NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 296, 15 December 1939, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Soil Out of Sand. A dairy-farmer occupying land in the sandy coastal region, giving evidence before the Assessment Court in Palmerston North yesterday, said ho had fed out over £2OOO worth of hay to his stock for the main purpose of consolidating the soil so that it could bo brought in. The Court chairman commented that he had heard bricks could not bo made without straw. Fires in Palmerston North. Prom October 3 till yesterday 27 calls were received by the Palmerston North Fire Brigade, reported the superintendent (Mr. P. Milverton) to the quarterly meeting of the Fire Board yesterday. These comprised seven fires, four false alarms, four chimneys, seven rubbish, three grass, hedges, etc., and two railway accidents. The insured loss totalled £331 aud the uninsured loss £93. Comforts for Troopships. In order to be prepared for the departure of troopships arrangements have been made by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council for its metropolitan executive to be responsible for the supply of comforts for the use of the men of the armed forces when at sea. Information concerning the quantity and nature of the goods likely to bo required is now being sought from the Army Command by the metropolitan committee. Plans have been made to ensure that supplies will bo ready in plenty of time to have them placed on board tho departing ships. No Exploitation. The belief that by tho lime summer seasonal work was finished there would bo about 10,000 men at work throughout New Zealand clearing bush and scrub and bringing private aud Crown lands into production which were at present lying idle was expressed by the Minister of Labour (Mr. P. C. Webb) in an address to trade unionists and Labour Party members in Dunedin. Tho Government, would have control of the taxation machine, however, the Minister said, aud would fake good care to see that the increased wealth thus made available would not go into the pockets of a few exploiters, but would be used for the benefit of the people as a whole. Compensation Court,

The possibility of the judge of the newly-created Workers’ Compensation Court sitting without lay representatives is benig considered by the Government. “Wo are considering whether such a constitution would be legal, and, if any amendment to the Act is needed, the operation of tlio new Court might have to be delayed,” said the Minister ot' Labour (Mr. P. C. Webb) in an interview in Christchurch. The appointment of a judge to succeed Mr. Justice O’Regan as President of tho Arbitration Court is being considered. Mr. Webb said that no indication ot‘ the identity of the now judge could be given at this stage. A number of suitable names were being considered. Regulations Criticised. ‘‘For the Government to tell us that we cannot go to our poople and take up a collection for our chaplains is an impertinence,” said tho Rev. J. D. {Smith, when speaking in tho Auckland Presbytery, lie had just been suggesting that a collection should be taken for the British Sailors’ Society. ‘‘They have got no right,” he continued, ‘‘to come into church doors, and tell us what wo arc going to do for our people, and we would be perfectly justified in taking no notice of any regulations of tho kind. I would feel perfectly justified in taking up a collection for our chaplains in my cougregation, regulations or no regulations.” Mr. Smith’s comments met with the evident approval of tho Presbytery.

Dangerous Corners. ‘‘increased traffic makes certain corners whiefi the brigade uses a great more dangerous than previously,” reported Superintendent P. A. Milverton to the quarterly meeting of tho Palmerston North Fire Board yesterday. ‘ ‘ The chief danger points are Andrew Young and Main Streets, Cuba and Kangitikci Streets, and Fcathcrstono aud Raugitikei Streets. I suggest that consideration bo given to installing a warning device such us a siren or red (lashing light, or a combination of both, at these irnints. ” The board held tho matter over pending information as to cost, but decided to suggest to the City Council that parking in King Street should bo restricted to one side of the street only. Fire Exits in City. Replying to representations that an inspection should bo made of all hotels, private hotels, flats, etc., with a view to investigating facilities for a quick exit in case of an emergency, the Palmerston North City Council advised the Palmerston North Fire Board yesterday that a report from the building inspector had been considered by the council and extracts from it in regard to two buildings were enclosed. In a letter to the board the council building inspector (Mr. Mackrell) stated that the council had at all times sought the advice and co-operation of the brigade in connection with fire escapes and fire exits, and would have any complaint attended to immediately. The board decided to bring uner the notice of the building inspector conditions in two boardinghouses.

Malaria Mosquitoes. The statement that there have been cases of the arrival in Auckland of the malaria mosquito, and that conditions at North Auckland are suitable for their establishment, is contained in the report on mosquito life in the Auckland district issued by Mr. David H. Graham. He states that on May 27, 1929, a live female mosquito of the species was caught on the steamer Sussex, which had arrived from Singapore. It was in a quiescent state, and there was no blood in its stomach. A lire had occurred on the voyage, and no doubt tbe smoke had driven away or killed other mosquitoes. Another recorded case was that of a live female caught on the Narbada, from Samarang, in the same year. “Wo do not know if these diseasebeariug mosquitoes would be ripe for. breeding after a long voyage, but if both sexes should arrive together the conditions for their establishment certainly exist, at present, on the Auckland waterfront,” states Mr. Graham.