LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 July 1927, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"There are ratepayers who eau'l pay their rales', ye> they can run a car,'' 1 said a pmminenl local hodv man at a social al Marlon. He backed up this statement bv telling of I he. conversation which recently look place between a local Scot, and a knowing hunker, while cms were streaming into town on the. occasion of a football match. The former said : "I'd like (he money that was paid for all these cars," bill, thelatter replied: "I'd rather have. the. money that has yet to be paid."

A few week*, ago, the West Coast in Iheted the only defeat the Canadian Soccer team has sustained on its New Zealand tour to date. On Saturday, Canada defeated New Zealand, and Buller defeated West Coast lit Westport by 3 goals In 2. Enthusiasts of the round-hull code in Buller, by an obvious process of elimination, now contend that Buller uro champions of the Soccer code!

That thoroughfares in vYanganui aie in the main constructed on unstable foundations is a fact well-known by city roiidinei, and has been shown by several not.iibin subsidences in important .streets (says the "Chronicle"). This condition also makes the formation, of a firm surface, difficult, and depressions are frequently made by constant traffic

That the Maoris are a noble race is tin; confirmed opinion of Sister Jessie after more than 13 years of missionary work with the native race. "I have met many Maori chiefs," sho said, in speaking at St. Andrew's Church (Auckland), 'ami there is something about them that (ells me that they are great, noble men. I know one whose word is his bond, and who would scorn putting his signature to a document. A sum of money was owing to this chief, and such was"iiis pride that he went for years without asking for it. He received payment only after we found out that the money was owing In him."

"Say," asked the gentlemanly Canadian, as the soccer team from the land of the Maple was being shown over the office of the Auckland "Sun" on Friday —"Say. mister, did you write, that billboard?" Ho was referring to the wording of the daily "poster," which asked in relation to the next day's international football match, "Can Canada?" in Americanes.l, to "«m" a thing is to shut it up, silence it, or put it out,of sight. "That's not fair," said the Canadian, in simulated sadness. "Whatche'r wanter can us for?" His attention was directed to the note of interrogation after the word Canada, and he smiled in feigned relief, (.'an Canada? Canada could. Canada "canned" New Zealandscores, 4—l.

Portion of a London wireless programme which was being . received through Holland by 4QG Brisbane and rebrnadensled, was" heard very clearly this morning by Mrs C. A. Palmer, of Waimea West. Prom 3 a.m. onwards reception was loud Ri|d clear. A continuous lest over 40 hours is being made to ascertain the best times of reception in Australia and New Zealand, so listen ers have a lengthy period in which to "tune in," Holland is sending on the programme in Dutch, French, and English.

A movement has been started in the direction of forming an alpine botanical garden in the Tongariro National Park, and the National Park Board, in ex pressing approval, consider that it should be developed in connection with other improvements suggested for thai area. So far the matter has not been advanced beyond the preliminary stage, and the site "and extent of the garden is something for future, consideration. It is believed that somo of the, South Island alpine plants could with advantage bo established in the National Park, including the Mount Cook lily, the eidelweiss, celmesia (mountain daisy), end certain of the widespread veronica familv Any botanic garden in the National Park Will probably include Scot tish heather, not for choice, but because of the reason that since it was planted Scotland's representative has flourished amazingly well, and spread to an extraordinary degree.

A junior teacher in one of the Auckland schools was giving a reading lesson, savs the "Star," and the subject was the storv of Robin Hood. "What is an abbot?"'was a question put to the class. "Please, miss," said one bright boy, "an 'abit is a hard thing to get out of."

