NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Issue 86, 8 October 1936, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

While Butterfly in Far North. The rapid change of weather recently and the approach of summer have brought out the white butterfly in the far north (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The pest is far more numerous than it was at this time last year in spite of the steps that were taken to stamp it out by the liberation of parasites, and by offering prizes for children catching the greatest numbers. Old Immigrant Ships. "In the early days of the gold rush and colonisation any sort of ship was pressed into service, and the immigrant ships coming to New Zealand were many and varied," said Mr. K. A. Falla, addressing the Shiplovers' Society at Auckland on ships of the past (reports the "New Zealand Herald"). The conditions on board some of the immigrant vessels were extraordinary, the speaker added, and it was not uncommon for unlucky ships to take from three to four months to complete the voyage. Rules of Road. "If the majority of motorists endeavoured to observe the rules of the road, in the next twelve months the number of accidents would be reduced to a considerable extent. This seems an opportune occasion to make an appeal to bring home to all motorists the need to demonstrate courtesy and considerate driving," declared Mr. N. H. Mackie, the president of the Manawatu Automobile Association, at the annual meeting of the association, when emphasising the urgency of co-operation in reducing the heavy toll on life through motor accidents. Hunting' "Road Hogs." An amusing episode was related in the Papakura Police Court by Inspector F. Jones, traffic officer for the Manukau County Council. He said that just about dusk he was chasing a speeding car at between 50 and 60 miles an hour when he noticed an approaching car pull up, turn round, and give chase to both. The driver of this car turned out to be Inspector T. C. Clissold, traffic officer for the Main Highways Board, who had failed to recognise the second car as that ofInspector Jones. Eventually, he saw whose it was and left the stopping of the first car to his brother officer. Struggle with SharCi. A wound in his left hand was suffered by Mr. W. Clarkson, of Whangamata, and a former resident of Waihi, when trying to land a shark in the boat from which he was fishing off Slipper Island on Saturday (states a Waihi correspondent). The shark put up a lively fight, but eventually it was brought alongside the boat. While the shark was still lashing about Mr. Clarkson attempted to grasp its tail, not observing that the tail had fastened in it an old hook, and this penetrated the back of Mr. Clarkson's left hand between the thumb and first finger, inflicting a severe gash. It was not until the evening that Mr. Clarkson was able to reach Waihi and have the wound dressed. Appeal for Pictures. A plea that more public-spirited patrons of art should purchase and donate pictures to the National Gallery was made by Mr. D. A. Ewen, president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, when speaking at last night's annual general meeting of that body. After referring to the feast of art which had been provided by the loan and other collections, he added: "May I say, however, that thus far the opportunities for the purchase and donation of pictures offered have not been extensively availed of, and I venture to express the hope that public spirited patrons of art will not longer delay, but will come forward and ensure that ■some of the very fine works now being exhibited shaUjsunain^ia-aujs-Walifinai £Uoler// ...

Military Despotism. The greatest danger of the present day is military despotism, according to Mr. Frank Milner, who gave an address on Pacific problems in the Caledonian Hall at Christchurch (reports the "Press"). "What we autonomous countries feel most alarmed about," he said, "is the terrific invasion on the rights of the people by military despotism. ' We see this in Germany, in Italy, in Soviet Russia, and also in Japan to some extent. This frightful vendetta is carried on by the army in particular against any individualism or liberalism." New Naval Wharf. The docking of ships at Calliope Dock, Auckland, will be facilitated when the new concrete wharf being built to replace the existing wooden jetty where H.M.S. Philomel is moored is completed in December (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The new wharf, 500 ft in length, will be slightly longer than the present structure, but will be in line with the eastern side of the dock, instead of running off at an angle. It will be possible to warp ships along the training jetty into the dock without having to negotiate the awkward angle. The old Sheerlegs Wharf also will be lengthened to provide increased accommodation for warships. Keinforced concrete piles for the new wharves are being made by Harbour Board employees on the eastern reclamation. Power Board's Loan. The action of the manager, Mr. R. Sprague, in securing a loan of £30,000 at 3i per cent, from the Municipal Electricity Department of. the Christchurch City Council was formally approved at Tuesday's meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board, states a Te Aroha correspondent. This loan is in lieu of that previously discussed between the board and the Auckland Savings Bank, over which considerable controversy arose following the bank's withdrawal of its offer on the' grounds of altered circumstances due to the effect on interest rates of the Labour Government's legislation. The loan is for the reticulation of new areas and is distinct from the recent London conversion loan. Hutt Valley Technical College. Though extensive additions were made last year to the workshops at the Hutt Valley Memorial Technical School, the building is already overtaxed and the principal (Mr. A. McFadyeh) is finding it difficult to accommodate new classes. The most overcrowded room is the motor engineering shop, which is also used for welding and panel beating classes. At present two classes in panel beating are operating and a third class is needed, but room is not available. The board of managers decided last evening to make a request to the Education Department for the completion of the one-storey wing of the workshops block. The board also decided to offer full co-operation to the Government in the establishment of a trades school in the district. This would call for extensive additions to the workshop block. Jaime's Disease. Although there have been several cases of Johne's disease among dairy cattle in the Waikato during the year, the disease has not reached serious proportions, and there have been no instances of whole herds being affected as in Taranaki, where 103 purebred Jersey cattle were destroyed recently, states the "New Zealand Herald." The Department of Agriculture is concerned about the presence of the disease, however, and every precaution is being taken to prevent it spreading, and to locate cases of infection, according to a statement made by the District Superintendent, Mr. W. T. Collins, on Tuesday. He said that every stock inspector had a list of the herds in .his district where there had been cases of Johne's disease, and a close watch was being kept for further signs of infection. The control of the disease was rendered easier by the fact that it was a scheduled disease under the Stock Act, and infected ' animals could be destroyed immediately, compensation being paid to the owners.