NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY

Butter XJp a Penny. The price of butter on the Wellington wholesale market was raised one penny a pound today. The new price is Is 4d a lb (net), and the standard retail price is Is sd. New Bowling Trophy. The offer of a cup to be competed for by junior members of bowling clubs' in the Wellington Centre was accepted by the Wellington Bowling Centre last night. The offer was made by Mr. Lou Smith, of Courtenay Place, who wrote to the centre stating that while bowling clubs found.their junior singles champions, there was no provision for finding the junior champion of the centre. He suggested that arrangements should be made for such a competition, and offered the cup, to be known as the Lou Smith Cup. All Under One Roof. The approval of Cabinet has been received by the new Post Office contractors at Dunedin regarding the subdivision of all the upper floors and this work has been commenced, reports "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent. The" business of the Post and Telegraph Department will be conducted from the third floor downwards. The other floors are to be subdivided to provide accommodation for the Agriculture Department, Transport, Stamp Duties, Lands and Deeds Department, Valuation and Land and Income Tax Departments, Public Works, Audit, Treasury, and Health Departments.

Restoring the Cuts. A direction as to what should be done regarding the restoration of cuts that was to take effect from July 1. as indicated by the Prime Minister, was asked by the secretary (Mr. O. Silbery) at the meeting of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board last evening. Mr. J. Cumming moved, and Mr. D. W. Campbell seconded, a motion that all the cuts be restored as from July 1. Messrs. C. J. Ashton, R. M. Russell, and V. E. Jacobson stated that it was not yet clear what amount was to be restored, as the' question was affected by the award. The chairman (Mr. W. G. Lodder) remarked that the issue seemed quite clear to him; the wages were to be restored to the 1931 leveL On the motion being put, it was decided to hold the matter over in the meantime until more information was received. Mr. Lodder said that the restoration would have to be paid in a lump sum.

Cookers Cost More. Notification of an increase of 5 per cent, in the price of cookers was received at the meeting of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board last evening from two manufacturing companies. Mr. D. W. Campbell said he wished to protest against this increase. The companies were well protected by tariffs and the 25 per cent, exchange rate. The secretary (Mr. O. Silbery) reported that he had sent letters of protest to the two companies, but they had assured him that the increase was due to the increased wages bill. .

Earthquake Regions. Thaf potential earthquake regions could be detected by comparative surveys at regular periods to show any movement taking place on the earth's crust was the opinion expressed by Dr. R. S. Allan, a member of the staff of Canterbury College, in an address, "Some Recent Developments in Geology," at Christchurch, states the "Press." Aerial photography was being used far more than in previous years for carrying out a survey of volcanic types of country, he said. In a country like New Zealand there was tremendous scope for aerial surveys of this type. New Zealand was right beside one of the most' stupendous depressions in the earth's crust. It was no doubt the reason for the occurrence of earthquakes here. Only a short distance to the east, the ocean depth was 5000 fathoms, this depression extending north as far as Tonga. Against the depth of 5000 fathoms, Mount Cook rose upwards to a height of more than 12,000 feet.

Professor Speight's Travels.

Professor R. Speight, formerly curator of the Canterbury Museum, and a commissioner of the Waimakariri River Trust, who is now in England, will leave by the Ormonde on his return journey on August 15, and will spend a week in Sydney, returning to Christchurch early in October (states the "Press." In a letter to Mr. C. W. Hervey, secretary of the trust, he states that he has travelled through England, Scotland, and Switzerland, and that he intends ■to visit Germany and Sweden. He will be accompanied by an engineering geologist and intends to watch for protection works. In Switzerland, he states, streams carrying debris are artificially paved, and the banks also lined and paved with boulders, but this would not be possible locally. Auckland Harbour. Referring to the fact that the Queen Mary could be berthed comfortably at the Pipitea Wharf or Aotea Quay, Wellington, Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster at Auckland, stated on Monday that the length of the Queen Mary is 1018ft overall, and she would be easily accommodated at \ Queen's Wharf or Prince's Wharf, reports the "New Zealand Herald." The berth on lhe! eastern side of Queen's Wharf is 1082ft, and that on the eastern side of Prince's Wharf'is 1100ft. Both berths could be dredged to a dapth of 40ft to 45ft if necessary, he said. H.M.S. Hood, which was at Auckland in May, ■ 1924, is the longest vessel that has : visited the port, and she berthed at ; Prince's Wharf. Her length is 861ft, and her draught at the wharf was 33ft 6in. In August, 1925, the American Battle Fleet, consisting of nine '. large warships, visited Auckland, each r vessel drawing 35ft.: The flagship CaliI fornia was berthed at Prince's Wharf, and there was plenty of depth of water ' there. Very deep vessels arriving at l or leaving Auckland have to negotiate . the Rangitoto Channel at three-quarter I flood tide, when the depth of water would be about 38ft, increasing to 41ft r to 43ft at high tide.