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Evening Star, Issue 23306, 30 June 1939, Page 8

Seagulls iu large numbers have been, observed lately on the open, sea past Ocean Beach. In the summertime, when the barraconta shoals arc about, a large lloek of sea birds is indicative of the presence of tho under-sea marauders, who chase the small fry up to the top of tho water, where they fall an easy prey to the birds. Such congregations of birds are taken by fishermen as a certain indication of the presence of the fish, but at this season of the year, when the ’conta are absent, their presence on open water is unusual. Some other attraction in the form of food must be tempting them, or is it. that the lack of rain on the Oval and oilier recognised feeding places in the lily i> making them desperate?

The Awatca left Sydney on Wednesday for Auckland with 60 bags of Australian and Empire mails for Dunedin. These should reach the local office next Tuesday evening. It was previously- announced (hat a pruning demonstration by the ‘ Star’s ’ gardening contributor would be held in Air J. Wilton’s orchard to-morrow. That arrangement has been altered. The demonstration will be given in the orchard of Mr G. Adess, Aloana Orescent, Sunshine (four minutes’ walk from the Cavell street tram stop), and will commence at ‘2.1)0 p.m. Some time will be given to the pruning of apple trees, but the main subject will be up-to-date grape growing. If wet, there will be plenty of shelter in the 'largo vinery. All interested in fruit growing are invited to attend.

.Apart from the traffic inspectors concerned, the Christchurch traffic department’s drive against erring motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians is keeping justices of the peace busy placing their sgnatures on summonses. Within the next few weeks about 300 prosecutions for alleged breaches will be taken in the Magistrate's Court in batches of approximately 70 cases a day. After hearing lengthy evidence the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon rejected tlie claim for compensation of £Bl (18 weeks at £4 10s a week) brought by David Proctor, a miner, against the Kaitangata Coal Company. Proctor’s case was that a fall in tiie mine brought on a hernia which incapacitated him for a considerable time, ■ Ho was represented by Mr It. C. Rutherford, Air .1. C. Alowat appearing for the. company. Giving the court’s decision, Mr Justice Callan said that the case had been a difficult one in which divergent medical views had been developed, and it might have been that after careful consideration the court would have found that the plaintiff had failed to establish the burden of proof necessary. The court, however, was clear on the legal point under section 27 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, and as the action bad been brought 14 days after the time limit expired, the claim must fail. Judgment would bo for the defendant company, which would be granted leave to apply for costs. The Tramways Committee of the City Council reports that requests have been received from time .to time from the Wakari Improvement Association relative to suggested improvements in the present bus service to that district, particularly in the direction of providing a service in the mornings and between Wakari and the Roslyn Mills. The matter has been fully considered by the committee, and the tramway manager has been instructed to provide an additional service between Wakari and tho Kaikorai tram terminus between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., such service to include one trip to the Roslyn Mills. Another example of that wanton mischief which some unbalanced people delight in committing was revealed_ ina report by the harbour master which came before the Harbour Board at its meeting last night. In his report Captain AlacLean informed the board that when the Hayward Point light had been visited on June 19 it had been found that someone had fired a shot through the lighthouse window facing to seaward. Tho lamp itself had, fortunately, not been affected but the glass pane had been smashed. Captain AlacLean asked that publicity bo given to the fact that every person who wilfully injures any harbour light was liable to a fine of £2OO, or in default imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. The chairman (Air W. Bcgg) and Mr D. F. H. Sharpe spoke very strongly regarding the deplorable conduct of tho perpetrator of the mischief, and tho board unanimously agreed to place the matter in tho hands of the police and to offer a reward for the apprehension of the culprit.

The Wanganui woolbrokers’ characterise as ridiculous the statement by the Christchurch Farmers’ Union that Wanganui buyers were so occupied with golf and other pastimes that they did not bother to inspect the catalogue. There was the usual activity at the wool sheds three days prior to the sales. They disclaim all knowledge of heated arguments. A complete settlement on the lines of the present award was reached at the Conciliation Council yesterday afternoon in the dispute between the Dunedin Bridkmakers, Potteryworkers, Tilemakers, and Sanitary Pipemakers’ Union and 19 manufacturers in the Otago and Southland districts. Two important alterations involved the increase in annual holidays from four ft) five, and an increase in the rate ot pay for, youths of 2s 6d a week.

