LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Judas tree is again, in full bloom in various parts of the city, especially near the Queen’s Gardens "in Tasman street. This very fine bloom is shortlived and should be seen whilst the opportunity offers. Cherry trees also are in full blossoni in places. The Trafalgar street elevation of the new Majestic Theatre is to be raised by six feet, providing a more imposing appearance as viewed from the street and also hiding the roof of the building which is at present exposed to view. “May I pay a tribute to M’r Speaker," said Mr E. J. Howard at Addington “and say ho is in the right place. He is one of the fairest and best Speakers in the British Commonwealth of Nations.”

That Australia by its policy of restriction and exclusiveness is losing soino of the best blood and brains Britain has to offer is too obvious to he argued (states the Melbourne “Argus”). We are, as Canon Pughe states in his report on Australian migration compelling the finest type of migrant to settle outside the Empire —often in countries that are our direct competitors for trade. Enterprising young men in selecting a new home will go where they are welcomed as assets, not scowled upon, as liabilities, So long as many Australians are obsessed by the mischievous and benighted view that newcomers are a menace to the economic security of those already in the Commonwealth opposition to migration will continue. History exposes the baselessness of this fear. The industrial and economic progress of Australia has run parallel with the progress of its population. Every migrant is an added impetus to industry and employment. He has to be fed and clothed. In the result, his wants create work for others, so far from diminishing the work already available.

“The ill-usage of freak animals, horses, monkeys, dogs, and other beasts and birds that are transported from one side-show to another for exhibition and performance at shows and carnivals has received the attention' of our inspector, and in consequence the poor attraction they have received from the public has practically closed down that class of socalled entertainment,” says the annual report of the Wellington Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The rapid rise of Filluel’s creek, between Collingwood and Puponga, on Wednesday, nearly cost the loss of a motor car. While crossing the creek, the car, driven by Mr W.' Palmer, of Cock and Co’s, staff, stalled. The water at the time was just up tq the footboards, and as the engine failed to restart Mr Palmer took the precaution of roping it to a fence while he went to the nearest homestead to procure a horse by which he hoped to pull out the car. On returning the creek had risen considerably and the water was pouring in at the doors. Mr Palmer had to wade up to his waist in order to attach a chain to the vehicle, after which the horse was set going. But so strong was the current, by then that there was danger of the animal being dragged into the creek, and it had to be liberated. The car was then carried down stream for a distance of 20 yards or so until it came up against the bank, where it had to remain until next morning, when it was recovered intact. Mr Palmer was soaking wet after his experience, and was glad to accept the hospitality of a farmer for the night.

“The Apprentices Act is just where it was when it was discussed last year. No constructive proposals for its amendment have been sent by any of our Associations. The Labour Department had arranged to call a conference of representatives of apprentices committee, but owing to the proposed representation on the board, instructed the secretary to interview the Minister of Labour, and the conference has been postponed for reconsideration of the representation.”— Annual Report of N.ew Zealand Employers' Federation.

The election of Captain H. S. Blaekburne, of Wellington, as an honorary member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, comments yesterday's ''Evening Post”, confers a well-deserved honour upon a gentleman who has devoted practically a life time to a study of mvigational oroblems. Captain lilacs burne, who came to New Zealand in 1899 after some years of service with the P. and 0. Steam Navigation Company, for some time held the position of Nautical Adviser to the New Zea lend Government, and in that capacity he' was responsible for the publication of a number of nautical tables, which are now used in all parts of the world. Although he retired from active secvice with the Marine Department some years ago, Captain Blackburne has lost, none of his enthusiasm for his work, and only recently he made ar. offer to the Minister of Marine to bring his tables ip-to-date in the light of modern development. The company to which Captain Blackburne has been admitted is a very select band, with a membership strictly limited to five hundred. Honorary membership of the company is not lightly conferred, arid up to October of last year only seven had been granted. They were the Duke of Montrose, Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe, (he Lord Mayor of London, the chairman of Lloyd’s, the deputy-master of Trinity House, Mr Phillip H. Devi)l. and Mr Rudvard Kipling. Captain Blackburne has indeed joined the select band.

