AN OPTIMISTIC TONE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 254, 22 September 1930, Page 6

AN OPTIMISTIC TONE.

Reflecting the considered opinion of businessmen, the . high note of optimism sounded in tne annual report of the Chamber of Commerce should tend to dispel any feelings of pessimism regarding the business outlook, “Hopeful and cheering signs, which are a matter for congratulation,” lead to the pronouncement that Palmerston North is “coming through the depression very well, and tfiis town can certainly be classed among those that are suffering least at the present time.” In times of depression optimism is a valuable asset, but only so long as it is engendered by a realisation that the difficulties to be faced can be overcome by capable business administration. We are not a reckless, happy-go-lucky people in this Dominion.. Platitudes such as “We have, experienced slumps before and have won out” do not appeal. Rather do we prefer to face facts, however unpalatable they may be, and discover the remedy for solving our troubles. This, it may be assumed, is what Palmerstonians have done to place their city in the category of those suffering least in the depression. It must not be inferred that Palmerston North has not felt the effects of the general conditions —its unemployment problem provides an answer —but prudent management of the city’s affairs and sound business principles, combined with the fact that this city is the capital of a very large, fertile area of farm lands, have played an important part towards minimising the effects of the depression. Sir Otto Niemeyer’s statement that there is no occasion for pessimism, and New Zealand is more happily situated than most other countries, gives a reminder that others are worse off than ourselves, and that this country has much to be thankful for that it is not in the position that Australia finds itself to-day through over-borrowing and extravagance.

Wanganui made a profit of £65 on its music week.

Pete Sarron, the American boxer, who underwent an operation for appendicitis, was discharged from hospital several days ago. To-day being Dominion Day was observed as a bank holiday. Flags were flown from Government buildings in honour of the anniversary. A light fall of rain, amounting to a quarter of an inch, occurred in the Lake Coleridge region on Saturday night. Yesterday it was reported that the level of the lake was unchanged. A substantial shipment of butter goes forward from Auckland to-morrow in the Niagara for Canada. This will be the last shipment to arrive in Canada prior to the application of the new tariffs. In all, it is expected that the vessel will take approximately 34,000 boxes. “Ho is 76 years of age, and has 43 previous convictions; he is sentenced to three montlis’ imprisonment,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court in Auckland in convicting a man on a charge of being idle and disorderly and with having insufficient lawful means of support.

Funds amounting to £54 6s were made available for the improvement of the Palmerston North Technical School’s playing area as the result of the Daffodil Day conducted by the staff and pupils on Saturday, when they were assisted by an energetic ladies’ committee. Included in the amount was £4 15s yielded from a copper trail conducted by the boys.

A programme of musical selections was rendered by tho Palmerston North Garrison Band at the Esplanade yesterday afternoon, when there was a large attendance of the public. Under tho conductorship of Lieutenant It. Cox, a varied programme was submitted. The Manawatu Highland Pipe Band rendered a programme of music in the Public Hospital grounds yesterday afternoon.

The party of six New Zealand scientists who are leaving Auckland by the Niagara to-morrow en route to Niuafou Island, in the Pacific, to observe the total eclipse of the sun on October 22 will be joined unofficially by Mr P. L. Overton, of North Canterbury. Mr Overton, who is a young surveyor and a member or the Astronomical Society, will pay his own expenses, but will participate in the concessions granted to the expedition. In response to continued representations from the City Council, members of the maintenance branch of the Railway Department commenced work on the crossing at the south end of the Square yesterday. By inserting three rails between, and a rail on either side of the track, it is hoped to remove the present trouble to motorists and cyclists who experience bumping when negotiating the crossing. A similar method has been employed at the West Street crossing.

A protest was sent by the Mayor of Wanganui to Hon. W. A. Veitch against a decision of the Public Works Department to transfer unemployed men from Palmerston North to works near Wanganui. The Minister replied that the Minister of Public Works had advised that 50 men are being placed on the Watershed Road; 30 of these are Wanganui men and 20 are from Palmerston North. As work develops it will be possible to employ more men, and further men will be engaged from Wanganui. It is quite probable that New Zealand will have an entry in the transTasman yacht race, which is set down to start from Melbourne on Boxing Day. Those who have interested themselves in the contest are busy making arrangements, and it is believed that the vessel to represent New Zealand will be named in about a week’s time. It lias been agreed to call the race the Australia-New Zealand ocean race, and if it should be a success, it is hoped to make the contest an annual one. Mr Burnett Gray, a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, has offered a cup for the race. Although the Palmerston North Hospital Board recently decided to draw the attention of the City Council to the disturbing practice of motor cyclists who persist in travelling in Rualiine Street past the Hospital with open exhausts, there appears to be no abatement of this nuisance. Yesterday, the Sabbath calm was rudely broken at intervals by a series of staccato reports, and residents to whom the explosions seemed to come with the rapidity of machine gun fire were emphatic in their denunciation of those responsible lor the noises, which are most disturbing to patients at the institution.

A number of seals seen at Stewart Island lately bore severe wounds, evidently the outcome of fights with sharks. Visitors who walked to Mason’s Bay and Hellfire Beaches reported that several seals were ashore on the sands there and that each one seemed to be suffering from the effects of fighting or attacks from sharks, as all were more or less wounded. In Paterson’s Inlet and at the Neck, a number of seals was observed and they also bore ugly wounds on the shoulders and tail. No doubt this has been caused by fighting during the mating season. The majority were sea lions, but two fur seals were seen last week on Ringaringa beach. Sea lions, when roused, are nasty customers, as they can move almost as fast as a man can run.

During the past few years so many reports have been circulated in reference to the many ambergris camps and deerstalkers’ huts on the western beaches of Stew'art Island that visitors are now going across with the main intention of visiting these fascinating places. Recentlv quite a number of parties went to Mason’s Bay, Little and Big Hellfire, and Ruggedy. One visitor hailed from as far north as Auckland, and one from Wellington. Two others went from Dunedin, and two from Kelso. Two local ladies undertook the journey to Mason’s Bay. Thev stated that the trip was so fascinating. and the beach so alluring, that they will go back again in the summer holidays. Several of the visitors secured samples of ambergris, one bov finding quite a nice piece of matured grade.