NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 143, 21 June 1927, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Practico Dimming Condemned,

"The dimming ' of headlights on motor-cars at night is the most dangerous practice in th_e world," said Mr. Justice Keed in tho Supremo Court at Auckland, when considering a case in which a motor-car collided with a tar mixer on Beach road. It was stated that tho car's lights were dimmed as anothor vehicle was approaching from tho opposite direction, and tho driver had not noticed tho mixer on tho roadside. There used to be a bylaw years ago forcing motorists to dim their headlights, and I had a good experience of tho fallacy of it while I was at tho Bar. I defended a man who was charged with failing to dim his lights, and a week later he killed a woman, through no other reason than dimming his lights. I then appeared for him on a charge of manslaughter."

Scholastic Co-operation,

A scheme for bringing about better co-operation and understanding between the larger and smaller schools of the district has just been brought into operation by the Hawkes Bay Education Board; Under this scheme, the larger schools adopt ono of tho lowergraded schools. From time to time it is proposed that the head teacher of tho smaller school should send samples of all written work to the headmaster of the larger school by which it has been adopted, and also to submit to him any problems of organisation or management that- are perplexing. Tho duty of tho headmaster of tho larger school will then bo to criticise tho work, and return suitable samples of work in his own school. An occasional visit by tho head teachers, it was considerod, would also provo very helpful. Infectious Diseases.

The Department of Health has received tho following notifications of iufoctious diseases in tho hospital districtß of tho Wellington Health District for the week ended yesterday (the figures for the previous week being given in parentheses):—Wangauui-Ho-rowhonua: Scarlet fever, 5 (9); diphtheria, 5. (1); tuberculosis (1); puerperal fever, 1 (2). Wairarapa-East Capo: Scarlet fever, 2 (15); diphtheria^ 6 (7); tuberculosis, 2 (0); enteric fever, 3 (0); puerperal fever, 2 (4) poliomolitia, 1 (0); pneumonia, 0 (5). Central Wellington: Scarlet fever, 18 (13); diphtheria, 5 (1); tuberculosis, 4 (0); pneumonia, 1 (3). Nelson-Marlbor-ough: Puerperal fever, 1 (0); tuberculosis, 0 (1). •- .

Advertising New Zealand,

As the result of negotiations between the New Zealand Government Publicity Office and the representative of tho Canadian Pacific Bailway Company at Auckland (Mr. A. W. Essex), arrangements: have been made for the display of New Zealand scenic cinema films on the C.P.K. Company's transatlantic steamers. ■ The company stipulates that tho films must be of non-inflammable stock, to comply with regulations, and suggests that four films bo supplied— "Three that will have an appeal to tourists, that is, films dealing with scenic splond^ur, etc.; and one film dovoted to industrial developments, provided it is interesting. If it. is not, then it is suggested that there should be four films of tourist variety." The Minister in charge of the Publicity Of'fice'(th'o Hon. G. J. Anderson) expressed appreciation yesterday of tho company's wholehearted co-operation. "Tho display of New Zealand films on their steamships," he said, "should be the means of attracting more tourists to the Dominion. Tho typo and class of film suggested will be forwarded, and it is intended, also, to place on tho ships a number of albums containing New Zealand viows. It should bo remembered that tho Canadian Pacific Bailway Company is doing this work gratuitously. It is actions such as these which go a long way to foster the good feelings existing between the siater Dominions.^ :.-: .-■ T---.1-::.;:_

City Engineer's Department.

A special meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday evening. The main matter for consideration will be tho report of the Town Clerk and the City Engineer in regard to the City Engineer's Department.

Imperial War Pensions.

An official communication which the Commissioner of Pensions (Mr. G. C. Faehe) has received from the British Ministry of Pensions draws tho attention of former members of tho Imperial Forces now resident in New Zealand to the approaching conclusion of the period during which, under the War Pensions Act, 1921, the Ministry is empowered to grant pensions in respect of disabilities. The circular reads as follows:—"Claims by officers, nurses, noncommissioned officers, and men to any Imperial pension, grant, annuity, or allowance in respect of disablement incurred in tho Great War (including claims by pensioners for additional disabilities) can only be considered if made within seven years after the date of discharge or within seven years after the termination of tho war (31st August, 1921), whichever date is the earlier."

Fate of the Wanaka.

