LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 April 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Two Acts passed at the 1928 session of Parliament—the Auctioneers Act and the Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act—come into operation to-day. The Auctioneers Act, besides consolidating the existing law, also revises it and brings it up to date. -Auctioneers are to be licensed by Magistrates instead of by local bodies, and are to he required to provide a bond for £SOO before being permitted to camon business. The Act also prescribes that all moneys received by an auctioneer on behalf of a client must be paid into a trust account, as a protection to the public. The Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act is also largely a consolidating measure, but alters the principal Act materially in some respects. The Gov-ernor-General may revoke the reservation over any reserve, subject to Parliamentary sanction in the case of reserves set apart for public health or recreation, the proceeds from which,' if they are sold, must be invested in the purchase of lands for a similar purpose. Another section relates to the number of days in the year on which a charge may be made for admission to pubbc reserves.

About 50 moulders and fitters at Ad-din-'ton Railway Workshops will be transferred to Hillside in the coming winter, completing the Department's scheme of centralisation. Their departure has been delayed pending the erection and equipment of a new foundry u. the Hillside Workshops.

Replying to one of the many requests made to him in the South, the Minister of Education said that if all tho re quireinents of the various districts were to be carried out be would require about £12,000,000 for tho purpose instead of the £4,000,000 ho was now allowed.

lil reply to an enquiry by a representative of "Tho Press," the Hon. Mr Veitch, Minister for .Mines, said that he was fully in accord witli tho policy of his predecessor, the Han. JV'lr Anderson, of endeavouring ultimately to have the State mines operated on' the cooperative principle. If tho miners saw tho desirability of accepting an arrangement whereby they undertook the delhery of the coal at certain points at an agreed price, supplying all the incidental labour, lie would be willing to put such a scheme into practice. It is worthy of note that some sections of the State mines were previously operated on this principle, but the Union raised strong objections and a prolonged strik'! occurred, tho effort to extend the system eventually being abandoned. Illuminating figures regarding the losses sustained on the hotel and boardinghouses conducted by the Federal Capital Commission at the new capital of Canberra were furnished by the Minister of Home Affairs in the House of Representatives. The accumulated losses on the hotels up to 7th January of this year were £185,158. The direct expenditure in excess of receipts was £35,093, and the indirect charges, interest, sinking fund, reserves for maintenance, etc., amounted to £150,065. The hotel on which the largest loss has been sustained is the Canberra, where the total loss up to 7th January was £70,890. Incidentally, it was mentioned that the original building cost of the Hotel Canberra was £155,199, and the furnishings cost an additional £30,486.

A large number of store sheep came forward at the weekly stock sale at Addington last week (says the "Lyttelton Times"), but the entries in tho other departments were on the small side. Store sheep seemed to be in over-supply for this time of the year, and as a consequence the demand was limited and prices showed a noticeable decline on late rates. There were small entries of fat cattle and fat sheep; in fact the number forward was hardly sufficient to meet requirements, and in the case of good quality stuff prices showed a tendency to rise. Fat iambs sold firmly at late rates, schedule prices being maintained. There was a good demand for dairy cattle, though the greater number entered caused prices to decline somewhat. A small entry of store cattle sold at late rates, and there was also a keen demand, as usual, for vealers. Fat pigs and store pigs both showed a decline on the prices ruling the previous week.

"The conditions under which we made an ascent of the mountain in order to see the sunrise could not have been surpassed," said Mr Rod Synie, when giving a few impressions to a "Hawera Star" representative of a trip made by him in company with Mr V. Cillinane and Misses M. "Prood and I. Power, of Kaponga last week-end (says the "Star") Starting after midnight oh Saturday last the summit was reached at 5.30 a.m.. dawn breaking at 5.10, and the sun rising at 6.10. The effect was wonderful. says Mr Syme, the brilliant rays of the sun piercing the clouds over Ruapehu and the other mountain peaks and flooding all the surrounding country with bright light. It was very hot ten minutes after the sun appeared, and conditions generally were very pleasant, although during the night there had been a heavy frost. The visibility was excellent, ami the climbers could see, clearly limned in the distance, the South Island, the Ruahines to the south-east, and the coast as far north as Kawhia. 'three hours were spent in the crater, and then a descent made in good time.

