NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 139, 9 December 1938, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Picture-theatre Returns,

Regulations providing for the collection of annual statistical returns from picture-theatre proprietors were issued with last night's Gazette. These are on somewhat the same lines as the factory production returns which are collected by the Census and Statistics Department, and make provision for returns on such matters as seating capacities of picture theatres, admission charges, length and number of programmes, length of films shown a year, wages and number of employees, and number of British and foreign films shown.

Jupiter's Large Family,

The number of moons circulating round Jupiter, as stated in astronomical books, varies according to the date of such publications. Since about the middle of 1914 Jupiter has been credited with nine moons. But two more have just been discovered with the aid of the 100-inch reflector at the Mount Wilson Observatory. So now Jupiter has a family of at least eleven satellites circulating round it, whereas our earth has always been content with but one. The fainter satellites of Jupiter, it has been suggested, may really be captured minor planets, and the recent discoveries may throw more light on the subject.

End of School Year

The coming week will see the closing down of all the schools and colleges for the long summer holidays. St. Patrick's College, Silverstream, will hold its prize-giving on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon Marsden School will hold its "breaking-up" ceremony, and Scots and Wellesley Colleges will hold theirs in the evening. Queen Margaret's College breaks up on Thursday, and that evening both the Wellington Boys' College and the Wellington Girls' College will hold their ceremonies. On Friday the final functions of the year will take place at Wellington East Girls' College and the Technical College. At the end of the week, too, all the primary schools will have closed their doors until the beginning of February.

Afforestation in North Canterbury

Gratification at the decision of the Government to acquire 5000 acres in the foothills near Rangiora for afforestation was expressed at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League by Mr. A. Buckingham, chairman of the league's afforestation committee, states the "Press." The decision was welcome, said Mr. Buckingham, although it had been hoped that at least 10,000 acres would be acquired. However, he had no doubt that another 5000 acres would be acquired in the next few years. The location of the plantation was very suitable, and it had an advantage over the State Forest Department's plantation at Hanmer Springs of being close to labour and markets. The executive agreed to write to the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) expressing its appreciation of the Government's decision and the hope that the plantation would soon be extended to cover 10,000 acres.

Should Set an Example

A suggestion that as an example to all other motorists members of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) should refrain from taking any intoxicating liquor before they put away their cars for the day was brought before the association's executive last evening by Mr. T. R. Lees, whff stated that the approved policy of each Automobile Association was to support every step which would lead to greater safety for road users, states "The Post's" representative. Members of the A.A., he said, were expected to show an example to other motorists in careful and courteous behaviour on the road. He also suggested that the privilege of membership of the association be withdrawn from all members convicted of driving while under the influence of liquor. The executive1' referred the proposal to its administration committee for a report.

"New Zealand. Largely to Blame."

That New Zealand, in buying Japanese goods because they were cheaper, was largely to blame for the bad state of the cotton industry in England, was a view expressed by Mr. B. H. Riseley, who recently returned to Christchrch from an extensive tour abroad, states the "Press." When one considered that England imported twothirds of her raw materials and practically the whole of her foodstuffs, England had made wonderful strides in the face of great difficulties, said Mr. Riseley. England was still paying low wages in many of the industries, but was compelled to retain these because her exports were her lifeblood and also because of competition from other countries. The country was backward in many ways and some of the country districts did not even have electric lighting. Living conditions were much lower than those in the colonies. The price of many articles such as clothing was much lower, but foodstuffs were still fairly high. "The problem with which we in New Zealand are concerned is how we can expect to raise primary produce at a high cost and sell it on the English market at- a price comparable with the wages the people were earning," he said. "In this respect we are not doing our duty by England in forcing up the price of primary produce when the average English working man only earns about £2 a week."

A Little-known Bird.

A film and an address given by Mr. R. A. Falla on the life history of the royal albatross were th; main business at the annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand on Wednesday, states the "Press." Mr. Falla dealt with his own observations, and those of others, on the albatrosses which have for many years nested at Otago Heads. The life cycle of the albatross was little known, said Mr. Falla, mainly because of the inaccessible places in which the birds nested, generally on the infrequently visited sub-Antarctic islands. Observations of the birds at Otago Heads had shown that the nesting cycle occupied nearly 12 months, which was unique in birds. The film dealt with the nesting of a pair of birds one of which laid an egg at Otago Heads on November 13, 1937, and with the development of the chick. Incubation occupied 11 weeks, the longr-t period recorded for birds, except for a few of the more primitive types. Albatrosses generally fed at sea, but could be educated to eat the offal thrown away by fishing vessels. This food was apparently not good enough for the young albatross, which was fed exclusively on food from the open sea, generally cephalcpods in the early stages, and later on some fish. Frequently five days would elapse between feeds, which were giVen to the chick by transferring it in a partly digested state. Mr. Falla said that for many years the birds had attempted to nest at Otago Heads, but they had always been disturbed, and the eggs taken away. The publicity given to the birds recently had frequently been criticised, as it was claimed that it had drawn attention to them, but Mr. Falla considered that the publicity had been a distinct advantage because people now knew how valuable the birds were. A few irresponsible persons had now to be guarded against, and fairly adequate stops had been taken.

Not a Power Failure,

Fears that they had encountered a power failure were entertained by several Oriental Bay residents this morning when they left their homes to catch a tramcar to the city, for two of the new type of trams remained stationary for some minutes on the loop a short distance on the west side of Hay Street. But it was not a power failure. The two cars, which are the latest product of the Tramway Department's workshops, were simply being photographed.

Change of Premises,

The Land and Income Tax Department, which is at present accommodated in the Whitmore Street annexe adjr.'ning Government Buildings, is to transfer over the holiday period to the Ford building in Courtenay Place. It is intended to have the Department established' in the new quarters by the beginning of the New Year. The future of the building in Whitmore Street was referred to by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in an interview last evening. He said it was ultimately intended to demolish the building but in the meantime it was to be renovated and used as temporary quarters for other Government Departments till proper accommodation was eivailable.