LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 February 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The committee which lias in hand matters pertaining to the opening of Pioneers’ Park on Saturday, 23rd February, will meet to-night at the Council Chamber at 8 o’clock. Citizens who are willing to assist in entertaining early settlers on the occasion are cordially invited to attend to-night’s meeting.

The Town Clerk (Mr G. A. Edmonds) informed a “Mail” reporter to-day that approximately £14.000 has been collected of the rates. There is about £IOOO outstanding, and the 10 per cent., penalty will apply to this amount.

Motorists enjoying tho , privilege of using private property should remember that gates found closed aro meant to bo shut after they have been used. A few days ago a motorist who went through private property in the Wairoa Gorge loft a gale open after him. As a result several hundred sheep got into a paddock of rape and became over-fed. A number of the sheep eventually died.

'flic motorists responsible has not only nut himself in tho “bad books” of the landowner concerned but has also registered a black mark against motorists in general. At last night’s meeting of tho Richmond Borough Council, Councillor VV. Hill suggested tho raising of a loan to complete permanently sealing tho main roan through Richmond, and the Council decided to get an estimate of tho cost of the proposed work. Councillor C. Webby remarked: “This is a step in the right direction. Tho ratepayers aro probably not in tho position to know |ike a Councillor, but if they will believe us, it is the cheapest and best way.” He mentioned the value of Main

Highway Board contributions to such ■oad work.

Tho Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong), and the departmental architect (Mr It. Savage) arrived in Nelson from Wellington this morning, and visited tho Boys’ College grounds to inspect sites for the proposed new buildings. Accompanying them is Mr W. S. La Trobe, M.. 4., Superintendent of Technical Education. He is to-day visiting the Nelson Technical School on routine business. “I have travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand, hut I have not experienced roads equal to those of Taranaki,” said Mr J. A. Bond, the well known artist, wiio is visiting New Plymouth. The offside, or right-hand rule for motorists has been engaging the attention of the Wanganui Automobile Association, and the executive is now of tho opinion that the rule should be altered. The Taranaki Association is of the same opinion, and the subject is to be discussed at the next meeting of the North Island Motor Union, to be held at Auckland on 14th February, as a result of which tho Minister may be approached with a view to an amendment of the regulations being made. The secretary of the Nelson College Board of Governors has sent the following letter to the Minister of Education (the 'Hon. H. Atmore): “At the last meeting of the Board the following resolution was passed: ‘That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the Hon. Minister , for Education for his courtesy and promptness in dealing with the applications from the Board.’ I am also directed to convey to you the Board’s thanks for the copy of notes taken at their recent interview with you.”

Lack of station cattle was the chief fact impressed on the Minister for Public YVorks (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) during his recent visit to Canterbury (says the “Press”). Travelling down from Christchurch to Waitaki the Minister was impressed with the fine grain crops in evidence in *the grain-growing portions of Canterbury, particularly in Waimate. Some of the northern por-

tions of Canterbury, it appeared to him, could do with more development and lent themselves to increased population. Between Geraldine and Coin ridge he noticed tracks of land which, it seemed, could be farmed more satisfactorily by closer settlement. “As _ a northern farmer,” the Minister continued, “one of the features which surprised me was the comparatively small number of station cattle in evidence. The impression I gained was that much of that land could be profitably farmed if more station cattle were carried to keep the pastures in proper condition for the sheep. What cattle I did see were in excellent condition, and it appeared regrettable that there were not ■more available. I recognise that the present season is very favourable for feed and that precisely the same conditions might not prevail in another season. Undoubtedly I saw Canterbury at. its best as far as feed was concerned.”

Commenting on the reply of the Minister of Education to a deputation from the New Zealand Educational Institute, the “Taranaki News” says: "Mr Atmore seems disposed to take a serious view of his responsibilities,-to have definite views of policy, and no doubt will prove a capable head of his department. It is inevitable, however, that he must be guided by the specialists. On the subject of the regulations, the particular matter the deputation desired to discuss with him, it seems particularly fitting that before any of these are issued they should be submitted to the Educational Institute, so that those who have to cany them out may have a voice in their framing—a course that would tend to strengthen the system materially.”

