LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 June 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

As there appears to be some doubt upon the point it may be srated "authoritatively that by virtue of his-election as Mayor of Nelson, Mr W. J. Moffatt now holds the office of President of the New Zealand Municipal Association until ttte conclusion of the next annual conference of delegates which is fixed In take place in nelson early next year. The climatic conditions prevailing during (ho week-end were the worst experienced this year. Steady rain set in early on Saturday afternoon and continued until well into the night. There was a very heavy fall of snow, and yesterday morning the western ranges, as well as the high country to the south, had a thick, white covering. To-day Was dull and bleak.

The prices of all grades of raw and lefined sugars were reduced to-day by ten shillings per ton.

The current issue of the "New Zealand Gazette" contains the names of eleven persons to whom certificates of naturalisation have been granted. Three of the applicants wore born in Germany, one each in Sweden. Italy, Poland and Austria, and two in Russia, and two in Dalmatia.

Everybody loves a baby. That ;s why there is .such widespread interest 't. the work of the Plunket Society. The annual meeting of the Nelson branch is to be held in the Institute on Wednesday next-, at 3 p.m., as advertised elsewhere. There is important business to bo discussod, and the society extends to everyone who is interested a cordial invitation to be present.

Some strong remarics nncnt the. apathy of young men nowadays regarding instruction in first aid were made by the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr F. .!•:. Wilson) in presenting the certificates ;n first aid gained by the members of line New Plymouth b'ranch of the Red Cross Society,"says the "News." lie first congratulated the ladies on the success of their efforts in this important branch, but. remarked that the apathy of the young men in the matter of first aid instruction was appalling. In fact, no considered it was little short of a tragedy in these days when there were so many street accidents and. the necessity for first aid before the arrival of a doctor was becoming more and more apparent-. He hoped the conscience of the public would be awakened and that the young men would realise their responsibilities, and he induced to lalce up first aid instruction, which might be the means of Saving the life of their feilow men.

One of the things upon which Sydney has justifiably prided itself is tho Town ria.ll organ, which, at one lime, ranked amongst t\\p. finest of the great organs in the world, but which, unlike old wine, is not improving with age. On the contrary. it' r has" developed such imperfections, through ordinary wear and tear, that it cannot be used nowadays for orchestral items in any of the. big concerts in the Town Hall.

To-morrow at 9 a.m. Alteration sale starts at "The Auckland." Full page advt. this paper has all particulars.* For evening wear! Tinsel Sprays and Posies in charming shades, 2s lid to 4s lid, at McKay's.* 9 a.m. to-morrow "The Auckland's" alteration sale starts. Beautiful Chinese and British brass ware, hammered nickel ware, oak cabinet gramophones, and general drapery of all descriptions at bargain prices." Read full page advt. for details.*

Of late years the commercial value of the by-products of manufacturing processes has been realised by leaders of industry. Last, year the by-products business of the Ford Motor Company netted 13,000,000 dollars. Machine shop turnings, sheet scrap and other waste brought in 3,000,000 dollars, while the coal business meant another 4,000,000 dollai-s to the total. Chemicals made from wood scrap and coke at the Fordson plant also brought in their quota. This year the return from by-products will bii even greater, as machinery has been installed to manufacture cement from tho furnace slag. Miss Megan Lloyd George is rapidly becoming a first-class speaker and promises to be a formidable rival cf Lady Violet Bonhani -Carter, who has for some years been regarded by many as ono of the best women platform speakers. Miss Lloyd George is just 25 and a most attractive young person. She has inherited some of tho talent:; of her father, including the quick ingenuous turning of a phrase, accompanied by a lightning sense of humour. In ppiTb rf this, Miss Lloyd George, has a strung personality. She prepares all her speeches unaided, and holds her own de. cided opinions on most of the important questions of the day.

. "What Pitman did with shorthand can ho done with arithmetic," said Mr E. Butler in an address on "Tho Possibilities of Sight Citlcuhttnn" to the Auckland Rotary Club the other day. "The position of the characters in shorthand declares their value, and by a shorthand method it is possible to determine the value of figures on sight." He demonstrated his' method by which he said, "Any child who i*» able to count up to ten can make calculations without thought."

