NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1933, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Coronation Day. A Itoyal Salute will be fired at noon tomorrow in commemoration of the coronation of hid, Majesty King George V) who was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Juno 22, 1911. The Shortest Day. The paragraph in yesterday's "Post" claiming the distinction for today, June 21, as being the shortest day has not passed unchallenged by several correspondents. Although almanacs arc generally agreed that Juno 21 is the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere, and conversely the longest one in,, the Northern Hemisphere, thtjy arc not altogether right from an astronomical point of view. Strictly speak-: ing tomorrow, June 22, is,the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere, and June 21 (one and the same day really as June 22 hero owing to 'difference in time) the longest' day in England. It is at approximately 11 a.m. tomorrow (New Zealand time) that the sun reaches its furthest north declination point, therefore tomorrow may be regarded as the shortest day in Now Zealand. Tho difference in the timo elapsing between sunrise and sunset on tho two rival days, and also on several days to' come, is practically negligible. But if the highest degree of accuracy is required, the palm must be awarded to tomorrow, June 22, for being tho shortest day, in spite of the claims made for Juno 21- >by almanacs and sueh-like publications. Is a Wife a Chattel? Duringa discussion in the Full Court today on the modern meaning of a chattel Mr. Justice Blair asked whether a wife was a chattel. "I have, heard it said," replied counsel, "but it is not so considered in these times, I believe." "I supposo it is obsolete," suggested Mr. Justice MacGregor. A Generous Gift. A cheque for £10 10s from an anonymous donor was handed to Mr. L. J. Greenberg, secretary of the Wellington Citizens' Boy Unemployment Committee, by Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson (president) at the Eotary Club luncheon yesterday. Tho donor wrote stating that ho had already employed two boys through" the committee, and both were so satisfactory that ho was sorry he could not find room for more. Mr. Greenberg expressed thanks to the donor for the generous'gift. Number of Local Bodies. The question of whether or no it is desirable to reduce the number of local bodies in New Zealand was dealt with by the Acting-Prime Minister (tho Et. Hon. J. G. Coates) in a statement made to Mr. F. B. Logan (chairman of the Hawke's Bay County Council) and Sir Andrew Russell during their interview with him on various county matters. Mr. Coates said that the subject of amalgamation was under review, as lie'realised that something would have to be done. Just how this was to be brought about was a little difficult at present, ho said. It probably will be suggested to Parliament when it meets that a, special committee should bo set up to deal with the position, and to confer with officers of local bodies. Referring to the hospital levy upon counties, Mr. Coates agreed that an alteration is necessary, but said he would be guided largely by the result of the counties' conference next month.

Diomede In Dock. H.M.S. Diomede went into dock at Auckland on Monday morning in connection with her extensive refitting. The warship is expected to remain in dock until July 10, and her refitting will be completed about the middle of July. A fortnight later she is to be reconunissioned. Inward Shipping Freights. At a meeting of tho Council of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr. W. Si mm strongly urged that tho Chamber co-operate with the Importers' Federation in endeavouring to get a reduction in freights on goods imported from Great Britain to New Zealand. He understood that cables had already- been exchanged with the London offices of the shipping companies. He also understood that the Importers 3 Federation had been in communication with the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce, who was now in London. The time was opportune for a reduction in the extraordinarily high freights .on imported goods, said Mr. Simm. The council resolved to support the Importers' Federation in the action it had taken, and agreed that a resolution to that effect be forwarded to the Associated Cham-1 bers of Commerce. White Walking-Sticks. , ■' A scheme to provide blind people with white walking-sticks as an indication to vehicle drivers and pedestrians to, exercise care is announced by Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, director of the Jubileo Institute for tho Blind, according to a telegram received from Auckland. "It was decided in Europe that the most generally useful sign would be for blind people to carry white walking-sticks, and this has now found general acceptance in Great Britain and North America," stalted " Mr! Mackenzie. "The idea has also appealed to a number of blind people in New Zealand and the Board of Trustees of the Institute for tho Blind has decided to offer a white walking-stick as a gift to any bona fide blind person desiring to have one. Automobile associations have been informed, and have accepted the idea as a good one." Access to Mount Cook Site. The Board of Trustees, states that