Many years ago a number of pigs were liberated on Auckland Island to provide food for any shipwrecked mariners who might find themselves on these lonely coasts. “I found unmistakeable evidence there,” said Mr Edgar Stead (on his return from a visit to the Islands in the Tutanekai), “that the pigs were rooting the petrels out of their burrows to secure either the eggs or the birds themselves for food.. This will eventually make a great difference to the petrels nesting on Auckland Island itself. Should the pigs manage to get across to Adams Island they will almost certainly eventually wipe out the Wandering and Royal Albatrosses. It is significant already that colonies of Sooty Albatrosses are now to be found only on the steep est faces of the cliffs, safe from the ravages of the pigs. In like fashion the goats liberated on Ocean Island are clearing the island of all vegetation, and it is only a matter of time before the island is devoid of either vegeta-

tion or goats.” Tuis, bell-birds, redheaded narrakeets and species of pipits and snipe were among the best known birds found on the islands. “The outstanding sight on the islands was the rata,” continued Mr Stead. “There arc hundreds upon hundreds of trees there having a wonderful purple or reddish colour in the young growth. The llower was at its best during our visit, and appears to be of a richer tint than that of Ihe species on the mainland. In many cases the rata is a magnificent bloodred.. I brought back several plants wit.n me, but it is doubtful if it will maintain its distinctive colouring in our climate.” “Funny how tastes change in pipe tobaccos,” remarked an Auckland tobacconist to a pressman, the other day. “Formerly the demand was all for the imported, but to-day it’s New Zealand tobacco that is all the rage, and for every ounce 'of imported I sell. I dispose of a pound of New Zealand. It certainly is ‘.the goods.’ I fancy it’s the toasting of the leaf that mostly accounts for its line flavour and aroma. It’s the only toasted tobacco on the market, so far as I know. Several doctors who are amongst my customers will smoke nothing else. They say there’s no nicotine in it, that it’s by far the safest to smoke. Well. it. must be admitted that those foreign brands often contain a dangerous amount of nicotine. Oh, yes there are several brands of New Zealand. Per.haps I sell more Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog) than anything else. l , but Cut Plug N.o. 10 (Bullahead) full flavour runs it pretty close. Then there’s Riverhead Gold a mild aromatic, which also has a big sale. But they’re all good.”* Ladies' All-wool Tennis Socks 3/6 for 1/11. McKay’s Sale.*

Much research work is at present being carried on in connection with the carbonisation of coal, and an interesting bulletin of the Fuel Research Committee of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research deal., with the carbonisation and blending of New Zealand coals. It is shown that by blending, compact coke suitable for domestic fuel can bo obtained. The work is being carried out by Mr W. G. Ilughson. Details are given in the bulletin of the amount of coke. oils, ammonia, and gas produced By low temperature carbonisation. In order to investigate the processes in use elsewhere, Mr W. Donovan, of the Dominion Laboratory, has left on a brief visit to the United States.

The season’s first shipment of New Zealand apples for the Home market leaves Wellington on the Port Hobart to-day. The spaco booked for 11,000 cases was filled with fruit from Nelson, Auckland, Ilawkes Bay and Marlborough, Nelson’s share being about 10,000 cases.

One member of the Richmond Borough Council was evidently pleased with the Council’s prompt decision last evening to act on a suggestion that further road reconstruction be done in the borough. Tie advanced the thought that South Island local bodies 1 talked, but did not get things done, and probably that was the answer to the cry: “Why docs all (lie money go to the North Island?”

The first heat for the Aitcheson Smith Rowing Cup will be rowed on the harbour this evening at 7 o’clock.

On Sunday night at Richmond, a borough councillor had a pea-straw stack burnt. At last night’s meeting of the Council the matter was remarked on, and the Town Clerk read a by-law which stated: “It is not lawful to light a fire in the open air in the borough between the hours of 9 p.m. on one day and 6 a.m. of the next day, nor at any time on Sunday.” The councillor concerned explained that he was away at the time. He bad expressed his intention of burning the stack, “and evidently someone had got word of it, and set it alight. Anyway, they made <i good job of it,” remarked the Councillor.

The attention of croquet enthusiasts and others interested is drawn to the advertisement indicating the novel method of the Riwaka Croquet Club to procure cups and saucers, etc., for the club. Players will enjoy the privilege of a good game on the beautiful new Iqwns, and others will be catered for in the way of competitions and afternoon tea.

