NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 45, 22 August 1939, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Spot On Sun. A very large and active spot is now near the centre of the sun and is just visible to the naked eye, which, of course, must be protected by smoked glass or some other means if observations are to be made. Following the passage of the spot across the sun's meridian, there may possibly be another auroral display, although there is no certainty about this. Shearing in the South. Despite the fact that runholders are not yet able to estimate stock losses as a result of the snow, although they know them to be severe, inquiries for shearers are already being made, states "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent. The snow has starved out rabbits on j badly-infested areas, but it is not J thought that the numbers have been decreased sufficiently to alleviate the present alarming Referee Accused of Bias. The refusal of four Rugby clubs in Central Hawke's Bay to play under a certain referee whose rulings were alleged to show bias created considerable discussion at a meeting of the Central Hawke's Bay Rugby SubUnion, states an exchange. The discussion arose following a question asked as to why the referee had been allotted one of the most important games of the season while other allegedly more competent referees had been "sitting in the stand. It was pointed out that the only remedy was for the clubs concerned to put hi a complaint to the next annual meeting of the Referees' Association and a ruling was given by the chairman that no club had the right to refuse to play under a referee who was a member of the sub-union. The matter was allowed to lapse without any definite [action being taken. Timber Substitutes. As a result ot a proposal made' by the Dominion Federated Sawmillers' ! Association, the New Zealand Timber Merchants' Federation has decided to support the formation of an organisation which will endeavour to combat the effect of propaganda in favour of timber substitutes and to further the sale and increasing use of timber. The details and financial commitments involved in the support of the activities of this organisation have not yet been finally decided upon, but a campaign has been instituted in connection with the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition to advocate the use of New Zealand timber in as many directions as possible. It is proposed to avoid the necessity of setting up a separate organisation, and jto carry on the activities of the Timber Development Association with the aid of the machinery now available in the respective timber merchants' and sawmillers' organisations. Kiln-dried Timber. Arising from the desire of the Minister in Charge of Housing Construction to increase the kiln-drying facilities throughout the Dominion, joint action had been taken with the Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association in order to safeguard as far as possible the interests of those engaged in the industry, stated the report of the advisory board to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Timber Merchant's Federation. The matter had been the subject of discussion at several meetings held for the purpose, as a result of which representations bad been made to the Minister. As a result of these meetings it had been possible to secure some modification of the Government's original intentions, and the necessity to avoid having to install an unwarrantedly large number of kilns had been made clear. Additional kilns had already been installed, and it was hoped that the Government was now satisfied that facilities for obtaining an adequate supply of kiln-dried timber for State houses were fast being provided.