LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 August 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The coldest morning this winter was experienced to-day, when 9 degrees of frost were recorded. Snow fell on the, ranges on Saturday, and yesterday a piercing south-westerly was blowing.

To-day is the anniversary of the wreck of the Queen Bee on Farewell Spit in 1877. . Thieves on Thursday night stole £l6 in sovereigns’ from the bootsliop of Mr J. J. Pegley in Manchester street, Christchurch, entering by means of a right-of-way. They missed a box containing £2s.—Press Association.

At Dunedin to-day, Ellen Plank, hotelkeeper, for selling brandy from a. bottle 'incorrectly labelled, was fined £3O, with costs.—Press Association.

Members of the 2nd Brigade N.Z.F.A. will hold a re-union in Wellington on Saturday next. New Zealand, with her natural advantages and with a general public desirous to support disease prevention, has registered for several years past the lowest general infantile and tuberculosis death rates in the world, and with regard to the common infectious diseases they are much milder in type and less deadly than is the ease, in most other countries (states the annual report of the Health Department). The report says that there is reason to believe that •many deaths could be prevented. In some countries the experiment has been tried of making every pneumonia case compulsorily notifiable and attempting isolation. Apparently the results achieved have not justified the expense and trouble involved, but the fact remains, says the report, that a large proportion of these illnesses are infectious.

“I am very proud of our New Zealand hospitals and the work of the hospital beards controlling them,” states the 'Director-General of Health in his annual report. “Without the help of these hoards it would have been impossible to build and otherwise extend the hospitals we now have. But,there is reason in all things, and, personally, T am appalled at our hospital expenditure, actual and proposed, especially in certain districts, but I do not blame, the hoards entirely for this. If it were possible for members of hospital boards in the Dominion to visit the Old Land and other countries they would come hack to this country very pleased and very proud, not only of our hospitals, but'of our public institutions as a whole. They would think, 1 arn sure, that for a population of barely one arid a-lialf million souls we have done not so badly, but extremely well-arid all that in about the lifetime of some of our very aged pioneers.

Major Talbot write's from Motueka: “1 'understand a deputation is to wait upon the Government with reference to ‘filling the gap.’ 1 think, Sir, a very much greater impression would be produced ff this deputation were to consist of delegates from every local body, manufacturing concern and producers’ organisation throughout Nelson province. It would show that we are all behind it and vitally concerned. The Chamber of Commerce should set about organising this deputation as early ns possible. ' 1 hope that Nelson city people are. not going to spoil this gotten opportunity by selecting a handful of the chosen and push off to the Government, and with cap in hand say, ‘We have the backing of the whole province, which would lie taken as a mere generality. Let the delegates as suggested line up at Parliament House and show the Government the backing the province ha-Y I suggested this course some two years ago, when a deputation from the Progress Leaguo was to have waited upon the Government. Cold water was thrown upon it by the Government telling us no good purpose could be obtained as they knew all the facts and all about us. Now, this is the time to get to it and show the Government they know very little of us,’ and hammer facts into their North Island-vis-ion heads.”

The formation of “Haeremai” (welcome) groups in the principal cities of the Dominion is recommended by the New Zealand Tourist League. The aims of these organisations would be to offer help to visitors of repute and • enable them to get in touch with the business or social connections in which they are interested. It is not proposed to offer these indiscriminately to all and sundry, but only to important travellers and those who may be introduced or carry suitable references from abroad. There will ho many people who may make themselves known here. and display a' desire to gather particulars to see certain institutions and to meet people engaged in various aspects of our community life. At present such visitors often do nob know who to apply to for advice. The proposed plan would save the time of visitors, and also give opportunities for New Zealand residents to learn about other places and people. In the vernacular of the man in the street the term “struck oil” means that the person who has done the striking is a very lucky individual, and has gathered in, or is about to "gather, quite a lot of money in some way (says the “Star”). In a case at the Supreme Court in Auckland last week, in which a man was acquitted on charges of obtaining money by false pretences from three individuals, two of whom had parted'with £IOO apiece, and the third £6O, it was shown that the stock-in-trade of fife business in which they became interested consisted of a few bottles of face cream, pme clothes pegs, moth balls, and tea caddies. One of the witnesses stated that when he parted with his £IOO he was of the opinion that he had “struck oil,” and, as was afterwards shown, he had, but unfortunately for him it was hair oil he struck.