Tho disposal of the remains of the steamer Wanaka has been decided and all that is left of the old vessel will bo sunk outside the limits of the Hauraki Gulf, near which spot she so often passed during her 39 years of sea service (states the "New Zealand Herald"). During the past four months she has been stripped of all saleable metal by the ship-breakers, who first offered the hull to the Naval Department as a target, and then to the Public Works Department as a breakwater. Both offers were declined. Arrangements are now being made for a tug, probably the Te Awhina, to tow the Wanaka's shell to sea next week. It will be sunk by means of a charge of gelignite exploded in the hold.

The Wrong "Palmerston."

"This information should be a complete answer to those people who say that the trouble caused-by the name of Palmerston North is insignificant," said the president, Mr. M. A. Elliott, at a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, when a letter was read from Mr. A. Dawson, chief postmaster at Palmerston North, ■advising that, in reply to the request of the chamber, he -had ascertained that during August last year tho number of letters, packages and commercial articles recorded as having travelled to Palmerston in the South Island when intended for Palmerston North was 327. "That runs into more than 4000 per year on the basis of August, which is not the busiest month for business people," said Mr.-Elliott. "The quantity is something quite beyond expectations." He added that when ho was canvassing the town in company with other members of the chamber many people had told him that letters wore continually going astray. "On tho last day we canvassed 100 per pent, of the business men leaped at the idea of changing the ,namo of the town," said Mr. C. Catton. Mr. J. Stevens pointed out that the figures given in the postmaster's letter did not include letters ■tririch had gone to Palmerston North when intended for Palmerstou.

School Insurance Scheme,

The question of an insurance scheme for school children, to cover them for accidents in the school grounds, is to be taken in hand by the Hawkes Bay Education Board as the result of a decision reached at the meeting of the board (says the "Napier Daily Telegraph")- I" reply to a suggestion that children in the playground of schools should be insured, tho Department of Education advised that negligence had to bo proved before a parent could recover compensation. As long as ordinary care was exercised the teacher, tho committee, and the board were uot liable, and therefore insurance was not necessary.

To Sail No More.

Scarred after nearly half a century's roaming, and thick with rust as a result of over two years' idleness, the Union Company's steamer Flora is boing converted at Auckland into a floating oil store to hold fuel for other steamers of the company's fleet (says a correspondent). An iron steamer of 1253 tons gross, the Flora was built in 1882 by Earlo and Company, of Hull, and engined by Bailey and Lcetham. While under the Union Company's flag she was engaged in a number of services, her last being that to tho Cook Islands. During June, 1924, the Flora became disabled off Cuvicr Island as a result of a. broken pin in her crankshaft, and she narrowly escaped being piled up on tho coast. A terrific northerly gale was raging at the time, and few on board expected that she would ever return to port. At one time all tho crew, with the exception of the engineers, wero ordered to stand by tho boats. Fortunately tho order to man the boats was never given, and the crippled vessel, whoso engines were working spasmodically, reached the shelter of Mercury Island. During her forty-five years of roaming, the Flora has had other exciting experiences, but sho has always weathered the storms.

"Adoption" of Schools.

A system of "parent" and "adopted" schools has been undertaken by the Hawkes Bay Education Board, largo town schools adopting smaller country schools within convenient distance. The idea of the scheme is that tho larger schools should take under their wing a smaller school, and help it in every way possible. Work done by tho lower school can be submitted to tho parent school for examination and criticism, after which it can be handed back to tho smaller schools with specimens of tho larger school's work., The headmasters of tho larger schools are to bo granted permission* to visit tho smaller schools, and make suggestions as to efficiency." A suggestion has also been made that tho smaller school holidays should bo taken so that the smaller schools can visit the larger ones and see them working. It is thought that tho idea will result in an increase in harmony and efficiency in and among tho schools concerned.. . ■ '

Duties of Trampers.

The president of the Tararua Tramping Club (Mr. F.• "W. Vosseler)' made it plain last evening that thq club has very decided views on the observance of tho law and of the conduct of trampors in the use of public and private property. . Members, ho said, must leave gates to properties as they were found, not leave damaging fires, litter rubbish about, unduly disturb stock, or do anything to cause annoyance. Wherever possible they should seek permission and not bo trespassers. "For the privileges Now Zealand offers," said Mr. Vosseler, "you must be real guardians of our public reserves, forests, .national parks, and our many other beauty spots because naturally you will know more about them and possess < a greater interest in them than the ordinary public. They arc your properties,- these places, and it is up to you" to'conserve them in every way you possibly' can."