NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Empire Bay. Empire Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, 3rd Juno, in conjunction with the anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King, and tho day will be observed as a public holiday in the Government offices throughout the Dominion. S.O.S. for Motorifite. The desirability' of having some recognised 5.0.8. call for motorists was stressed at yesterday's meeting of the executive of tho North Island Motor Union. It was agreed that three short blasts of the motor horn-would bo the best signal, so in future if a motorist hears a car behind him giving this signal he will know that something is amiss. It may be that the leading car's tail-light is not functioning, that his luggage is in danger of being deposited on the road, or that some mishap has overtaken the following car. In any case ho will be expected to stop. Juiymui'a Relationship. The even flow of Supreme Court proceedings was momentarily interrupted on Wednesday, when the foreman of a jury was granted permission to speak personally to the Judgo, Mr. Justice Herdman (says the "New Zealand Herald). "This gentleman has just informed me," Oaid his Honour afterwards, "that he is related >to the defendant." "I presume ho is a man of honour, and his relationship will make no difference to mo," said Mr. Noble, who was representing the plaintiff, Mr. A. 11. Johnstone, for the. defendant, said ho also was quite content to let matters stand, and the case was accordingly allowed to proceed. Motor-car on Buapehu. •A motor-car was driven for tho first time on to Scoria Nat, dn Kuapehu, on Saturday (states a Taumarunui correspondent). The car was driven by Mr. H. W. Glynn, and tho pftßscngers wero Mr. R. Cobbe, manager of Tho Chateau, and Mrs. Cobbe, Mr. J. Cullon, honorary warden of tho National Park, Mrs. Glynn, and Mrs. T.. Banks. Scoria Flat is two miles above Tho Chateau. ' After leaving The .Chateau the party drove up tho narrow track leading through tho bush toward tho mountain and crossed tho Whakapapa Eifer. After a furthor distanco through thei.bush the car followed the open mountain track; This was narrow and required skilful driving, but with.slight improvements the track could be made into a good road for motor trips for tourists. ' The journey to Scoria Nat took 20 minutes from The Chateau, and tlio return trip was mado without any gicat difficulty. "TTse More WooL" The slogan "Uae More Wool" will be widely used during tho early part of July, tho prime movers in this direction being farmers' wives, who, whilst their husbands are attending the minual conference of the Farmers' Union, will use every ondoavbur to create a bigger demand for fleeces from the sheep. This is a natural. corollary of a week boosting - New , Zealand-made goods, such' as tho present one, and is an endeavour, to further tho samo idea. Tho greater the demand for wool, tho better, it will be for tho sheep farmer and the better for tho Dominion as a whole. ' Wonder and & Nickname. "Are you only 14 years of age?" asked Mr. Justico Smith, when a tall, sturdily-built Grammar Schoo,! - boy stopped into the witness box in tho Supreme Court at Auckland (states the "Now Zealand, Herald")- When ■ as-sured-.that that'was the lad's age, his Honour remarked that it was a sign of the healthiness of the country. "A good, healthy New Zealander," commented Mr. Northcroft. "I wonder what his nickname at school is?" "If it is anything like mine was, it will probably be 'shorty,' " said Mr. West, who is one of tho tallest men in the legal profession. Road and Rail Bridges. The proposal of tho Railway Department \to incroaso charges to the Main Highways Board for the use of railway bridges by motorists was discussed by Iho Motorists' Conforenco to-day. Mr. Wynyard, representative on ( tho board, sirid that in 1904 the present rules for charges were laid down. Tho total amount yearly charged was £2662, but on the new proposals mado by tho railways the total cost would be something like £18,479, at the rate of £4C20 por bridgo mile por annum, a COO per cent, increase on old charges. Mr. F. W. Johnston (Canterbury) said that the Railway Department had been astute. AH motorists wero told was what the past cost to them was and what the future cost would be. To make, it intelligible, the annual cost of upkeep should be stated. The liakaia bridge under the old scale was set down at the £600; tho new scalo said £4837. He would like to know the total annual cost of. keeping this bridgo. in order. He raised the point that, owing to heavier engines, some oi" the present railway bridges in good order would have to be discarded. Could not those be taken over by the Highways Board? Tho matter is being discussed with the Counties Association this afternoon. Exit Hoardings? At tho conference of Now Zealand motorists to-day it was decided that tho North Island Motor Union co-oper-nte with tho South Island Motor Union in endeavouring to secure the elimination of nil roadside advertising hoardings in rural districts,"'also all hoardings on railway property at or near railway level crossings .(except in cities or large towns). Mr. F. W. Johnston, tho mover, said he would like to sec the samo powers given to county councils as were held by municipalities. It must be pointed out that it was not a question of obstruction of view, but of distracting tho motorist's attention, especially at railway crossings. Tho bylaw should bo amended in tho case of private properties also, because the ownership of land could not be allowed to interfere with the rights of other individuals. To Be Issued No More. In the past automobile clubs and associations havo boon suppliod by the Government with motor re-licensing and third-party insuranco nomination forms for issue to their members. This practice, however, has now to cease, according to advice received by the executive of the North Island Motor Union from the Minister of Transport, the Hon. W. B. Tavcrncr. The.Minister said in his letter that, while fully appreciating the convenience such : a practico might bo to members of automobile associations, he could not, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, vary tho decision not to supply forms in the future. Tho executive of tho North Island Motor Union decided yesterday to forward a letter of protest to the Minister.

"Feast of Weeks" Ends. To-day is the last clay of the' Jewish "Feast of Weeks," a period of seven weeks corresponding roughly with the Christian season of Lent. In Palestinethe corn harvest lasted seven weeks and was a season for ■ rejoicing. Now these seven weeks aro weeks of mourning and self-denial in remembrance of tho time when tho Jews wero exiled from Palestine. No weddings aro celebrated during that time, but to-day, tho final day, is a day of feasting and rejoicing. ■It is known as Shabuot, the whole seven weeks' period being designated Swira. Christchurch arid Arbitration. By public notice the Christchureh Tramway Employees' Union signifies its intention to make an endeavour_ to obtain an amendment of tho Christchurch Tramway District Act, 1920, at tho approaching session of Parliament Instates "Tho Press"). The proposed .amendment is intended to bring the members of the union again within the jurisdiction of tho Court of Arbitration. It is proposed, in section 28 of the Act, to doleto the words "servants and workmen," and to substitute tho words "and servants as may bo required for the carrying out of the provisions of this Act." Although the terms "servants" and "workmen" appear to be, interchangeable, the Court of Arbitration, some years ago, held that the inclusion,of the two terms in the section indicated that the Legislature intended to differentiate between clerical and other workers. The union's amendment, if, obtained, will result in the wording of the board's Act conforming with tho wording of the sec- j tions in the Municipal Corporations; Act and tho Harbours Act relating to | tho engagement of servants.