Although the Cawthron Institute lias held out bright prospects for the future of the pahiki lands, the Minister of Agriculture has seen lit to refuse a Government subsidy for this work (says the Westport "Times.") The suggestion was made that the Borough Conned and the County Council should grant A)SO a vear for the experimental work and that "it should he. subsidised by the. Government, but now the whole scheme has been knocked on the head. The successful treatment of these large, expanses of waste lands would mean thousands fot this district. In the vicinity of Westport alone there are 180,000 acres of pahiki land. If it were possible for the Institute, with the help of the Government lo pursue, its experimental work, it is quite on the card:-- that the Buller would become a second Taranaki. The Department of Agriculture carried nut certain experimental work in this dis trict but it was not to any great extent. On the other hand the Cawthron Institute has studied it. closely. and, as those who listened to the lecture given by Professor Easterfield some time ago will remember, with pronounced success. The Minister states that it is improbable that the land can be drained at a cost that is reasonable in the present circumstances of the district, and that further experimental work is not warranted until these circumstances have materially changed. In other words the Government does not consider it advisable to help in carrying out an experiment that may mean thousands of pounds to lite district. No better men in New Zealand could he engaged than those employed by- the Cawthron Institute and now that they have busied themselves with the pahiki problem it seems only reasonable that they should be given every assistance. The substitution of the commercial motor has been meteoric (says the "Mew Zealand Herald"). Many Auckland carrying firms which operated teams of 30 and 40 horses ilive years ago, and had no mechanical unit, have now a dozen mo. tor trucks performing the same work. In some, cases (he power-driven truck or lorry has proved itself the equal of six horses in load capacity, and some of the replacements have been on this basis. The average useful life of a working horse is 10 years, a. period which will see 90 per cent, of motor trucks on the scrap heap. Tn spite of this rapid depreciation, the commercial lorry or van proves itself the more economical proposition. One Auckland linn of carriers maintained 250 horses and less than half-a-dozen trucks in lfi22. To-day onlv 114 horses arc in service, and tho'motortruck fleet consists of 70 vehicles. In the case of another long-establisihcci Auckland business. ,275 horses and one truck were maintained in 1922. Five years of transport revolution has refine ed the team lo 70 lenses, (be work of over 200 draught animals being .lone now by ;t fleet of o>3 motor lorries. The employment of the horse for inter suburban traffic is negligible, and nine, tenths of (he teams in daily use rue working within a radius of one mole of tin? Auckland wharves. Km- short journeys the horse is still economical. Long waits are frequently necessary in conei-lion with cargo-handling, and 'it is obviously bell.-r to keep a Iwo horse waggon standing idle, for an hour or two than it is to allow a lurry eostiii" perhaps £7OO to spend half of'its eight" hours day in standing time. Only 2s 6d tins week! Ladies' Dn (rimmed Straw and Felt Hals, all to go at 2s 6d each. McKay's." No half measures, absolute clearing prices this week at Trathen's for Costumes, Velour and Fur Coats. Oirl.-t' Tweed Coats.*

Stocktaking Specials! All Children's Trimmed Hats, velvet, straw and felt, 12s 6d to 17s 6d, now 4s lid. McKay's.*

Should the principle of students paying moi'o for the best education availahlo in Ineir country he applied to higher education in New Zealand? asks the Auckland "Hun." The State's ex. pertdiUiro on education as a whole is new about ±54,000,000 a year. One-loiirlh of Ihe whole population in I In; Dominion is at. school or college. More than 260,000 of Ihe total number *.f pupils receive free education Twenty thousand boys and girls are given tree tuition in secondary education as u reward ot' merit in the primary schools. Thirteen thousand more obtain technical instruction at I lie expense of the State. Five thousand students attend the University Colleges, hut do not pay the whole cost 'if their advanced tuition. Apart from endowment rents the Stale contributes not less than '£33,000 a year for the special benefit of university students. Should they be called upon to pay more for their great advantages?

Sir Henry Wigram, of Christehurch, recently presented t,o the New Zealand Government a fighting aeroplane. The machine, which has now been purchased. is described as a (Hester-Grebe single sealer fighter of a type which now forms part of tliu standard equipment of the Royal Air Force. It is fitted with a 38b h.p. "Jaguar'' air-cooled radial engine. The armament consists of two Viekers machine guns, firing through the propeller, and if desired four 20lh bombs. The niacin ;ie is designed for work at high altitudes, and is remarkably adapted for manoeuvres. It is very stable, and can be flown with bands off the controls. It is understood that the Government will be urged to purchase some land adjoining the aerodrome. An area of 87 acres I hero was formerly used as a racecourse, and provided a handy landing ground. Nriw it lias been sold, ami in view of the possibility of its subdivision for residential or industrial purposes it is thought that parts of it should be acquired for the aerodrome before it is too late.

The top dressing of grass lands with phosphatu: manures has increased enormously during the past year or two. Sir Thomas Mackenzie regards this a.s a matter of national importune?, because the results will be reflected in greatlyincreased outputs of the Dominion's primary products, especially as the t/opdressing of grass land is not being restricted to areas on which the manures can bo applied by machinery, but is rapidly extending to hill country. Experimental work by the Department of Agriculture with top-dressing on hills has shown that it is a payable proposition, and farmers have been very quick to.follow the lead given by the Department. For the current season this work lias been given an increased impetus, through the reduced price of fertilisers in the North Island, which has been brought about by a "manure war."

"The machine is an old hack that is used by everybody in the shop," said a defendant who wis charged in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court with leaving his motor cycle unattended in Victoria street for a longer period than half-an-iiour. "If h is a hack, you must not use the street as a stable," replied the magistrate, who fined defendant ss. This was the first time a motor cyclist had been charged with Jhis class of offence in Hamilton.