"My experience is that hard worn never" kills anybody, but worry often does. By hard work we are often kept in good condition, and are thus able to enjoy our leisure moments," said the lion. K. A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works) at the farewell gathering to Mr E. Hold (Senior Land Purchase Officer to the Department), at Wellington, says "The Post." "Even when I was only a private member of Parliament, in a. position of greater freedom than I am now and not called upon to consider anybody's feelings, I always stated that I had a great admiration for the executive officers and departmental staffs of the State Departments in New Zealand. I always said that thev were not afraid of hard work and held jealously by the high traditions of the Public Service; and I am more convinced of that than ever now." (Applause).

An American visitor to Auckland onco observed that every child in the Commonwealth appeared to be born with an axe in its hand. It was an epigrammic gibe at the tendency of Australians ruthlessly to slaughter trees which have taken a generation or more to grow and spread their shade and beauty. Sydney in this respect, is as much at the mercy of the vandals as its beautifullylaid out neighbour, Melbourne, is protected from "them, writes a coitfespondent of the New Zealand "Herald." Where, in Melbourne, for'example with its magnificent sense of civic pride, beau tiful parks and trees grace even the poorest suburbs, Sydney seems bent on cutting clown its trees, and, without a thought apparently for the creation preservation of beauty, destroying Nature's greatest heritage. Even Sydney, however, seems at last to be awakening to a sense of civic pride, judging from indignant protests against the threatened establishment of a road through the University'Park, and the consequent loss of yet more trees and destruction of yet another park. One wonders whether Sydney, on tho altar of Mammon, and iii the greedy rush for material progress is losing it's soul. The foreshores of the harbour have been gradually stripped of their scenic beauty, and its open spaces have been despoiled.

At a meeting this week of the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, presided over by Mr T. Currie, it ,was decided (says the "Chronicle ) to support the following resolution ot the Dominion president, Mr J. Livingstone, which was missed at the last meeting of the Dominion Executive: "That the creation of one or more La-nd Settlement and Deteriorated Land Boards be urged, to be composed of selected men to be appointed by ihe Government, who shall not necessarily be civil servants and who shall have authority to decide what is deteriorated or deteriorating land, to classify such areas, to create" the machinery for handling and settling it, to make the necessary recommendations to the GOTernnient or Parliament for finance, and to have authority to administer such land and make regulations for such a purpose, subject to the approval of the Minister."

The discussion of employment for boys on farms, led some members of a meeting of the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to relate some rather remarkable incidents, says tho "Chronicle." Included among these was one, which if true, does not speak 100 highly for (he employer. A lad who had undertaken a position on a farm, asked his employer for a haircut. This was given on "the understanding that ninepence be stopped from his wages. On another occasion the same employer gave a youth a calf. This he kept and looked after in a manner which was a credit to the bov, until the animal had almost reached maturity. Then the employer made his presence felt, by taking the fatted calf," selling it, and adding insult to injury, by telling his "victim" that he would replace it with another calf.

The weather yesterday was fine and sunny. To-day the same pleasant conditions prevail.

Difference in Government and City Council valuations of a suburban property 'Was commented upon in. the Auckland City Assessment Court (says the "New Zealand Herald") by Mr A. M. Gould, representing an objecting ratepayer. "Surely the Government and council should not disagree," said Mr Gould. "It will create awkward questions if different standards aro adopted." "They do disagree," said the H:ity valuer, Mr P. F. Notley. "You cannot standardise ideas."

New methods of train control, designed to reduce delays of the expresses, are about to be introduced by the Railway Department (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Mr G. G. Stewart, officer in charge of the railway publicity branch, stated before returning to Wellington that it is intended to arrange the crossing of trains from a central control office, which will tend to prevent local decisions upsetting the handling of principal trains. The system was the latest employed abroad, but would need to be adapted to New Zealand .conditions. Other improvements which should facilitate a speedier handling of expresses include the duplication of the main line between Horotiu and Frankton and the construction of two new sidings, one between Mercer and Whangamarino and another in the Ohakune district.

