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Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 8

The activity in the building trade at present was strikingly exemplified with the experience of a local firm of architects who called for tenders for the erection of a house in the city. Not one reply was received, the builders having their hands full with other jobs.

“ The kindliness of tho people of London is remarkable; the years since the war have wrought a marvellous change in the attitude of tho people.'’ said Mr E. Wood to the Importers’ and Shippers’ Association last night. “ It is astonishing to find how they go out of their way to offer ono assistance, at times quite voluntarily. Not only is this noticeable among tho ranks of tho working class, but on every hand. Another remarkable thing is the attitude towards war—they simply do not talk about it.” Mr Wood paid tribute to the work that Londoners were doing in removing slums. New Zealanders would probably , not bo impressed by tho similarity of the houses, but Londoners were certainly facing their responsibilities to the poor in a determined fashion. Also, the advancement oMhc working classes had been amazing.

Englishmen the world oyer have earned themselves the reputation of being typically phlegmatic; in France this characteristic is a source of much admiration, wo are led to believe. To the excitable Parisian, tho sang froid of the Londoner no doubt is remarkable, owing to tho direct contrast of the natures of tho two. It would seem that even the self-assured American is unable to maintain his equanimity as well under similar circumstances, however, according to a tale told by Mr E, Wood to tho Otago Importers’ and Shippers’ Association last night. When he was in Seattle, he was standing examining an armoured car in tho street with a friend. This undisguised interest was apparently misinterpreted, or regarded with suspicion, by a guard peering through an aperture. Yet in a London street, four men were unloading bars of gold from a canvascovered motor lorry. At his request, Mr Wood was permitted to handle a bar—there was no fuss over handing over about £2,000 in a lump,-yet onlyfour men were guarding the gold. Edgar Wallace addicts would no doubt recoil with horror at tho bare suggestion of such a commonplace London occurrence, but the sharp contrast of the attitude in the respective countries spoke volumes.

An appeal has been lodged by solicitors acting for Colin Herbert Hercock against the sentence of 12 years’ hard labour imposed on bim by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the Supreme Court, Napier, recently. Hercock was charged with the murder of Mrs Isohel Annie Aves, but a jury found him guilty of manslaughter only. At the trial Hercock was represented by Mr C. H. Weston, K.C., with him Mr C. G. E. Barker, Waipawa. The Crown case was conducted by Mr H. B. Lusk.

At the request of Miss Greene, the teacher in charge, tho Otago Education Board has agreed to set aside Tuesday, November 29, as an open day for the purpose of enabling all interested _in occupation centre work to pay a visit to the school. The purpose of the centre is to occupy children below tho sub-normal standard. Visitors _ will bo welcomed on this day, any time between 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The centre is on the. ground floor of the old Moray Place School building, entrance by the old school gates.

In the midst of the tension over the Czechoslovakian crisis; the New Zealand Shipping Company’s liner Rangitata, at present berthed at Port Chalmers, arrived at London from New Zealand. On the final stages of hexvoyage Home, the (Rangitata was in constant touch with the Homeland wireless, but, according to a member of the crew, the position was not realised in all its seriousness by passengers or the ship’s complement—the captain was suspected of having censored the messages received. However, when the Rangitata arrived at London, she spent three days in port with the crew wondering whether or not she would be converted into a troopship—the rumour was rife that this was possible. When the critical moment had passed, however, the ship resumed her normal routine.

As a result of the higher speed of the Lockheed Electra machines now used on the Auckland-Duuedin air route by Union Airways it has been found possible to delay the time of departure from Dunedin by_ 15 minutes. The north-bound machine leaving to-mor-row morning will inaugurate the new time-table, when she will take off at 8.30 instead of 8.15. She is scheduled to reach Auckland at the same time, 2.30 p.m. The south-bound aeroplane will also arrive at her usual time.

Yesterday afternoon the delegates to the annual country women’s recreational week paid a visit to the Roslyu woollen mills. In the evening Miss A. M'Dougall delivered a literary talk in the R.S.A. rooms, and a play was presented by members of the Otago Women’s Club. A visit to St. Hilda’s College occupied this morning, and this afternoon the delegates were driven round the city and had afternoon tea at the Brown House. Later a visit was paid to the Normal School, where tho art instructress (Miss Copeland) gave a talk on art. The final function will bo a social evening, to be held at the Y.W.C.A. to-night.

When inspecting shunting by tractors on the flush-deck portion of the George street pier yesterday afternoon at Port Chalmers the chairman and members of the Harbour Bead met Captain Holland, of the motor liner llangitata. That stately vessel has now had two “ firsts ” at Port Chalmers. She was the first big passenger vessel to make Port Chalmers her first port of call in the Dominion about a year ago, and she is now the first liner to berth at the newly flush-decked berth. Captain Holland, in commenting complimentarily on the great improvement effected to the wharf, remarked, smiling reminiscently, that next time ho made Otago Harbour first port of call the lady passengers would not have their dainty shoes disfigured in the seams of the wharf when disembarking. The Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee is sitting at Government House, Wellington, to consider the claims of the eight nominees, and the two selected will be the fifty-second and fifty-third New Zealanders to be so honoured. A personal appearance before the committee is essential for every candidate save in very special circumstances, and the selection is carried out with the utmost fidelity to the wishes of the founder.—Press Association.

