found evidenco that thero is not sufficient labour used, and unless a farm is kept right up to date then it will not pay. The day of land aggregation is past, and the sooner we concentrate in our development the better. The good land is nearly all taken up, and I am satisfield that concentrated farming days have come. In consequence farmers will have to employ more labour. I know there is any amount of unoccupied land, but unfortunately it is difficult to handle. The Government cannot select its tenants, and as a result we have the greatest difficulty in finding a man to take up the management of land requiring to be broken in, and we are, therefore, bound to have failures." Transport Appeal Boards. The personnel of the Transport Appeal Boards to be set up under the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act was gazetted last night. Although there aro thirteen motor-bus districts, only ten appeal boards have been appointed, as it has been decided that, for the present, boards are unnecessary in Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Wanganui. Eight of the boards are to be presided over by his Honour Mr. Justice Frazer, and two by the Hon. Sir Frederick Chapman. Each board is composed of five members, two of whom represent the Government, one the local authorities, and public bodies which are conducting bus or tram services in the district, the fourth the other local authorities in the district, and the fifth the private bus proprietors. The particulars regarding No. 9 district (Wellington) are: —No. 9 district: All that area comprising the City of Wellington, the boroughs of Eastbourne, Petone, and Lower Hutt, and all town districts within the boundaries of or adjoining the counties.— Mr. Justice Frazer, Auckland (chairman) Mr. B. H. P. Bonayne, district engineer, Pnblic Works Department, Wellington; Mr. H. A. B. Huggins, city councillor, Wellington; Mr. S3. G. N*~ than, auctioneer, Wellington; and Mr. W. G. M(Donald, 71, Bakau road, Hataitai. The No. 7 district is all that area comprising the Borough of Palmerston North, the County of Kairanga, and the Foroughs of Feilding, and the board is Mr. Justice Frazer, Auckland (chairman); Mr. B. H. P. Bonayne, district engineer, Public Works Department, Wellington; Mr. F. J. N. Nathan, Mayor of Palmerston North; Mr. W. E. Oarthew, Mayor of Feilding; and Mr. D. F. Smilie, company secretary, Palmerston North. Mr. E. G. Bhodes is appointed secretary of the Wellington board, and Mr. F. S. B. Knight secretary of the Palmerston North Board. "The Benefit of the Quarrel." "In the course of his lecture on "Wireless" at Island Bay on Tuesday, Mr. A. Gibbs, Chief Telegraph Engineer, related a humorous incident connected wi6h wireless. During a visit to Endeavour Inlet, .1 patriarch eamo a 'long distance to havo a chat about this "new thing," and asked whether wireless had anything to do with lightning, to which Mr. Gibbs replied: "Yes, in some respects." The old man replied: "I thought so; everl since you put that wireless up on tho liill we have had nothing but thunder and lightning; your lightning lights with the lightning above, and we get the benefit of the quarrel"

A Matter for Comment. When a petitioner in a divorce case stated in evidence yesterday that his two daughters were with hia wife and the man with whom she was living, Mr. Justice Alpers commented on the complacency of the man. in permitting them to do so, and said he hoped there were not many husbands like the petitioner about. His Honour said there were many beautiful homes in this country where* children could be brought up. If husbands were as complacent as the petitioner, they need not be surprised if their wives left them. A Penny for the Guy. To-day, the sth of November, is of vast importance to the juvenile population, but of small significance to the adult, unless engaged in the sale of fireworks. From an early hour this morning has been heard the cry of "Spare a penny for the guy, sir," and '•guys" in all states of deshabille are parading the town. Of course, tonight is the night: pennies have been saved up, and this evening much hard cash will be transformed into smoke, sparks, and bangs. As long as there are children in the world the misdirected effort of Mr. Guido Fawkes to hasten the exit from this world of the members of the British Parliament will be celebrated in the time-honoured method of guys, fireworks, and bonfires. "The Time is Past." "Tho employers should got busy and work for a reduction in wages," declared Mr. A. C. Leary when Monday's meeting of the provincial executive of the Otago Farmers' Union received intimation that a claim for a new award had been filed by the Otago and Southland Shepherds, Musterers, and Drovers' Union (states the Dunedin "Star"). Mr. Leary added: "Tear after year tho employers have been fighting against increases, and it is now time to fight for decreases." "Move that we take action in that way," suggested Mr. B. H. Murney. Mr. Leary replied that the time had come when the action should be taken, to which there was a chorus from members: "The time is past." Public Service Salaries. Endeavour is still being made by the Public Service Association to have the salary "cuts" imposed as a result of the passing of the Public Expenditure Adjustment Act, restored. Tho current issue of tho "Public Service Journal" states that the association has. explored every available avenue in attempting to right the wrong that was manifestly done to tho service, but adds that the Exocutive Committee is disappointed at the failure of its efforts to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the salary question. "The association," remarks the journal, "has a clear-cut and well-defined policy to pursue, laid down by four successive conferences, and the work since taken in hand cannot be put aside until a definite result has been achieved." Lights in Theatres. For greater safety in houses of public entertainment, additional regulations were published in tho "Gazette" last night, having immediate effect, governing the use of electricity for projection of pictures, emergency lighting, and exit sign lights. No illuminant except electric light is to be used for the purpose of cinematograph film projection. The section dealing with emergency lighting stipulates the requirements for the illumination of doorways, lobbies, staircases, the auditorium', etc. The whole of the emergency lighting, whether gas or