NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 40, 15 August 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Confusing to Motorists. In a case in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when a man was charged with driving a motor-car across the- railway line in front of a train, the Magistrate, Mr. E. Page, S.M., said that the green light used by the crossing keeper was a very confusing signal to a motorist. "They could very easily adopt a signal, if thoy arc waving green for the train, to automatically turn a red light to the motorist," said Mr. Page. Wharf Labour,. .._.'./. ...... Tho Arbitration Court was asked to interpret a provision in the Waterside Workers' Award with regard to ceasing work for the day. The shed men on the Wellington wharves were discharged for the night at 9.30 p.m., while the ship's men were employed putting on the hatches and did not cease work until 10 p.m. The Court decided yesterday that the Harbour Board men are entitled to be paid until 9.45 p.m. Public Service Commissioner. "In conferring the rank and dignity of a Companion of the Most Distinguished; Order of St. Michael and St. George, on Mr. P. Verschaffelt, His Majesty, the King has not only honoured the Public Service Commissioner, but also the service which he controls," states the "Public Service Journal." "We heartily congratulate Mr. Verschaffelt on this well deserved honour, and hope he will live many years to enjoy the distinction. We arc also much gratified to know that he has been ruappointod Commissioner for a further term of seven years, and we believe his reappointment will meet with the approval of all'members of the Public Service Association." Supper "Door-Crashers." At a. recent dance at Elthain a member of the committee, who has had a great deal of experience in the control of these functions, decided that, in view of previous happenings, it was time to deal with the supper "door crashers." Accordingly, says an exchange, he endorsed on the back of the supper tickets a code word in bold letters, and the doorkeepers were instructed to examine carefully each ticket presented, to ensure that people did not gain entrance before their rightful turn. Fully 30 people endeavoured to enter for the first sitting with tickets manufactured from cigarette packets, old theatre passes, or anything of the correct colour, but the doorkeepers were too alert to be caught.

"Smad." Twice a year the students of Victoria University College publish "The Spike," a magazine devoted to college news and those literary ventures in verse and prose which students miraculously find time to make in. spite of extensive studies and innumerable examin; ations. "The Spike" is now being supplemented by a monthly publication, "Smad," which title has a more worthy origin than might be supposed, seeing that it. is composed of the first letter of each word of the college motto—• Sapientia Magis Aurd Desideraniada (Wisdom is more to be desired than gold). The editorial points out that the new paper is to be one for each and every student of Victoria College, and that on each and every student depends its success. No contribution will be refused which is of sufficient importance and interest to the general student body. The first issuo of this "organ of student opinion" is bright and breezy, with plenty of current college news peppered with those personal quips and allusions which arc the happy tradition of " 'Varsity" journalism. "Smad" is being sold at the modest price of threepence, so that it seems likely that few students will fail to take the advice prominently displayed in the first issue—"Don't rest your chin on my shoulder. Buy a copy of 'Smad' for yourself." Public Service Association. "It is especially gratifying to note the changed attitude of leaders of all political parties to-day towards the Public Service Association," states the "Public Service Journal." "There is a feeling of confidence—mutual confidence— growing stronger as time goes on, on all sides. The Government and the Public Service Commissioner know that the association can be relied upon 1o act reasonably, and that its representations and requests will bo fair and just, and the association, on the other hand, knows that these representations will receive fair, anrl reasonable consideration,''