The provincial fruitgrowers of Otago expect to load their first shipment of apples for the season about the firstweek in April. Present indications are of a crop perhaps 20 per cent, less in quantity than last season’s. It is just possible, however, that the yield will be better than that, for the rainfall has been a great help to orchards, and most certainly it wili improve the quality of the apples (states a Dunedin paper). The outlook for the season is, therefore, distinctly bright. While in Wellington recently a Stratford resident happened to be introduced to Mrs Perry, of Perry’s Circus, wince is now touring New Zealand m 13 large motor lorries. During the conversation lie was told a rather remarkable anecdote concerning the memory of an elephant (states the Taranaki "News”). The circus had stopped in Adelaide street, Wellington, when one of the big elephants shuffled his way out of the lorry and progressed some distance down the street to a greengrocer’s shop. Here it took its stand quietly arid peacefully, but all the efforts of its attendants failed to induce the beast to return to its home on wheels. Presently the proprietor of the shop strolled to the doorway to investigate the trouble, and as soon as be saw the elephant recalled the fact that over three years ago, when the circus was previously in New Zealand, he had given a few, cabbages and other greens to that particular elephant. Undoubtedly the animal had remembered the kindness of the greengrocer, and had made straight for the shop at the first opportunity. The gift of a couple of cabbages sufficed the elephant, and it then returned quietly to its lorry. Once a busy town, throbbing with mining activity, Crushington, three miles from Reefton, is now decadent (writes the Grevmouth correspondent of the Christchurch “Press”). Of three batteries there, the Globe, Keep-it-Dark, and tlie Wealth of Nations, the first two ceased operations some years ago, and the last-named is still operating on a reduced scale, re-treating "old tailings and concentrates by the cyanide process. The population of the town lumber not more than a dozen families. The rusted mine cages, huge cyaniding tanks filled with rank growing grass, boilers and hauling plant remain as silent witnesses of file palmy days, when from 1872 to 1910 the Keep-it-Dark produced gold to the value of £444,000, and returned its shareholders £159,000 in dividends on the original capital of £6200. Though many thousands of pounds were spent on the property after 1910, the mine gradually faded out. The Wealth of Nations, previous to its amalgamation with the Energetic, under the Consolidated Goldfields, Limited, produced £135,000 worth of gold and paid £36,312 in dividends. With the crude gold-saving appliances in use for many years after Crushington opened, it is calculated that many thousands of pounds were lost through the metal being washed into the Inangahua river with the tailings and other debris from the batteries.

In view of the nature of the proceedings, Maintenance Day, or “Agony Day,” as it- is more commonly known, in the Magistrate’s Court, is not usually expected to produce touches of humour for the delectation of those present, but sometimes unconscious humour does creep into the cases, and such an incident greatly enjoyed by those present, occurred yesterday (says “The Post”). A witness was being examined as to his reason for employing a housekeeper instead of taking something less costly in the way of lodgings. He replied that he had had to leave several hoarding-houses on account of his drinking habits, and had therefore employed a housekeeper to look after him. Counsel asked him if lie still drank. A reply in the negative caused counsel to ask if the witness had inquired for any more lodgings since he had given up drinking. “No,” came the startling reply, “I have beet! in gaol ever since.”

That it is never too late to repent is evidently the belief of a woman who entered a Dunedin ch-apeiv store recently and announced that she had an appointment with the manager. When lie arrived an hour and a half later, he discovered that the woman was a total stranger. To his surprise she informed him that she had stolen some goods from the shop a year ago, and that her conscience was so troubled that she was anxious to make restitution. Leaving with the assurance that she was forgiven, she returned next day with the few shillings which the articles would normally have cost. Extra Special Bargains this week at McKay’s ! Osman White Towels, fringed or hemmed. 42 x 22, 2/9 for 1/9. Sale ends Saturday.* Bathing Caps 2/- and 2/3, now 1/- rt McKay’s Sale.* Men’s Widc-end Ties, clearing at 1/eaeh. hist- week McKay’s Sale.* Last week McKay’s Sale ! Morlev’s Silk and Wool Hose, usually 6/11 pair, now 2 pairs for 8/6.*

The Waimea County Traffic Inspector (Mr J. T. Brough) has spent two days watching traffic at the temporary bridge ever the Motueka ,river pending the completion of extra strengthening work. The inspector has compelled all traffic to proceed slowly and has checked the weight of heavy vehicles. The Annual Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Diapers, Clothiers, and Boot Retailers’ Feneration will bo held in Nelson this year on 13th, 14th, and 15th March. Delegates are coming from all parts of New Zealand. Arrangements for the conference are in the hands of the Nelson Soft Goods Association.

The uncertainty of business openings for boys and girls, as it affects the secondary schools, was briefly referred to by the Principal of Marlborough College in his monthly report to the Board of Governors this week (reports the “Express”). Mr Stewart said that number of pupils in the ‘econdary school this year would have been somewhat greater but for advice which he had given parents. It was a common tiling for parents to seek his advice as to whether their hoy or girl should accept a position which had been offered to them, or whether they should continue in school for another year. “Up until recently’” said Mr Stewart, “one was fairly safe in recommending another year at school, as being calculated to develop mental poise and maturity of judgment, hut the economic situation has altered that__ .lt is now extremely difficult to find positions for girls and boys, so that it is desirable to take them when they are available, instead of facing the risk of being unable to find an opening in another year. Accordingly, much to mv regret, I have had to advise parents who have had positions offered for their boys to accept. That accounts for the withdrawal from the school of a number of boys and girls who would otherwise have been with us yet.”