NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 17, 19 July 1935, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Parade Abandoned.

Some weeks ago the suggestion was made that a parade should be held on Sunday, August 4, to the National War Memorial Carillon, where some tunes would be played on the bells and a prayer said. Although the nature of the parade was never specified, apart from a statement made by the president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association (Lieutenant-Colonel A. Cowles, V.D.) that those who gathered there would pray for peace, there has been a fair amount of objection to the suggestion. It was announced today by the Returned Soldiers' Association that the parade will not be held, but no reason was given for this decision.

Mountain Whirlwinds.

Two whirlwinds, one severe and the other of a minor nature, were experienced at the North Egmont mountain hostel on Tuesday morning, states a New Plymouth correspondent. The first one, at daybreak, lifted a corrugated iron motor garage bodily and hurled it, a wreck, against a cottage a chain away. The structure, about 25ft long and 18ft wide, was torn to pieces, the roof coming to rest leaning over the roof of the cottage. In its passage the garage was hoisted up a 12ft bank. Later in the morning a similar whirlwind, but of less intensity, occurred in the same locality, and tore several sheets of iron ofT the verandah of the Old Mountain House. When the garage was wrecked it contained no cars, so that the only loss is the building. The disturbances appear to have been purely local, as the weather in the lowlands of the province was fine, with only a light breeze. Free Ambulance Finance. The suggestion was made at the last meeting of the Makara County Council that a conference of local authorities of Wellington city and suburban districts be held with the view of putting the finances of the Wellington district Free Ambulance Board on a sound footing. Mr. R. W Bothamley stated at a meeting of the Ambulance Board yesterday that the Makara County Council had decided to double its contribution, and it was hoped that other local bodies would increase their contributions. Mr. C. J. B. Norwood (chairman) said the suggestion to hold a conference was a sound one. He would confer with the Mayor of Wellington on the subject. Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P., referred to the City Council's grant of £300, and said it was possible there would be a supplementary grant later in the year. The question of holding a conference was referred to a committee to consider and report to the next meeting of the Ambulance Board. . Cafeteria Popular. Although the single. men's cafeteria opened fairly quietly yesterday, only about 150 men calling for meals, the fare provided evidently advertised itself, as there was a marked increase in interest today. As soon as the cafeteria opened this morning a score or more men entered and seated'themselves at the tables where they showed clearly that they were enjoying their meal of stew, vegetables, bread, and tea. "I was here yesterday, and the meal was quite good," one of the men said when questioned. "There could have been more meat, but that was to be expected on the first day." Other men present expressed entire satisfaction with the fare provided, and one man said that the numbers attending would be greatly increased at the beginning of next week, as many of the men could not find the money for a meal at present.

A Dangerous Crossing.

Complaints have been made from time to time by the. Eastbourne Borough Council to the City Council about the dangerous nature of the crossing in Customhouse Quay opposite the Ferry Wharf gates, and at the meeting of the Eastbourne Council last evening the Mayor (Mr. E. W. Wise) gave details of a conversation he had had with the Mayor of Wellington (Mir. T. C. A. Hislop) on the subject. Mr. Hislop had agreed that the crossing was a dangerous one, and said that two new lights had peen put in and lines laid down. The bylaws committee had pointed out that the council would be liable to claims in the event oi accidents happening at an "island," but he would refer the matter to his council. It was decided to write to the Town Clerk at Wellington asking the City Council to keep in mind the need of an "island" or reserve in the street.

Walking on the Bitumen.

