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Evening Star, Issue 21631, 29 January 1934, Page 8

Tho General Committee of the City Council reports having received the annual report of the Superintendent of Fire Brigades on places of amusement in the city, the report indicating that generally speaking the condition of the various premises is satisfactory. While driving round a corner in tho Kakahu district one day last week the patrolman to the South Canterbury Automobile Association (Mr F. T. Owers) had the front of his car forced off the road by the wind. To avoid capsizing the patrolman headed the car straight down a 16ft bank, finishing up in a gorse hedge. A team of horses had to be secured to get tho car back on tho road again. Mr Owers told the committee that the nor’-wester seemed to lift the front of the car clean off tho road. He had been told that three other cars had gone off the road at the same spot, which was a short distance west of tho Kakahu School. '

There are apparently no difficulties of language betweo nthe Maori and the Rarotongan, and it was noticeable that the Maoris and Rarotongans who met during the ceremonies at Kohupatiki were able to follow one another’s conversation after a few moments’ practice in. varying their speech a little (says the Hawke’s Bay ‘ Herald ’). Many returned soldiers' will remember seeing the Maoris and the Rarotongans sitting in groups together'in the public gardens in Ismailia, on the Suez Canal, and hearing them trying to reconcile their speech each to the other. It took only a few minutes’ practice, and then the words flowed easily and unhesitatingly, and their mutual understanding was equally 'ready. The two peoples have been separated for over 700 years, and evidently their ancestral language has changed much less than the English language. The Tramway Committee will recommend at Wednesday night’s meeting of the City Council that the tramway manager be authorised to attend the next meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Tramways Conference which is to be held in Sydney on Monday, March 19. The gas engineer’s summary of the carbonising results obtained at the works during the month of December indicates a decrease in the gas output for the month of 733,000 cubic feet, equal to 3.365 per cent. Tar sold increased from-5,940 gallons to 16,098 gallons.

The Tramway Committee reports that the motor omnibus trips which the department is running to To Anau and the Milford Sound road under a temporary license from the central licensing authority have/been extremely popular. There is every indication that the trips can be run right up till Easter. # Seven trips have been run to date, and in cach case the buses have been practically full. Seven other trips are now scheduled, and the booking for these is already most satisfactory. The Finance Committee of the City Council has received advice from the Unemployment Board that the applications for subsidy in connection with the flood damage works in the Water of Leith and the extension to the high levels water supply system have been approved. In both cases the subsidy is based on the employment of relief labour, which is to be taken out of the No. 5 scheme, the men being employed forty hours per week at standard rates. The* amount payable by the Unemployment Board will be equivalent to the appropriate rate of relief payable to the men under the No. 5 scheme, the council paying the difference up to forty hours per week. The Taieri County Council supervises the removal of gravel from the bed of the Silverstream. A royalty is charged to contractors. Of late some carters have been avoiding payment. The matter was discussed at the monthly meeting on Friday, and it was resolved that contractors removing gravel be required to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of a royalty with the county clerk before permission to cart gravel would be granted. What, it is claimed, is probably a unique New Zealand record in proportion to population has been established by the Pahiatua Swimming Club, which, in twenty-one ylars, has given free tuition to over 900 children. The club’s achievement has been .accomplished by a small band of enthusiastic workers with very slender finances at their disposal. More children are able to swim in Pahiatua than in other parts of the dominion. The president of the club (Mr J. A. Walsh) has held the office continuously for twenty-one year's. —Press Association. Although the painting of the four white circles at the corner of Moray place some time ago was in the nature of an experiment, observation has shown that this method of educating motorists to take corners at the correct angle is much more satisfactory than the central dome system. Proof of the success of this innovation was seen at the 1 Star ’ Office Corner this morning, when workmen were engaged in removing the dome and painting the white circles.

