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Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 July 1936, Page 6

The possbility of an early decision by the Government regarding the completion of the Dargaville railway was mentioned bv the Minister of Public Works (Hon'. It. Semple) on his return to Wellington yesterday. Iteference to embarrassment, loss of dignity and mental suffering was made by a writer to the Hastings Borough Council the other evening when lie submitted a claim for £3 10s, being the value of a pair of dress trousers allegedly ruined by a metal projection in a seat in the dress circle of the Municipal Theatre. The council decided to advise the writer that the matter was to be investigated. Besponding to the toast of the Beturned Soldiers’ Association at the reunion, on Saturday night, of the Manawatu section of the P. and 'I. Employees’ Association, Mr B. J. Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North 8.5. A., paid a tribute to the Post Office officials in connection with the successful Anzac stamp campaign. He thanked the Chief Postmaster (Mr D. Black) and his staff for their co-opera-tion and cheerfully performing the additional work involved. Proposals for the amalgamation of five schools in the Te Beliunga district, near Dannevirke, were placed before the last meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board by the Minister of Education (Hon. P. Fraser), who stated that he had received a communication on the subject from Mr T. C. Coombs. Under such a scheme, it was outlined, motor buses would run from Bua Boa, Iviritaki and Maharahara. The board took no action in the matter, the chairman (Mr G. A. Maddison) commenting that there were more important subjects requiring the board’s attention. Mr Clement Bartley, a former manager of the Auckland Savings Bank, whose death occurred last week, on one occasion, in 1893, experienced that unenviable happening in the life of a banker, a “run” on the bank. This had started at the head office for reasons which were later proved to be unfounded. At Newton, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the run, Air Bartley dealt as rapidly as one man could with the demands of a closepacked, excited, struggling mob. Gold was lirought from the head office and the Bank of New Zealand at Newton provided another large supply. It was by means of this that Mr Bartley eventually won the day. He spread a great heap of sovereigns within sight of all, and when the distracted gaze of the depositors fell upon these it had a very steadying effect. So short-liv-ed was the panic that when Mr Bartley opened his branch again in the evening, the cash began to come back again, and he had just as much trouble taking it in as he had had paying it out. , ■ • Housewives ! Save your carnet from flying sparks. No more black holes in your carpet. We have just landed 500 fire screens, size 30 x 28. We sold an enormous number laßt season, and have already sold a quantity this season. Buy yours now, while stocks last. A larger size is procurable too. Price 3s lid. At Collinson arid Son, Ltd., Broadway and Kmgsway, Palmerston North.—Advt.

Tile Dannevivke airport is to lie known as “Armstrong Aerodrome,” in memory of Mr Hamish Armstrong, who has been missing since his crash in August last. Over 60 motorists appeared in the Magistrate’s . Court at Auckland charged with driving without licenses, fines of 10s and costs being imposed in each case. “Do you realise that if you knocked anyone down while driving without a iicense the insurance company would disclaim ag.Y liability?” the Magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt, asked one defendant. “There is no insurance cover on unlicensed drivers.” The unique record of having been a shepherd in tho employ of one family for 74 years is held by Mr W. Bird, of Hinakura, Wairarapa., At the age of 13 he was a shepherd on the late Mr Alexander Sutherland’s station at Lyall Bay, Wellington; at the age of 26 he was similarly employed on his property at Hinakura. and to-day, aged 87, he is still a shepherd for the late Mr Sutherland’s grandson on the same Wairarapa station.

■By the steamer Northumberland, last week, there arrived at Wellington the Empire Art Loan collection, sent out expressly for the purpose of gracing the opening of New Zealand’s first National Art Gallery. These pictures, tho majority of them from the National Gallery and Tate Gallery, London, represent a very wide choice of artists and subjects, and are possibly the finest and most valuable lot of pictures which have been sent to this part of the world. A tribute to the manner in which men on public works throughout the Dominion were tackling the jobs on which they were engaged was paid yesterday 'by the Minister of Public Works (Hon. B. Semple) on his return to Wellington. “The reports l have received from district engineers of the department all over New Zealand are most encoqraging,” Mr Semple said. “The men on the jobs are all working hard and honestly and arc showing a desire to give of. their best.” Although not furnishing any figures on the subject, Dir I). Black (Chief Postmaster), speaking in Satin day night at the reunion of 'he Manawatu section of the P. and T. Employees’ Association, declared that the past year had been an unusually busy one at the Palmerston North Post Office. The customary slack period had not been noticed at all. He remarked that the provision of the new accommodation in certain of the departments would make it possible to render an even better service to the public.