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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 278, 22 October 1934, Page 6

In an address given at Auckland, Mr Walter F. Boyle, United States Consul, said that, although the American Constitution was a written document, the nation liad adopted, practically without change, the English, common law, which was still the basis for the American legal system.

The construction of scale models of ships of the past and present, out of pieces of coloured celluloid, is the unusual hobby of Dr G. Stuart Moore, of Auckland. In the past two years he has made over 20 of the models, the types he has chosen to represent ranging from primitive sailing vessels of Phoenician origin to modern yachts and cutters. y

As a result of the high price, of gold, business is booming in Johannesburg, the great South African city on the Rand. Writing to a friend in Invercargill, a resident of the Union states that streets are being opened up and many buildings are being erected. A number of these are of the American skyscraper type, 10. 15, and 20 stories. The growth of Johannesburg is described as marvellous, and these is not a carpenter or a bricklayer out of work. Brick kilns cannot cope with the demand. Many of the latest buildings have roof gardens where afternoon tea can be served 200 ft skyward. A little-known fact regarding the life of the late Mr C. H. Tripp was mentioned at a luncheon of the Timaru Rotary Club by the president, Mr F. I. Waslibourn. Mr Waslibourn said that Mr Tripp had been a man of many hobbies, among which were astronomy, entomology, and navigation. Through the last-named hobby he had been instrumental in having Timaru correctly placed on the map of New Zealand. At the time, Innaru, as it appeared on the map, was actually three miles out to sea, and it was as a result of Mr Iripp s studies and experiments that the error was corrected. Working with a bucket of water for a horizon, Mr Tripp used his knowledge of navigation to find the correct location of Timaru, and later acquainted the Harbour Board of the mistake, which was corrected.

Several officers and' non-commissioned officers of the Palmerston North platoon of the Wellington-West Coast Regiment left by the New Plymouth express on Saturday for a week-end camp for the officers and non-commissioned officers of the regiment, at Wanganui. The camp is under the command of Major McCrorie, with Captain Maxwell as adjutant. Members of units at Ohakune, Taihape, ■ Mangaweka, Feilding and Wanganui, are also attending the camp.

One-tentli of the population of Chelsea, London, belong to the sixtj-five-and-over age group.

The countryside between Auckland and Hamilton is now revealing all the glories of spring. Both wild and cultivated flowering shrubs and trees are blooming in profusion, and , in many well-kept gardens along the route fine specimens of lilac and flowering cherry trees.

Permission has been granted by the Taranaki Education Board for its architect, Mr C. H. Moore, to bring before the executive of the New Zealand Teachers’ Institute a suggestion that the use of white paper is largely responsible for the prevalence of eye weakness among the children of New Zealand schools. A definition of the difference between the Republican and Democrat Parties in the United States was sought by a member of the audience at a lecture given by Mr Walter P. Boyle, American Consul at Auckland. “The best way I can describe it,” said Mr Boyle, “is by telling yon that they differ about as much as Reform and United.” The cauldron in the Government Reserve at Wliakarewarewa became active on Thursday, and played for 40 minutes, sending up shots to 10ft. This is a good indication that Pohutu will play. The geysers Waikorohihi and Waikite are also abnormally active, Waikite sending up shots of from 70ft to 80ft.

A resolution expressing alarm at the depletion of the gold reserves in New Zealand was passed at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. “It would be very unwise indeed to sell gold and put the profits into the Consolidated Fund,” said Mr Hislop. “Gold is the sheet anchor for the whole of our national credit,”

Two live turkeys were presented to members of the audience at a Wellington theatre the other night. The recipients, who happened to be sitting in “lucky” seats, had no idea that they were to receive the birds, and were puzzled as to how to dispose of them. One wrapped his in an overcoat; the other, a woman, “sat it out” with the bird on her knee.

Presbyterianism in Canterbury has a history which dates back to the earliest settlement of the province. The first members of the church arrived in 1843, and after being some years without a minister, they began to establish churches. 4-mong the early ones was St. Paul’s, Christchurch. St. Paul’s is' now 70 years old, and the anniversary is to be fittingly celebrated this wqek.

“It has been said that we have to be in a state of bankruptcy to maintain the ethics of amateur sport.” said Mr J. K. Moloney at the annual meetings of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Centre. “The centre has in the past had little difficulty in maintaining itself in this condition,” he said, “and now we have something rare in the form of a balance-sheet showing a good credit balance.” A scheme undertaken by a beautifying committee at Wliakarewarewa. (Rotorua) is now nearing completion. The major part of the work is the erection of about 25 chains of ornamental carved fencing, which extends from the bridge to the meeting house and the Government reserve. The cost of all these improvements has been found from taxation on the guiding fees of one penny a person on each reserve.

Interference with road signs in North Taranaki is assuming the proportions of more than a mere nuisance and has already involved the Automobile Association (Taranaki) in considerable expenditure, says the Taranaki Herald. More important than this, many signs at difficult parts of the roads have been interfered with to such an extent as to be misleading, making driving dangerous for strangers. A letter from the secretary of the London Chamber of Commerce received by the Auckland Chamber states that the London Chamber has not considered Major Douglas’s proposals and is therefore not in a position to express any views on them. The London Chamber has, for two and a half years, advocated reform of the monetary system, both nationally and internationally, it was stated. The letter was the result of inquiries made by the Auckland Chamber as to the London Chamber’s attitude.

Release from the payment of all moneys advanced to them from the Waimarino Bush Fire Relief Fund is sought in a petition which has been presented to Parliament on behalf of eight farmers in the Raetihi district. The petition refers to the fire which swept the district in March, 1918, destroying pastures, fences, buildings and stock. The public of New Zealand subscribed for the relief of those who suffered £16,635. The Government donated £SOO and gave a subsidy of £IO,OOO. From this fund, £7426 was expended in cash grants to workers, £5684 in cash grants to farmers, and £9BOO in loans.