LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho railway /excursion to Kawalin yesterday was well patronised by the jpeoplo of Nelson and district. Some 286 passengers were aboard tho train when it left Nelson and the number was increased to 530 along tho line. The number joining in tho country districts was surprising, being only a few short of Nelson city excursionists. The result was that nil accommodation was fully taxed and to relieve matters on the, homeward jourhey another engine and four carriages were sent out from Nelson. About 150 excursionists proceeded in Spiers’ motors to Lake Rotoroa, where a good meal .Waited them at the Lake House, and some pleasant' hours were spent on tho lake and in the bush. ' Those who waited at Kawatiri also had a very enjoyable time. Dio train left on the return journey at 5 o'clock and Nelson was reached about 8.30. It is tho intention of the Railway Department to rim another excursion in the near future. .

Scrub anil bush fires in the Top House region have been raging since Saturday afternoon, and the Public Works camp in tho vicinity has been totally destroyed. 'The fire'has covered many acres of dry and green bush. At one time Mr Blechynden’s outbuildings were endangered/ zut the sweep of the fire in that direction was not sufficiently near to cause actual damage to the buildings. While in Nelson Sir Benjamin Fuller stated that it had been definitely decided to send some of tho Fuller organisation’s best theatrical companies to this city when the new Majestic Theatre is erect-, ed. The size of the stage and the fittings would enable any of their companies to be comfortably accommodated, while the seating capacity—and he is a great- believer in' providing every comfort for patrons—would justify the expense entailed in making such visits. Rerid cuts in the vicinity of Sliclbourne street would do well, to keep an eye on their gardens as reports are made that choice flowers have been stolen, including gladioli which were intended for exhibition at this week’s show. A circular from tho Education Department was read at (ho Education Board's meeting to-day as to the formation of 7th standard classes for pupils with proficiency certificates not attending secondary schools.—The Secretary of the Board stated that as the result of inquiries it was ascertained that- only a very scanty number would attend such classes, >nnd it was unlikely that the proposal would be. gone on with. College wear! Buy your boy’s outfit from us now. Special sale prices.— Tratlien’s.*

At tho Education Board's meeting to-day sympathy was expressed to Mr B. Morris, of Motueka, in his illness. Suit Oddments must go! Several .suits from broken ranges to clear below cost. See window. —Trathen's.* Shirts! Shirts! 10 dozen band shirts to clear at 5/11, smart and nnsoilcd, simply overstocked. —Trathen’s.* G. Page and Sons, Ltd., desire, to draw attention to their advertisement, on page 6 stating they will reopen at 1.30 on Tuesday,*

Die steamer West Togus, which left Auckland last week for Australia, forms a link with one of tho most remarkable periods in tho long history of shipbuilding. It was during the later years of the war that vessels were turned out at a rate which would have been deemed impossible during normal times. 'J’he West Togus was built at Portland, Oregon, in about 40 days, but somo ships of'similar size were turned out in even shorter time, one having been made in 23 days. The Togus was laid up in San Francisco Harbour for six years, and is now on’tho first voyage of her second spell of active life. Union with Umber, case’oil and general cargo, she will call at Australian poits and sail via the East Indies, Java and the Pucffic Jslnnds back to tho States. •

Several complaints Liave reached us of the conduct of an owner or user of a wireless set in or near Nelson during the lost- few nights. The howling caused by a certain (or uncertain) manipulation of valves is not uncommon at, all times, but it has never been so frequent and persistent as on recent evenings. It was particularly annoying and disturbing last night when a church service being broadoast- was repeatedly interspersed with sounds that resembled cat-calls and birds whistling shrilly alternately. One experienced listener-in is convinced that the. interruptions last night were deliberate, and he urges the authorities to detect tho offender and make an example of himDie members of the Nelson Education Board to-day visited the Teachers’ Sum* mer School camps and also attended for brief periods somo of the lectures delivered.

' Die Marlborough County Council’s engineer will accompany Councillor C.: Nees to . tho meeting of the District Highways Council at Nelson. As a means of deterring strange motorists; ,from .Joining the Wairau Bridge approach at-'the spot "where two' accidents occurred during the holidays, Councillor Jas. Fulton suggested to the Marlborough County Council last week that a direction sign should toe erected near tho accommodation house pointing out the road leading to the main highway at a point nearer .Havelock. A mo'fion to that effect was defeated on a show of hands. t

Yesterday afternoon, while fishing off Grossi’s Island, near Monaco, Stoke, Mr Jack Withers and Mr Frank Johnson, of the Port, landed a shark 10ft. 6ins. in length. When the shark was cut open it was found to bo carrying seventeen young ones, all > about 18 inches long. Tho fishermen', rendered useful service by ridding the channels around Monaco, which is, a very popular camping place., of eighteen sharks all in one catch. This is the first shark sighted inside the main entrance channel this-year.