satisfactory arrangements have been made regarding tho access road to the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum site at Mount Cook, and that a start will be made immediately with the formation of tho road. Tho board adds that the actual building operations have- not been delayed, as for a building of this size it is necessary for the extensive system of drainage and irater mains to bo put in prior to the commencement of the actual foundations of the building.H Oh inquiry a "Post" reporter was told that , the' improved access for heavy haulage; sought by the contractors is being made available by cutting back a bank on the sweep on the .western side of the carillon tower base. The questions of removal of the old police residence and of access to the Technical College are still under consideration. Anomalies in County Rating.. The Acting-Prime Minister (tho'lit. Hon. J. Gi Coates) is to consider with his colleagues the whole question of county rating on unimproved values. As tho result of a poll taken a short while ago tho Hawke's Bay County Council altered its rating policy from capital to 'unimproved values, but /the chairman of the County Council (Mr. F. B. Logan) has pointed out to Mr. Coates many anomalies which have since arisen. Mr. Logan stated to a "Hawke's Bay Herald" reporter that while ho and Sir Andrew Russell wero discussing with Mr. Coates tho effects of tho change, Mr. Coates said that many similar conditions had been observed by him in tho Hobson County, his own district, and ho would bring tho.subject, before tho notice of his colleagues and. advise the 'County Council as!,to any possible movement. Boat With a History. .An. 'interesting relic of the early days is swung on tho deck of the Northumberland, which is due at Wellington on Friday morning from Lyttelton. It is a boat with: a history—the Royal gig which saw 37 years of service on tho Royal yacht Victoria and Albert. It. was one of two gigs carried on the Royal yacht and when it was condemned four years ago, Captain H. L. Upton applied to the Admiralty for possession of it, for although it was considered too old for use in the Royal service, it was, and still is, in excellont condition. Today it is used by the endets of the Northumberland in rowing races against tho boys of tho Worcester and Conway training ships, states the "Timaru Herald." Fully.manned itr is rowed by six oars. It is 25ft long, and its beam at the widest part is sft 6in. Tt is mado of mahogany throughout, and despite its age is still as sound as a bell. At the bow, the Royal Arms havo been replaced by the ' official badge of the Federal Company. Tlio Victoria and Albert is one of the oldest craft on the Navy lists, for it "was laid down at the command of Queen Victoria and launched in May, 1899. The christening ceremony was performed by the Duchess of York, who is now Queen Mary. Tho vessel was designed by the lato Sir William Whito. ■ Irregular School Attendance. Following upon a report from the principal of tho Napier Boys' High School that in many cases parents did not give all the assistance they might to ensure the regular attendance of their boys, the chairman of tho Napier Secondary Education Board, Mr. W. Dinwiddie, has warned holders of free places that their privileges may be cancelled because of irregular attendance, lack' of .diligence, or for misconduct, no matter what progress had been made, and it is now intended that the regulations shall be more strictly enforced. "Practically every pupil now receives free instruction through having qualified for what is usually termed a free place," he; added; "A freo place can be cancelled on the grounds of irregular attendance, no matter what the progress of the pupil may be. It may also, of course, be cancelled for lack of diligence, or for misconduct, etc., and it is now intonddd that the regulations shall .be more strictly enforced. Any pupil, therefore, who for the future is absent from school with-! out sufficient reason will run the risk of immediate cancellation of his or her free place." ; In Event of Disaster. . Tho annual report of tho A Tcw Zealand Red Cross Society^ mentions' arrangements' that are being made tcy organise various bodies should the country be involved in a disaster. The report states that during tho year tho chairman of the Red Cross Society consulted with some of the principal officers of the military medical service and the nursing service and the attitudo of the executive of the New Zealand Bed Cross Society regarding work to be carried out in the event of national disaster was fully explained. Further steps were being taken, the report continues, to keep in close contact with tho Health Department, military medical services, and also with various local organisations that had been set up to co-ordinate as far as possible in the event of national disaster. There was still a considerable amount of work to bo dono in this respect throughout New Zealaud, as there were many organisations endeavouring to set up schemes for disaster relief without attempting to approach and arrange for co-ordination with other bodies, particularly the Red Cross Society, which was in a position not only to ably conduct the work, but was bound to take every possible step to be prepared in the event oj disaster,