LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 3 April 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The gross receipts from the gala held at Tali una on Easier Monday amounted to about £240. Out of this various expenses will, of course, have to be paid, but the net balance remaining will be a welcome addition to the funds for beach improvement. A very mean theft was committed against a Gisborne motorist a few days ago. He was engaged in picking mushrooms, and leaving a small heap just insido the fence walked to the far end of the paddock for the purpose of finding more. His attention was suddenly attracted to the roadway, where a car had pulled up. A man jumped out of the back seat, vaulted the fence, and securing the mushrooms returned to the cur, which left immediately.

In connection with the motor car accident on the Moutere Hills on Monday afternoon, a statement was made by Messrs Creedon and Graves that when they arrived from 15 to 20 cars had pulled up, but no one had attempted to lift the car or in any way help the injured passengers. To-day two residents cf Nelson who were first on the scene gave the statement an emphatic denial, saying it was entirely contrary to fact. The residents concerned, who were in separate cars, pulled up immediately their attention was drawn to the accident by a woman op the road waving her arms. Steps were at once taken to get the doors of the upturned car open. One door was opened and a passenger was pulled out. Another car containing five men was seen approaching and was stopped. One of the five immediately wanted to turn the car over, but it was pointed out that if this was done inme of the passengers whose legs vere protruding from the car would be crushed. After this danger had been removed the car was then turned right-side up. Itwas further stated that only four i r live ca.'S, rot fifteen or twenty, had puljed up before the passengers were n-leased. A Richmond resident when on h.'s way to telephone for assistance, met Dr. Currie, who was on the scene almost as soon as the passengers were got out. The New South Wales Rugby League is a wealthy institution. It possesses assets of £17,670 15s 6d, the main item being £10.194 17s 4d in the current account of the bank. Last year the receipts were £24,486, and the net profit £4138. The league paid to England and Queensland out of gates in Sydney £11,200. Sydney is the financial Mecca of the Rugby League world, English and Australian. From the gates at club matches the league receives only onethird of the net; that is, after the grouad charges and gatemen's wages have deen paid. Each club concerned in the match receives a third. The clubs are on a sound financial wicket, seeing that they also receive a proportion of the amounts paid to the league for the members' tickets.

H.M.S. Diomede will arrive at Nelson on Friday morning and, weather permitting, will remain at the outer anchorage. She will be here until Monday and will be open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday. An official call on Commander L. V. Wells will be made by the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) and the Town Clerk (Mr G. A. Edmonds) on Friday shortly nfter the vessel's arrival. The call will later be returned by the Commander at the Council Chamber.

