NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

| Halfpennies in Demand. The prices of a number of commoditios have lately contributed to a do--1 main! for halfpennies, uiul more, sup--5 plies of tlmt coin aro required by shop- ■ keepers for the purposes of change l than used to be tho case. The banks,; however, have more tluin enough half- : pennies to moot the increased demand : and no shortage is anticipated. - Gold for Export. During the month (if. August. West I Const gold entered for export amounted to 3844 ounces, states the "Grey River Argus." Tho total export from the Dominion during the month was 12,25G0z, tho totals from the various districts boing: Auckland Province, G3300z; Maryborough and Nelson, uGloz; Otago, 9250z; Southland. Hflfioz: and West. Coast, 38440z. Side by Side. An unusual procedure was adopted this morning shortly after tho Union j Company's R.M.S. Makuru had arrived from San Francisco and had been berthed at the Pipitca Wharf. The company's chartered Norwegian motortanker Storangor, which reached here yesterday from San Pedro with a cargo of fuel oil for local discharge, was brought alongside tho Makura and proceeded to fill tho latter ship's bunkers. This is tho first occasion over a long period on which an overseas tanker lias discharged part of her cargo direct into another overseas vessel in this port. Appearance of Mosquitoes. j Mosquitoes so far this reason have I nut caused as much nuisauee in Auckland as they did at this time last year, one, explanation being that the variable weather lately experienced has not been, favourable lo breeding, states the "New Zealand Herald." They have, however, already appeared, and the necessity of destroying mosquitoes at their source of origin, stagnant pools, once more arises. The use of oil aud kerosene is tho usual destructive agent. As research lias shown that mosquitoes usually stay within a short distance, of their places of breeding, active measures to do away ivith danger spots can assist largely to remove- a seasonal menace and nuisance. A Feat of Seamanship. For tho first time probably in tho history of tho port a large overseas vessel was berthed at Lyttelton last week without tho assistance of tho tug, states an exchange. Tho vessel was the- big Federal Lino steamer Hertford, of 10,923 tons and 520.7 ft loug. Tho tug met tho Hertford coming up the harbour and placed a Harbour Board pilot aboard her, and thou continued down the harbour to put another pilot aboard tho tanker Ahamo, ■which was anchored oif Little Port Cooper. It was intended that the tug should return and assist the Hertford to turn into tho inner harbour and in berthing. As tho tug had not arrived when the Hertford was outside tho moles, the pilot broughther in tinder very easy steam. Tho manocuvro meant taking an almost hairpin turn at the eastern mole and then partly turning again to bring the vessel alongsido tho Gladstone pier. This was successfully accomplished, and tho liner was alongsido tho pior, hauling in on both her foro and aft lines, when the tug arrived to give her a final push, which was not, at all necessary. Melanesian Mission. The dissolution of the Melanesian Mission finance board has croatod considerable searehings of heart, and tho experiment has given rise to many misgivings on tho part of many friends of Melanesia in Now Zealand, according to Archbishop A. W. Avorill, Primato and Archbishop of Now Zoaland. His Grace mado reforenco to tho subject at the opening of the Anglican Synod, states the "Auckland Star." He said it was obvious, when Auckland ceased to be tho base from which the Southern Cross operated, that a change in tho business centre of tho mission was bound to come. As tho stores must bo obtained and transported from Sydney, it was clear that the organising secretary o£ the mission should have his headquarters in Sydney. Whether it would have been possible to transfer that particular part of the finance board's work to Sydney, and to retain the services of tho board to supervise mid regulate tho expenditure of the mission's funds, was perhaps an open question. The General Synod, rightly or wrongly, decided that tho finance board had fulfilled its functions when tho main business operations of tho mission were transferred to Sydney. "Needless to say," continued hia Grace, "we shall miss the Melanesian Mission office and the activities of the general secretary. Auckland has been so closely associated with tho work and workers of tho mission since its inception that wo naturally fee) that tho severing of this close tio is painful. The Board of Missions in Wellington will receive all contributions for the mission, and we must face the position with bravo determination to retain tho Melanesia!! Mission in our thoughts antl hoarts as our own special God-given mission." An Enforced Stay. As the result of missing the steamer connection with the Wanganolla, twelve passengers by the Tamaroa, which arrived at Auckland on Thursday ovening, will have an enforced stay in the Dominion, statos tho "Auckland Star." They had tho unfortunate experience of seeing tho Wanganolla pass them on the way to Sydney whon the Tamaroa was between Tiri Island and tho Rangitoto beacon. Some of the passengers had booked their passagos to Sydney many weeks ahoad, and it had been hoped that tho Wanganella would bo delayed, for a few hours for their benefit. The next steamer for Australia will be tho Monow.ai from Auckland next Thursday. In. thr> meantime, the passengers who wero loft behind will make the most of their stay in Now Zealand. Rome arc remaining aboard the Tamaroa, and intend making a trip 1o Ttotorua, others arc proceeding to AVelliugton. ■ Tho Tamaroa sailed from London on September 0, si day later than intended. She had been in drydock at Glasgow for extensive improvements, and on leaving the dock collided with a stono wall. Dnma»o was caused tn a number of plates in her bow, and she was forced to return to dock. Repairs wero effected in four (lays. Tinl vessel was delayed on the Iri'p from .'England by stronsr hend winds and westerly swells in the Pacific, and a. brief stay was made at Pitcairn Island. Every attempt was made to in nit o up time, but the vossel was unablo to berth at Auckland until several hours after the Wanganella had put to sea. What For? "It isn't, often thnt I do any writing', but after receiving your notice for rates I am writing to ask you what they are for," was the manner in which an upper Opnuri net tier began a. letter to tho Marlboroujjh County Council, says tho "Marlboroupji Express." After a description of the straits he had been put to in regard to access, the correspondent offered to carry out tho work of extending and repairing the road himself, provided that "Hie council allows me five rears' rates, ineliidinii what I owe. If the council decides to send up its engineer, be sure to provide him with a wireless set: in case he acts stuck in the ruts," the letter concluded. Tt was decided lo inform the settler that the council could tint spi> irs way clear tn extend the road to his house, as lie already had .'icc-.ess to his property. It was also; decided to ask ("or payment, of tliej j overdue .ral.es. .. . j

