NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 4, 5 July 1938, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY

Bankruptcy Returns. ■ There was a 20 per cent, increase in the number of bankruptcy petitions filed in Wellington in the first six months of this year, as compared with the corresponding period last year; but the percentage sounds more important than the actual figures. There were twelve petitions up to June 30 this year and ten in six months last year. In the second quarter this year there were eight bankruptcies (seven last year) and four in June (three last year). Thorndon Tram Terminus. Motorists and others who have had difficulty with the lighting—or lack of it —at a section of Thorndon Quay, should be happier in the future,, It was reported at last evening's meeting of the Automobile Association (Wellington) that the City Corporation was taking steps to erect a lamp on the eastern side of Thorndon Quay to light up standing tramears and improve generally the lighting at the junction of Tinakori Road and Thorndon Quay. The works committee expressed appreciation of the action the Corporation was taking. Leghorns at Large. When a tram proceeding northwards along Cuba Street this morning came into collision with a heavy motor lorry which was endeavouring to turn from Cuba Street into Dixon Street, the area in the vicinity of the Royal Oak Hotel was transformed, in a remarkably short space of time, into something resembling a poultry farm. A crate of ten white leghorns on the lorry fell to the ground and burst open, whereupon the fowls quite unconcernedly paraded the street. The front of the/ tram was badly damaged although it was still able to proceed; the lorry sustained only minor damage. Parking on Highways. ..* Every motorist on country roads who likes ito dwell on the scenery, and other motorists who are forced to stop because of breakdowns, should welcome the information that the Main Highways Board has approved of the suggestion that in the realignment of State main highways old portions of road reserves should be retained at convenient intervals to allow disabled vehicles or others to park with safety, also sightseeing motorists. The matter was a subject of representation from the Automobile, Association (Wellington) some years ago. > ' Refecee Carried Off. Asr.it .was obvious that none of the; players required assistance, spectators at a, senior Association football match at Blandford Park, Auckland, on Saturday were somewhat mystified when the referee sounded three short blasts on his whistle, the signal that medical attention was required, states the "New Zealand Herald." It then became apparent that the referee himself was the jvictim. He had developed cramp in iboth legs and it was finally found necessary to carry him from the field. The game was held up for several minmtes before a substitute could be /found to take the whistle. Presbyterian Centenary Fund. Although arrangements for launching the fund to celebrate the founding of Presbyterianism in.. New Zealand are not yet completed, sums totalling £25,000 have already been promised. The total aimed at is £300,000. On Sunday ministers in the Presbyterian Churches throughout New Zealand spoke from the pulpit on the motive behind the appeal and the necessity for commencing the second century of church life free from worry about the interest on a. debt which totals £200,000. Corriment was made in many cases on the great enthusiasm which a number of prominent business men were showing in working for the fund. The organisations within each congregation are now being set up to Work out the details of the .appeal, and the individual members will be approached later. A collection will be taken .in October and the amounts promised for payment every year for the next three years, will then be known. Railway Discipline. Paying a tribute to "the Department in connection with the nature of the work done in all branches of the Hutt' railway workshops in the preparation of the vehicles and plant for the installation of the multiple-unit electric system on the Wellington-Johnsonville section, the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), speaking atKhandallah, on Saturday evening, said that it was sometimes said that there was a lack of discipline, in the railway service. "You may take it from me that there is not a word of truth in it," he said. "We may have a bit of trouble with some sections of newcomers, but so far as the majority of the 20,000 men we have in the railway service is concerned there is nothing in it.' My own experience of the Department is less than three years, but when I met the General Manager and his officers I put it to them that we might aim at the ideal of making the railway service of New Zealand rank amongst the most efficient in the world. That ideal would be received with shouts of cordial and enthusiastic appreciation by the men of the service today." Beautifying Highways. The attitude of $ie Main Highways ■Board towards tree planting on main 'highways for beautifying ' purposes is contained in the following resolution received by the Automobile Association (Wellington):—"That while sympathetic to the general principle of tree planting on main highways, the board considers that the rights and safety of the traffic are its paramount consideration, and cannot agree to tree-planting where that consideration does not apply, nor where the growth of trees is likely to interfere with power or telegraph lines; that the State Forestry Department be approached as to suitable low-growing trees to be planted where lines are in existence or likely to be erected; and as to other trees in cases where this does not apply; that where trees Qan safely be planted the location be at a sufficient distance from the trafficable part of the road to enable the growth bordering on such part to be controlled by mowing or otherwise; that subject to these conditions the board will give favourable consideration to any request for tree planting on highways, the same to be subject in all respects to the approval of its district representative, the planting body to be responsible for maintenance and trimming; and that any work of tree-planting will not be contributed to by the board.