Canadian elms, limes, planes, the pepper tree, and the Japanese flowering cherry have been selected by the Auckland City Councirfor.'pktntingj'in ajnum-. her of the city streets with, in the case of Bridgewater "Road at Parried, the Australian flowering gum. The decision i.savs the "Star") has been tempered to the extent that, where it is possible, the Australian wattle and the native pohutukawa, knraka and puriri should be planted, although it is recognised that seme of the New Zealand trees, being evergreens, are unsuitable lor certain residential localities. Experience has proved that some of the imported trees do remarkably well in Auckland's climate. The Japanese flowering cherry, with its -wealth of creamy blossom. makes a picture in the Auckland Domain gardens during the spring, while the bright red bloom of the (lowering gum is a rival to the liower of the pohutukawa

A large ear pulled up in front of a bowser in a neighbouring town and the driver' asked the proprietor to fill up the car tank, which held nine gallons of petrol (says an exchange). The filling operations completed, the driver, feeling in his pockets, regretted that he hadn't the price of the benzine on him, but said he was a well known man in an adjoining city. The petrol pump owner' demurred and said he did not give credit. Then a thought struck him and he invited the purchaser to step inside and write his name, and while he did so, the bowser man look possession frf a spare wdieel at the back of the car and locked it up. The ear owner was then informed that when the petrol was paid for he would return the wheel. This had the desired effect ol producing the cash, and the wheel was returned and the car left with the least, possible delay. Almost wholesale robbery of poultry has been reported from Matawhero, near Gisborne, where the hotel fowl run has suffered severely during the past, two months. In tliat time'the run has been \isited three times, and out of a. total of 78 fowls only seven now remain. A total of 3G were found to be missing after the first raid, the second accounting for a dozen or more. On a iccent night the remainder were taken.

It, is understood that a Taranaki dairy company has sold 300 tons of cheese at per lb. to be shipped at the end of November, which means that, the shipment will include the make up to the end of October. The buyer was anxious to secure a further 200 tons, says the Stratford "Post."

Special attention is drawn io (he Hailway Department's advertisement in today's issue in connection with the football match on Saturday next. Fast passenger train is being arranged to reach Nelson at 1.25 p.m., returning at 5.15 p.m. The usual Friday fares are being charged to Nelson by all trains on thai .lav/

P. T. Barnuni, the famous American Showman, was once asked what, invention oi 1 discovery had, in his opinion, contributed most to the (source ml human happiness and enjoyment. Without hesitation he replied: "'l'he invention or discovery of smoking. lie wasn't far wrong. Tobacco is like a good wife—it halves our sorrows and doubles our joys. But, it must be. tin right, kind of 'tobacco. If lull of nice tine so many of the imported bra-iids are. habitual indulgence in it must In attended, sooner (Plater. »vi• *i evil consequences. Heart or nerves may become affected. By the way. our New Zealand-grown tobaccos iire so pure and contain relatively so little nicotine that they may be freely indulged in with impunity. They don t bite the, tongue. The toasting of (he "leaf (quite a new idea) develops the flavour, which is peculiarly pleasant, and they possess a delightful fragrance of their own. No wonder they tie capturing the market. Ask for "River head Cold," mil.l; "Navy Cut" vßull,|og), medium; or "Cut Plug No. JO" flhdlshcad), lull strength.'

Ask roe another? Competition closes i"i p.m. Wednesday. Copies or advertisement and questions obtainable on re quest. McKay.'*.' I.esfj than half. Special bargains tomorrow Trathen's Sale. Costumes, Smart Hals. Yeittir Coals, Silk Hosiery.* This week 4s lid ! Ladies' Ready-tn-Wear Felts and Velvet Hats, formerly its Gd to 29s Gd. McKay's."

"L'atana has done more for the Maoris than the. white people hove ever done," said Sister Jessie, at a special missionary service in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Auckland. The Maoris were iflolafors at heart and, recognising this, Kutana has succeeded in stamping out idolatry in many districts. fir; had rcliirr.ed from abroad with the fixed belief that the Maoris must, have a Church of their own. if Batumi was not all he should b.) it proved the Maoris Were seeking a simple religion --the simple truth of Christ.

If hal hi ci' intended, if Sir James Carroll hail been alive, to celebrate his 70th birthday at Whakaki, Wairoa, on 20tl: August. At Ladv Carroll's request the gathering will sli'll lake place, and the lino life-sized oil painting of the deceased will he formally presented to his widow by the Wairoa friends of Sir James. The Whakaki natives are rnak ing great preparations for the event,, at which it is expected a. large number ol pakebas and Maoris will attend from all parts of liawkes Bay and adjacent districts.

An event probably unprecedented in the world of auction bridge has recently been reported from Bedford, England. "After the cards were shuffled and cut in the ordinary way each of the lour players taking'part had a complete suit dea'lt to him. One of the men afterwards remarked that there was absolutely no

"hanky pank" about the deal. Two rubbers had been played before the remarkable hands had been dealt. Mathematicians have worked out the odds on similar hands being dealt at two thousand billion billions.