The Nelson Education Board has been informed that the'Department cannot see its way to approve of a grant for the acquisition of property in Nelson North (the Wood) for future school purposes. Speaking at a meeting of the Board of Health, Dr. M. fl. Watt (deputy director general of health) stated that an investigation as 1o the weight and height of New Zealand children had been carried out bv the school officers of tho Health Department. The results showed that New Zealand school chil. dren between tho ages of 10 and 15 years exceeded in height and weight those of Australia. Great Britain, United States, and Toronto, according to the latest, available statistics. New Zealand town school children had de. finitely improved in height and in weight during the years 1913-25. Chil. dren of farmers were; tallest and heaviest. Children of professional men were almost as tall, but showed no excess in weight over the average. The average height and weight of children with good mental attainment was greater than those with inferior ability.

"Whatever you do," said Mrs Rodman, speaking before tl|o Auckland Playgrounds Association, "I beg of you to retain your beaches. Do not ever lot any private interests get any form of control, or Auckland will have the trouble (hat lias occurred in Los Angeles to get the beaches back in the control of the people. New Zealanders aro not a stupid people," continued the speaker, "and I beseech you in the most passionate manner not, to let private control take Look to the failures of other countries in these municipal matters and do not follow their mistakes. Make an effort to get larger and finer playing areas for the young people and thus keep them from getting into mischief, which is so often but misdirected energy on their part. The child in its play makes a choice, and this choice becomes a habit, a habit a character, and a character a citizenship. If you are going to have a nation well moulded in the rnind as well as the spirit, keep the open places for them and do not allow the conditions, in London and New York to arrive here. If we are not going to enable the young people to use their Jeisure, to lift thern out of sordid surroundings, we are going tv have a terrible people in future years. What the open spaces and the playgrounds of the city enable to bring about is a brotherhood in sport and to make the growing boys and girls realise that the city has a real interest in their growth and healthy welfare." "I regret that I cannot attend the conference, and I hope that the business will be put through quickly and effectively, and that there will be no personalities." That was the tenor <f a telegram received from Mr James Miirdock, of Ross, by the annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Beekeepers held in Christelnirch. Mr R. Gibb, a member of the Honey Control Board said that he regretted that Mr Murdoek was, not present, as he (Mr Gibb) had some strong censure to level against him. Mr Oibb referred at some length to Mr Murdoek's activities in opposition to the Control Board. Other members spoke refuting statements by Mr Murdoek. A resolution as follows was passed:—"That this meeting of beekeepers and delegates representing the honey industry from practically the whole of New Zealand wish to express our complete agreement with tlie policy of the Honey Control Board. We consider that the'board has acted in oiir best interests and that the price finally received by the. beekeepers is higher than it would have been had the policy been reversed or abandoned. We desire to express our confidence in the present members of the board. Messrs Clark. Rentoiil and Oibb, and consider that the business of the Honey Control Board lias been capably and carefully administered. We consider that any attempt to induce the Government to interfere with the work of the hoard should be stronglv resented. as we are satisfied that the board as, now constituted meets the most urgent needs of the beekeepers." Through the simple process of toasting his tobacco the modern manufac Hirer has been able to effect an enormous improvement in tlie. smoking quality. It is a well-known fact that cooked food is wholesomer and more digestible than raw food, and the same principle applies to tobacco. We do not cat raw meal or fish or drink raw coffee., why should we smoke raw to baceo. It is wonderful how the flavour of tobacco can lie developed by toasting. Try any of the local brands anil you will notice a marked improvement, and what is also important, as a< result of the toasting process the tobacco luses all deleterious properties. Smokers who study their health should therefore f<ive this matter their attention, arid avoid strong foreign tobaccos heavily charged with nicotine, I hoy are sure to undermine even the most robust con si it hi ion. N'ot only is the local article purer and more wholesome than most of the imported brands, but it is cheaper, too. Riverhead Cold is mi'd and aromatic; Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldit*„ r ) of medium strength, but it von prefer' a full body try Cut Plug No. 10.* 9 a.m. to-morrow. All-oration sale at '•The Auckland." Coloured fuji silk, slightly damaged, 6d yard. 40 inch embroidered cotton marocain. 7.U1 yard. Further particulars full page arlvt. this paper.* Special price for imported Model Mil iinery in Velvet and Faille, only 29., 0.1, at McKay's.* 9 a.m. 10-mnvrow. Alteration sale at "The Auckland." Children's fancy silk arid wool sox 6d pair. Faille silk ribbons, all widths up to 5 inch, nil shades, 3d yard.