Brief reference to the improving railway revenue is mado by the Minister of Railways (the Right Hon, J. G. Coates) in concluding a New Year message to tho; Railway Department staffs, published in tho January issue of the “Railways Magazine." "In regard to tho progress of business generally, savs Mr Coates, “it is too early yet to' judge tho full effect of changes produced in terms of my policy statement to Parliament last year, but 1 am pleased to.seo that the figures in relation to reyenuo are improving, and trust that during the remaining months of tho financial year a big forward movement will be made in regaining and increasing traffic of all descriptions, and in further improving the operating figures in relation to our passenger and freight- business.” “The journey up Lake Te Anau,” says a member of tho recent tramping party of the Tararua Club to Milford, “was made in. an antiquated steamer which some of the party, not without reason, took to be the original Noah's Ark. If the Tourist Department desires to make Milford Track popular it should immediately put into commission a modern steamer which will do the trip up the /lake in a reasonable time, and provide some little comfort. Being traqipers, we soon made ourselves more or less comfortable, but the boat accommodation, in tho eyes of the tourists, is bad. We reached the end of the lake five hours after startiTig. The majority of, us , slept most of the way.”

. Weasels appeal? to be becoming xery numerous in South Taranaki. Whilst driving in the bus to Opunake recently, passengers saw one on the' Eltham road near Mangatoki, and tho driver stated that he frequently saw weasels on the road, and that on fne occasion recently a passing motor car ran over and killed five of a group that were crossing the road. It is stated, says the “Taranaki Daily News,” that they are to bo seen well up towards ihe bush country, and if not checked they .vlll prove a menace to the native birds.

The policy of tho Railway Department of instituting suburban motor bus services is’justified in an editorial article appearing in the current number of the “Railway Magazine,” in discussing the prospects of the year ahead. “The operation of railway ouses,” it says, “is the feature in the present railway policy which has given rise to most discussion. This is a suburban matter, and the fashion in regard to suburban travelling has changed. When the fashion changes every progressive shop or warehouse changes its stock to suit the new demand and the Department has just as much justification for offering buses for the conveyance of passengers when suburban trains' go out of fashion as a deaier in woollen stockings has to change to silk when these become the rage. Any interference with this freedom to vary methods to suit modern demands would not be tolerated as between one private business and another. There is equally no justification for limiting the State’s freedom under similar conditions. With these and other problems to be faced in the year ahead there is no likelihood of any slackening in the tension at which the driving force of the Department is now maintained, and there are strong indications that the pendulum oi public patronage is nmv swinging strongly in favour of the State's own transportation Service.” ■ Did you ever smoke toasted tobacco? If so you will know how the toasting process improves the flavour. It is delicious. Coffee-berries and tea-leaves are. roasted, otherwise no one would care to drink tea or coffee. Well, the same treatment is found to answer equally well with tobacco. Test this for yourself. The locally manufactured tobacco is now prepared in tlial way. Die result is astonishing! Select a brand to suit your palate in regard to strength, either Rivorhead Gold, the mildest of all, or Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog), of medium strength; or if you prefer, a fuller body take Cut- Plug No. 10, the Bullhead label. Die very first whiff will tell yon that you are in for a superior article quite out of the common. You never get, that same pleasant aroma with any of tho ordinary tobaccos. And so smooth and mellow, with their small percentage of nicotine, these brands may be smoked with perfect immunity, and are recommended by experts and medical authorities.*

Another , big day at Trathen’s saletomflrrow. .Special star attractions in Nelson’s big drapery store; remarkable values. *

What is a bargain? Something good but- cheap, plenty at Trathen’s big drapery sal*, to-morrow.*

