"Legal Fighting Fund."

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 24 March 1939, Page 6

"Legal Fighting Fund."

The establishment of a “legal fighting fund” for the purpose of making appeals against unfavourable Court decisions has been decided upon by the Federation of New Zealand Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The fund is to be created by contributions from affiliated societies.

Rapid Travel. Within 24 hours motor-car rail, ship and aeroplane were used by the Leader of the National Party (Hon. A. Hamilton) during his North Island tour. Mr Hamilton passed through Hastings on Wednesday and that night addresed a meeting of supporters in Gisborne. Yesterday he travelled up the East Coast and by the week-end he will be in the Rotorua district. Petroleum Drilling.

Regulations exercising control over drilling operations for petroleum were gazetted last evening. They prescribe prospecting and registration fees, methods of working, the type of derrick and plant that must be installed, and precautions to be taken for the protection of life and*property. The regulations have been issued in accordance with the Petroleum Act passed by Parliament in 1937.—Press Association.

Wanganui Hospital Building. Capital estimates were adopted by the Wanganui Hospital Board at a special meeting yesterday. A majority of the board held that it was vitally necessary to provide for a building programme requiring loans amounting to £33,250. Of that amount it is estimated that £20.000 will be required for a new maternity hospital at Raetihi, accommodation for nurses there and improvements to the existing Raetihi Hospital building.

New Security Building. The building that has been constructed in Aotea Quay, Wellington, to accommodate the head office staff of the Social Security Department, will be opened on Monday by the Prime Minister. Motor Vehicles Collide. A motor-car and a motor lorry came into collision shortly after 6 p.m. yesterday at the intersection of Te Awe Awe Street and Eitzherbert Avenue. No one was injured, and the lorry was practically undamaged, but the car was smashed in on the right-hand side and liad a wheel torn off. New Defence Aerodrome. With an ultimate expenditure of probably considerably more than £IOO,000, work is at present in progress on the formation of headquarters for the establishment of a squadron of Royal New Zealand Air Force at Woodbourne, easily one of the largest under-takings ever carried out in Marlborough. Sunday Sport Opposed. A resolution of protest against permission being granted to use the Levin Domain on a recent Sunday for a demonstration of baseball was received from church organisations in Levin at a meeting of the Levin Borough Council. The communication was received, the council agreeing to the request by the signatories that the protest be published. Wellington Hospital Expansion. On the casting vote of the chairman following a nine-all division, the Wellington Hospital Board last night, adopted the recommendation of the board-in-committee that the architects be instructed to proceed with plans for the erection of blocks 15, C, and D of the Centenary Hospital. This work, it is anticipated, will cost between £400,000 and £500,000. Fire Engine and Right of Way. Mr A. E. Mansford presided at the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Fire Board, yesterday, when the hoard discussed with the superintendent (Mr P. A. Milverton) the incident wherein the brigade was nearly involved in an accident in Fitzherbert Avenue recently. It was decided that the superintendent take action against all 1 persons who are not complying with by-laws regarding the right of way for the engine. Federal Defence. “Tlie efforts of the Federal and State Governments of Australia tv {iush forward with the scheme of defence are undoubted,” remarked a Palmerstonian who recently visited Sydney, when interviewed by the “Standard.” “In tramcars and trains striking posters appeal to youth to ‘guard their lieritage,’ and it is no uncommon sight, to see uniformed men in the streets. The contingent who left for Darwin recently received a rousing farewell when they went for a long stay in the Far North, to which, by the way. they were not permitted to take their womenfolk.” Savings Bank Business. The Abstract of Statistics conveys the information that, for the fourth month in succession, the withdrawals from the Post Office Savings Bank exceeded deposits, the difference in December amounting to £1,194,927. For the nine months endq.d on Deeembel hi deposits amounted to £23,780,532 and withdrawals to £26,706,035, the excess of withdrawals being £2,920,503. In the corresponding period of 1937 the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by £2,699,795. Drought Conditions. The contrast offered between conditions appertaining along the Manawatu line with those seen in eastern New South Wales was mentioned to a “Standard” representative by a Palmerston North visitor who recently returned from Sydney. From Wellington to Palmerston North there was an almost unending stretch of browned countryside, yet in the farmlands within a 60-mile radius of Sydney it would be difficult to realise that recently a great drought was suffered. Acres of vines were in full bearing, grasslands were verdant, and gardens and bushlands had recovered with amazing vigour from their trying experience. Watering Facilities. Reports from affiliated societies on the provision of water for travelling stock in different parts of New Zealand were considered by the annual conference of the Federation ,of New Zealand Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and it was decided t send a letter to local authorities, the Agriculture Department, stock and station agents, and the Railway Department requesting them to provide watering facilities for travelling stock where such facilities did not already exist. Contrasting Costs. “According to official sources the standard of living in Australia is regarded as high and the cost paradoxically low, but the visitor finds many striking contrasts with costs in this Dominion,” remarked a Palmerston North visitor who recently returned from Sydney. “The price of food is notoriously dear, and it is not uncommon to pay over five shillings for what would be regarded as a mediocre meal in New Zealand for two people. Because of the recent drought vegetables are noticeably scarce, but fruit is particularly cheap. It is a happy experience to purchase a perfect pineapple for from threepence to eightpence, and grapes and other fruit at similarly cheap rates. Boots and certain articles of clothing are in many cases only half aa dear as in New Zealand, but in other instances the advantage lies with the Dominion.” Sins That Live. Headmasters and pupils are alike endowed with lively memories at jubilee times, and occasions when adults of to-day were occupants of desks and forms are not difficult to recall. “You are all still boys and girls to me,” remarked Mr J. Andrew, of Wanganui, who was the headmaster of the Ashhurst School from 1895 to 1908, when calling the roll at the diamond jubilee function. “It is amazing how your sins live,” added Mr Andrew, when various incidents were recalled by the response of expupils to the roll call. “And I notice that many of you haven’t forgotten my sins either.” Tramcar Courtesy. “It is comparatively easy to distinguish between a New Zealand visitor and a ‘Sydneysider’ when travelling in tlie tramcars of Sydney,” remarked a Palmerston North resident, who recently returned from Australia, in conversation with the “Standard.” “In a crowded car men invariably retain their seats when women enter, and —in marsed contrast to the position in most cities in the Dominion —hoys similarly omit to give their places to an elderly person. Thoughtlessness may be to blame, but one leaves with the impression that it is an accepted concomitant of the equality of the sexes and ages in a busy metropolis. One is almost certain to find that when a seat is offered to a woman the 'good deed’ is performed by a New Zealander.”