NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 56, 7 March 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Carpenters Hard Hit. Aecqrding to a statement made by Lthe secretary of the Wellington Carpenters' Union, Mr. J. Moulton, at the unemployed deputation to the Ministers of Lands and Labour yesterday afternoon a situation new to the building trade was being faced, sinco that trade in February was showing slackness. Carpenters were hard " hit, and the latest figures available showed that in Wellington one-tenth of the union membership was out of work, and onesixth in each of the Auckland, Christchureh, and Dunedin unions. As a means of assisting the building trade, Mr. Moulton suggested that the Government should authorise at once tho rebuilding of tho old wing of Parliament House. A Narrow Escape. Four men narrowly escaped being burned while attempting to salvage a launch owned by Mr. A. Allen, of Ngamotu, which was sunk at high tide on Sunday evening, states a New Plymouth correspondent. The four men (Messrs. A. Allen, W. Bocock, ■W. Smith, and K. Smith) were baling out the launch when it burst' into■ flames. Benzine covered the water all round, and at onco took lire. The workers were in immediate danger, but luckily a dinghy was handy, and three of them leaped to safety, while the fourth, who sustained slight burns, was taken off in the Harbour Board launch. A naked light, is thought to have caused the accident. The launch was refilled with water and the flames were extinguished. Damage estimated at about £20 was done to the boat. A Bishop's Joke. "It is said that Auckland lives on Dunedin's money, because the people of this city go to Dunedin and apend their money, and then the southern city lends it back to us at interest," said Mr. E. Casey, .speaking on behalf of the laity in the Auckland Town Hall, at the welcome to Bishop Liston, reports the "Auckland Star." "Ana now they are saying that Auckland must look to Dunedin even for her bishops, because the late Dr. Cleary camo here from that city, and Bishop Liston is a native of Dunedin. I suggest to his Lordship that he might use his influence towards having an Auckland priest appointed as a co-adjutor bishop in Dunedin. On the principle that every soldier carries a baton in his knapsack, his Lordship should not be surprised if he found there was a sudden great importation of mitres in Auckland." (Laughter.) Later, Bishop Liston said he loved his clergy too well to part with even one of their number. It was fortunate, therefore, that the selection of a bishop for another diocese was outside his control. Refused as Gifts. . * Several German machine-guns and trench mortars at present stored in the Auckland Town Hall are evidently proving an embarrassment to the City, Council, and they are apparently likely to continue to do so, as two local bodies have refused them as gifts. this week, states the "New Zealand Herald." The Manurewa Town Board declined the offer with thanks, as the district already possessed a machine-gun. At its meeting last evening, tho Mount Wellington Road Board also refused the council's offer, on the ground that there was no suitable- place for the guns. Crematorium for Ohristchurch. A recommendation that the sum of £3000 be placed on next year's estimate's for tho building of a crematorium was discussed at Monday night's meeting of the Christchurch City Council, when the Eeserves Committee's report came up for consideration. The report stated that during hia recent visit to Dunedin, the City Engineer (Mr. A. R. Galbraith) took the opportunity of inspecting the crematorium established there, and he reported that it '•as used to a great extent. He further roported that he was of the opinion that a suitable crematorium could be erected la Christchurch at a cost of £3000. This amount would include provision for cremation by coke. The committee therefore recommended that the sum mentioned be placed on next year's estimates, and that tho City Engineer bo instructed to prepare the necessary plans. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.

Life-Belts Taken. An instance of vandalism was reported to the Lyttelton Harbour Board on Wednesday by the ,chairman (Mr. 11. Holland, M.P.), who said that the life-belts at the Governor's Bay jetties had disappeared, reports the Christchurch "Press." The hooks on which tho life-belts and life-hooks had hung had, in one case at least, been wrenched off. "I would like to point out," Mr. Holland added, "that such offences are very serious, as some life might be lost through such acts of folly, and also that stieh ofEenc-.es are punishable with a penalty up to £100. Ti\ese life-pelts and liffc-hooks are being replaced, and residents have promised to keep an eyo on them and report any cases of wanton damage or theft." An Atheist in the Box. "I'm an atheist," said a defendant in the Magistrate's Court to-day, as an explanation of his refusal to hold the Bible in his right hand while the oath was administered. "What do you mean by that?" queried Mr. E. Page, S.M. "I have no religion," was .the reply. ' Mr. Page: "Do you want to make an affirmation?" Defendant: "Yes." He then repeated after Mr. Page the following 'affirmation: "I solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm that I will Bpeak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." *