electric light, is to be controlled in one place, which shall be a lofty or other convenient place in the front of the building, and so situated as to be readily accessible to tho theatre staff in case of emergency. No emergency lighting is to bo controlled from tho projection-room. Every exit sign lamp is to be kept alight continuously for the period during which the public are admitted to tho auditorium for a performance. A fine of £100 may be inflicted for breach of the regulations. Good Sport at Taupo. The general verdict on tho Taupo fishing is favourable (writes a Taupo correspondent). A well-known regular visitor for years past considers the fish more plentiful and in better condition than he has ever seen them at tho beginning of the season. His party of three rods, fishing at the four-mile, with fly, on Monday, caught twenty-four fish, averaging 81b. Mr. Harry Hayhow, with a party of three rods on the launch Sunbeam, took thirty-seven fish, averaging 61b; the heaviest weighed 121b. Fish were numerous and were rising well. So far the number of visitors is disappointing as compared with the same time last year. The weather is fine. At Eotorua launch owners report that several trout fishing parties obtained good catches trolling and fly fishing. The fish are in good condition. The reports from those fishing on the streams arc good. A party on tho Ngongotaha obtained over forty trout, and their opinion is that tho fish are better than they have been for five or six years. Mr. A. N. Wilson and a friend, fishing on Lake Eotorua, secured forty trout. They report that the fish are taking freely and are in good order. Money to Lend. At a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, which took place on Wednesday, the Finance Committee recommended that money in the board's special fund, amounting to £13,520, be invested in local bodies' debentures, the rate of interest being 0 per cent. The local bodies suggested were the Botorua County Council, Inangahua County Council, and the Te Kuiti Borough Council (reports the "Lyttelton Times"). Dr. H. T. J. Thacker was of opinion that the money should be invested in tho Canterbury province. The public of Canterbury should be given an opportunity to know what money the board had for investment, he said. He asked if the board could advance money to farmers in Canterbury on freehold security, and to others on city security. Mr. M. J. Miller said that the Finance Committee was practically unanimous in its recommendation. Mr. H. T. Armstrong, M.P., was of the opinion that the board should not go outside if similar interest could be obtained near at hand. The committee's recommendation was adopted. Opossum Season Record. No fewer than 54,000 opossum skins are in sight already from the recent season's trapping in tho Wellington Acclimatisation district. Exact figures are impossible yet, but it is not unlikely that tho final tally will exceed these figures. Already somo 47,000 skins have been stamped here, and" as trappers havo consigned approximately 7000 skins through agents to Dunedin and several hundred skins from the BangitLkei district (within the Wellington acclimatisation area) havo been forwarded for disposal to Wanganui, last year's total of 50,200 skins is well eclipsed. Experts consider that it would not bo wise to forecast a continuance of the yearly increases iri skin retnrns for several reasons. Heavy trapping may reduce the numbers of the opossums, and it is certain that tho yearly- increase in tho number of trappers, attracted by the profitable returns, will be intensified. On tho other hand, the fecundity of tho marsupial is such that the opossums may increase in spite of the raids on them. Last year a lot of country not previously trapped was opened up, but next sea-' son very little fresh country will bo I available to trapper*;

Trees for Egmont Part. The Mount Egmont National Park Board has just completed the planting of about 36,000 trees on its open lands on the ranges near Oakura, says the "Taranaki Daily News." The trees are mostly pinus radiata, with a few thousand eucalyptus and maerocarpa. They have been planted to kill the gorse and blackberry, and protect the neighbouring native bush, which has been considerably damaged by the yearly firings of the gorse. In years to come it is hoped to derive revenue from the timber cutting. The Eeward of Persistency. "Year after year we have urged upon the city fathers the necessity of having tepid baths," said Mr. P. N. Bundle at the annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of tho New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association last evening. To his mind the centre had done everything possible to arouse their interest, but he was sorry to say without success. All the centre could do in the meantime to achieve its object was to keep on "plugging away." Mr. Balph Smith supported Mr. Rundlo in regard to the urgent necessity of the tepid baths, and advocated free tuition in swimming and diving among the various clubs. Mr. P. Coira remarked that for the past i three years every prospective councillor had promised to support the tepid baths. However, once they were elect- ] ed nothing was done in the matter. Whaling Regulations. Further regulations governing whaling operations in the Boss Dependency are published in the "Gazette," issued last night. The license fee for every vessel engaged in whaling is to be £200, and where fishing is indulged in without a license the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding £.1000 for each separate day of the offence. A similar penalty is liable to be imposed upon any person who uses an unlicensed floating whale-factoTy. If the owner or master of a whaling vessel fails to comply with all the provisions of his license, or to equip his vessel as required by law, or if he neglects to convert a whale received by the factory into commercial products within 48 hours of delivery, he will be liable to a fine of not more than £100 for each day the offence is committed. Vessels may De arrested for alleged breech of the regulations, and if a vessel proceeds to sea after service of a warrant, that is to be an offence punishable t>y a fine not exceeding £100. Mr. W. Whiteford has been, appointed to safeguard the laws and regulations within the Dependency, and he is to have the powers of a Stipendiary Magistrate in carrying out his duties, as well as executive and administrative authority.