Motorists at Eastbourne are frequently worried at the habit of many of the local residents in walking on the bitumen, and the matter was brought up by Councillor S. G. Shearer at the meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council last evening. Only recently a resident had been knocked down on the bitumen, said Councillor Shearer, and the practice should be stopped at once. If residents must walk on the bitumen they should walk on the right-hand side and so face the traffic, and also there was a side strip on which-they could walk, instead of "jay walking" all over the main strip of bitumen. The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Wise) said people who walked on the bitumen did not know the inconvenience they caused motorists. It was decided to ask the Hatepayers' Association to help the council in keeping people off the bitumen. Game Birds for Canterbury. Plans for restocking the bird pens at the Greenpark reserve of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society were discussed briefly at a meeting of the council of the society, states "The Press." It was decided to apply to the Internal Affairs Department for permission to import 12 brace of Hungarian partridges, and to communicate with Lord Bledisloe for the exchange of cock pheasants. The council also approved a scheme to procure up to 50 brace of Californian quail and to pay Is a head to trappers. The chairman of the game committee (Mr. C. E. Wheeler) reported that the staff had had considerable difficulty in rearing satisfactorily to liberation stage the chukor at Greenpark. Excellent results had been obtained where birds had been liberated, but those at the hatcheries were going back in breeding and in constitution. It would be to the advantage of the chukor still in hand to give them their opportunity as wild birds. The committee recommended that the chukor should be liberated near Castle Hill, and this course wag agreed Ja,

Eastbourne Sewerage System. In connection with the new sewerage system the works committee recommended to the Eastbourne Borough Council last evening that the sanitary refuse collection should be definitely discontinued at the end of September. Written notice will be given to this effect. All property owners will require to have their properties connected to the sewerage system. The council agreed to the recommendation. Arbor Day at Eastbourne. The headmaster of the Muritai School and the chairman of the school committee had been approached with regard to the observance of Arbor Day, reported the chairman of the reserves committee (Councillor D. Bowie) to the meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council last evening. The planting of trees would be carried out at the motor camp site and in two streets.

Goods Services,

Criticism of the Transport Act, particularly in its application to the restriction of goods services, was voiced by delegates at the conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday afternoon. A resolution was passed urging an amendment of "the Act by the discontinuance of the licensing of goods services in rural districts. Mr. P. J. O'Regan (Westland) described the Act as a most iniquitous sort of thing. It called upon a man to state why his living should not be taken away from him, and it gave big and well-established firms an unjust advantage.

Nothing; Could Stop Him,

"Is a player in order in scoring a trywithout his trousers?" This question was raised and answered in the affirmative at a recent Auckland Rugby League Referees' Association meeting, states the "New Zealand Herald." The chairman, after suggesting that although sensitive people might be shocked at the spectacle, said he thought the courage of a player deserved recognition in such a disaster. He added that the experience befell a relative of his in a suburban Rugby Union match on Saturday, and he was glad to learn that the junior was allowed the try. Another member said a similar incident recently occurred in Sydney and created a stir among a big crowd in an interstate match on the Cricket Ground.

Eastbourne Traffic,

Details of traffic to Eastbourne during June were given by the Town Clerk and.general manager (Mr. C. L. Bishop) in his report to the Eastbourne Borough Council last evening. Mr. Bishop stated that in the ferry Service the revenue for the month was approximately £30 higher than for the same month last year, despite the fact that only one boat had been in service. The revenue for the first three months of the financial year was approximately £175 higher than for the same period last year, with the trading expenditure < approximately £300 lower. Allowing for an additional charge to be met for the hire of buses during the extended overhaul period, the position still showed a marked improvement. The revenue for June in the omnibus department was approximately £50 higher than for the corresponding period last year and the total for the three months was approximately £165 higher. Trading expenditure had been normal, and the net result correspondingly better.

Sleeping Drivers Menace,

Discussing the question of the hours worked by' drivers of trucks operating goods services between Auckland and' Dargaville, also between Auckland and Whangarei, the chairman of No. 1 Transport Authority, Mr. W. Jones, on Wednesday said that the authority was concerned at the hours which men driving these trucks were asked to work (reports the "Auckland Star"). It was not humanly possible for men to work 15 hours out of 24. Leaving the city at night .they got no sleep until they returned again. Evidence had been given before the authority that drivers were known to go to sleep when driving along, consequently they were a menace to other traffic using the mam highways. The question was one which would -have to b.e looked into. Mr.J. Winters, who operates the Auckland-Dargaville service, said he was making arrangements so that his employees could sleep at Dargaville. After their arrival they would be relieved from their trucks while they were unloaded until they were reloaded before the return journey. He said his drivers who left the city about 10 arrived back again next day between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., according to the driver and, the conditions of the trip. ■