The Water Committee of the City Council reports that in response to the notice served upon all owners and occupiers of land through which the proposed Deep Creek water supply line will pass, formal notice has been received from seventeen of such owners or occupiers of objection to the execution of the proposed works on various grounds. The council is now required to hold a special meeting for the purpose of considering the objections and determining whether or not the works shall be proceeded with.

Authority has been granted by the ,Water Committee of the City Council for the city engineer to proceed with the work of effecting essential repairs to the Ross Creek Reservoir embankment, at an estimated cost of £2OO. As it is not possible to make any special financial provision for this outlay, instructions have been given that the cost is to come out of the authorised vote for the extension to the high level water reticulation recently sanctioned hv the council.

An unusual tribute to the quality of New Zealand cheese has been .received by a Hawora resident who recently sent a' South Taranaki factory-made cheese to a relative in Scotland. In reply to an inquiry from the sender regarding the keeping quality of the cheese, the Scottish recipient replied: “ It kept all right to the very end. It must have lasted for tho best part of two years.” Taking advantage of tho prevailing dry, windy conditions those engaged in farming the mountainous country bordering the Wairau Plain are busy at present in “ burning off the mortgage ” as the clearing of the dried grass is popularly known (reports tho Marlborough ‘Express’). As a result a pall of smoko envelopes tho plain, in some parts even blotting out tho hills from sight. Tho hazy conditions have also had a marked effect on tho strength of the sunlight, which is of a curious reddish tint. The Gas Committee will recommend at Wednesday's meeting of the City Council that the chairman .Cr W. A. Scott) should bo authorised to attend tho next annual conference of the Gas Institute of New Zealand to be held at Invercargill on February 21. The works staff will be represented by Mr H. Horroeks, assistant gas engineer. As a sequel to the police raid on the public bar of an hotel on Saturday, the three men who were arrested on alleged broaches of the Gaming Act appeared in the Police Court this morning before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. Alen Gourley was charged with using the public bar of the Carlton Hotel as a common gaming house, while James Ernest Gillau and James Kennedy were each charged with assisting him. Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for the defendant, asked for an adjournment till Wednesday. De-tective-sergeant Doyle stated that tho defendants had been remanded on Saturday, on one surety of £IOO and also in the sum of £IOO on the recognisance of each defendant. He had no objection to a further remand. The accused were remanded till Wednesday on the same terms.

In acknowledging a vote of thanks on his retirement from the presidency of the Canterbury Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association at its annual meeting on Friday night, Mr A. L. Tucker said that he had made a visit to the south this week, and the general impression he gained was that there was a little brightness about. He had been reminded of the appeal made by Lord Bledisloe at the conference of the United Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association two years ago to sell only a good class of goods. It was now becoming evident that buyers were not buying rubbish, and was a great opportunity for every man on the road to sell British goods instead of the rubbish that had been about for some time. He thought that they would find that buyers and the public generally were tired of that sort of stuff. “ We cannot expect to get any benefit from the Old Country, ’ Mr Tucker added, “ unless we support her, and any move in that direction would bo beneficial ” (states a message from our correspondent).

A malicious false alarm from the corner of Glen avenue and Crosbie street, Mornington, was answered by the brigade at 9.35 on Saturday night As many picnickers at Harrington Point yesterday were making ready for the return journey to town, they were afforded an excellent view of the Wyatt, Earp as the Ellsworth Expedition’s sturdy little vessel steamed up the harbour. Those on the shore gave her a warm reception, the tooting of motor cars horns mingling with the cheers of the crowd. •, ■