Says Saturday’s Westport “News”: — “In the discussion on the Seddon Shield at Nelson, Mr Blewett referred to one disadvantage under which holders of the Shield suffered. It means often 15 players on the field and 90 on the bank. Well, Westport will not be suffering under any such disadvantage to-day, for no fewer than 90 players will be engaged in Rugby matches on the trotting ground, 60 on Victoria Square and another 30 on the Technical School ground, a total of 180 players, exclusive of emergencies. Besides, there are teams with fixtures in the country. This represents, a very healthy state of affairs and may cause many to consider whether Seddon and Ranfurly Shields, coveted though these trophies be, are. worth the efforts made to gather them.”

the past week or two there has been an epidemic of diphtheria and scarlet feter in the Buller (states the Times”). Westport has not been affected to any great extent, but there are a number of cases in Millerton, Denniston, and Karamea. The isolation ward at the hospital is now full and some cases could not be admitted. The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. P. L. Foote, said to a “Times” representative that, the outbreak was confined chiefly to Millerton and, The outbreak was moderately severe. So far there was only one case of scarlet fever and three of diphtheria, in Westport. Dr. Foote advises parents to l;eep their children out in the open as much as possible and not to allow them to visit other houses. At present it Is not proposed to close the schools unless the epidemic shows signs of increasing in Westport. During the epidemic children under 16 years of age will not be allowed to visit the hospital.

Whether there is a new course in midwifery established at Otago University will be, after all, a matter of finance. Following conferences between the Education Department and Health Department as to what extra staff and accommodation would be necessary at the University the matter was taken to Cabinet by the Minister of Education (the Hon. It. A. Wright). From there it has gone to the Treasury with a request for a report. With a favourable report it is quite probable that the sum needed will be placed upon the estimates for the coming year.

“What impresses one in a tour of the Empire is the dominance of the university,” said Sir John Russell, the eminent English soil scientist, in an address at the Auckland University College last week. “It is a healthy sign, distinguishing the Empire from most others.” While the universities of the Empire were consistently aiming at scholarship, they at the same time were doing useful service to the community and giving an ever-increasing prominence to the science of the soil and agriculture. The Romans honoured agriculture, but after them its science disappeared for a time from the purview of men. Now, happily, it was being restored to its rightful" place in education.” “A noticeable improvement,” states the annual report of the city health inspector, presented to the Wellington City Council last- week, “is taking place in the class of buildings being erected and intended to be used for food purposes, particularly in regard to efficient ventilation, permanency of structure, and means of excluding rats or other vermin. Continued progress continues in having existing premises improved, and particular attention is given to the rat-proof-ing of these premises. The by-laws requiring license to be obtained before premises may be used for the manufacture, storage and sale of food have, as was anticipated, furnished a ready means of preventing unsuitable premises being used for such purpose. Of the total applications received, premises were found to be quite unsuitable for the class of business intended to be carried on in 165 cases, without extensive alterations being carried out. The fact that the applicants in those cases did not proceed with the proposals is evidence of the effectiveness of the by-law and _ regulations when judiciously enforced.”

The main Parliamentary roll for Nelson electorate contains 9884 names. Tn !92f> there were 994f> names on the main and supplementary rolls, of whom 8084 recorded their votes. Tn the Motueka electorate there are 7745 names on the main roll. At,tlie 1925 elections 7821 names were on the main and supplementary rolls, and CBIO people recorded their votes.