Essays for Apples. To further popularise New Zealand apples at this season, the Fruit Board has arranged a competition for London school children, says an exchange. The board appealed to teachers: "Let your pupils win for the school a case of New Zealand apples. First give your pupils a lesson on 'New Zealand Apples,' notes for which will be found on the opposite page, and allow them to read the notes. Then sot an essay on the subject to be written at school or at home. Select the three best essays. A case of New Zealand apples will be sent to the 40 schools which send in the best set of essays." Some 500 schools have entered for the competition, including two schools for the blind. A. Spiteful Deed. A very moan piece of work was done n rhcn someone slashed 70 out of 142 sheepskins which had been hung out under somo trees iv a paddock adjoining the wool works belonging to Mr. Early, at Woolston, Christchurch, last week (says an exchange). Mr. Early, who has been in the habit of hanging out "green" skins, sometimes for a week, was working with an assistant until 5 o'clock on the previous afternoon. Returning in the morning he found a large number of the skins cut and slashed in several places. The perpetrator had to climb the fence of the paddock, as several of the rows range up to about 10 yards from the fence. The damage is estimated at about £.10. An Albino Kiwi. Thcro is an albino kiwi on Little Barrier Island. These birds are very rare occupants of the vast sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, where many of New Zealand's rare native birds live without disturbance from the intrusions which have ruined the forests on the mainland. A report oh the sanctuary is included in the annual statement of the activities of tho Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, presented to the House of Representatives a few days ago. "During the past few months, the kiwis have been coming near the house," reports the caretaker at the island. "By moving quietly, one can approach close to them, and, when darkness sets in, one can hear them cry. They seem to be in fairly large numbers. I have not been fortunate in seeing the white kiwi, but I believe it is still alive. I see white kiwi feathers occasionally." Kats in Christctiurch. The rat population in Christchurch is at a satisfactorily low figure, according to Mr. L. Hardie, chief city inspector, states the "Christchurch Times." When his attention was drawn to a cable reporting the discovery of a bacillus that kills whole colonies he said that he had received details of other bacilli some years ago from the United States. The use of bacilli in the neighbourhood of wharves was permissible, but in towns it would not be advisable as the dead bodies would lie about and decompose. The council sold 288 bottles of its special phosphorous rat paste every four or six weeks, and, said Mr. Hardie, the use of that preparation was keeping down the number of rats in the city. It was sold at sevenpence a bottle—cost price to the council —and had been in use for nine years. When tho rats ate anything .covered with the paste they died immediately and were practically cremated, so that there was no possible chance of any offensive smell arising from decomposition. The council would not use anything in the way of rat poison unless the manufacturer gave a written guarantee that the bodies of the animals would bo consumed. WMtebait on Stewart Island. A few small slioals of whitebait have bcon noticed recently making along the shores of Paterson 's Inlet, Stewart Island. They seem to come more freely in August, which no doubt corresponds to the time they make up the rivers on tho mainland, states the "Southland News." Their presence in the rivers on the island is soon demonstrated by the flocks of shags which enter the rivers and wax fat on the small fish. Owing to the waters of Stewart Island rivers being dark coloured no one has as yet tried to make a livelihood out of whitebait, but there should be some means of getting over the difficulty, as apparently they are numerous. Assistance for Free Ambulance. The secretary of the Wellington Free Ambulance, Mr. F. Eoffe, has received the following contributions, the proceeds of benefit functions: Kelburn Croquet Club, £7; Ngaroina Croquet Club (Petonc), £14 8s 6d; Eastbourne Croquet Club, £11 ss; Tawa Flat School Committee, £7; and Trentham. (Mrs Telford), £51 6s. The Wellington Bugby Union has forwarded a contribution of £10, part of the proceeds of the Charity Saturday match. A grant of £150 has also been received from the Board of Governors of the T. G. Macarthy Trust. The members of the Ambulance Board appreciate the assistance of all concerned and the growing interest shown by the residents of the city and district in the work that is being done by the service, and the practical support that is being accorded to it is particularly pleasing. Coming Flower Shows. Longer and warmer days, more sunshine, and an increased growth in the gardens, foretelling glories to come, are turning the attention of flower-lovers to flower shows later in the season. The Hutt Valley Horticultural Society has issued schedules for its shows. The Spring Narcissi Show, in conjunction with the National Daffodil Society, will produce the North Island's champion blooms and will take place on the 17th and 18th September. The Summer Show is on 19th November, the Mid-Summer Show on 4th and sth February, and the Autumn Show on 15th and 16th April. The dates of Wellington's shows are 24th and 25th September, 26th November, and 22nd and 23rd April. There will also be a number of suburban shows. On 29th January next, in the Wellington Town Hall, there will be something new,, in the shape of a National Flower Show. This will bo a feature of a "Horticultural Week." Building Trade.

The hearing of an application by the Builders' and General Labourers' Union for a new award was concluded in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon. Evidence was given in support of the counter-claim of the master builders for a renewal of the present award. It was stated that a good deal of building had been going on in Wellington until quite recently, but things had now slackened. It was contended tliat present conditions did not warrant shorter hours and higher wages. The award of tho Court will be issued later.