The postal authorities advise that mails, which left Auckland on 10th May per Niagara, via Vancouver, arrived in London on 9th Juna

In the presence of a large number of spectators, the Wanganui Harbour Board's new tug Kahanui was officially inspected by members of the board the other day. "The Kahanui has one Merryweather" steam-driven salvage pump with a capacity, against a total head of 40ft of 3,500" gallons per hour. There is a' multiple suction head with seven connections of Gin bore. There is also installed a Merry-weather patent submersible electrically driven salvage pump capable, of delivering, against a bead of 35ft, 1,100 gallons per minute, or 66,000 gallons per hour. The "Greenwich Gem" fi.ro pump is capable of delivering 1,000 gallons per minute against a head of 300 ft, and the delivery head has six connections and a swivelling monitor.

The figures for the importation of Oregon pine, given in the 1927 Year Book, show that some 17,115,606 ft. entoro.l the Dominion. The tola! imports of foreign timber amounted to 71,148,684 ft. Against this New Zealand exported 50,263,186 ft. including 33,375,607 i of Kahikatea wliilcpino), 3 709,934 fl of ri.nu, and 2,328,693 ft o kauri. The value of the imported limber was ii*lJJ&4, as against £583,531 for tlie exported.

Of the 48,058 tons of mutton and lamb supplied to the London centra markets during the first four months of this year, New Zealand supplied 17 838 tons,' nearly four, thousand more tons than in the" same period last year Lrilain and Ireland supplied the next largest quantity—l2,o46 tons or just over two thousand more tons than, last year Australia's total was seven thousand tons Beat and veal supplies totalled 92,355-tons of which no less than seven-tv-three thousand tons came from the Argentine (an increase of nearly ten fiioufand tons), and only 349 tons from New Zealand—seven tons less than m the same,period of 1926.

That the time is opportune for a new statesman to arise and -give a lead in the question of education was the opinion expressed by a member of the Council of Education when the following motion, was tabled:—"That m view of the practically unanimous finding of the English Consultative Committee on Adolescent Education and of the overwhelming weight of corroborative American evidence based on eighteen years' practical experience, this Council reiterates its conviction that primary education should be determined at about the age of 11 years on the completion of Standard IV. pass, and that provision should be made, preferably in a new environment, for junior secondary education for all pupils on liberalised differentiated lines."

Payment of taxes is an irksome duty and "it is one of those things that have to he done in the interests of the State. The halcyon days may come when every one will'be living tax free, but in the meantime the only thing left is to live in hope, either that taxes will be abolished or that they will bo shifted on to the shoulders of somebody else. Proposals in connection with taxation may come before Parliament this session (says "The Post"). The amusement tax is one of the items which go to swell the country's revenue, aiTnough some relief in its incidence was given three years ago by making it applicable only to thise cases where the admission charge is two shillings or more. It may not be generally known that the tax is leviable on the actual price of season tickets. Some Rugby football unions were of the opinion that the tax was not payable in respect of season tickets, but it has been pointed out that section 6 of the Act says: "Where the payment for admission to an entertainment is made by means of a lump sum paid as a. subscription or contribution to any club, association, or society, or-for a season ticket, or for the right of admission to a series of entertainments, or to any entertainment during a certain period of time, the amusement tax shall be paid on the amount of the lump sum."

Underlying safe motor driving ftre the principles of courtesy and commonsense. Without the exercise of these the most elaborate regulations will next prevent acidents, though they may be able to make the way of the transgressor hard, comments the Taranaki "News." The five essentials which are the foundation of all traffic laws seem to be so simple as to be obvious, and yet the fact that they are ignored entails the necessity for elaborate regulations, the rigidity of which the careful driver finds a little, exasperating at times. To govern speed by the distance of a safe road in. view, keep on the correct side, turn corners careruliy, refrain from passing or overtaking another car, will, says Mr Day, the New Plymouth tiaffic inspector, avoid trouble for any motor driver. What is wanted is a growth of opinion among motorists, particularly, perhaps, among younger motorists, that not to act upon these fundamental principles is to fail to play the game.