At Motueka Institute on Thursday next, and Lower Moutere Hall on Wednesday next at 8 p.m., the popular Maori Party entertainment will be given. A full programme of varied and unique items will be presented. The party will appear in .Maori costume. The annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party, now in session in Wellington (says "The Post") is being held for the first time in the new building erected bv the Wellington Trades and Labour Council in Vivian street. Special mention of the fact was made at the opening of the conference. In its annual report the national executive of the party congratulated the members of the Wellington Trades Council, and particularly those who had worked so courageously on their enterprise in making a building which would not only be a central home of the Labour movement in the Dominion., but also an inspiration to those who were working and striving to make New Zealand a worthy home for all its people. On the expiry on 31st July of the lease of the premises at present occupied by the New Zealand Labour Party in the city, t''e offices will be transferred to the new Trades Hall. The activities of the Fruit Control Board have proved harassing to those fruitgrowers who have for some years been supplying apples to Honolulu and other Pacific Islands (states the Auckland "Star"). Since the board was formed they have been compelled to do 'this business under the jurisdiction of that body. In other words, each case of apples has to bear the Government label and the shipper has to pay his share of the export levy issued by the board. The Government guarantee made for fruit shipped to Britain and Europe has not been sought. Nevertheless shippers to Honolulu who also send fruit to Britain or Europe are compelled to include the Pacific consignments in the. general pool and return to the general fund any extra profits that may have boon made in the Hawaiian trade. Not being included "in tiie guarantee, they claim that they should not be made to join the pool. Moreover, it is contended that the present policy is likely to lead to the cessation of a trade which though not of great dimensions has in the past been profitable to orchardists in Auckland and other centres of the North Island. Novellv Coating Fabrics, 54in, wide, from 9s lid yard".—Trathen's.* Practically every week good sized lines of lambs from the West Coast are sold at Addington market, and in quite a number of cases they top the market (says 'The Press"). Most of these come from districts contiguous to the railway, but there are exceptions, and recently a good sized draft that was "lorried" over 50 miles to the railhead at Boss figured at the top of the list of values. The visitor who sees the coast through the window* of a railway train has a very faint idea of its productive possibilities. There are many thousands of acres of warm, well-pastured valleys tucked away towards the mountains, and now that systematic farming methods are becoming more general the real productive capacity of the Coast is most apparent. It is to the southern end that the main expansion must be looked for, as below the Waiho river there are broad flats capable of carrying ten times the people and 20 times the stock. An instance of the feeding value of much of this country is illustrated by the fact that at a cattle sale at Watarca. about 80 miles south of Hokitika. a line of 112 fat cattle from the Haast, averaged £ls a head. Notwithstanding that they had to be driven 130 miles they were reported to have entered the sale in excellent condition, which is obvious from the pi'ice they made. "Special Offer." Fancy Silk Crepe de Chine, 8s lid yards.—Trathen's.* Pearl Satin, Pure Silk, 12 new shades, 36in., 3s 6d yard.—Tr-iilien's.*

The Auckland Aero Club will hold an aerial pageant at the Mangere aerodrome <jn Saturday, 13th April (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Aeroplanes from all parts of the Dominion are expected, and the southern aero clubs will participate. The gathering will be the first of its kind in New Zealand, and there will be an assembly of many skilled pilots. Races and aerobatie competitions will be held, and a "stunting" programme, introducing spectacles which few New Zealanders have witnessed, will 'be presented.

Marlborough's recognised leadership in the matter of civil aviation in New Zealand has been demonstrated during the past six weeks, the local Aero Club having been .called on to act as godfather, friend, guide and counsellor to most of the other prospective clubs in various parts of New Zealand (says the "Express"). No fewer than ten of the excursionists who crossed the Strait from Wellington yesterday came over specially with the object of inspecting the Aero Club's equipment, and two of these had journeyed all the way from Palmerston North. This morning there arrived a little delegation representative of the newly-formed Otago Aero Club, Dunedin. A pleasing feature of the Marlborough Club's development is that it is enrolling pupils for training from almost all parts of the Dominion, including Canterbury, the West Coast, and various parts of the North Island, as far afield as the Bay of Plenty, the object of these pupils being to take advantage of the extraordinary landing facilities available here, which make the training of ab initio pilots unusually safe. .Marlborough's equable climate is also a feature in attracting trainees from other parts of the Dominion. Asked as to progress with the automatic telephones in Christchurch, Sir Joseph Ward said that £16,000 worth had been ordered, and that lie believed they now were on their way to New Zealand. The total rainfall registered in Greymouth during the month of March was 13.04 inches.

That a propaganda campaign was absolutely necessary with regard to tho use of wool, and the recognition of its desirability as an article of clothing, was the suggestion of Mr B. E. H. Tripp, at a meeting of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union. lie said that if an effort was made with regard to wool similar to that made with regard to artificial silk, wool would be increasingly sought after, and its price at least fully maintained. He suggested that a levy of not more than 6d per bale be struck over the whole Dominion to provide the necessary funds for an advertising campaign advocating the use of wool. He moved : "That it be a recommendation to the Federation Executive at its annual meeting that the Government be asked to pass legislation empowering a committee representing wool-growers to strike, a levy of not more than 6d per bale in order to provide a fund to be used for propaganda purposes throughout the world, with a view to encouraging the use of wool for clothing purposes in preference to other materials, the use of which had proved to be detrimental to health, especially in the temperate and colder climates." This was carried.

