NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Busy Ambulance. Yesterday was a particularly strenuous one for the seven Free Ambulance men on duty. Commencing with a call at 2.15 a.m. the ears were kept running busily until the last call of the day was received at 8 p.m. In attending to the thirty-three cases handled the ambulance men drove 528 milCB and visited Lower Hutt four times, Porirua three times, Upper Hutt, Petone, and Khandallah each twice, and Johnsonville and Waikanae once. From 8 p.m. onwards the men could call their time their own. A Minor Earthquake. •A slight earthquake was felt in Wellington last evening at 8.48, the tremor lasting for a second or two only. The shock, however, was felt more distinctly in the Wairarapa and around Palmerston North, according to telegrams received, but in no place was it severe. > Provisional determinations made from records on;the seismograph at the Dominion Observatory, Kelburn, place the epicentre at about 110 miles north-east of Wellington. . This would be somewhere near Danne^rke. Winter Bird Feed. Having noticed in an English zoo special glass feeders for long-billed honey-eating birds such as humming birds, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp brought the matter before the members of the Wellington Acclimatisation ; Society last night, and exhibited samples of the feeders. He believed that the best form of feeder for bell birds and tuis would be a joint of bamboo, with a hole bored in the side. These could be filled with sugar and water. The suggestion was welcomed by the chairman (Dr. G. F. V. Anson),|Who said that it would be an excellent means of providing food for sugar-eating birds in New Zealand winters. Explosions in Lower Hutt. Loud explosions heard in the centre of the Lower Hutt business area caused some concern to shopkeepers and others yesterday. They were the work of the River Board employees who were ■ splitting with explosives some of the huge logs recently removed from the river in the vicinity of the bridge. The firewood is being handed over to the Lower Hutt relief committee. The explosions were powerful enough to shake some of the shops in the vicinityi Tho River Board's snagging gang is doing excellent service just now clearing,the river of logs, taking advantage of the unusual lowness of the stream. Angling Information. The suggestion had been made to him in England, said Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, at the meeting of the Wellington. Acclimatisation Society last night, that information regarding the fishing conditions obtaining in the rivers of the various acclimatisation societies should be' made available to visiting anglers at the main centres. In England he had met many anglers and sportsmen who had greatly appreciated the assistance given them in New Zealand by rangers and" secretaries of acclimatisation societies. Members agreed that the information could be provided with advantage in the interests of visitors. Good Swimming Record. "Only two boys in the school (excluding the primers) Are unable lo swim, and it is expected that, they wij master the art before the close of this season," stated the principal of Scots College (Mr. J. E. Sutcliffe) at last night's break-up function. "The school was successfnl in the interprimary school stWmming sports, gaining first place in the Duthie Cup competition for the second successive time, first in the Shields Memorial Trophy event, second in the inter-primary school life-saving competition and in the Maxwell Trophy for secondary schools, and also won the primary school championship of Wellington. Fifty-two boys gained the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association's distance certificates, and 34 awards of the Royal Life-saving Society were won." Fire Police at Auckland. Twenty-four fire police to assist in controlling the crowds which collect at •large fires, have been sworn in by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board, stated Superintendent W. L. Wilson. "Fire police are hardly necessary after 11 p.m.," said Superintendent Wilson. "It was at fires "which occurred in the early part of the evening that the greatest difficulty from large crowds was experien.e|id.'^

Ambulance Activities. During November the Wellington Free Ambulance attended 781 cases, compared with 505 during the corresponding month of last year. Eightytwo of the cases attended arose ■out of accidents, the remainder being transport cases. The miles travelled totalled 6561, compared with 5133 in November last year. Since the establishment of the Free Ambulance 42,015 cases have been attended and ,415,118 miles have been covered by the ambulances. A Headmaster's "Chickens." "In past years it has been my custom, on this occasion, after reading the formal report on the year's work, to add a few general remarks on educational aims and objects, and to take advantage of your good nature by offering a few words of appeal, or even advice, to you parents," said Mr. J. B. Sutcliffe, the principal, at the Scots College break-up function last night. "During the last few weeks, however, I have been in almost constant companionship with my daughter, now approaching the vast age, for a woman, of one year, and the fear I have contracted that some of my chickens may bo coming home to roost has almost cured me of the habit of advising you parents how to bring up your children." However, Mr. Sutcliffe went on to make some interesting comments. Successful Old Boys. The success of two Scots College old boys was mentioned by Mr. A. P. Smith at the prize-giving ceremony at the tollege last night. Dr. Furkert had recently achieved success in London, he said, by securing the F.B.C.S: at the age of 26 and after a .course of only fifteen months. The course seldom took less than two years. News had also been received that Hutchinson's, the London publishing firm, had reported favourably on a first novel written by Mr. Wilson Hogg, a son. of Dr. Hogg. Mr. Hogg had recently returned from England and would take up a position on the staff of his old college when it opened in February next. No Award This Year. No award of the Blcdisloe Medal for agriculture will be madia this year, according to a decision reached by the Board of Governors of Lincoln College on Tuesday, when it was decided to make no nomination for the present year (states the Christchurch "Press"). The decision, was reached in committee, the chairman (Dr. H. G. Denham) stating afterwards that the next award would be considered in September, 1934. The Bledisloe Medal, which was presented by the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) in 1931, is awarded annually to former students of Lincoln College who, in the opinion of the board, have rendered the greatest service to agriculture in the Dominion during the year. Previous winners have been Mr. H. A. Knight, of Racecourse