A new record was established at the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric power station last v.eek, when the maximum load reached the high figure of 20,280 k.w., or 4250 k.w. more than the record load last winter. The load was in accordance with an estimate made by the late .Mr Laurence BLks, Chief Government Electrical Engineer, as far back as 6th November, 19?3. In. an address to the Canfoiiury Chamber of Commerce on that .kite, Mr Birk.; estimated that the maximum <\nand on the lake Coleridge newer station in the year ended 3lst March, 1928, would be approximately 20,000 k.w. In the opinion of Mr ft. G. MacG?bbon, iDistrict Electrical Engines- for the Public Works Department, the demands will reach 21,000 k.w. during the present winter. Mr Mac Gibbon informed a "Lytlelton Times" reporter that the heavy load was due. tor the lighting and industrial demands overlapping. When last year's record load of 16,030 k.w. occurred, said Mr Mac Gibbon, the capacity of the power station at Lake Coleridge was lim'tul. Since then two additional generators, each of 7500 k vv capacity, had been brought into service bulging the to'.al ge-ieiv.tii," can.v't v up to .27,000 k.w. Co.iwqnw.tlv there nad been . eonsidem-le development .u the use of electricity, panic-marly in '■'■ ' domestic field .1,;,-,, develonrnen' •.\ould cunt/nue, and neyt \,. ar ,- ne , (t . r.-i.'.nds on the Lake C-iiVruh'e plant v.oiiki he rruich givn'er. ~

A writer i, the latest issue of ,),,- World s Health, the monthly review of the World League of |{ w l doss Socieues, makes rhe following desperate remark after a statistical examination oi the increase in mortality from motor accidents: "It almost seems as if many of the lives which we are saving through a reduction in infant mortality' arid the amplication of the principles l,f preventive medicine are (loomed nevertheless Many a baby in its cradle is protected from disease wily to succumb, most probably in early childhood or in old age.*to the deadly automobile.' Tomorrow at 9 a.m. the alteration sale starts at "The Auckland." Full page a.dvt. this paper has all particular?,.* Emms' Motors are advertising a revised service for the corn.ng season. Their mid-day car and also weekly lorry service will prove a (rreat benefit both to the, local residents and toivists, giving as it docs a surer means of tranaoort between thes* x>)iu?»

The Health Department has written definitely' declining the Nelson Education Board's application lor an extension of the dental service to the Takaka, Collingwood and Reeftan districts, as no nurses are available. The Hon. W. 11. Mclntyre, M.L.C., said an additional l-.urse was being sent to Westport this week.

In furtherance of its forward policy, the Nelson Education Board has follow od the example of other local bodies by providing light refreshments at an interval of the monthly meeting. In moving the adjournment at the, meeting this forenoon the chairman said the Board had been charged with being the only local body of importance, in Nelson that did not, adjourn for a few minutes to partake of a cup of tea. (Hear, hear). Other members considered the proposal quite a good one; and the subsequent cup of tea and cakes dispensed by the ladies of the staff were much appreciated.

The neat appearance of the schools in the Nelson Education Board's district has been commented on by travellers, stated members of the board at to-day's meeting. It was added that motorists also appreciated the. fact that the names of the schools which were painted on the buildings were a convenient guide to travellers who were strangers to the districts.

The' latest issue of "Ghost Stories" (writes -a coirespondent), contains a good article on Margery, the world's famous alleged medium. The article is by Colonel Norman G. Thwaites arid is entitled, "My Seance with Margery the Medium." Colonel Thwaites decisively confirms arid verifies the findings of the late Houdini, as well aa once again exposing tlie fictitious claims put forward as evidence of communication between the living and the dead. ,

When an application -was under consideration at the Education Hoard meeting to-dav for a bicvele stand at Auckland Point school, Air BaigenT said some of the children used bicycles nowadays even if going only a- short distance. "Children will be losing the use ot their legs ■-.horny," dryly commented the speaker.

The election of 84 new members at the meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association Council on Wednesday brought the membership up to 4700. Gratification came from another source also when the secretary announced that the Main Highways Board had agreed to pay £353 on account of the signposting undertaken unconditionally by the association during the past few years.

'The most princely gift yet made to a public institution in New Zealand" was the phrase used by the chairman of the Victoria College Council, (Mr K. McCallum) at the capping ceremony on Friday, in referring to Mr .A. Weir s endowment fct the erection of a male students' hostel (reports "The Post"). It was expected, he said, that in a year or two the hostel would be an established fact, standing on the Martin Kennedy site near the college. "BuV the hostel scheme is not well balanced," Mr McCallum remarked. "We want near it another hostel. Thece i"s a gap to be filled so far as the ladies are concerned, and we hope someone will come along and provide means for the erection of a women's hostel. We have a small one already, but. we don't call that a proper university hostel."

