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Evening Star, Issue 20428, 8 March 1930, Page 14

The Ashburton Comity Council yesterday passed a resolution protesting against the constitution and finding of the committee on unemployment and the imposition of any further Lurdep on the land. The commission, it was held, was not representative of the farmers, and the recommendations were such as could not bo borne by the farming community. Many farmers who had to pay the special land tax could employ two men with the money they would have to pay towards the scheme. The council was of opinion that the scheme would lead to increased unemployment..

An important decision in the development of commercial aviation in New Zealand was made at Palmerston North yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) when u meeting of the directors of tho Dominion Airlines, Ltd., decided to purchase a- plane for the inauguration of a service between Wellington and Nelson.

Tho Prime , Minister has issued the following* statement: —As pointed out in tho last Budget, the financial position of the Statu superannuation funds i.e., the Public Service, railways, and teachers’ funds—is far from satisfactory'. In accordance with the proposal contained in tho Budget, it has now been decided to sot up a committee to investigate the position and report to the Government on the state of the funds and generally what action is necessary to place superannuation for the public services on a sound and satisfactory footing. Tho committee will consist of the following:—Tho Public Service Commissioner (chairman and convener), the financial adviser to the Government, and throe others—one to bo appointed by each of the three superannuation hoards concerned.

A valuable opal ring was lost in an unusual way »on the Fitzroy beach recently. states a ‘Gisborne paper. Two dogs started fighting on the sand, and the lady owner of one attempted to part them. The other dog snapped at her hand, and without touching the skin, pulled the_ ring off with its teeth. The ring foil into the sand, and in spite of a diligent search it could not be found.

Probate lias been granted by His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy in tho estates of Elizabeth Ford, Dunedin (Mr S. C. Hercus) ; Irwin Walter William Hunter, Dunedin (Mr S. C. Hercus); Mary Amelia Lowes, Dunedin (Mr I'. S. Brent) ; William MTaggart, Clyde (Mr W. A. Harlow): Harry Logie James, Russell Bay (Air F, S. Brent); Alary Ann Sincoek, Dunedin (Mr W. R. Brugh); Mary APDonald, Heriot (Mr L. J. Arthur). Letters of administration have been granted in the estates of Janies Allan White, Hampden (Mr I. A. Borton): and Keith MTntosh APLeod, Katea (Air H. C. Alloo).

At a meeting of the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee at Christchurch it was resolved, on tho moton of Mr Armstrong, M.R., that as there are large sums of _ money at tho disposal of the Main Highways Board they should be utilised for the purpose of improving and extending our main highways, thereby giving employment to hundreds of men ■ and using the funds at their disposal for the purpose for which they were collected. It was stated that the Highways Board had half a million of unexpended South' Island funds in hand.—Press Association.

The energetic ladies who are collecting for the Chair of Obstetrics endowment fund have so far met with very encouraging results, but are by no means inclined to rest upon their oars [on that account. Through the kindmess of Lady Ferguson, they have been able to arrange for a garden party to bo held in tho beautiful grounds of her residence “Wyehwood,” Musselburgh, on the afternoon of Saturday next, loth inst.. Lawn tennis, and a ladies’ bowling tournament are among the many attractions, and afternoon tea will be served in the ballroom. The price of admission will be low,, and given a fine afternoon no doubt large crowds will combine the assistance of a worthy object with a pleasant afternoon’s amusement. In the evening the children’s concert, which was so popular a feature of the functions in connection with the opening of the New Town Hall, will be repeated in the same place, and is sure to attract a large audience. By these and similar means, combined with the contributions of those who _ prefer to make straight out donations, the _ ladies should have no difficulty in raising the required sum. A judgment debtor in tho Wanganui Court on Tuesday stated that a sec-ond-hand motor hearse was a difficult vehicle to sell. A few years ago an agent in Waimanui had an old horsedrawn hearse left on his hands. Ho mentioned at the time to a 4 Herald ' reporter that the glass top would make an ideal cover to grow cucumbers in. The reporter duly chronicled the fact, and a -few weeks later an inquiry came to tho office from a resident of Auckland stating that the prospective client wanted to_ convert the hearse into a van in which to hawk fish in Auckland suburbs. The deal was fixed up, and tho old hearse was duly shipped to the Queen City. The committee of the High Street School met in tho office of the school last _ Wednesday evening. Mr Ripley presided. The headmaster reported that the roll number was 440, tho, average attendance for ’ February being 420. It was decided to give a demonstration of tho Delineascope with scenic slides in the school hall on Tuesday, March 25. Mr Neill kindly offered to supply tho slides. Several items will bo given by the pupils of the school during the evening. The annual picnic takes place on Saturday, March 29, at Jubilee Park,

