NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

The Power of Women. "I have illimitable faith in the power of women, who do not know their capabilities,'' remarked Mrs. Kenneth Gordon in an address to the Auckland branch of the League of Nations Union: (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). Women were apathetic and seemed to think that, to set the world aright, action had to be left to some mysterious "they." "It'has been the same throughout history," said the speaker. An Honourable Craft. Australia's death-rate has been greatly reduced, yet population and birthrate are declining so rapidly that there will cease to be any increase when Australia's population has reached 8,500,000. This statement is reported to have been made to the Canberra Mothercrpft Society by the senior medical officer of the Commonwealth Health Department, Dr. Cilento. When the population had reached the number stated, 8,500,000, there would, he said, be no hope of adding to the population except by immigration or invasion. Mothcreraft, which was an attempt towards national survival, had become a factor of outstanding importance to the community. The Mischievous Kea. After a season of great winter sports activity at Mount Cook the keas of the district have caught the ski-running habit, states the Christchurch ■ "Press." Soon after daybreak they repair to their favourite glissading ground, the sloping iron roof of the Ball Hut, and to their screeching activity more than to 'anything else can be attributed the early rising of the residents. In spite of stern discouragement the keas' curiosity, and mischievousness are unabated. A bedroom door carelessly left open attracted a flock of the birds, and one of tho party of university ski-runners at present staying there had the lining picked out of a good pair of shoes and a pair of slippers badly gashed. Formed by Volcanic Explosion. A geological history of theformation 6f Lyttelton Harbour, written by Professor E. Speight, was quoted at a recent filming in Christchurch of motion pictures dealing with the port. The history stated that where the harbour lies, millions of years ago there was a volcano probably 6000 ft to 7000 ft in height. Lyttelton Harbour owes its formation primarily to volcanic action. Professor Speight wrote. Some millions of years ago, more or less, a cone probably 6000 ft to 7000 ft in height was built up by. the ordinary processes of volcanic action with outpourings of basaltic lava and showers of fragmentary material thrown from a centre which must have been located somewhere near Quail Island. According to the generally accepted opinion, the upper part of the cone was blown off by a paroxysmal explosion, such as has affected other volcanoes, and debris therefrom was scattered far and wide, and a great hollow left some 2000 ft in depth, and probably several square miles in area. While volcanic action subsequently' declined and after it was dead, ordinary water drainage attacked the inside of the hollow, cutting back the walls and forming valleys, which were divided from one another by ridges such as those we see so well developed round the head of the present harbour,

Small Boat Adrift. Soon from Evans Buy early yesterday afternoon, a I2ft lint-bottomed boat was later picked up in the harbour after it had boon adrift for some time. It whs towed to the- Boat Harbour by a luunc.h which had been sent out to secure it.. Owing to a peculiar black marking at the stern of tlio boat it was at first thought that there was a man aboard, but it was found on investigation that this was not so.

Exchange Benefit. "The exchange has been of benefit to the farmers," said Mr. J. A. Nash (Government, Palmerston), when speaking in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.. There were somo cases as far as sheepfarmers wero concerned, and a few cases where dairy farmers were concerned, where the banks and stock and station agents had benefited. But, why not? They had kept the farmers afloat, and found credit for them and kept them going through a very pressing time. Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour, Grey Lynn): Taken them for a ride. Diphtheria in North. Considerable concern is being caused by an outbreak of diphtheria in the Awanui district, North . Auckland, states 1 a correspondent. There' have been over 20 cases or suspected cases in the last nine months, and seven of them among children have proved fatal. Por some time there was an abatement, but recently a number of new cases have been reported. The outbreak is taking a different turn in that the last case and suspected case are both adults. Previously all those affected have been children. Dr. D. Cook, medical officer of health for North Auckland, and Dr. T. J. Hughes, of Auckland, are now in the district. On Wednesday they conferred with the committee set up at a T'eccnt meeting at Awanui and discussed the position. .">' When Dr. Cook inoculated the schoolchildren of Awanui some months ago a number did not complete the treatment. Dr. Cook intends to return in about a week to carry out inoculation treatment on all children attending school and also on those of pre-school age whose parents so desire it. Before this is done the committee will ascertain from the parents the number of children requiring the treatment. Dr. Cook also is negotiating with the Mangonui County Hospital Board for the inoculation of children at the county hospital at Kaitaia. Return of Horses.

The horse, victim of a machine age, r bids fair to come into his own again, if the annual horse fair, at Cambridge, •which opened on Tuesday and concluded yesterday, is any indication, states the "New Zealand Herald." Buyers have been keen and venders jubilant. In fact, such enthusiasm and activity have not been evident at the fair for many years. Dealers have' expressed satisfaction at the standard of the animals. "Prices realised were unusually high, and indicate that the horse once again is in demand for farm and/ other work," said an Auckland dealer who has Visited the show for many years. Every class of horse found a ready market. "In the last 20 years I have never known a better sale or better prices,'' was the comment of another dealer. The success,of the sale has caused something like a stir in the district, where horses are now at a premium. Buyers have been present from all parts of the North Island, and included many from North Auckland, Tarariaki, Masterton, 1 and Bay of Plenty. Experienced auctioneers consider that the keen "demand is attributable to this large representation, coupled with indications that the horse is rapidly replacing the tractor. Fully 70 per cent, of the animals offered have exceeded the reserve price placed upon them, in some cases by as much as £ls. Over 16 horses have brought more than £SO during the sale, and 50 have realised over £4O each. Anglers Badges. Anglers, upon requesting permission to pass through properties to fish in portions- of rivers unattainable otherwise, have occasionally met with curt refusals, and even marked discourtesy, because the owner has suffered previously through gates being deft open, stock disturbed, or damage done by fire. Anglers as a rule are careful of other people's property, and though this does not give them the right of entry, it is usual where the'angler is known to be such a-careful person, to give permission. The badges which are to be worn by members of the recently formed Angling Club will have a twofold purpose. They will show the proprietor that the wearer subscribes to the policy of the club to respect the rights and property of owners, and as each badge is numbered, the identity of the angler can be ascertained. Already a number of property owners have expressed satisfaction at' this step, and have gladly offered to admit members wearing the badge. The other good purpose which will be served is amongst anglers themselves, who will recognise in the wearers those who have at heart the best interests of the sport, and will be the more ready to give advice and perhaps remedy the unex : pected loss of a 1 cast or pass over the fly that is taking which is unfortunately not in the other's book.