Oidy one application has been received by the Clu'istchurch Hospital Board for the position of assistant medical superintendent at the Christchurch Hospital. The Hospital Committee of the board has held over making an appointment for a short time, with a view to getting more competition for the position.

Statements that land in Canterbury was deteriorating at an alarming pace were made at a meeting of the North Canterbury provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union last week. It was decided to support a. proposal to set up a Deteriorated Lands Board, the majority of members of the board to be representatives of the farmers. The .Marlborough Farmers' Union has passed a resolution urging the Department of Agriculture to take immediate steps to stamp out cattle tick in the South Island. The request is quite a reasonable one (says the "Lyttelton Times"), but one can scarcely say that of the views of the mover of the motion as to how this should be done. He considered that the menace was such a serious one that it would be an economic proposition for the Government to confiscate all herds in the area suspected and destroy them, and, if necessary, to place the affected properties in quarantine for a year, after which time it could be regarded as clean. Of Course, the owners should be compensated, but the first cost would no doubt prove cheapest and wisest in the end. What good destroying the herds in the affected district would do it is hard to say, seeing that ticks can *be carried by* any animal, even human beings, if they happen to get any of the insects on 'them. The ticks feed on cattle, and are easily seen, but to kill the cattle Lo get rid of the ticks would he like killing sheep to destroy lice or ticks found on them. The proper thing to do in the meantime is to carefully watch the cattle on the farm in Nelson where the ticks were found as it is more than probable that there were more on the farm than the four that were discovered. If so, then some step such as isolation of the farm would be advisable.

The attention of tobacco growers is directed to the notification in this issue by the National Tobacco Company concerning distribution of bales. The total rates struck by Greymouth in 1919 amounted to £9907, of which £2239 constituted the hospital levy. Un. improved value in that year was £227,494 and the capital value £724,406. Rate.v struck in 1929 amounted to fi17,426, of which the hospital levy represented £4231. Unimproved value is now £216,660 and capital value £834,960. In 1923 the council found it necessary to raise a special loan m order to' wipe out the overdraft accumulated over a series of years, ,and a special rate has since been incurred.

The Marlborough Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union has been on the verge of extinction during the past year, due to the withdrawal of the 'Blenheim branch, but a revival has been brought about by a successful membership canvass organised by the Dominion headquarters. The Blenheim branch has rejoined and there has been a financial squaring up. The annual meeting of the executive, adjourned from last May was held recently, and at the election of officers, Mr J. F. Neal was re-elected provincial president, and Mr W H. Gane was elected vice-president. The president spoke very hopefully of the future prospects of the provincial organisation.

At Mr F. Hoskin's farm on the Skeet road Matapu, a 1 few days ago, a paddock'of eight acres of millet just ready to graze was destroyed in a single day and night by caterpillars, which swept over the area. Mr Hoskin told a "Ilawera Star" representative that the caterpillars were about an inch long, and though he has destroyed great numbers by fire, the host is still on one of the paddocks blocked by a boxthorn hedge. Lie had arranged some days ago to put m some heifers to graze on the millet, unci when he went to see it one morning the crop was gone, nothing but the stalks being left. The caterpillars were located in another paddock, where they had eaten off a lot of the grass. The dry grass was set on fire to check the invasion. Mr Hoskin says he has not known of such an occurrence in Taranaki for forty years. About that time ago he had a similar experience at Okato. "It was a faded dark red or brown. going towards green," said a witness at the Wanganui Magistrate's Court in describing a car in the course of a civil claim. "That is a liberal description," remarked the opposing counsel. "If the local bodies had taken up the matter of the noxious weed question, 25 or 30 years ago, there would be little need for discussing this nuisance in New Zealand to-day," said Mr W. Morrison at a meeting* of the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. "Noxious weeds arc one of the greatest curses the Dominion has to face," he added.

