LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board was held at Wellington last week. Mr F. W. Fnrkert presided. A financial statement prepared for the half-year ended September 30 showed that the total expenditure out of the revenue fund was £.180,000, and out of the construction fund £288,000. The corresponding figures for last year wore £107,000 and £213,000 respectively.

At a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch) several members expressed disappointment that tho weekly half-holiday for nurses had broken down owing to the large amount of sickness among the staff. Mrs M‘Combs said that the nurses should be able to leave the hospital as well (if not better) in health as when they commenced their training. That was not the position, however, and she considered that it should be guarded against. No other class of the community was expected to work seven days a week. Nurses had to work about eight hours and 40 minutes each day, and if their duties wore not finished when they were supposed to go off duty they had to stay and complete them.' If tho duties of nurses were such as could not ho carried out in eight hours the duties should be reduced.

A meeting of the creditors of Roy Hamilton Dellow, battery service proprietor, was held at Wellington. His debts were shown to be £392 16s lid, and his assets £285. The bankrupt, in his statement said ho started with a small capital of £SO, charging and repairing batteries. Ho attributed his position to the falling away in the motor trade, keen competition, and the fact that he took a contract to supply 12 to 20 batteries a month to a Christchurch firm at a price which he found left no margin. Had lie been wiser he would have filed three months ago, but he took over a new agency in the hope that by this means he would put himself on his feet again. Tho meeting, however, showed that it was dissatisfied with the books kept, and it was decided that Dellow should complete his books and draw up a statement showing his financial position for a later meeting, and also give_ particulars of tho accounts he owed prior to commencing business on his own account.

The monthly meeting of the Dundin branch of the Women's National Council was held on 'Wednesday, Mrs Alexander occupied tho chair in tho absence of the president, Mrs Leech. There was a good attendance. One of the subjects discussed was a proposal that child welfare bo separated from the Education Department and constituted a separate department under a head directly responsible to tbe Minister-iii-charge. Tho proposal was postponed to allow of further inquiry, and will be considered at the November meeting. The main feature of the meeting was an address by Miss Rumanian, J.P., on the Arbitration Courts of the dominion. Miss Runcimaii reviewed the history of unions and the constitution and working of tho Arbitration Courts, giving a clear view of their mechanism and of their human effect. A hearty vote of thanks was given Miss Runciman for her informative address.

Yesterday afternoon and last evening a successful sale of work was held in the Sunday School hall at St. Stephen’s Church. Weather conditions were excellent, and good attendances, together with an attractive array of goods and general produce, assured the success of the venture from the outset. The hall was prettily decorated with Hags and greenery, and the organisers had spared no effort in their preparations The bazaar was'officially opened at 2.30, ami from then on buying was brisk throughout the afternoon. Tho stallholders were as follows:—Sweet stall, Mrs Buchanan; variety stall, Mrs F. Knight; tea rooms, Misses Leslie and Douglas; jumble stall, Mrs C. Grace; fancy stall, Mrs J. Main and Miss M. Main; work stall—Mesdames B. Sutherland, J, Lawrence,. I C. Ross, and Miss. Mathoson; book stall, Mrs F. C. Demauth; soft drinks, Boys’ Bible Class (Mr A. Moore); produce stall, Mrs M. C. Leslie and Mrs J. Douglas.

The monthly meeting of the Northeast Valley branch of the W.C.T.U. was held yesterday, Mrs Peart presiding. Final arrangements were made for the bring-and-bny sale to_ be held in the institute on Monday, November 14. A vote of sympathy to Mrs Smith in the death of her daughter was passed. Mrs Gibson and Miss Baxter sang a duet, which was much appreciated. A collection in aid of the Maori mission fund was taken up, after which the president introduced Brigadier Burton, of the Salvation Army, who spoke on the ‘ Word of God.’ She also referred to their responsibilities to the Maoris, for although the white people had done much for the country they had also introduced some habits that did not tend to improve the ideals of the Maori race.