A Wanganui resident was called to the telephone the other evening find in response to his customary ..'"HejUo"!" heard his brother's voice which ho had not listened to for several years. .He was startled because he knew his brother was living in Queensland. When the'* speaking ceased, another familiar voice informed the listener .that he had been listening-in to ; a -Brisbane.; radio broadcasting station. An obliging friend had placed a wireless receiver, in front of the telephone. A similar experience occurred to another Wanganui resident recently, says the. "Wanganui Herald." He was having his tea when the telephone rang. "Do you want to hear your daughter- sing?" came the voice. Before a reply could be.made the young lady's voice was heard with remarkable clarity. Sha- was singing in Sydney.

The number of prosecutions conducted of late by the Income, Tax Department has created an impression that the chief object of the Department is to apprehend defaulters, but a sidelight on its full function has been afforded a Palrner.ston North business man, says a "Dominion" corespondent. The receipt of a refund of £'4o from the Department in his favour 1 acquainted him of the fact that the examination of a firm's books over 1 a period of three years is carried out in a mariner quite impartial, and that the discovery that a business man has been innocently defrauding himself in the matter of income tax returns is as promptly rectified as irregularities in other directions.

Owing to the threatened danger of the Borough pumping station being left high and dry through the Grey river continually changing its course after floods, the Greymouth Borough Engineer (Mr N. J. Fairmaid) and staff have been recently engaged in boring operations on the shingle bank some few chains below the pumping station} with a view to augmenting the supply and improving the. quality of the water. Water has now been struck at a depth of 26 feet on an. apparently hard bottom. Since the. installation of a pump on Monday, water has been continuously running at the rate of 200 gallons a minute, and so far no impression has been made on the water level near the bore. The water from the new bore is perfectly clear and appears to be admirably suited for domestic purposes. A sample has been sent to the Government Analyst, and if satisfactory, the much discussed question c/f considering ways and means of providing an improved water scheme toi meet the requirements of Greymouth, may not have to be faced by the Borough authorities.

Since the war Empire trade has proved to be of such importance that British industrialists have been compelled to give -.hesc matters their attention. Inrorma..!ori supplied by the chairman of Barclay"-; Bank showed that the proportion of Great Britain's external tiiclo conduced with the Empire had made .': steady increase, for while in 1913 she purchased from Empire sources 24.07 of her total imports, the figure had increased to 20.71 in 1926. Similarly the percentage of her' exports had grown from 37.13 to 42.G5 during the same period. This, as is pointed out by the "Lyttcllon Times," measures a relative and not an absolute increase, for when Great Priam's total expixts to Empire countries arc. compared with the total imports they received from all destinations, the fact is revealed that some of her most active competitor'; have grimed ground at her expense. An obligation undoubtedly rests ■in the people of this Dominion to buy from (Ireat Britain what we cannot produce ourselves, fur she is practically flic only customer for- our primary products. The loss of other markets to British manufacturers- emphasises tiro necessity for the closest co-operation if the full advantages of Empire relationships are to be reaJ'sed. Nice bright shades in Ladies' Coloured Rubber Hainprnofs, all sizes, only 21s, at McKay's." To-morrow at 9 a.m. at "The Auckland,'" men's oilskin coats 8/11; women's, girls' and boys' oilskin coats 5/11. Children's oilskin capes 3/6. *

It was reported to the Education Board meeting to-day thai the establishment, of apple packing and grading classes at Lower Moutere and KiWaka promise to be well patronised. At Lower Moutere 13 have signified their willingness to attend, while at Riwaka 42 names had been handed hi. Members of the board expressed satisfaction at the good response, Mr Morris intimating that in the season sufficient experienced packers were difficult to obtain.

Headers are reminded of the meeting to be held in the Mnrsden Hall on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m., when the Hon. L. M. Tsitt will speak on the subject of Bible reading in schools. He is the) mouthpiece of thousands of New Zealanders who have the welfare of the children of the Dominion at heart, and who believe that only a Godfearing nation can be a long lived one. All teachers are specially invited to attend the meeting.

r ihe Harmonic Society's concert on Thursday evening next promises to be a gieat success. Verdi's opera, "11 Trovalore," which was first performed in 1853, has been deservedly popular ever since. Though the music is somewhat exacting for amateur performers, soloists, chorus and orchestra have all risen to the occasion and a good performance may be confidently looked lor. Tickets may now be purchased at Begg's, where the box plan is open.