Sound Films for Farmers. The use by the Department of Agriculture of sound films for the purposes of agricultural instruction has been the subject of a complimentary letter to the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The executive has suggested to the Minister that his Department should make a few sound film machines available in various centres so that they may be used at farmers' meetings. The Minister has j promised to consider the suggestion. \ Increase in Rates. A letter from the Wellington Ratepayers' Association to the City Council, pointing out the increase in the rates during the last two years, and \ asking that, in the interests of the ratepayers, the council should review the estimates, was dealt with by the council last night. The Deputy Mayor] (Councillor M. F. Luckie), said that this matter had been fully dealt with and thoroughly considered by the council, which had only raised the rates when no other course was possible. It had been made quite clear to everybody that the rates had been raised no more than was necessary. He moved that a reply be sent "that the City Council cannot see its way to reconsider the matter," and this was carried. Out-size in Flying Fish. An out-size in flying fish recently made a forced landing on the deck of the Kaikorai when she was about a day's steam from Sydney. The chief officer secured the fish and, recognising its unusual proportions, put it into the ship's cooler to meditate upon the perils of blind flying. When the Kaikorai reached Wellington the flying fish was sent to the Dominion Museum. The officials there were glad to have it, since it is the largest specimen recorded of Cypselurus Melanocercus, which is the Latin name for the species of flying fish found in these latitudes. It measures 17 inches from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail, and it has a remarkably large spread of fin with which it "flies" or rather glides. Before the specimen is finally picketed for preservation, a plaster cast, is being made of it. ; Dairy Marketing. "I assume that your executive has already perused a copy of the annual report of the Primary Products Marketing Department giving full details j of the Government's handling of dairy produce on bdhalf of all companies. It would be difficult to produce a more complete statement than that referred to above, and I feel sure that all the necessary information is available therein," states fhe Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin), replying;to a request by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union that the union press the Government for a more detailed statement of accounts for the whole of the dairy produce handled by the Department of Marketing. Recreational Classes. A conference which is likely to have far-reaching effects on the lives of the young people of the Dominion has been arranged by the Christchurch Technical College Board for July 26, at 7.30 p,mj, states the Christchurch - "StarSun." At a meeting of the board, the chairman (Mr. T. W. West) explained that the meeting that had been arranged was the outcome of a decision reached some time ago that the board should secure the co-operation of bodies interested in arranging for recreational classes and other activities on Saturday mornings. The Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) had been notified about the proposal, and he had written expressing his interest in it, and his desire to be informed of the outcome of the meeting. So far, he said, thirty bodies had been invited to send two "delegates each to the conference.- • Training Veterinarians. The Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has been advised by'/ the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) that the Government, if it is considered necessary, is willing to give furthet" bursaries for the training of veterinarians. The Minister pointed out, however, in reply to representations by the union, that the Government had already shown itself alive to the necessity of providing more veterinarians -by arranging for bursaries for ten students to study abroad in a veterinary school and, also, by recently appointing to the staff of the Department of Agriculture a number of veterinary graduates. Should it be considered necessary to make further provision for training veterinarians, it would be made. i Dangerous Corner. The necessity of having the site on the corner of Cleveland Street and Ohiro Road in Brooklyn, known as Till's corner, moved back to allow more room for traffic was emphasised by several speakers at the monthly meeting of the Brooklyn Municipal Electors' Association last night. Mr. O. Wannell said that the City Council seems to be postponing the splaying back of the corner. He thought action should be taken particularly in view cf the recent deputations to the council and the discussions that had taken place on the plans. The president, Dr. L. G. Austin, stated that the chairman of the works committee had said that this work was to be commenced. He had been shown plans, he said, and still there was delay in beginning the work. He thought a deputation should wait on the works committee and get a definite understanding on the matter. It was decided to arrange for a deputation to wait on the City Council. Farmers' Union Conference. Between 80 and 100 delegates are expected to attend the 37th annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union which will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) in St. Francis Hall, Hill Street, or£ Tuesday evening next. The opening ceremony will take the form of a combined function for members -of the Farmers' Union and the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union. In addition to the Minister, the gathering will be addressed by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop. The conference itself will commence on Tuesday morning in the conference hall of the Dominion j Farmers' Institute, and is expected to occupy three days. A wide diversity of remits from branches in all parts of New Zealand will be discussed, including the question of the guaranteed and the compensated price. Political Broadcasting. ' . i The claim that the National Party had not been fairly treated by the Government in regard to the broadcasting of political addresses was made by Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P., during the course of- his address in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night. Mr. { Holland pointed out that already the Government had had three Ministers,! Mr. Savage, Mr. Nash, and Mr. Fraser, speaking over the air, together with Mr. Atmore, who was almost a Labour man. The National Party had been allowed only two opportunities of a similar nature. The Government had also been unfair in connection with the Address-in-Reply debate. Two Government members had spoken for over an hour each on Thursday evening and, in accordance with the usual procedure, the debate was then adjourned! The Leader of the Opposition was then given Friday morning in which to make his broadcast speech. No one in his right senses would suggest that broadcasting on Friday morning had as much value as broadcasting on Thursday evening. __ I