One is reminded of the approach of the Christmas season by the arrival of the “New Zealand Free Lance Annual.” This year's production of 76 pages bears a particularly attractive cover design. The presentation plate, which is a reproduction of an oil painting by that clever Wellington artist, Miss Gwyneth Richardson, depicts an old Maori wahine in deep reverie and is a splendid example of the colour printer’s art. The pictorial section comprises 32 pages of high-grade photo reproductions covering every phase of life in the Dominion. In the letterpress section there arc a‘ number of brightly written stories by leading New Zealand writers. Altogether the Annual compares more than favourably with previous productions.

The Stoke Auxiliary branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society has forwarded the sum of BIG 6s to the Bible House, Wellington. This sum is the amount subscribed in the past year. The “feast of the King of Kings” will he celebrated at St. Mary’s to-morrow. There will be an illuminated procession in the evening and an appropriate sermon suitable to this festival (which is observed at this season throughout tho entire Catholic world) will he preached.

An inquest was held at Motueka yesterday, before Mr J. H. Rankin, d.P., concerning the death of George Chapman, a single man, aged 68 years, who expired suddenly on Wednesday while mustering sheep on his property in the Riwaka Valley. The medical evidence was to tho effect that a post-mortem revealed heart trouble; and a verdict in accordance with this was given.

“Looking through Hansard the other night, 1 discovered that, in five weeks the Legislative Council sat for nine hours and sixteen minutes,” stated Mr E. R. Allen, United party candidate, speaking at Avondale. “In that time they had one terrific burst of energy and sat for two hours and five minutes. That made the old gentlemen so tired that they adjourned for a fortnight, and then they came back with that tired holiday feeling.” A Voice: “The Liberals never put them out When they were in before“We livo and learn,” replied the candidate. “We were pretty good in the old days, and we are better still now. We want a Legislative Council, but let us boil it down to about twelve and make it elective.

What was described as one of the causes of unemployment was mentioned by Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman (Ashburton) at the session of the Christchurch Diocesan Svnod this week. In speaking on a motion regarding the extension of accommodation at the Cathedral (Laminar School, Mr Ferriman said that boys were now too well educated to work. (Laughter). Many who. matriculated were not able to find work, and Synod, before voting on the motion, should remember that. .Such education was one of the causes of unemployment.

So many of the country and town libraries throughout New Zealand have made application to the librarian of the Canterbury Public Library for information concerning grants made to libraries bv the Carnegie Trust, that Mr E. J. Bell decided to write to the trust and ascertain conditions upon which grants are made (states the “Lyttelton Times”). Colonel Mitchell, secretary to the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, has now replied to Mr Bell’s letter and library committees will be interested to [earn that the trust is not permitted bv deed to make grants outside the British Isles. Mr Carnegie, however, set aside a sum of money for use overseas and entrusted its administration to the Carnegie Corporation in the United States. Colonel Mitchell also intimated that Mr Bell’s letter would be forwarded to that corporation and that full particulars would no doubt be sent to New Zealand at a later date. Mr Bell has now received a letter from the secretary of the Carnegie Corporation stating that his letter will be placed before the trustees at an early date and that the desired information will be forwarded in due course. When such information is received Mr Bell will make it available lo those interested.

Medical authorities strongly favour the provision of privacy for all patients, and the abolition of big wards (says “The Post”). In the wards of the new block of the Wellington Hospital glass partitions have been incorporated; these give a considerable measure of privacy. The Medical Superintendent (Dr. H. B. Ewen), in a report to the Hospital Board recommends the extension of the glass partition system to the old wards. In his letter he says: “I consider that an endeavour should be made to break up this relic of medievalism. In the many hospitals in America and Great Britain screens of various types have been clesigned with this object in view.” The medical superintendent’s recommendation will be considered at an early meeting of the board. Referring to the coal trade, the .report of the Advisory Board to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation said:--“The coal mines agreements, for the West Coast, Hikurangi, arid Waikato districts have been concluded after negotiations spread ever four months. Some improvements upon the previous agreements were secured bv the employers. The agreement for Southland miners has not vet been concluded, but meanwhile work is being carried on under the terms proposed by the. employers. The coal trade is 'feeling the effect of the competition of hvdro-electric power on shore, and of oil fuel for bunkering ships, to such a degree that nothing that would tend to increase costs can possibly he agreed to by the mine owners A further factor seriously affecting the trade of established mining companies is the increasing number of small mines owned and worked by co-operative parties of miners. The total output of these concerns is considerable, and in most cases can he sold at less than that of the large mines, because it is produced under labour conditions much less costly than, those insisted upon by unionised labour, and also because the workings are confined lo outcrops from which the coal is easily won without any expenditure upon plant or machinery'. The working of outcrops may make the future working of the deeper portions of the coalfield unduly expensive, and the granting by the Crown of small leases for this purpose is an economic waste in many cases.”