“ W. 8.8.” forwards us £1 Is for the Truby King memorial fund. We have handed on his cheque to the Plunket Society. An interesting document reached the town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston) by the latest mail from the United States, this being a Congressional record of proceedings and debates ot the seventy-sixth Congress, first session, forwarded by Hon. Harold Knutson, of Minnesota, in the House of Representatives, in February last, the Record containing a speech by Mr Knutson who, according to the report, was the only member of the present Congress who voted against America’s entry into the World War when the matter was brought up on the floor of the House in April, 1917. In his latest speech, Mr Knutson contended that America was now parallelling the history it enacted back in 1916 and 1917. If it followed that course, it would be drawn into another war just as sure as the rising of the sun. He went on to say that the danger to the republic lay within rather than without, with 10,000,000 or 12,000,000 men and women out of work, with over 3,000,000 families on relief, and with the small-business men facing bankruptcy. He further pointed out the mounting cost of government, which he said was 18,000,000,000d0l a year. Fire in the Holy Innocents’ Church, caused by a gas heater, which had slightly damaged the floor, required the services of the City Fire Brigade at 12.7 this morning. A chimney fire in Bangor Terrace, Kew, occupied the attention of the brigade at 6.10 last evening.

Two cases of pneumonic inlluenaa. have been reported from Southland during the past week, serious developments of the prevailing epidemic of colds. Other notifications ot infectious diseases for the week include one case of tuberculosis from both Southland and Otago, and one case each of scarlet fever and erysipelas from Otago only.

The Works Committee of the City Council reports that pending the completion of the proposed new by-law. which will be designed to further strengthen the council’s position regarding the use of portion of the public street oy persons engaged in building operations, it has been decided to enforce the provisions of section 45 of By-law No. 1, which provides that in all cases where it is desired to occupy portion of the public street a permit must be obtained from the city engineer. This action is necessary in order that the operations of builders and others may be controlled to prevent, damage to the street surface and to the Drainage Board's mml tanks as a Pi of building operations.

“ It seems to me that the accountant should bear a similar relation to his customers to that of the doctor and the engineer to their clients,” said Professor A. H. Tocker, professor of economics at Canterbury University College, in an address last evening to the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants (says the ‘ Press ’). “ A doctor has a high professional standing because he keeps people in health. Could not the accountant acquire the same standing by keeping businesses in health and by curing those businesses that are sick? ” “ Profits are just as soundly earned as anything else, and the profit system is designed, better than any other 1 know to give the community what it wants,” said Professor A. H. 'Tocker, professor of economics at Canterbury University College, in an address last evening (says the ‘Press’). “'The whole price and profit and loss system is designed to turn commodities where they are most wanted, and everyone with sixpence to spend has a vote in the way production is directed. I can’t think of anything fairer. 'The thing has all sorts of leaks and lags and inequalities. But where it has been replaced by something else you usually have a lower standard of living.” Jn some ways, in Italy and Germany, the system was better, but on the whole living standards were lower, and people had lost the liberty that had made the old system worth while.

“ f think wo may look forward to a lead in physical education from the Internal Affairs Department,” said Dr H. E. Field, chairman of the Christchurch Boys’ Employment Committee, speaking at the annual meeting of the committee yesterday of the need for assisting youths to use their leisure time to the best advantage (says the ‘Press’). “Something has already been done by the department, but nothing substantial. 1 think it is a matter of money.” Dr Field added that a study of the use of leisure was being made by the Christchurch Youth Centre, and another committee was compiling a brochure setting out tho facilities in the city for assisting youths to use their leisure time. Dr D. £. Hansen, director of the Christchurch Technical College, commented that some youths were using their leisure to advantage, for there had been an increase of 50 per cent, in the activities of the college on Saturday mornings.