Butchers' Conference. The Dominion council of the master butchers' associations of New Zealand j is to meet in conference in Wellington on Wednesday anil Thursday of this week. Dr. C. J. Kcakes, Director- ■ General of Agriculture, iias been invited to open the. conference. Various remits in connection with matters j affecting butchers, such as, for instance, the Slaughtering and .Inspection Act, are to be-discussed. "News to Us." j "It is news to us," remarked . the ! chairman of the lieathcotc County i Council (Councillor C. Flavell) at the meeting on Friday evening, when a letter was received from the Aranui School Committee asking for .full in- j formation regarding a report that the council had given :i sum for the, purchase of footwear for children within the county, aud asking why the committee had not boon consulted instead of tho headmaster of tho school (reports the Christchureh "Press"). The County Clerk (Mr. J. P. E. Veale) explained that a letter had been sent, to | the committee advising that no such donation had been made by the council, nor had the council been in communication with the headmaster of tho school. A Skater's Vanity. "Prido comes before a fall" is an old proverb, but it was navor better illustrated than by a Greymouth youth on a recent evening. Apparently in an endeavour to prove that his rollerskating ability was more than the average, ho travelled into town, from Iho skating rink, in a motor-ear with |his skates on, and skated into a welljknown confectionery shop ami purchased some chocolates. All went, well until he attempted to leave the shop, states the "Grey River Argus." Then he lost his balance-, with a most disconcerting result, us he lieu- liuadloug through a glass door, depositing the door, himself, and the chocolates none too gently on the footpath. In the morning, when he sent the glazier to restore the door, he no doubt reflected that tho best place to skate is in a hall. Tobacco-growing Venture. Although their big crop last season was almost entirely ruined 'by frost. the unemployed men who embarked ou a tobacco-growing venture at New Brighton have not lost heart, states the Christchureh "Press." This year they will again plant out approximately eight acres of tobacco seedlings, and hope with reasonably good f'ortuno to prove that tobacco growing can be undertaken successfully and on a large scale in Canterbury. The men are working with some assistance from the Disabled Soldiers' Civil lie-establish-ment Committee and have shown unusual interest in the scheme. Last year they built their own kiln and wero almost on tho point of harvesting a fine crop of leaf when a severe frost caused extensive damage. This year, by taking special precautions, they will endeavour to prevent a repetition of that disaster. Perpetual Motion. A Maori caused much amusement at tho foot of Queen Street the other day (says the Auckland "Star"), when he was giving his experiences of interviewing Ministers of tho Crown. He said Parliament was like a clock in the respect that when, with, the biggest Native M.P. in tho House, he wont to interview Mr. J. G. Coates about some Native grants. Mr. Coates sent him to Sir Apirana Ngata, who, as Native Minister, would attond to bis wants, but Sir Apiraua said that Mr. Coates had charge of the finances of, tho country, and sent him back there. Mr. Coafces replied that Sir Apirana's approval had to be got before ho could deal with • tho matter. Ho went; backwards and forwards just like the pendulum of a clock, and it was an object lesson to him 1 > see how hard it was for tho Native representatives to got. anything for their people in Parliament. Security for England. ' "Wo have decided to increase our Air Force so that it will be at least as large I sis any other within flying distance of) our shores," said Sir lan Fraser, M.P., in Chrifitehureh. "In London thero arc .10,000,000 people, and tho Port of London sees the entry of more than half the food supplies required by that population. All the othor ports in England j put together could not supply enough i food for London alone. This is due to I insufficient road and rail facilities.! The 'sure shield' of England, is a thing of tho past, and yet no increase of tho Air Force can give us security. But it is a fact that the greatest detriment to an air attack is the ability to attack an onemy's fleet at its base, combined with tho certainty that only a small percentage of the attacking fleet could return undamaged. With tho increasing of our armaments, we aro not looking for trouble; we want, to avoid if." Victoria Arcado, Auckland. The estimated cost of tho alterations and additions to Victoria A'rcnde being carried out by'tho Auckland City Council as owner of tho building is £.20,607, states the "Now Zealand Herald." Tliis amount, with two sums of £7273 paid, or to bo paid, as compensation in connection with maturing leases on •city properties, and £1120 expended on alterations and renovations to other city properties, is to bo included in a loan of £20,000 to bo submitted to the ratepayers, subject to special legislation now before Parliament boing passed and the sanction of the Local Government Loans Board being obtained. Tho preliminary steps towards securing this money wero taken by tho City Council at a special meeting on Friday. It was explained by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, that when the matter was first submitted to the Loans Board that body hold that tho work being done at Victoria Arcade must bo regarded as maintenance. He had approached tho Treasury and it was agreed that a portion of the expenditure should rate as capital outlay and that an amount should be included in tho loan. Tho work which hod been completed was of a permanent nature, and it could be seen that the city was getting a very fine asset. In the same way the Treasury had agreed to tho inclusion of amounts which the council had to pay as compensation for matured leases. In this connection the. council paid otic-third of the present value of the buildings on tho land. No compensation had to bo paid in respect of Victoria Arcad';.