NEWS OF the DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 21, 25 July 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF the DAY

Earthquakes on the Wane. ' After a period of remarkable activity the seismographs at the Dominion. Observatory, Kelburn, aTe now having] less to do. The scries of big.earthquakes ' in other parts of the wortd which were recorded here scorns to have coasod, and tho recording instruments nro now not showing anything more than tho normal and minor oscillations which aro of almost daily occurrence, although unnoticed by anyone or, anything oxcept the most dolicato of instruments. Bigger and Bigger, , The competition for tho glory of owning tho largest liner in tiio world appears to bo exercising tho minds of shipping ownevs in tho Northern Hemisphere, An. English shipping journal states that it is understood that as a result of interior alterations since her initial measurement, the gross tonnage of tho French linor Normandio, undqr construction, at St. Nazaire, has boon increased from 08,000 to 78,500, This makes her 5500 tons larger than tho now Cunard liner No, 534, which is to bo launched next September "and is to bo named Britannia. "It is possible," continues the journal, "that beforo tho •latter vessel is completod sufficient modification of her interior arrangements will havo been offcetcd to ra?so her present figure of 73,000 tons gross to n, higher level than that of the ■French ship." The length of No, 53-t is 1018 feet, which is 5G feet longer than tho Nonnandie." Impressed by Bradford Tip System. Councillor Colir, chairman of tho works committee of the Hastings Borough 'Council, and Mr. C. E. Evans borough engineer, are visiting Wellington and are. inspecting various City Corporation activities, particularly tho .Bradford system of refuso disposal Yesterday they discussed the svstcm with the City Engineer, Mr. G. A. "Hart and in the afternoon were motored round tho various tips by Mr. X, E Luke, of tho engineer 's department and Mr. A. W. Brayshay, who deals particularly with this work. They expressed themselves as very much impressed by tho system, in- its simple working and effective results in the disposal of refuse and tho transformation o£ waste ground into valuablo level areas. Hastings, which has about 3000 houses, as compared with Wellington's 29,000, has as yet no specialised system of refuse disposal, and the suggestion was made by tho Health Department that the Bradford system, adopted and proved highly successful in Wellington should be inquired into. Today the visitors are inspecting other cprporation works, including recent methods of street surfacing and reconditioning.

Alterations to Town Hall. Tenders for tho demolition of the tower and porticoes, parapots, and other ornamental work at the Town Hall, and for general strengthening and other interior work, were considered at a special meeting of the City Council yesterday aftei-noon and a tender was decided upon. Certain" formalities have still .to be completed and the name of the contractor nnd his pvico have not yet been announced. Effect of Exchange. The operation of the 25 per. cent, exchange rate resulted in a big return this year to the Stratford Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association, At the annual inecting of shareholders in the Town Hall the chairman- of directors (Mr. L. E. Harm) said the balance-sheet revealed that the exchange had netted the company over £11,000, states tho ''Stratford Evening Post." The sum was distributed among suppliers and ouablod payment of a bonus. Not at War Memorial. The action of the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) in refusing an anti-war body permission to hold an open-air meeting in tho vicinity of tho Citizens' War Memorial on August 4, the ' twontieth anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War, was confirmed unanimously by tho City Council yesterday afternoon. Mr. Hislop said that he had pointed out to members of. the body that the War Memorial was not intended for a meeting place, but as a tribute to those who fell in' tho war. Apart from that, the streets at that spot were needed for traffic. Street •meetings were, moreover, not favoured by tho police. - Halls could be hired. - China as a Neighbour. "It is a great pity for young peoplo in New Zealand fo get the idea that China has nothing of •interest to New Zealand," said tho Key. G. H. McNcur, a 'missionary to thoChinose, during an address to members of the Auckland Presbyterian Men's League (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). Mr. McNeur said that every year the vast territory of China, was being more and more opened up by fast transport and new roads. China was being brought into tho life of the West and into the life of New Zealand,, and we should show ourselves, to be neighbourly. Captain Cook Memorial. A party including some ton members of the Captain Cook Memorial Committee took the opportunity of visiting Ship. Cove to investigate reports that erosion was endangering tho stability of the monument there. At the same time consideration was given to a scheme for improving tho memorial by suitable additions in its height and general proportions, states tho "Marlborough Express," Necessary data in regard to future plans wero coljocted and arrangements wero authorised forprotective works to bo carried out to onsure that further erosion due to the stream changing its course would bo averted. Conversion of £ 100,000. A report on'tho negotiations in connection with tho offer by tho Australian Mutual Provident Society to convert debentures totalling £100,000, .now domiciled in Sydney and, carrying a rate of interest of 5J per cent;, was made to the Atickland CElectrio Power Board on Monday by the • chairman, Mr. W. J, Holdsworth (states-tho ' 'New Zealand Herald"). Tho toras of conversidn include a" reduction of 20 per cent, in tho'rate, of interest, reducing it to £4 8s per cent., and the payment of intorcst and repayment of principal in, Auckland. ThbTchairman, gaid ho had visited Wellington in connection with tho matter, and there had boon friendly discussions.' It was realised that tho board was not in a position to bargain, as tbo transfer of the loan to Now Zealand was' voluntary on the part of tho society. Tho schedule of repayment had been accepted, but thpro would have to bo confirmation by the society's directors. The convomon would tako placo from Septembor 30. There were now only formalities to settle, and they would practically finalise tho whole of the board's internal indebtedness. It was estimated that the saving.to the board would bo £1100 a year,. On the motion of Mr. S. J. Harbutt, tho chairman's action in the matter was'confirmed. Whirlwind Up North. Severe damage was caused by a whirlwiud which struck Ahipara, at the southorn end of Ninety-Mile Beach on Saturday evening, states a correspondent. Fortunately the track of the whirlwind was narrow, being about 50ft wide, ,and it did not travel very far. However, ifc left a trail of- wreckod buildings and flattened bush, in its wake. Travelling from a south-easterly direction, the whirlwind first struck, the Ahipara native school, and a shod, over 20ft lon» and 10ft wide, was completely demof ished. The walls and roof we're blown in all directions, some parts being found a quarter of a mill away. AH that is loft are tho desks, standing in orderly array on the floor. The residence of tho head, teacher, Mr. P. Braik, near by, was not damaged, but tho main school building was severely shaken and the roof is leaking in a number of places. Behind tlio shed was some native bush, and practically all this was either uprooted or aplintered close to the ground, trees up to 18in- in' diameter being smashed and blown down. Tho whirlwind demolished troes injts path until it reached tho Ahipara Maori settlement, where a meeting-house, used as a. dining-hall, a wooden building about 40ft by 20ft, with a shinglo roof, was blown down. A five-roomed house nearby was also demolished. Another cottcigo was forcod over to an anglo of about 20 degrees.