Statements that land in Canterbury was deteriorating at an alarming pace vyere made at a meeting of the North Canterbury provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. 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. "I doubt if half the farmers of Canterbury know what ragwort is," said Mr ■D. J. Hawke. He said that this'pest/would creep down on the plains from the hills. Nothing was being done to check the spread of Californian thistle, and blackberry was also spreading. The men who occupied big tracts of land were doing nothing to check these growths. He could point out properties that had gone back £3 and £4 an,acre during the past five years. This meant that rates were going back and that production was decreasing. Back in the tiill country blackberry was spreading by the acre, added Air Hawke. He hoped that the Government would do something by forcing the subdivision of properties. He urged the Farmers' Union to do something to keep the hill country from becoming a mass of weeds. Mr J. D. Hall said that Mr J. Livingston, who reported on the subject with Mr Poison, had said that half the trouble was caused by inefficient control of Land Boards. Land was deteriorating in Canterbury to-day at an alarming pace. It was not only ragwort, blackberry, and Californian thistle that were causing concern, but there was also twitch, which was worse than he had seen it for years. Latest Novelty Art Silk Velvets, 13s 6d yard.—Trathen's.* The odd spectacle of a fashionablyattired bridal party pushing through dense crowds in Queen street was witnessed in Auckland one night recently (records the "Star"). Hundreds of motor vehicles were passing up and down, and there were frequent traffic jams, but nothing very prolonged till u row of vans and motor cars got stuck in the bottleneck just below Victoria street. Within a few minutes the up-stream of cars was at a standstill, scores of vehicles having their progress impeded. Among them were two big taxis, sporting white streamers. Passing pedestrians who looked into the illuminated interiors saw an embarrassed bride and bridegroom, and their entourage of maids and grooms. Apparently time was precious, since tiie whole party decided to alight and go forward on foot. Gathering up her silver skirts, the bride stepped out on the slushy street and into the drizzling rain, picked her steps through the puddles, and, with her husband and escorts, began to push through the crowd. All the world loves a lover, and surprised shop, pers made way for the party, while women and girls passed sympathetic remarks.

Cream Fuji. guaranteed pure Silk, from Is lid yard.—Trathen's.* Alfred Gould announces an extensive clearing sale of stock, tools of trade, gas engine, machinery, etc., in the estate of H. A. Hobbs, deceased, on the premises, Hardy street, next Saturday at noon sharp ; also household furniture and effects in the estate of Jonathan Harle, deceased, No. 2 Tasman street, The Wood, near Weka street. A policeman who separated two men who were fighting on Lambton Quay, Wellington, late the other Saturday night, asked what the trouble was about. Said one of the combatants, pointing to the other, "I shouted a pie and a cup of coffee for him, 'cause he said he was stoncy and starving, and the blighter goes and tries to pinch my 'bacca—slipped his hand in me pocket, he did, and if I 'adn't watched out he'd have got away with it. And it's the goods. mind vou, —National Plug—Noo Zealand ■ —l'd on.lv just bought it and if this here bloke had 'lifted it, I'd a—been left all day Sunday without a smoke. So I give him what for." Combatant No. 2 had nothing to say. He' was nursing n black eye. Robert smiled. "Go home, both of you." he said, and the pair prompt.lv faded out. "A mean trick,'' mused Robert, as he restiir.sd Jiis beat, "but I suppose the temptation was ton much for him." Other brands of the same manufacturers are "Riverhead Gold." "Cavendish." "Nr>vy C.n No. 3" and "Cut Plug No. 10.'**

Francis Edward Gordon, aged 61, a fireman by occupation, residing at the Tasman Hotel, Port Nelson, expired suddenly yesterday. He had not been feeling well, and in the afternoon took a bad turn and died before medical assistance could be obtained. The deceased was a native of London, and had no relatives in the Dominion. An inquest will bo held at 5 o'clock this afternoon.