If it is true, as suggested in a message from Suva, that the island of Niuagoou is again in eruption, it may mean that the New Zealand expedition which intended going there next spring to observe tho total eclipse of the sup will find the plan of no avail. It is no novelty for this island to erupt. It did so last year, and the best of tho few landing places was destroyed. Lauding on the island is a difficult problem at the best of times. That is why the island has acquired the name of Tin Can Island, mails for the thousand or so natives and two white planters who reside there being placed in' tin cans and thrown overboard from passing vessels, to bo subsequently picked up by boats from the island.

Carpenters and painters are very busy at St. Clair making tho preliminary arrangements for tho carnival to to'bo held on Wednesday to Saturday of next week. The whole of the front has been picked out for coloured electric lights. A tent is being erected with a special cabinet floor for those who like to step the “light fantastic.” Apart from the big attraction of a ferris wheel, mix-ups, many'new games are being introduced which should bring enjoyment to patrons.

During inspection of the new earthwork which is being carried out on the Bombay deviation between I'okeno Mercer, a small piece of rock, in which was embedded a shark’s tooth, was handed to Mr G. Henning and Mr Jl. E Champtaloup, of the Auckland Automobile Association. .Messrs W. Little and A. V. Johansson, who were working on tho face of a cutting, were picking out tho rock which had been previously loosened by blasting, and at a depth of 23fb below the surface of tho ground came across this interesting curio. Mr Little handed the find .to Mr Henning with a request that it be forwarded to the Auckland Museum for identification. Tho museum authorities classified it as belonging to an extinct species of shark, raamlamna apilulata. It is said to be a common form of the selachian tooth, which is frequently found in New Zealand and Victorian strata. It belongs to the Miocene Period. Similar teeth have been found in tho Veka Pass stone, tho llakaia River, and the upper beds of the .Waipara Riven,

Letters of administration have been granted by His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy in tho estate of Andrew Thompson, Waikouaitl (Air E. L. A. Bdl'o).

“Twelve months ago to-day he was before tfie court on a similar charge— Ibis is the anniversary,” said Sub-in-spcctur Cummings, when John Eraser, statutory first offender for drunkenness, appeared at the Police Court this morning. Eraser asked for a chance, as ho iiad work to go to, and ho was convicted and discharged.

The Alinistcr of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stalhvorthy) paid a visit this morning to tho children’s health camp at Awapuni under Dr Gunn. The Minister expressed his appreciation of the work that was being done. He indicated that ho hoped to establish a chain of permanent camps of a similar nature throughout tho dominion.— Palmerston North Press Association telegram.

Tho Otago Harbour Board sat till nearly midnight last night discussing questions of dredge deposits, various reclamation work, and drainage. A conference was to have been held this week between representatives of the board and the Drainage Board, with respect to the reclamation of the South Endowment, but it is postponed till next week on account of the illness of Air Alexander, city engineer.

A. man named George Clark was found in an unconscious condition on the footpath in Cumberland street at (i o’clock last night. Apparently he had stumbled and struck his head on tho ground. He was removed to the hospital, and had only partially regained consciousness this morning. ■

The postal authorities advise that the. Maunganui left Sydney on Friday afternoon for Wellington with, twenty bags of Australian mail and forty parcel receptacles for Dunedin. Tho mail should reach hero on Wednesday afternoon.

' Over 200 of the delegates to the Municipal Conference, with their wives and friends, visited Stewart Island yesterday in the tug Southland. The weather was perfect, and the straits smooth. Tho party was entertained at luncheon by the Island County Council. Among those present were the Hon. P. A. do la Perelle (Minister of Internal Affairs) and Mr M‘Dougall, M.P. Complimentary reference was made to tho manner in which the conference had been conducted and the good work accomplished. Tho majority left by this morning’s express for their homes.—Press Association.