“The care and accommodation of the birds and beasts confined in cages at the Zoo are' matters of very great concern to our society, as we feel that practically all of the animals, owing to miserable housing and surroundings, lead a very unhappy life,” quotes “The Post” from the 35th annual report of the Wellington Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Frequent applications have been made to the City Council for something to be done to ameliorate the suffering of the qnimals,.hut the question of finance seems u? he the great stumbling block to getting anything done for the betterment of their condition.”

At the last meeting of the .Murchison County* Council the clerk exhibited half a kerosene tin full of birds’ eggs which had been brought in bv one settler. The collection totalled 127 dozen and comprised 958 thrushes’ eggs, 540 blackbirds’ eggs, and 26 heads.

“Athletic” writes:—“Though we are advancing into the cricket season the senior wicket at the. Trafalgar Park is still unfit for play. This has been a great disappointment to cricketers generally who, like other sportsmen, naturally expect their playing areas to be ready when the season opens. At a meeting of the City Council some little time ago the question of the date for top-dressing the Park arose, and although it was then high time for this work to he commenced, yet the Y.M.C.A. were granted the use of the ground for the holding of a gymkhana, and the business of topdressing was generally dawdled over, with the results that though cricket in other centres is in full swing, yet the Nelson cricketers (who helped found the Park) have no grounds to play on. ]s it. a fine specimen of fairness?”

The Hon. W, F. Finlayson of Australia, who is visiting Nelson next WednesT day under the auspices of the N.Z. Alliance, to address a public meeting in the School of Music that evening, is one of the best known men in the Temperance and Labour movements in the Com- j monweaflh. He was a' Labour member in the Commonwealth Parliament from 1910 to 1919. and later a member of the Legislative Council of Queensland for some years. For many years he has been a prominent member and officer of the flood Templars both in the State Grand Lodge and in the International Supreme Lodge of the Order, and a great worker and speaker for other Temperance organisations in Australia and other lands. He is a member of the Order of Reeha- j bites. I

The report of the Advisory Board to the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, presented to the annual meeting, referred to the improvement in the balance of export values over imports, which for the year ended 31st July, 1928, amounted to £12,129,812. “The factors which brought about this remarkable recovery of our financial position,” it continues, “were a season of wonderful produetiou due partly to climatic conditions, hut largely contributed to by the improved farming methods and use of fertilisers, improved prices for wool, and economy in importing. Unfortunately the effect of the two bad years has not yet been entirely overcome and unemploymen throughout the year just ended has given both employers and the Government much concern. The situation is now improving, and given another good export season and continued discretion in the matter of imports, normal conditions as to employment should he restored within another year.”

One of the several interesting reports before the Land Settlement League at Auckland on the cost of bringing in pumice country was that supplied by a Putaruru farmer. The size of the holding is 163 acres, and the section is described as second-class land. It was drawn in a ballot, and was said to be suited to dairying. In a summary of his conclusions, the farmer stated : “1 consider a man should have £2OOO capital to start with, and, taking all things into consideration, receipts and expenditure, 1 reckon my farm cost me £5 per acre before it was self-supporting. Live and dead stock cost £2OO. One man could start with £2OO or £3OO and come out all right; another man would starve. 1 reached Wellington with £7 in 1905. When I arrived at Putaruru (after working one year in Taihape) and paying a half-year’s rent, fare and other expenses, I had 3s left, so I think it depends on the man more than the capital."