NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 15, 18 July 1939, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Need for Christian Unity.

Preaching at St. George's Church, Seatoun, on Sunday, the vicar, the Rev. Charles E. Willis, declared that there was never a greater need for unity in the Church than today. If only there was one great Catholic and Apostolic Church instead of so many different denominations, what a wonderful power for good it would be in the world, tlie preacher said. Colour Bar in South Africa. It would be a fair criticism of the Dutch in South Africa to say that they had an almost fanatical hatred of the coloured races, probably an inheritance from the time when they were a small minority among a vast coloured population, said Professor L. G. Pocock in an address to the International Association at Christchurch, states the "Press." "It is a great pity, and an ugly thing to consider," he said. "I think that in that respect the British have behaved better, though we, too. have grossly neglected certain territories. Generally speaking, the natives should be looked after much more sympathetically, but that has not been the policy of the Governments of the Union." Observation Test. - Much interest and curiosity were aroused in Christchurch on Saturday morning by the sight pf a number of Boy Scouts carrying out an observation test, tlie first exercise of this sort that has taken place in the city, states the "Press." Eleven patrols of six Scouts took part, each being provided with a note-book in which were pasted photographs of the following twelve subjects:—The old ford over the Avon opposite the Supreme Court; part of the Supreme Court building; the Edmonds Clock Tower; a plaque on the Bridge of Remembrance; a tree at the corner of Latimer Square; door of the old Provincial Council Chamber; door of tlie Girls' High School; the Scott statue; Bowker Fountain in Victoria Square; Edmonds band rotunda; Queen Victoria statue; part of a well-known building in Cashel Street. These had to be located and their position and any interesting facts known about them noted in the book. Rover Scouts were stationed at intervals along the route to observe and award points for the carrying out of traffic rules at crossings, dress, and general conduct and discipline. The first patrol to finish took about two hours, and the last about two hours and a half. There were few failures to locate the various objects, and the general standard was good, though some of the dps-rintions of them were amusing-

Infectious Diseases.

For the week ended yesterday. 20 cases of infectious disease were reported to the Wellington office of the Health Department from the central Wellington area. There were nine cases of diphtheria, seven of pulmonary tuberculosis, three of scarlet fever, and one case of erysipelas. Scarlet fever declined in the first six months of the year, and the Health authorities do not think it likely that the disease will assume epidemic proportions for several years. Measles is not notifiable, but only one death has been reported so far this year,, compared with 27 deaths in the same period of 1938. Early in the year three closely connected cases of enteric fever occurred in one part of Wellington. They were traced to a carrier in a food shop. Eight cases of infantile paralysis occurred, as compared with none during 1938.

School's Good-will Visit

The fifty boys and five masters from Wellington College who went north for the weekend on a good-will' visit to the Auckland Grammar School arrived back in Wellington this morning j after having spent a most enjoyable time. The Rugby match played yesterday between the first fifteens of the two schools was won by Auckland by seven points to three. The visitors attended a luncheon arranged by the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys' Association, and an incidental result of the visit was the bringing together of a great number of Wellington College old boys now living in Auckland. The trip was instrumental in fostering friendship and interest between the two schools, and it is practically certain that a return visit will be paid by the Auckland boys during the Centennial celebrations. Speeding in Johnsonville. The excessive speed at which some motorists travel along the main highway through Johnsonville was mentioned at a meeting of the Johnsonville Town Board last night. Commissioner R. Grant said that something should be done to stop motorists travelling at about 40 miles per hour along the road. The practice was dangerous to pedestrians, particularly school children. That day he had seen two children nearly knocked down. Notices stating that the speed limit was 30 miles per hour were placed at the northern and southern ends of the township. The chairman, Mr. H. D. Morgan, said the only thing was to have a traffic officer in attendance continually. A Talk with Switzerland. i Telephonic communication lasting ten minutes was established on Saturday between the Wellington home of the Swiss Consul, Dr; W. Schmid, and tlie Pavilion of the 400,000 Swiss Living Abroad at the Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich. Swiss communities in all parts of the world are being similarly called up on the telephone where :such facilities exist. The P. and T. i Department installed a special telephone in Dr. Schmid's house and the conversation was quite clear. A number of Swiss residents in New Zealand who had been invited for the occasion to the Consul's house were enabled to converse with relatives who had similarly gone to Zurich for the purpose. Relatives who in many cases had not been seen for many years were conversed with, and the scene was quite a touching one. After the telephonic conversations were over, the occasion was celebrated in a patriotic manner.