No wonder Trathnn's is a busy store; real bargains in every section.*

Two dozen sandwiches, a gallon of water and somo chocolates are the only supplies which the trans-Tasman fliers took with them, according to the “Daily Telegraph Pictorial,’’ Sydney. These meagre rations would not last for many days. According to the same paper the airplane would float for six hours. The average flying time on the Sydney-Mel-bourne trip was 100 land miles an hour against a head-wind of never less than 25 miles an hour. Patlio messages sent from the plane during the trip were heard distinctly throughout Australia. Petrol lesf.s were satisfactory, the consumption working out at nine gallons an hour with the machine fully loaded. Commenting on the position of the dairy industry, Mr Goodfellow informed a Waikato “Times” representative that the New Zealand Dairy Company mado an advance of Is 2d per lb last month after giving full consideration to its London manager's forecast of market conditions. The position later did not look as good as previous indications pointed, and only Is Id advance was paid out on the'December supply. “It lias to be remembered,” added Mr Goodfellow, “that the December butter will not bo sold until about March. Thero are several reason's to which the present position may be attributed. The main one is that* there are too many weak holders and many are not inclined to support the mai’ket to stabilise conditions because of the possibility of having to scjl later at lower prices.” Mr Goodfollow had nothing to add concerning other possible reasons, but said the Canadian market would not be appreciably affected as, although it was buying much more than previously, shipments co.nkl not be compared with those to the United Kingdom. Farmers all over South Africa are experiencing the driest spell for years, and in common with other centres conditions are having a decided influence in decreasing dairy production and seriously affecting the supply of’buttorfat. Rain is very badly needed, and pastures are very dry.

The proposal of the Health Department to establish a post graduate course for nurses, the first of which will commence at Wellington on Ist March, is generally being well received by hospital boards. Already several of them throughout the Dominion have signified their intention of awarding bursa Ties to enable their nurses attend the course on condition they enter* into a bond to return to the board for a stated period. The authorities have also received a number of applications from private nurses for permission to take the course. The course will be conducted by . the Department in conjunction with Victoria University College and the Wellington Public Hospital. The. duration of the courso will bo six months, and a diploma will be issued. At the moment inquiries are being mado so that this diploma will have a reciprocal basis in England and the sister Dominions. 'The course is intended for general trained nurses who have completed three years’ training in a general hospital, and are registered in New Zealand. Its object, briefly, is to prepare nurses to fill positions as administrators, tutor sisfers, ward sisters, and public health nurses, so that the qualified nurse undertaking tho course shall be carried a stage higher In the technical side of her work, as well as being taught principles of education and methods of teaching, thus giving a better service to the community as a whole.

Debts in bankruptcy amounting to £176,506 were proved in the Auckland district last year, tho figure constituting a record. There were 220 bankruptcies handled at 'the Auckland office, 39 at. New Plymouth. 37 at Gisborne, 30 at Hawera, 29 at Hamilton, and 26 at Whangarei, making a total of 381. By far tho largest class figuring in the returns consisted of farmers, who numbered 81. Labourers came next with 40, then contractors with 22, builders ..with 18 and storekeepers with 11. Boarding house proprietors and. confectioners were each represented with 7 cases. Four married women were involved. Two natives were adjudged bankrupts, and two bankrupts were described as “gentlemen.” Occupations represented by five cases each were clerks, flaxmillers, fruiterers, garage proprietors, grocers, salesmen and tailors. The returns for the year are representative of over 100 trades and professions. The majority of cases in the "Auckland district involved amounts of between £IOO and £250. Only five were for amounts of £SOOO and upwards, whereas at ITawera (here were ten. Tho sum of £14,873 was paid in dividends in Auckland. Hamilton coming next with £3265.

.Five Eurasian girls, who intend to take up domestic work in New Zealand, arrived by the steamer Sussex last week. They are under tho charge of a missionary,' Miss J. E. Earl, wno is interested in tlie work of improving the social posiI ion of such girls, whose lot in India is not a very happy one. Similar parties have arrived in the Dominion from time to time, and the girls have been placed in employment.

By arrangement with New Zealand Perpetual Forests, an area of 3400 acres near Putaruru is to be set aside as a game sanctuary, although there will be no prohibition as affecting the fish in the streams that flow through that particular area. The locality is regarding as a suitable one for,the purpose, as it is regularly patrolled, and game birds libera ted there hav edone well.