The general forecast for the Dominion, as a whole, issued at noon today for the ensuing twenty-four, hours, is for, variable winds at first. Light to moderate .north-westerlies to southwesterlies will predominate, but southerlies Will later again become general and will freshen somewhat. For the most part the weather will be fair to fine, but occasional scattered showers are probable in most districts,, more especially north of Kawhia and Tauranga and in the southern part of the South Island. Temperatures will be cold, with many frosts.

Although there has been a marked rise in barometric pressure over the Dominion since yesterday, pressure .is still relatively low. This morning a shallow secondary depression was moving from the southern Tasman v Sea across the southern part of "the South1 Island. For days past an anticyclone, at times very intense, has been traversing very slowly the southern coastline of Australia, and there was today a definite rise in pressure at Hobart. As this anticyclone should be passing on to the western Tasman Sea, it is likely to be" controlling New Zealand's weather by the latter half of the week. Although only scattered in eastern districts, rain, during the last twenty-four hours has be^n very widespread, but with no particularly heavy falls. Winds have decreased in force since yesterday. South-westerlies still predominate, but directions have become rather variable. Temperatures have remained cold, and there were a number of sharp frosts last night.

Auckland had a strong and squally west-south-westerly wind yesterday, and the weather was cold and changeable, with passing showers and fair intervals. During the evening the wind decreased and the sky cleared, but scattered showers were still falling this morning in the city area. The jinaximum temperature was 58.7 degrees and the minimum 48.1 degrees, and six points of rain were recorded.

In Wellington the weather was fair after some early morning showers. A fresh southerly blew all day.and temperatures were cool. This morning it was fine and a light southerly breeze was still blowing. Yesterday's maximum and minimum temperatures were 50.6 and 44.2 degrees respectively. The rainfall totalled one point only, and 4.3 hours of bright sunshine were recorded. Although there was a frost in the Hutt Valley last night, it did not freeze in the city.

Christchurch had a dull and cold day with intermittent rain and a strong south-westerly breeze. It cleared during the evening, however, and the weather this morning was calm and clear after a sharp frost. The maximum temperature was 48 degrees and the minimum 34 degrees, the minimum on the grass being 23.1 degrees. The rainfall totalled 30 points.

Dunedin experienced a cold and dull day, passing showers accompanying a light southerly breeze. Seventeen points of rain were recorded. The weather this morning was clear with variable wind*,