NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Old Poplars Gone All the old poplars, numbering 78, along Oxford Terrace and Cambridge Terrace have now been removed, it was reported to the Christchurch City Council. The stumps are being dug out as rapidly as possible and removed to the dump at Sandilands. When this work is completed the banks will be renovated and re-sown in lawn grass, opportunity being taken to stabilise tho banks at the water’s edge to prevent further erosion. “Mount Semple” The Prebbleton district, though among the most fertile in New Zealand, is remarkable for its lack of geographical features. The new overbridge near the railway station, therefore, has become a most prominent land mark and can be seen for miles around. It has become so much a feature of the landscape that the residents of tho district have given it tho name ‘‘Mount Semple.” Tho name is understood to be entirely unofficial,' states the Press. Importance of Defence Realised Lord Beatty has returned to London (writes a correspondent on April 17) at the end of his world tour on behalf of the Navy League, of which he is chairman, and the Sea Cadets Corps. “Every British possession I have visited realises the vital importance of defence and is behind Britain in all her great efforts for peace,” he said. “I found the sea cadets in a very healthy state everywhere, particularly in Australia, and I am hoping to get full Admiralty recognition for the New Zealand cadets.” New Zealand Plants in Sweden Expressing appreciation for his election as an honorary (overseas) member of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture in a letter to a recent meeting of the executive of the institute in Wellington, Professor Carl J. F. Skottsberg, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Gothenburg, Sweden, who visited the Dominion last year, wrote: “Our garden takes special interest in trying to grow New Zealand alpines—the only group likely to survive here—■ and I expect that some friends in the Dominion will provide us with seeds, allowing us to continue our experiments. ’ ’

School Telephones An internal telephone system has been installed in Central School, New Plymouth. Fourteen rooms have their own telephones connected with each other and with the office. The system was installed free of charge by the staff members of the Post and Telegraph Department in their own time. It will be a distinct advantage as a time-saver, particularly in the frequent cases when the dental clinic which is situated at lhe Central Infant School, requires a pupil from any class. A monitor in the office can contact the pupil immediately. The head master has a special long ring which will reach him in whatever room he may be.

No Car Shortage The motor trade has not yet felt any serious repercussion from the imposition of the import restriction regulations, according to the remarks of Dunedin agents. Ono firm handling a popular make of car anticipated no difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies to meet the requirements of purchasers, but another dealer who was questioned considered that if sales continue reasonably well there might bo some difficulty in supplying the demand in the second six months. Up to the present it had been possible to provide purchasers with their requirements, although some had to wait for short periods before the supplies came to hand. Too Many Tartans Offering himself for service in the Christchurch Company of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment, a young man presented a birth certificate which proved that his name included the coveted “Mac.” But this was not enough iu his opinion, and he emphasised his Scottish descent with a tartan tie and a tartan scarf. Another recruit pointed out that the tie and the scarf were of different tartans. This, however, did not disconcert the recruit; who airily stated that lie was descended from both the clans whose tartans he wore. However, when asked to say just what clans tho tartans represented, he hastily changed the subject. Farmers’ Union Live Body

“In the Farmers’ Union throughout New Zealand to-day there is very great evidence of its being a live institution and that perhaps is being shown in no way more emphatically than in younger men coming into tho organisation,” said Mr. W. W. Mulbolland, Dominion president, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Mauawatu branch, to the fact that he was pleased to see more youthful members taking over the positions held in the organisation by older men who were retiring. A satisfactory mixture of the energy and pushfulness of youth with the careful and steadying criticism of men of experience was, he considered, a very valuable thing. The infusion of youth was an indication of the virility of the organisation. Opposed to Titles

The New Zealand Labour Party is opposed to the conferring of titles. In an official report issued to members, it is stated that the recent Labour Party conference decided to recommend to the Government that it consider the advisability of refraining from making further recommendations for the conferring of titles. The conference adopted the recommendation on receiving the report of the policy and administrative committee, the chairman being the Minister of Finance’ (Hon. W. Nash). “That the Government bo recommended to consider the appointment of a New Zealander when the present GovernorGeneral’s term of office expires” was the text of a remit from the Clinton branch, which was to be referred to the Government. Retain your personality with glasses designed to suit you—a necessary adjunct to accurate examination. Modern mountings are attractive. N. C. Holland, F.8.0.A. (Honours), F. 1.0. (Eng.), Consulting Optician, Commercial Buildings (upstairs), Square.*