Harry Lauder, the famous comedian, is a great smoker. His pipe is his constant companion in all his travels. A right good companion, too ! It heightens enjoyment when things are going well, cheers and solaces when tho clouds gather. The man who doesn't smoke doesn't know what he is missing. He will tell you that tobacco injures the health. So it does—sometimes. But not if it's the right kind. The imported tobaccos (many of them full of nicotine) cannot be smoked habitually with safety. But our New Zealand brands, with hardly any nicotine in them, are not only safe smoking no matter how freely you indulge, but are the most fragrant and delicious on the market. They owe their fine quality and comparative freedom from nicotine to the toasting of the leaf, in which respect they differ from all oilier tobaccos. Popular brands are "Rivsrhead Gold" (mild end aromatic); 'Cavendish" (a delightful medium); "Navy Cut" (a blend of choice leaf); and "'Cut Plug No. 10" (rich, dark and full-flavoured). These beautiful tobaccos are on sale by tobacconists everywhere.*

The timber strike in Australia is making matters acute with West Coast sawmills (writes the Greymouth correspondent of the Christchurch "Press"). Consignees in the Commonwealth are unable to accept delivery of timber orders, and the skids at West Coast mills are rapidly filling up. If the stoppage continues much longei the West Coast mills will be forced to suspend operations. The Lamb Corvp.'.ny steamer Omana, which was on hei wa\ from Gisborne to load at Greyi'io'ith fit Australia, has been recalled, and the well-known timber freighters, Gabriella and Kalingo, have been laid up. The Kartigi, now loading for Australia, will sail half a million feet short of hei capacity. One mill employing only five men is stated to have 120,000 feet stacked, and much of the white pine timber becomes spotted and deteriorates if kept on the skids. The West Coast depends on the Australian white pine users largely for its trade, only a comparatively small quantity of white pine being sold in New Zealand.

A most interesting lantern lecture descriptive of mission work in Bengal will be given in the Baptist Schoolroom at 7.30 o'clock to-morrow evening by Miss Ings, of the Baptist Missionary Society. .Representations to the Government on the subject of the I'ublic Trust Office will shortly be made by the' New Zealand Law Society (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch "Press"). Recently a memorandum was prepared by Mr 0. H. Tread well, vicepresident of the Society, and was circulated to presidents of District Law Societies. This memorandum, prepared after long and careful investigation of the position, had not the official endorsement of the New Zealand body, but the Council decided to appoint a committee to go further into the matter. That committee consists of Messrs Treadwell, H. Johnston (Wellington), A. F. Wright (Christchurch), and A. Spence (Taranaki). In consequence of the meetings of this committee, it is understood that the whole issue will be laid before Sir Joseph Ward. To quite a number of matters in connection with the running of the Department exception is taken. It will be pointed out that there' is no Board to advise the Public Trustee, who has sole control of the funds, and also that during the past few years the system of accounting has been altered. The effect of this is seen in the fact that though the Society engaged one of New Zealand's leading accountants to dissect the figures of the Public Trust statement, he has been unable to understand the operations of the last few vears.

The second gift of a park within a few weeks has been made to Takapuna. Recently Mrs Caughey Smith presented 'Quinton Park, Bayswater, to the borough, and now Mr F. S. Potter, of Auckland, has donated an acre of land, sit rated at the corner of Anzac Street and the Terrace to the community for recreation purposes. The gift is to be free of all expense to the horough except the bare cost of transfer. Mr Potter, however, stipulates that the property shall be kept solely for recreation purposes, that no buildings shall be erected on it other than those necessary for the promotion of sport or for a women's rest room, and that no portion of it shall b Q leased or mortgaged. The donor desires the section to remain an open space for all time, as he believes that Takapuna will be in time a very thick-ly-populated district. Grateful appreciation of the gift was expressed at a special meeting of the Takapuna Borough Council, says the Auckland "Star," to consider the offer, and the new park was accepted on the terms laid down. an additional undertaking being that no steps shall be taken to seek legislation to alter the terms of the gift. The Mayor (Mr J. W. Williamson) spoke in warm terms of .Mr Potter's generosity, and Mr .). W. Hayden observed that Takapuna w'as fortunate in having public-spirited citizens so ready to consider the interests of the community. The new park is opposite the St. George's Presbyterian Church, and it lends itself admirably to conversion into a playing area, as it is perfectly level. Mr Potter has been identified "with similar gifts made to Auckland. He presented Potter's Park to Mount Eden, and also provided a church properiv at Gleumorw. Dominion Road.