The old steamer Talune, which was sunk many months ago at VVaikokopu, on the East Coast, as a protection to the wharf there, is now practically useless. The recent severe southerly gales have done considerable damage to her, and she has split in two. The bow remains in the same position, while the stern of the vessel has been shifted some distance away: The deck has been washed up on the/Opoutama beach, says the Napier "Telegraph," thus leaving the harbour in a worse stale than it was before the vessel was sunk.

On the ground that the ear was shabby in appearance and unlit to ply for hire, the Gisborne traffic inspector recently recommended to the Borough Council that a license be refused for a certain taxi-cab in Gisborne until the owner provided a car that complied with the by-laws. It was stated that the car was at present in an unfit state for hire, but it was decided to grant a temporary license for three months, on condition" that the owner put the car in proper repair, failing which his license would be cancelled.

New potatoes have made their appearance at the Auckland auction marts. The best have brought up to 5d per 11) and inferior 3d. There is more idleness among the families of unemployed men in VVanganui than is generally known, according to Mrs. M. Siddells, and this is largely because their pride will not allow them to come forward and seek relief. There is one family known to Mrs Siddells (says the "Chronicle") in which there were 11 children, and the father has been out of work for six months. One son earns £2 15s a week, out of which he pays the rent. (355) and the gas bill when he is able. This family is subsisting on charitable aid and would not have sought this relief had Mrs Siddells not gone f..r them. Among other cases was that of a. man who had been out. of work for six weeks and whose wife made a little money by sewing. Shehad the misfortune to poison a linger and she borrowed fcs on her sewing machine. That sewing machine was now in the. moneylender's hands. Some people were pawning all their possesions to keep alloat, and yet they would not ask for what they considered to be charity. These statements were confirmed by Mr A. Daiil at a meeting of the Unemployment Committee. He said he had been met by some of the unemployed, who told iiim that they had nearly reached the end of their tether and that they were going to demand food. Failing this, they would steal it.

Jn the course of an address yesterday on the ■•Future of Co-operation", Air W. J. Poison, President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, maintained that

"Co-operative methods of control abroad and New Zealand's system are in many respectes similar and aim at the same result. The main differences are: (1) In the application of compulsion to minorities; arid (2) the method (now abandoned) of fixing prices. The. Danes adopt a different- system because they have found compulsion unnecessary, the manifest advantages of pooling being obvious to a large enough proportion ot them to make it serve their needs. The Copenhagen Committee certainly fixes prices, but thev are minimum prices much below the*actual selling values of the product and are in no way intended to hold up the market." In conclusion, Mr Poison said: "In spite of the recent setback in control, I am convinced that it will ultimately achieve all that was expected of it, without price dictation, and that the producers of this Dominion will some day realise its value. One thing appears certain —that control along such lines as we have adopted is essential to the industry and that the future of the primary producer, whether lie is a grower of butter-fat or wool, need cause no uneasiness. The markets which already exist are likely to continually increase; the organisation to capture (hem depends upon Himself. He may rest assured that his competitors are'developing such an organisation f rat that will not lose heart" at the first fusillade of the enemy."

Euchre will be held in the. Orange Hall, Collingwood street, on Thursday, 28th inst.

Alfred Could announces the following auction sales:—At the rooms, Thursday and Friday next, at 2 p.m. each day, clearing sale of drapery, clothing, etc., potatoes, incubator, etc., etc. Saturday, 13th August, at 11 a.m. at rooms, Hardy street, freehold properties, Richmond, Ma liana and Hope. See auction advl.

Mr R. Oliphant, the well-known exAuckland champion hurdler, who has also represented Wellington, Auckland and New Zealand (1893 and 1896) on the Rugby field, has left for Sydney to reside.— Press Association.

Dancing enthusiasts will be pleased to learn of the proposed complimentary dance being tendered the touring .Maori football team at the Velma next Saturday.

The annual ball of the Wakefield Brass Band is to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall. Wakefield, on Monday next. The music is being supplied by Bee's Orchestra.

Conditions of the football skill competition are advertised in this issue. The combined sports bodies —Rugby and association foot ball, hockey, athletic and cycling—have organised a skill competition to forecast the correct results of the Seddon Shield match to be played at Trafalgar Park on .Saturday, 13th August between Buller and Nelson. Con siderable interest will be taken in this competition. Buller has beaten West Coast and .Nelson has beaten West. Coast. What isi going lo he Ibe result of Buller v. Nelson? Ticket's are on sale everywhere. The total proceeds hit in aid of the electrical lighting scheme at Trafalgar Park.

A dance under the auspices ot I'e Ivatoa Ladies' Hockey Club wilt be. held in Ihe Foresters' Hall tomorrow evening. -V good orchestra and an excellent floor will be provided.