NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Quiescent Sun. Sunspot observation carried out by Mr. G. V. Hudson, Karori, shows that during August solar activity was still | at a minimum. Ho observed the sun I on sixteen days during the month and on nine of those days tho disc was entirely free of spots. Throe new sunspot groups were detected, one of average size, the other two very small. In Spite of Quota Talk. "It is remarkable that with all this talk of quotas on farm products that forty new milking and separator motors have been added to our load during the month," said tho chairman of the Franklin Electric-power Board, Mr. J. Dean, at a board meeting, when the engineers report was received. The secretary, Mr. S. P. Bay, mentioned that the board now had 1672 of this class of motor connected, whereas a few years back there had been only 850. Brake Testing. , Last month the Automobile Association (Wellington) issued 537 certificates in respect of vehicles, tho brakes of which complied with the stopping ability requirements of the motor vehicles regulations. A report presented at a meeting of tho association last night slated that in 180 cases vehicles were presented which did not comply with (lie regulations. Tho association's servico officers were on duty each night for three weeks, working in some cases long hours up to 11 p.m. Bible in Schools.' Tho Nelson committee of the- Bible-in-Schools League, tho members of which are responsible for carrying out Bible teaching in Nelson schools under the Nelson system, passed tho following motion: "That whereas under tho Nelson system only about half of tho children in the province- aro reached, and whereas it is impossible to reach all isolated schools, this branch of tho league, all tho members of which aro teachers under the Nelson system, strongly urge tho passing of tho Bill 'now beforo tho House." The People's Property. ' In a plea for the -preservation of native bush, Mr. I"1. A. Kitchingham at Greymouth remarked that thousands of acres of beautiful bush had been foiled on the West Coast, on land which would not keep a goat. The Government seemed to forgot that tho bush was tho property of the pooplo of New Zealand, and not of the Forestry or Lands Departments. The amount of royalty received from the bush felled was 'absolutely a flea-bite, compared with the destruction caused. i Travelling Time Reduced. In-the very near future thcro will bo a paved main highway from the north boundary of Canterbury to the southern boundary, from the Ilurunni River to the AVaitaki, reports tho "Christchurch Times." It is estimated that when the work is completed, travelling timo will bo cut down considerably. For instance, a few years ago tho run from Christchureli to Timaru was considered to bo a four-hour journey. Today tho trip can be done in about two and a half hours. As the years have passed, better rofuls have boon responsible for bringing Timaru closer to Christchurch. Suggested Play Area. In order to make some return for the cancellation of the greater part of the debt owed by tho Wellington Lawn Tennis Association to tho City Council over tho paving, a good many years ago, of hard courts at Miramar, the association has made an offer to the council of a quarter of an acre of land immediately behind, tho pavilion (and outside the tennis court area) for use as a children's play area. The proposal was discussed between the reserves committee and representatives of tho association yesterday afternoon, the opinion of the reserves conniiitl.ee being that tho area is rather small for the purpose. It was suggested that (he association might sco its way to increase the area so that a proper playground for children couldbe laid out. The committee is to inspect tho area and also a larger piece, of ground to the south of the courts where, it is suggested, a larger play area could bo provided. Education System. "In Now Zealand we are so cut off from the rest of tho world, and the interchange of ideas, that no one else is likely to investigate our educational system," stated Dr. C. E. Beeby on his return to Christchurch from Australia. He is the executive officer of the New Zealand Council of Educational Beaciireh, and went to Australia to inquire into the system under which the similar institute! in Australia works. "Wo have therefore to bo careful to do so ourselves," ho continued. "An institution grows and continues to grow; tho timo comes when one must hnve a stock-taking. Probably (ho first task for tho council will be to examine tho historical development of our system. Tlk> council will be nn impartial body, tho first function of! which will not 'bo criticism or appraisement, but. tho discovery of facts. The historical and sociological aspects must lie tackled first. We cannot cover the whole educational system, but will have to choose the most important lines. It is hoped to have a wide range of persons and institutions at work, tho council to bo the co-ordinating body. If the council proves to bp nothing more than a clearing house of knowledge and ideas, it will still be very valuable. Co-opera-tion hsis been promised by nil tho educational bodies in the country, It is hoped to organise and link up (he existing local educational institutes and interests, the council, as the central organisation, acting as a sort of focal point for them." Following upon his investigations in Australia Dr. Beeby is now engaged in forming more detailed plans for the work in New Zealand. It is hoped to put these plans into operation at the end of the year.