LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18851, 28 January 1925, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

At_a public demonstration held at Wanganui of a warning device suitable for erection at railway crossings which was invented by Mr A. Pearson, a resolution was passed urging the chairman of the Railways Board to investigate the suitability of the apparatus for railway purposes and to subject the invention to trials on the Wanganui section. A delegation of millers waited on members of the Wheat Board at Christchurch and informed the millers had entered into an arrangement amongst themselves to allocate supplies of New Zea-land-grown wheat in proportion to the flour trade transacted by each of them. Hie price to be paid for the wheat would be in accordance with the cost of Australian flour, on which basis the prices per bushel would bo at present 6s 5d for Tuscan, 6s 7d for hunters, and 6s 9d for pearl, f.o.b.j sacks extra. It is understood that m the discussion which followed the opinion was expressed that the growars were looking for at least 7s per oujihel. The meeting had no executive authority. It was merely an exchange and expression of opinion.

When it was decided towards the end of last year that the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley would bo reopened this year it was found that it would be nccessary to renew portions of the New Zealand wool exhibit, and Mr N. M. Orbell, who was prominent in getting together the original wool exhibit, was asked by the Department of Industries and Commerce to collect the additional fleeces required. JVIr Orbell, with whom Mr L. G. i Schmidt, of the head oflice of the department, was associated, has completed the collection of over 150 fleeces, which are considered quite equal to the fleeces originally sent. Mr Schmidt told a reporter at Wellington that he was very pleased with the quality of the additional fleeces. They will be shipped by the steamer Matatua, which is to sail towards the end of the present w r eek. A request has also been received for an exhibit of goods manufactured from New Zealand flax, a.nd Mr Schmidt has made arrangements for such an exhibit.

Heavy rain has been falling at Masterton during the last twenty-four hours. There has been considerably more than an inch in the outlying districts. Many of the crops have been flattened as a, result. The annual meeting of the governors of the New Zealand Institute decided to recommend the Government to support the appointment of members of the Institute Board and Government representatives as a Board of Advice in connection with the geophysical services of the dominion. A proposal to make the qualification for election to fellowship of the institute ten years’ membership was defeated, the view being held that such a provision would he unwise. Professor Segar (Auckland) said he would not like, to see such an insular policy. Dr Cockayne said that if an eminent man came to Now Zealand from overseas the institute would honor itself by having him as a fellow. Tire question should be left open. Dr P. Marshall was re-elected president. Mr B. C. Aston (secretary of the institute), who is chief chemist in the Agricultural Department, was awarded tho Hector Award Committee's prize and medal for research in bush sickness, and also in New Zealand flora.. The announcement was made that the committee had had great difficulty in deciding between the qualifications of dominion chemists in allotting tho prize. A poll for the election of two Nelson and Marlborough district representatives on tho Now Zealand Fruit Control Board resulted as followsMr T. C. Bvasch 110, Mr H. E. Stephens 93, Mr P. Callaghan 44, Mr J. Stewart 33. Mr Brasch and Mr Stephens wore declared elected. The voters on the roll total 233, and 140 voting papers wore returned, the number of non-voters thus being 93. Mr H. G. Izard (Auckland and Taranaki district) and Mr A. M. Robertson (Hawke’s Bay and Wellington', area) ■were elected unopposed. Two Government representatives have yet to be appointed. A message from Wellington states that the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute has resolved to protest against the introduction of plants and animals into Tongariro National Park. The motion was proposed by Professor Easterfield. Dr Cockayne, who seconded the resolution, said that the heather which had been introduced was German, not Scotch. It was very inflammable, and caused a risk of fire.

Representations having been made to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce by importers as to tho serious loss likely to bo felt by British manufacturers through the removal of the “depredated currency” duty on imports from Gcnnany, tho president (Mr Peter Barr) interviewed the Hon. the Minister of Customs and the Comptroller of Customs in Wellington a few days ago. They informed him that the extra duty fixed was not intended to be prohibitive, but relied for its justification purely on depreciated currency, and represented the- probable advantage that German manufacturers enjoyed over British competitors. As_ the German currency had now been stabilised, the duty had to bo removed to conform with the Act, which authorised imposition of these duties only on goods Iron; countries having depreciated currencies. It is thought probable by the department that Germany may recover her share of trade, which was always dominating in several lines; but the question of an equivalent duty in lieu of deprec itod currency duty —which has been suggested as a remedy—is one that could only bo imposed by Parliament, and would involve far-reaching considerations.

Tho Wellington City Council (snvs a Press Association telegram) has decided ngainst Iho proposal to institute all-night trams, on the ground dm number of persons engaged in night work does not warrant the new departure. At the Milton Magistrate's .Court on Monday Albert Ernest Currie was charged, on Iho information of Instructor Sydney Charles Rhodes, with failing to carry 'out instructions from the Apiary Department to get rid of loul brood in his hives. After evidence had been given by the inspector and the defendant, tho magistrate (Mr H- J- .Dixon, S.M.) remarked that lie had no doubt defendant had not done more than a. minimum of work towards clearing the hives, whereas the provisions of the Act. required that foul brood should be eradicated from the hives. Defendant would be lined 10s, with court costs (7s). On Saturday a. party of. Dunedin Sonniers went into camp at Tnbuna Park for the purpose of learning the latest methods from England of training Roy Scouts. At Cbri'stnias some of the Dunedin Seouters went to the Sand well camp of instruction at Christchurch, and the idea of the camps is that they will impart what they learnt (here to those Seouters who were unable to go. The course will extend up to Sunday, February .1, and in all will comprise twenty-eight sessions of one hour each and a. twenty-four-hour hike. In the hike the Seouters will have to find their way by the compass, conk their own fond, carry (heir gear, and sleep out for one night. On Sunday, although the weather was not favorable, instruction was given in compass direction, the patrol system, Nature study, troops books and registers, and the court of honor. In the evening a church parade was held at the South Dunedin Presbyterian Church. Although tho number in camp is not large, that deficiency is more than made up for by the enthusiasm and keenness of tho individuals. On going into camp the Scouter drops his rank and becomes a Scout, and the camp is run as a troop camp under Scouter W. F. Meek (Commissioner for Dunedin). The thanks of the Seouters’ Association are due to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association for kind permission to use Tahuna Park for tho camp.

One of the recommendations of the Railway Commission was (.hat, officers from the railway service should go ahrnacl (o obtain an insight into many phases of railway operation. On Friday Mr James Mason, a member of the Railway Board of Management, and Mr I*. B. Angus, locomotive engineer, will leave by the Maheno for Sydney, en route for South Africa, to investigate railway matters there. They will he absent, for several months, and on their return will present a. report to the Minister. Mr Mason will study matte's of general administration; while Mr Angus, who up to the present has been locomotive engineer at Greymouth, will look into technical questions. South Africa has been selected, as it presents features analogous to those, existing in the dominion, inasmuch ns the South African system is State-owned and has a 3ft 6in gauge. Two other officers from the civil engineering and traffic branches are to ho sent abroad also, and Mr E. J. Guinness (Controller of Stores) is to study the working of the railway stores in Now South Wales. While Mr Mason is absent Mr A. W. Mount, District Traffic Manager at Auckland, will be acting member of the Railway Board,