With the perfectly calm weather experienced here last night and to-day it is ditficult to imagine boisterous weather at as little distance as Cook Strait, but that is the case. Last night and this morning there was a south-easterly gale in the Strait, and the steamer Ngaio, sailing from Nelson to Wellington, did not arrive until 10.30 o'clock this morning, being about four hours later than usual. The Arahura, crossing to Nelson, was not affected, the vessel arriving at 6 a.m. Miss Gow and Miss Helmsley, who were admitted to the Public Hospital as the result of injuries sustained in the motor car accident on the Moutere Hills on Monday, are making satisfactory progress towards recovery.

"I hone in the not far distant future," said the" Hon. 11. Atmorc to the Auckland Point school children to-day, "it will be possible to get you a few acres over there (the mudtlat and rubbish tip) for additional playground.'-' The Dunedin Flood Relief Committee is asking the Government for a grant of £;?000, states a Press Association telegram. An interesting memento of the fire and explosion in Gladstone road (Gisborne) during the week (says the "Herald") is held by a young lady who was near enough to the scene of the blaze to be involved in a rush for safety when the explosion occurred. The lady was standing beside a gap in a" fence, and when the rush commenced, her first thought was to dive for the gap. In the execution of this thought, however, she was hindered by a youth who grabbed her from behind and hurled her back, following this action by himself beating a hasty retreat through the fence. The lady had sufficient presence of mind to grab at the youth's leg as he disappeared through the hole, and secured by way of a trophy a shoe, of a type generally favoured by the more decorative .dressers among the young men of the town. How the youth concerned accounted for the loss of his shoe might make an interesting sequel to the lady's narrative.

Commissioner Sowton, of the Salvation Army, arrived in Nelson to-day. His lecture "Glimpses of Salvation Army life in many lands" will commence in the Citadel to-night at 7.45. The Mayor will preside and all citizens are invited to be present.

While speaking at the Auckland Point School to-day the Hon. H. Atmore said he believed that unemployment in New Zealand must be laid largely as a charge against the educational system. It had been dominated to too long an extent, by academic ideas and had not properly equipped the children with the practical knowledge necessary for their after-school life.

For the Havelock Axemen's Carnival the entries showed such a serious falling off—though the same generous prize money as in the past was offered —that the athletic events were abandoned, while competition in the axemen's events was much below other years. Many of the leading axemen who had patronised the meeting in the past were absent, while there was a noticeable falling off in local support (records the "Express"). Despite these factors, for which the club as a whole could not be held responsible, the contests were keenly fought and some good chopping ■ was witnessed. The presence of several side shows saved the crowd from a good deal of boredom during the long intervals between the chops which, in other years, had been occupied by running events. Stan. Hewetson, of Rai Valley, covered himself in glory by winning the main event, the 14-inch £IOO standing chop, in convincing style, while later in the afternoon he annexed the prize and cup for the District Handicap. Vic. .Smith, of Kaikoura. also registered a good double, scoring in the £SO underhand chop and the £ls underhand event. The open 12-inch standing chop was won by S. F. Anderson, a North Islander.

Next Friday night at 7 30 a carnival will he held in the Y.M.C.A. Gymnasium, with stalls, side-shows, haunted castle, fun-factory, etc.

The first thought of Christchurch when an earthquake happens is how the Cathedral has stood it, a natural enough consequence of past experience (states the "Church News"). The shake on 9th March did not bring anything down, though the movement was sufficient to make the bells ring out an incongruous peal of joy. The old stone spire, the top of which broke off in one of the previous 'quakes, was replaced with a wooden framework covered with copper, the surmounting cross being made of lighter material and attached to a pendulum device which was expected to counteract the movement set up by any ordinary earth tremor. It seems to' have had that effect on 9th March, for the spire stood the strain and appears unaffected. The examination made by Messrs P. Graham and Son, however, revealed that some of the stonework on' which the wood and copper spire rests had become loose. There is no anxiety as to the stability of the tower under ordinary conditions, but it is probable that some strengthening will be required. The Chapter has asked for a report from certain experts as to what repairs are necessary. The alarmist reports of cracks, etc., in the building are without foundation.