In tho Supreme Court this morning Mr Justice Callan granted a decree absolute on the petition of James Peter Jones (Mr C. J. L. White) for dissolution of his marriage to Aim Alaria Jones.

During the hearing of a compensation case in the Arbitration Court this morning the plaintiff, a watersider, was describing employment procedure on the wharf. ]n the last 12 months, lie said, there had been much activity, and a big number of unemployed men had had to be called in to help. “In Auckland these gentlemen are known as ‘seagulls,’” observed Mr Justice Callan; “what arc they called here?” With ness admitted with a smile that ho had heard this expression used in Dunedin. Later in, proceedings the witness said that the award prescribed that with every gang working on a ship there had to ho a “ spare man.” “Is he a sort of substitute or emergency?” inquired His Honour. Witness said this was so, the “ spare man ” being detailed to relieve the wiitchman or hatchman if they wished to go away for a few minutes. He could not, however, go below in the ship, and received standard rates of pay while thus occupied —apparently doing nothing. On her arrival at Wellington from Lyttelton to-day the interisland express steamer llangatira withdrew from the service for overhaul and survey. After extensive overhaul and refit the Maori left Wellington yesterday and arrived at Lyttelton this morning in place of the Wahine. Yesterday morning the Wahinc, on her arrival at Wellington, remained in port: but to-day she was to leave for Lvttelton in place of the llangatira. When the llangatira resumes running after her overhaul has been completed the Wahine will in turn withdraw for overhaul. Arising out of an accident in which a cyclist, Iris Annie Berry (22) was killed through being struck by a motor car, a Maori, Mark Nepia (49) was charged at Gisborne this morning with intoxication while in charge of a car. negligently driving a car thereby causing death, failing to stop after an accident, and driving •without a license. Accused was remanded on bail of £4OO. ■—Press Association,

Authority has been granted the city librarian to extend the pay collection by the trial of a picture rental collection, by which a number of reproductions of the works of modern painters and old masters will be made available for study and reference in the homes. A group of the largest and finest reproductions, suitably - framed, will be provided, and for a payment of 2s a month the pictures can he taken home. It is considered that temporary ownership of a picture is more important than the casual observation of a range of pictures in a gallery. The cost of establishment .of the service will be found from the pay collection account, and the growth of the service will necessarily depend upon its popularity. Mr Justice Callan has granted probate in the estates of the following deceased persons:—John William Hall, retired Civil servant; James Outram, retired blacksmith; Elizabeth Riddell, spinster; Arthur Wellard Amos (Momona). farmer; Marion Elizabeth Pearce, spinster; Susan Ann Macpherson (Cromwell), widow; Diary HumcWilleby. married woman; Thomas Redding (Ranfurly), blacksmith; 'William Connor (Ravensbournc). town clerk;, John Bamhery (Waitati). attendant; Emma Jessie Stuart Rix. widow; Agnes Barnes, widow; Josiah Walker Davies, hotel employee; David Young Millar, tailor.

The vital statistics for tho past month show that there was a decrease in the number of births by 19 on the corresponding month last year. Deaths remained steady, and there was an increase of three in the number' of marriages. The figures, with those of last .Juno in parenthesis, were:—Births. !)I (HO) ; 99 (99) ; 59 (50). _ The qurutorly figures, with those of ihc same quarter last vear in parenthesis, are:— Births. 302 (3-10) ; deaths, 300 (262) ; marriages, 22S (236). Ashore at St. John Island, about 130 miles from Babaul, the -Japanese freighter China Maru carries genera! cargo that was tho last to be shipped from that country under first-period licenses under the New Zealand 1 import restrictions. Now it appears, despite the haste required to obtain shipment by the vessel, that all cargo will bo lost. This is by no means gratifying to importers, as they would rather have tho goods to* band than collect insurances, particularly since, as one importer said, bis insurance was made payable in Amsterdam! However, this will give him some overseas funds to come and go on. A motor tractor while shunting railway trucks on the wharf at Port Chalmers this morning accidentally fell into (bo harbour. A dredge lifted the submerged tractor, which was one of two engaged handling railway trucks lor the steamer 11 nut iugd-m.