" Calm'sunny weather was experienced for the holiday to-day. All outdoor sporting fixtures were well patronised, while the gala at Tahuna attracted a large crowd. We' have to acknowledge frohi the publishers several copies of the “Belfast Telegraph’’ containing photographs of the New Zealand bowling team and an account of their tour in Northern Ireland. On arrival at Belfast a very cordial welcome was extended to the visitors by .Major William Baird, president of the Irish Bowling Association. Judging by the lavish hospitality extended, the visitors had a wonderfully good time. The “Telegraph’’ devoted considerable space to the doings of the visitors and the photographs are excellently reproduced. The story of the execution of a Chinese coolie at Vaimea prison (Samoa) is dramatic in 'its simplicity. Convicted for the brutal murder of a fellow~countryman, Lei Mau, coolie No. 4515, was hanged. The “Samoa Guardian” records that he walked with a firm tread, and on his face was no sign of fear. After conversing with the chaplain for a few moments he walked w the scaffold steps without assistance. A few minutes later he had paid the penalty. -His last words were in Chinese, the interpretation being “I’ll soon go up to heaven.” A charming courtesy marks the officers and crews of the Japanese warships now at Auckland, and their politeness has been a subject of general comment, says the “Star.” Some of the visitors, who are interested in cinematography, sought the use of a-dark room on shore, and one Aucklander was ready to provide the necessary facilities. All one day the visitors worked amid chemicals and developers; they worked right through the night, and they were still going yesterday. Ilow many amateur photographers of British birt)i would have shown similar industry iihjthe pursuit of their hobby?

Giving evidence in Melbourne recently before the, Federal Royal Commission on child endowment, the Commonwealth Statistician, Mr C. H. Wickens, referred to the difficulty of arriving at an accurate estimate of the cost of living for a family of a given number. Before the war, he said, a man might have purchased a suit of clothes for £5, but to-day he would pay from 10 to 12 guineas. The question that immediately occurred to one was whether‘that man was getting the same value now as before the war. Women’s clothes, said witness, had changed considerably. Such articles as skirts and blouses, which, were included in estimating thelbasic wage, did not exist to-day. Silk stockings aj|,d shingles were not included when the basic wage was decided upon. Butter was one of tho items included in the food group, but if that commodity went up in price the family living on the basic wage simply cut it out. When prices of commodities fell slowly the worker benefited to some extent, said Mr Wickens, but when prices fell rapidly that meant a slump and unemployment increased. When prices rose tho wages never caught them up, and the worker lost in consequence.

Five years after commencing school treatment for goitre the Department of Health has come to the conclusion that it is not wise to extend the service which has been given by school medical officers (writes our Wellington correspondent). In future children will be advised to take iodised salt and recommend • ed to consult the family physician for treatment. The activities of the Department have resulted in a great ‘deal of good. Thousands of medical examinations have been made and a large number of children suffering from goitrous conditions have been discovered. In Canterbury-Marlborough-Nelson 18,000 examinations showed 10,000 children with goitrous tendencies, and in Southland and Otago 17,000 examinations revealed another 4700 children affected goitrously. The treatment given the school children was in the form of potassium iodide tablets and the observation of a group of 3000 children under treatment shows that there was an approximate decrease of 60 per cent, and a decrease of approximately 12 per cent. The first group showed an increase in 20 per cent, of the total cases, the second (composed of 1000 children) in 53 per cent, of tho total. It is thus evident that- the treatment, generally speaking, has been beneficial. Yet the increase in 20 per cent, of the total £nd the further fact that a definite number of non-goitrous children developed the disease under treatment showed that the problem would not be solved by continuing this line of action. In the group of 3000 mentioned it is evident that one in five requires measures which cannot be. provided at school. They need more frequent supervision than they can be given by school medical officers, and the facilities of the Department are not great enough for this to be practicable. Individual attention cannot be given. Also there is danger in the present position in that parents are led to believe that no further steps are necessary.

Unless all signs fail New Zealand tobacco is destined to become famous the world over for its excellent smoking qualities. Like wildfire has the local product spread over all parts of the Dominion, capturing the trade wherever it made its appearance It is thus evident that the New Zealand article must possess certain virtues which make it superior to the foreign tobacco, and not the least is its small content of nicotine This fact would particularly recommend it to the smoker who studies his health, because New Zealand tobacco, even if smoked excessively, does not affect the heart or nerves and leaves the mouth sweet and clean. But what is equally important, the tobacco is now being subjected to,a toasting process and as a result its aroma has been improved—no bite no soppiness, often so objectionable in many of the foreign brands. Try Riverhead Gold if you like a very mud and aromatic .quality, or Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog) of medium strength., and Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead label) rt you prefer a full body.*