The old traditional brass hat of the fireman will now pass into tho limbo of forgotten things. In fact, unnoticed, it has already dqno so, for firemen of tho city stations aro now equipped with a totally different headpiece. Black, with , a thin narrow aluminium band painted on at tho base of the crown, the new hat is of cork, weighing approximately lib less than the discarded brass one. Now universally adopted throughout Great Britain, the now hat has one great advantage over the old one, and that is it insulates from falling electric wires, an ever-present hazard in this ago of electricity. The new helmet, too, is capable of withstanding as much heavy work as could the brass one. Possibly, in the- ceremonial parados of tho future, the old brass bat will come out for an airing, and tho youngsters of the day will gaze with astonishment at the funny thing the fireman is wearing!

Probate has been granted by His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy in the estates of Clara Spedding, widow, Dunedin; Cornelius Donovan, tailor, Dunedin ; Mary Cullen, widow, Milton; Jane Turnbull, widow, Dunedin; William Donald Henderson, shoep farmer, Middlemarch,

The firm of Messrs M'Carthy and Jackson, of Wanganui, are tho successful tenderers for additions to tho Patea Public Hospital, tho contract price being £6,000. The work includes 22 bedrooms and muses’ quarters.—Press Association.

A.H opium raid in Haining street, Wellington, yesterday, resulted in a fine of £1(X) being imposed on Lowe Son, while. Wong Yee and Duk Poy were fined’ £3O each.—Press Association.

Charged with the theft of a radio set from a house where he was living, William John Herbert Fraser, -aged 40, was sentenced to six months with hard labour at Wellington. On a charge of riding on a train without paying his fare from Ohakune to Wellington, he was ordered to pay it. He had made the excuse that he lost his wallet, and said ho would pay at Wellington.— Press Association.

Notifications of infections diseases for the week ended 9 a.m. to-day were somewhat higher than they have been for tho last few weeks. Five cases of tuberculosis were registered four in Otago and ono in Southland. Southland and Otago each had ono case of erysipelas, while Otago had also a case of scarlet fever.

Tho measures being adopted by the Government to ensure that tho Dominion will have adequate aerial armament in tho case of any emergency were outlined by the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, to the ‘ Star ’ this morning. Mr Jones spoke of the development of the Territorial Air Force in the various centres, and said that it was hoped to establish the Dunedin group at an early date. He also referred to tho valuable work being achieved in the instruction of men pi ground engineering, and mentioned that it was proposed to give the apprentices at the workshops in the four centres an opportunity to include the study of aero engines in their training, an institution that would provide a very useful supply of men in the future. The City Fire Brigade responded to an automatic false alarm from Messrs Turnbull and Jones Ltd., Stuart street, at 8 p.m. yesterday. Last night the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) attended a meeting of the Labour Representation Committee and addressed the members. This morning, in addition to hearing a number of deputations, ho visited several Government departments, the Children’s Rest Home at Anderson’s Bay, and the Caledonian Ground. This afternoon the Ministerial party left for Invercargill and Stewart Island. _ Included in the deputations this morning was one seeking assistance for the Children’s Rest Home. Mr G. S. Bright, representing the New Zealand Roller Skating Association, asked for the licensing, of the sport. The preservation of bird life at Taiaroa Heads and the question of rangers was the subject of a deputation from the Otago branch of tho Royal Society. There was also a number of deputations representing _ the various branches of the centennial celebration organisation which is" now in active operation, and as a result of the arrangements made with them the work will he facilitated. The Minister also received deputations from sports bodies relating to the physical fitness campaign with the object of setting up a district committee for Otago.

If a real dog man can stop a dog from harking continuously by performing a simple operation, surely he ought to be able to make a rag dog give tongue if through the effluxion of time it had lost its voice? Such ivas the reasoning of a little girl recently who i heard her mother discussing with a local veterinary practitioner the problem of curing a dog from always “ yapping.” Assured that it could be done, the vet. was about to depart when tho tiny tot who was sitting in the hack sea of the car where tho discussion was held, called him back. The nurse bade her be quiet. “ I won’t,” replied the youngster. “ You don’t know anyfing about it. If Mr can stop mummy’s dog from barking lie can make mine hark,” and she promptly proffered her rag pet to the bewildered vet.

Dunedin’s “ Big Ben,” the familiar old clock in the Stock Exchange Building, which had its large hand torn off during the height of tho southerly gale last Saturday afternoon at approximately 2.10, w;as put back into working condition this morning, when workmen affixed a new handpiece.

Over 400 pictures of a very satisfying standard, comprising oils, water colours, black-and-white sketches, and etchings, are to be seen in the annual exhibition of tho Otago Art Society at the Pioneer Hall. Artists from all parts of New Zealand have contributed to the display, and the subjects chosen are varied and attractive. Otago painters are to the fore in most sections, and local beauty spots have not been neglected by the landscape exhibitors. One of tho outstanding pictures in the gallery is a beautiful portrait by E. Elizabeth Kelly, who had the honour of having it hung in tho Royal Academy and the Paris Salon. Tho exhibition, which is well worthy of a visit from members of tho public as well as students of art, is open daily from 10 a.iq. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.