Hill, and Mr. George Eennie, of Taupiri. ~ . Seed Certification. From the fundamental work carried out at the Plant Research Station it has now become possible to establish systems of seed certification affecting potatoes, wheat, white clover, perennial ryegrass, brown top, cocksfoot, and red clover, remarks a report to the Scientific and Industrial Research Council. "The certification scheme," adds the report, "has_ shown a remarkable advance since its inception in, 1928, when a total of 1294 acres of all crops wore submitted for inspection. In 1933 the number of acres so submitted was 34,672. This gives an indication of the extent to which the farmers of New Zealand are supporting the system of seed certification which, in consequence, will result throughout in a general improvement in the quality of the crops grown, and increase in seed export trade." The Proper "Balance." < "When you consider the great economic loss to the nation through ill health, estimated at over six million pounds annually for New Zealand alone, you must agree that it is essential for us to ensure that correct physical training is given to each boy during his school life," stated Mr. J. E. Sutcliffe, principal of Scots College, when speaking at the annual prize-giving ceremony last evening. "The policy of the school is to improve the general standard Of physical fitness rather than to specialise on the individual champion. We are trying by correct physical training to give each boy the proper 'balance' so •that between the staff, the chaplain, and the physical director we hope to attain our objective, the mental, moral, and physical education of our pupils." Opportunities for Boys. An optimistic view of the opportunities for employment which await boys leaving school this year is taken by educationists and others in close touch with the boy employment question, states an Auckland telegram. While it is realised that boys must have capacities of their own if they are to secure a place in the labour market, it is agreed that prospects now, with the closing of the school year, are brighter than they have been for & number of years. *'The position shows a decided improvement on recent years," said the headmaster of one secondary school. In the past term, he added, far wore boys had left school to go to positions than had been the case in recent years, and, of the number who had left, about 20 per cent, had gone to farms. The headmaster of another secondary School said that two-thirds of the boys who had left Ms school during the year had secured positions of better standard than boys had been taking in past years. Formerly_ there had b,een a tendency to take blind alley occupations for the sake of earning ready money, but this was much less evident today. Danger from Wandering Stock. \ The danger that wandering stock caused to traffic on a main highway was stressed by Mr. J. E. Aiuswortli, traffic inspector of the Main Highways Board, at.a sitting of the Upper Hutt Court yesterday. Mr. Ainsworth said that complaints' were received about wandering stock on the main highway at Kaitoke. Owners of stock were circularised and warned against the offence, and they were given a month in which to put their fences and gates in order. In two cases collisions had occurred with wandering stock. The Magistrate (Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M.), in dealing with cases Of wandering stock, said he took a serious view of the cases because of the danger of accident. Owners must keep their stock off the road, otherwise they would incur heavy penalties. New Zealand Legion. Correspondence which passed between the New Zealand Legion and the United Mine Workers of Now Zealand, asking that the miners' organisation be represented at a group conference of the legion, with a view to linking tip with it, has now been released, states a Greymoiith correspondent. The legion's letter, written by Dr/Campbell Begg, stated that the legion believed that the mine Workers were both willing and able to help the work of the legion. Mr. A. McLagan, secretary of the miners' organisation, in a long reply, said that the miners' council definitely would not take part in -my conference with the legion. "We are quite well aware that the legion is a Fascist Organisation," he said. He also 'stated that the legion was formed to maintain the privileges of the few. Mr, McLagan's letter concluded: "There is therefore no common ground of identity of interest upon which the two bodies can usefully meet, and we tare not going to make the mistake of helping to boost Fascism by attending any; conference p arrange.d feg jthg lggioA/? ' " •■'"-'.-

Geophysical Prospecting. '' Geophysical surveys are still being carried out in a number of the auriferous areas of Central Otago," remarks the last report to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. "The areas under survey are being carefully mapped, with a view to providing information which will assist in subsequent prospecting, and the information so gained will indicate to developing companies those localities that are worthy of attention. With the progress of the work in which geologists, geophysieists, and mining experts are co-operating, the experience gained expedites the rate with which the results of the seismic and magnetic methods may be interpreted, and worthwhile information given at little or no cost to-the State." Valued Service Over Many Years. A complimentary social evening was tendered by the parents, and ex-pupils of Wadestown and district last evening to Miss Battersby, who is retiring at the end of the school year after • 24 years' service as infant mistress at Wadestown School. Mr. A. Parlane, chairman of the school committee, who presided, said that Miss Battersby had to the highest degree those characteristics which made for success in the teaching profession—personality and sympathy. During her career at the school she had won the respect of parents and the esteem and real affection of the many children who had passed under her care. On behalf of the parents and ex-pupils, Mr. G. L. Stewart presented Miss Battersby with a handbag and a cheque, and paid a high tribute to Miss Battersby," whom he said he had known for many years, for not only had he been associated with her as a parent of children who had passed underher care, but he had known her in his former capacity as secretary of the.Wellington Education Board, and therefore ho was in a position to speak with a full recognition of her worth. Mr. C.1 H. Nicholls, representing, the Education Board, Mr. S. H. Ferguson, former headmaster at Wadestown, Professor W. H. Gould, and Mr. J. C. Webb, one of her old teachers, also Teferred to Miss BatterVby 's success as a member of the teaching profession. During the evening musical and other items were given by a party organised by Mrs. K. M, McDonald and Mrs. Bernard Withers. , :