Some misunderstanding appears to prevail in certain districts with respect to the interpretation of the General Regulations under the Dairy Industry Act, 190 b, as affecting the installation of milking machines, and the re-erection of second-hand plants. Nearly all milking machine companies are now erecting new plants with strict adherence to the regulations, and such wholehearted co-operation is being appreciated. Some difficulty, however, is being experienced with re-erected second-hand plants, and it may be as well to point out to those interested their responsibility in the matter. The Department desires to point out. that, it- has endeavoured to use the regulations in a practical manner, and has not up to the present been endeavouring to bring into line installations affected prior to the issue of the regulations, excepting where important faults are noticeable in the milk or cream supply. It has, however, been giving attention to new installations and transfers of used machines, by way of expecting such to come into line with requirements. Before re-erecting or purchasing a second-hand plant it would he advisable for a dairy farmer to communicate with tlie dairy instructor or farm dairy instructor of the district. Swimmers arc reminded that entries for the swimming carnival close.at. the Baths to-night at 8 o'clock. The 1928 issue of the Now Zealand Official War-Book, although slightly reduced in bulk as compared with the 1927 number, retains all the salient features of its immediate predecessor and contains‘a substantial amount of new* matter. The extent of authoritative information supplied in regard to all important matters connected with the affairs of the Dominion is most useful, and reflects credit on flic. Census and Statistics Office, by which ibo boot- I" compiled. Two now sections have been added, one dealing with the tramway systems of the Dominion, and the other containing the summarised results of the first annual collection of stat.'ltics of building and construction activities (already reviewed in "The Mail”) The section of water power has been rewritten and extended: that dealing with the revenue and expenditure of the Government, has also been entirely rewritten, and that devoted to railways partially so.

'■‘Our virtues continue to strike us, as qualities magnificent, to see; of course you can never be like us, but be as like us as you’re able to be.” In this versical form last week (says the “Star”) the Rev. J. F. Martin, representing tho Devonport Methodists, jocularly exhorted tho local Salvation Army corps to consider the advisability of returning once more to their parent body of Methodism, from which General William Booth went out over 60 years ago. lie explained that they had many ideals and methods in common, and suggested that if the Salvation Army agreed to follow the aims of Methodism there would he resultant improvement. The Rev. Lawson Marsh, who followed Mr Martin, agreed with his sentiments on general principles, hut queried his proposed methods, and particularly the source of inspiration. Shaking a reprimanding finger at his clerical colleague, ho demanded the authorshfp of tho foregoing quotation, and expressed surprise that in such an assembly and on such an occasion a clergyman should quote that old operatic favourite, “’(Tie Belle-of New .York.” That delightful composition has, as everyone knows, a Salvation Army lassie as the heroine, and the, audience fully realised the cross purposes of Mr Martin’s quotation.

The Hon. A. D. McLeod, .Minister of Lands, at Dnrgaville last week referred to the necessity of settlers possessing mortgage liabilities, whether private or State, arranging for their liquidation or adjustment in legal fashion when they give up their holdings. When speaking of the Ngaroma. Settlement, the Minister said that somo of the Government’s, critics appeared to forget that a mortgage carried a personal covenant holding good for 20 years. Without making proper arrangements for the liquidation or adjustment of their mortgages, tattlers who abandoned their homes could not expect aid from the State in further ventures until their old liabilities had been placed on a proper basis. The department- was always prepared to do its utmost in this direction. Referring'to northern land, Mr McLeod said that pastures and stock were looking well, notwithstanding the very dry spell. There also-appeared to be a hi ore optimistic lone among the settlers. The departure of C. C Dacrc, the Auckland cricket- captain, for England, has been hastened by receipt of a cable from the Gloucester County Club, for which Caere will play as a proicssional in England. As a result he has booked passages for himself and Mrs Dacre by the Tainni, which sails about the middle of next month. It is understood t hat the leason for his earlier arrival in England has to do with the residential qualifications which Dacre has to fulfill before he can play in county cricket. ' 1

As the result of a further conference between the contractors and the men’s representatives it 'was decided to submit the points in the Tawa Flat dispute, chiefly wages, to a tribunal consisting of two men appointed by the employers and two representatives of the labour movement, with an independent cWairman, probably Mr I*age, S.M.—Press Association.

llie diamond jubilee celebrations of Greymouth will commn'nce on 25th February and extend to 3rd March. A large number of invitations have been sent out to representatives of various local bodies.

An electric light tournament will be held on the Nelson Bowling Club’s green on Wednesday next, commencing at 7 o’clock. Visiting bowlers will be welcome. - ■

An effort is being made by the Nelson bowling centre to send a number of rinks to Wellington to play the local centre, on Saturday, 4th February, leaving Nelson on Friday evening and returning home on Sundav. "

Drivers of vehicles should take notice that tho portion. of Selwyn Place between TYafalgar street and Church street will be closed to vehicular traffic tomorrow until further notice to allow the lay ing of an asphalt surface.

Tho City Council by advertisement in this issue requests householders to be careful in their use of water so as not to cause a shortage. If this intimation is not regarded strict compliance with the by-law will have to he enforced.