Tho annual meeting of Knox Church Choir was held on Thursday evening, when Mr C. Roy Spackman presided over a good atendance of members. The annual report disclosed that tho choir finished up the year with a membership- of forty-eight ladies and twentyone men. Various suggestions were put forward for tho consideration of the incoming committee, among others being a membership campaign, and the drawing up of a code of rules. Messrs Frame and Lennon were added to tho committee, and Mr Murray and Mr Sanders were re-elected secretary and assistant secretary respectively. Special votes of thanks were passed to the librarians (Misses Ewing and MacKenzie) for their good work during the year, and to Mr Spackman for his continued personal interest in the welfare of the choir. At the conclusion of the business supper was handed round.

Praise for New Zealand is given by Major Gal I a her, who passed through Sydeny recently, states, an Australian correspondent of -the Auckland' 4 Star.' In ah interview, Major Gallaher said that he preferred New Zealand because of the laorneliness of the people, particularly in tho cities 44 In Australia,” he said, 44 everyone is bustling, arid it reminds me too much of America. Business seems to bo the big topic in Sydney, while home life is becoming more and more pushed into the background. In New Zealand 1 found that, though business men are just as keeri as elsewhere, they paid more attention to the, social side of life 1 than other people, and are more typical of tho best English people. Australia is doomed to experience even more depressing times than thos» now prevailing,” said Major Gallaher. who has had a distinguished career in the British Army, and who was the first official prisoner of \var in the Great War. 44 When the depression reaches the bottom, Australia should bo all the better for the experience It is the aftermath of the war, and is- Australia’s first experience of what England has since. 1 was amazed to find tho number of young men in Sydney who can spend days on beaches, at the races, and in picture theatres,” continued Major Gallaher. 44 'flio majority are well dressed and apparently have some money, but where do they earn it? Surely it can only mean that they rely on their parents to provide them ■ with pocket money. Therefore they are parasites There are more beggars in Sydney, 1 think, than in any other city’ in tho world. One day I walked along Pitt street, and was accosted every few yards with requests for the price of a bed or a feed. Yes; give me Old England or New Zealand* any day,” he concluded.

Notifications of Sunday services as enumerated below appear in onr Sunday services advertising columns:—Anglican; St. Paul’s Cathedral, All Saints’, St. Matthew’s, St. Peter’s. Presbyterian: First Church, ,Knox Church, St. Andrew's, St. Stephen’s Port Chalmers, North-east Valley, Mornington, Caversham, South Dunedin, Chalmers, Musselburgh, Maori Hill, gt. Clair, Green Island, Kaikorai. Methodist: Trinity, Central Mission, Mornington. Cargill Road, St. Kilda, N.E. Valley, South Dunedin. Baptist: Hanover Street, Caveishara, N.E. Valley, Mornington, South Dunedin. Congregational: Moray Place, United, Church of Christ: Tabernacle, Roslyn, N.E. Valley, Fillcul street, York Place Hall, Playfair Street Hall, Salvafion Army, Christian Science, Theosophical Society, Spiritualists, Christadelphians, Gospel Hall, Evangelical Hall, Higher Thought Centre.

The United Starr-Bowkclt Building Society will dispose of £2,800 by sale and ballot on March 20. Attention is clratvn to the Railway Department’s advertisement in ibis issue referring to the running of an excursion train to Gatlins River branch to-morrow. Special cheap faros arc being issued to stations where tho greatest attractions are. Wembley Club is holding its usual dance 10-night. Mr J. P. Northey advertises tho opening of his school of physical culture as from Monday, March 10. No one knows better than you that one of the chief charms of childhood is its constant change. Photographs of the children preserve these childhood days. Make an appointment with Rembrandt Studio, 199 George street.—[Advt.] The attention of guests of the Otago Harbour Board in connection with the Byrd Expedition is drawn to the board’s advertisement in this issue.

The St. Kilda Municipal Band will play at the St. Kilda Beach to-morrow ‘night.

Williamsons, the Ring Specialists (next Tho Bristol Co.), will servo \ou promptly and well with gift goods.—[Advt.] There will ho many hearty laughs when the Easter Egg Sketcher is opened up.— [AdvL]