The celerity with which the ‘ Star ’ published the results of races at Forbury Park on Saturday was the subject of laudatory remark by one trotting enthusiast to-day. He stated that he left after the race which was won by Gunraetal. He got in his car and immediately drove to town. He stated that ho was most surprised when ho reached the corner of Moray place to find a boy selling the ‘ Star ’ which contained the result of the race. Scarcely ten minutes could have elapsed from the running of the race to the time he bought the ‘ Star ’ in town, and he regarded such quick publication of the result as a matter of congratulation to those responsible. Mr James Fletcher, who has once more come to town on business connected with the Fletcher Construction Company’s contract to build the new Post Office in Dunedin told a ‘Star’ reporter this morning that the electric crane now erected on the site for the moving of the structural steel is able to lift a weight of seven tons, and the heaviest section of steel to be lifted on this job is six tons. The total weight to be erected is 2,2000 tons. Five hundred and forty tons of the steel has now been landed at Port Chalmers, and the contractors for the steel work— Stevenson and Cook—anticipate that they will be able to make their first deliveries during the second week of February. Small shells and refuse in the water drawn from his taps was remarked upon recently by a Waitara resident. Ho received a greater surprise, however, when a 2in fish came through the tap. It was coloured black and white. As a memento of the unexpected visitor the fish is now preserved. The finding of a rare New Zealand shell is reported by Mr A. W. P. Powell, of the staff of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This is the delicate pink Marex Eos, and was found at the southern extremity of the Coromandel Peninsula. Hitherto it has been found only at Paihia, in the Bay of Islands. In the earlier days of the colony the shell was much prized, and was frequently mounted in jewellery, resembling a fragment of coral. The Love Construction Company has practically completed the erection of the new building for the Albany Street School. The date of completion was the end of January to enable the school to open for the first term of the year. The company had no difficulty in completing this job a week ahead of time. One operation in the work of extending the St. Clair esplanade eastward is now completed. The concrete piles, 204 in number, are all cast, and they are being assembled in positions convenient Lor the driving, which will probably begin next month, as soon as the necessary staging is erected and the derrick set up. Each of the piles is 22ft long. They are to be driven to a depth of 10ft, so that they will stand 12ft above the sand. The whole extension is for six and a-half chains, .divided into two sections. The No. 1 section, connecting with the ' previous work and running as far east as the steps to the beach, is to be the first to be constructed. Preparations are already going on by the digging of a trench so as to get out the *big stones that are buried in the sand. Many of them aro heavy, one weighing lOcwt. They are being piled up in line so as to be handy when wanted to form an apron to break the force of, the sea surges. The casting of the piles commenced in June last, and the work has been done by unemployed men under the direction of Mr L. Wraight, foreman in the employ of the Ocean Beach Domain Board. The average number on the job has been six. and Mr Wraight savs that they have worked well, taking' a kern interest in all that they were set to do.

The popularity _of the Railway Department’s excursions was evidenced in tho largo number of people who travelled to tho Gatlins district yesterday. Favoured by lino weather and the opportunity of viewing the beautiful bush scenery, 417 passengers were on the train when it left Dunedin shortly after 8 a.m., and this number was increased at the intermediate stations, there being 589 on board when Balclutha was reached. Many of the excursionists left tho train at Owaka, and while some took tho opportunity of visiting friends in the township, tho majority made their way to Pounawea and Papatowai. On arrival at Tahakopa shortly after midday, the remainder visited the adjacent saw-mills. After a most, enjoyable day’s outing, the train left Tahakopa at 5 p.m., and reached Dunedin at 9.20.

“ The glory of New Zealand lies not in its cities but in its garden towns and countryside,” said the GovernorGeneral (Lord Bledisloe), in a speech at the National Flower Show at Palmerston North. His Excellency said a great deal had been heard about town planning, but seldom anything about country planning, which was essential to human happiness, comfort, and contentment. “In no other country is there more scope for the flower-lover than in New Zealand. Nature, in her unjealous liberality, has provided it with soil and climate which should enable its man-made gardens to be the best in tho world,” said His .Excellency. “ . . . If there is any country more than another '• where Arbour Day ought to be kept, it is New Zealand. I venture to hope that the movement is going to spread, if only to educate the rising generation in New Zealand to protect the magnificent trees which adorn this land, and resist every effort of the ultra-commer-cialists to convert the giant forests to commercial uses.”

