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Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 4

As a topic of discussion the Daylight Saving Bill received a quick despatch at yesterday’s meeting of the Otago Provincial Executive of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union. Tho president (Mr D. M. Reid), when dealing with matters brought up by the Dominion Executive, stated that the body mentioned had conic to tho conclusion that daylight saving had by no means proved a boon to the community, especially as far as women and children of tho country districts wore concerned. As a result of its opinion it had been decided to draw up a petition to bo sent around all the branchss of the union in Now Zealand, tho object being to ensure that tho Bill did not again appear on tho Statute Book. ‘‘Personally,” said Mr Reid, ‘‘l was formerly in favor of daylight saving, but since 1 have had _ many practical demonstrations of how it affects women and children in the country I have concluded that the Otago Executive should take tho matter in hand and try to get the petition signed as largely as possible.” (Emphatic “Hear, hears” from members.) As a result of the prolonged drought the whole country is parched (wires our Clyde correspondent). There wove no Jess than four grass fires yesterday, all of which threatened danger, but no damage resulted. One near the Clyde Town Hall was put out by tho lire brigade, and another in tho hospital grounds at midnight was only got under after the whole staff and a number of townspeople bad turned out. Mr R. Forrest, of Earnscleiigh, lost four stacks by fire yesterday. The origin is unknown.

.The Cawtliron Institute has conducted successful tests with a moth named “Tyria” (for short) which attacks ragwort. Dr Tillyard says ho can state positively that tho caterpillars do tvemendous damage to this weed and not to other plants of importance. Ho lias asked the Research Council to apply for a permit to liberate the insect, and suggests three centres for the purpose—the King Country, Taranaki, and the Bay of Plenty. The council’s committee asks for further tests, which will bo made.—Press Association.

The Auckland City Council considered a request that it should appoint a member to represent it at tho citizens’ meeting next week, when it is proposed to forward to the Government a resolution suggesting that steps be taken immediately to introduce a National Unemployment Insurance Bill. Thu mayor (Mr Baildou) said it looked remarkably like the dole, and he was not m favor of that. If they sent a delegate to the meeting they would be conliming the opinion that unemployment insurance was necessary. Cr Allum said that tho matter should go_ to the council in committee; the position was getting worso instead of better. _ His suggestion was adopted. Cr Entrican: “But cannot we be represented at the conference? ” Cr Phelan: “Too late; you’ve turned it down.”—Press Association telegram. The services of the City Fire Brigade were required at Malvern street, Wonclhaugli, at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, where some hush on the property of Mr W. Duncan had caught fire. The outbreak was quelled before any damage had been done to the property. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the unemployment position in New Zealand will be discussed with the Premier on Saturday by a deputation representing all the trades ami labor councils in the dominion. Reinhold Henry Wedde, a solicitor, of Waipawa, was to-day fined £75 for failure to have his trust account audited. It was stated that six letters and a telegram had been sent to defendant, but the audit certificate had not been forwarded. Wedde was fined £6O at Napier in 1925 for a similar'offence. — Press Association.

An Invercargill Association message states that at tho Architects’ Conference Mr F. L. Moody was re-elected president. It was decided to hold the next conference at Wellington in February.

A resident of Rortohello complains that some car drivers are not observing tli .3 rule of the road between Portobollo and Dunedin. The rule, that is not being observed is that alter dark cars going towards the city must pull into the side of the road and dim their lights. Last night five cars failed to observe the rule. The driver of one car was evidently desirous of complying with the rule, but was not sure as to what it was. for _ lie kept on quickly dimming and glaring his lights in a manner that inndo the position more difficult than if the dimming had not been resorted to. The lights should b<> kept dimmed until the other car has passed.