A correspondent of the Otago Acclimatisation Society writes thus as to the angling at Kaitangata;—“The fish aro harder to catch now on account of so much feed running. I have not heard of any big catches since before the holidays. One angler landed a trout BJlb with the live bait, and another angler caught two lllb each and one 61b on the worm. When we get a hot day the fish rise more, and it is usual to see or hear them splashing at all times. I think they are in better condition this year and larger through last year being so poor a season. If we were getting some fine weather it would give better sport.”

It has been said of France that it recovers from a financial affliction more quickly than any other country, and that this recuperative power is largely attributable to the ability of the working people in the country districts to stand up to hard times. In a humbler degree Dunedin seems to possess , the same source of strength., Visitors sometimes ask how many rich persons there are here, and on a count of those who are known or supposed to be very wealthy the tally is relatively small. The money lent in Dunedin mostly comes from “ the crowd,” not from millionaires. Our district ‘is happy in being able to enumerate in its citizenship thousands of thrifty men , and women who possess incomes sufficiently large to allow a surplus for investment. Assuming that as a fact, it is a satisfying significance that our friendly societies are apparently not in serious trouble about the depression and its after effects. The reports of various lodges and courts recently presented have a cheerful tone and indicate buoyant finance, and there is reason to hope that when full returns for 1933 are available they will show that the need to help necessitous members is lighter than it was some months earlier. Two of the societies are already in a position, to announce an easing in money matters. Mr Steel says of the Druids Order that there is a distinct tendency to reduce the pressure upon the funds, and Mr M‘Fie authorises the statement that the Foresters’ Court with the largest membership of any New Zealand friendly society—Court Pride of the Leith—is rejoicing in the fact that the total contributions for the year constitute a record in the history of the court and that a number' of members who had to be assisted out of the fund provided for the purpose are now making repayments. Other lodges or courts may tell a similar tale when the particulars aro made up.

The grave risks and miraculous escapes which characterise waterfront work arc exemplified in the case of an elderly man who, after.many years, has retired from the waterfront at Port Chalmers. On one _ occasion, while working at a ship in dry dock, he rolled from the top of the dock to the bottom, bumping from altar to altar in his descent. At first he was shooting head first. A desperate grab halfway down the dopkside merely resulted in slewing him sideways, but it probably saved his life, for he rolled the rest of the distance. With a thud he landed in the drainage channel at the bottom of the dock. _ But he was unhurt. Hopping to his feet he climbed up the dockside and resumed his work oi the painting stages. On another occasion ho was hatchman on an overseas steamer. Overbalancing over the coamings ho toppled head first down the hatchway and landed on casks in the lower hold. His martes shuddered and hurried to bis assistance. Before they reached him they saw him take his watch from his waistcoat pocket and hold it to his ear to ascertain whether it was still ticking or. had been ruined in the fall. His injury was a broken collarbone, which prevented him climbing up the perpendicular iron ladders to the deck. Now_ he has retired to -live in a cottage with an acre or two, on the hillside overlooking the harbour. He rpilks a cow, shears a sheep, kills a pig, and watches the ships go past. Provision is,,made in the will of the late Mr George Ritchie, retired crockery merchant, for payment of the following bequests:—£2oo to the Salvation Army for the purposes of the work of the Army in Dunedin£2oo to the Presbyterian Social Service Association; £SO to the aged ministers’ fund of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand; £SO to Rev. Bryan King, or to the person who may bo carrying on his work in Dunedin, to be applied towards the relief of the poor in Dunedin.

The Highways Board was met at Port Chalmers on Friday by the mayor (Miff. Watson) and councillors. Mr Watson said he wished ‘to present three local matters to the board for favourable consideration—the highway to be extended to the borough boundary at Deborah Bay, the easing of a corner at the entrance to the town, and support for the proposal to be presented by the Waikouaiti County Council that the road from the railway bridge round *by the Scott Memorial Cairn and on to Waitati bo declared a highway. Cr Mackie spoke bn behalf of extending the highway to the Spit, which was now a popular resort for touring motors. The deputy-chairman (Mr J., Wood) said the board approved' of it being done. It was pleasing to hear appreciation of what the board had already done. The matters now brought forward would be given careful consideration. In regard to highway extensions, that would be considered together with other similar applications, and should be forwarded, with details, through the district council to the Main Highways Board.

A rare mammal, ten feet in length, believed to belong to the delphinidae or dolphin family, was washed ashore at Te Awahanga beach yesterday, after, being wounded with a harpoon hy Mr M. Burden. The animal is a female, and is toothless. It has a blowhole near its head, and its body is of a grey colour merging to white on the belly and head. Its length, from the beak, which is 9iin long, is six feet four inches. The girth of its head is 28in, and the girth of the body at its thickest part is 6ft Bin (states .a Hastings Association message). Many unusual and little-known facts about animal life are often discovered by those whose work takes them into the bush. While walking along a narrow path one morning recently a sawmiller in the Gatlins district noticed a weasel with a young tui in its mouth coming down a tree, the height of which he judged to be about 50ft. Although both the German owl and the, weasel cause a great _ deal of destruction among birds, it is not often that the weasel will climb such a distance in order to obtain his prey. The following staff changes in the Public Trust Office are announced: — The appointment of Mr E. Collins, supervising estates administration clerk at- head office, to the position of District Public Trustee at Nelson, and the transfer of Mr A. Bell, District Public Trustee at Nelson, to the position of supervising estates administration clerk at head office, Wellington.—Wellington Association message.

The population of Taupo, which at the last census was fifty, is now unofficially estimated at over 500—a considerable growth in eight years. During the years 1931 and 1932 there were no cases of drunkenness in Taupo, but the record was broken by four cases last year, although in no case was the drink procured in the town. During 1933 there was one minor case of housebreaking, and there were only eighteen~civil summonses.

Mr John C. Begg, director of the astronomical observatory, ' has kindly supplied the elements of the eclipse of the moon on Wednesday of this week. The following schedule sets these forth:—Moon enters penumbra 2.7.5 a.m., moon enters umbra ,4.1 a.m., middle of eclipse 4.26.6 a.m., moon leaves umbra 5.24.2 a.m., moon leaves penumbra 7,16.9 a.m._ New Zealand summer time is used in the schedule, and the moon will set in New Zealand before the later phases of the eclipse. The maximum invasion of the shadow on the diameter of the full moon will be .117 of that diameter. The impact of the outer part of the penumbra (partial shadow) will scarcely be noticeable, but the full shadow, which is distinguished in the schedule as the umbra, should fie distinctly visible if the moon is not obscured fiy clouds. Those who listened-in to the previous broadcast talks by Captain Taprell Dorling, D. 5.0., R.N. (retired), will be pleased to know that the Broadcasting Board has completed arrangements with him to speak from IYA on Friday evening, prior to leaving for Horae. This talk will be rebroadcast by 4YA. A Newark (New York) daily illustrated publishes a photograph or a Maori guide at Rotorua rubbing noses and shaking hands with an officer of an Australian warship, and below the picture appears the follow’Uig paragraph Here’s the way they greet you in Rotorua, not far from New Zealand—a handshake and a rubbing of noses. An officer attached to an Australian warship is being introduced to the Native custom.”

Save your eyes. ,Be wise and consult W. V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—(Advt.l On February 1 there will fall duo an instalment of the general unemployment levy and also the fourth instalment of the emergency unemployment charge on in* come other than salary and wages derived during the year ended March t 3l,_ 1933. An advertisement appears in this issue. The Railway Department anticipates a large increase in picnic traffic tins summer if the weather proves favourable. Experienced officers of the department are in readiness to offer advice and suggestions to the promoters of excursions. Accurate information of picnic grounds within convenient distance of town is given in a free booklet, ‘ Picnics by Rail.’ This publication also includes,. tabl fis . P [ distances and fares.