LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 11 March 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In a defended civil action Herbert Edwin Everett (Mr W. Owen) v. James Harris Ching (Mr S. Moynagh) for £ll 14s 7d, heard by Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, judgment was given in favour of plaintiff for the full amount, costs £1 10s, solicitor’s fees £2 12s. The case arose over repairs to a damaged motor car belonging to defendant.

Suggestions which were recently made that the continued and increased killing of whales in the Antarctic would result in their being almost completely exterminated were strenuously opposed by officers of the Norwegian whaling vessel C. A. Larsen, which returned to the Rosshavet Company base at Stewart Island on Saturday. The vessel also carried a Norwegian expert on whaling, who was equally emphatic that the supply of whales showed no diminution compared with many years ago. Officers of the ship who had been associated with whaling in the south for many years declared that they could not remember seeing as many whales as were about at the end of the present season, notwithstanding that five factory ships had been operating during the season and had probably killed 5000 whales. The experts, declared that it was extremely unlikely that the whales would become scarce in the Antarctic for at least fifty years.

The 17tli annual show of the Murchison Agricultural and Pastoral Association will he held on Saturday next. Prospects point to the event being a conspicuous success. There will be a band in attendance and a show ball will be held in the evening.

That research so far had revealed no cure for niammitis in cows was stated in a letter from the Agricultural Department, received at the Waikato Farmers’ Union meeting last week. Much good would result from suitable treatment of the disease in the earlier stages. In cases however, which through negligence had been allowed to become chronic, with structural alterations to the udder tissue, no known curative treatment could be applied successfully. Vaccines had ‘been freely tried in all stages of niammitis, both for preventive and curative purposes, added the report. The claims made for them, however, in that direction had not been substantiated. Research work was still in progress regarding vaccines and medical treatment, but the stage had not yet been reached where the department could claim to have a reliable specific remedy. In this respect the department was on a parallel with investigators in other countries who were diligently working with a similar end in view. A few very smart, hut inexpensive, evening frocks in taffeta and georgette just arrived. 79/6 upwards at McKay’s.* The annual meeting of the Old Boys’ Football Club will be held this evening in Munro’s Rooms, Bridge street. Exclusive bridge coats in brocaded silks and . embroidered satins, just arrived afc McKay’s.*

A Stratford Press Association telegram states that the Hospital Board to-day voted £lO to tlie Obstetrical Society’s mother’s clmir appeal.

“A church should bo set on a hill,” writes “Tangivvai,” in the ‘‘New Zealand Railways Magazine.” New Zealand has some picturesque examples of this fitting choice of site. Nelson Cathedral is one that conies to mind. Once upon a time there was a fort there, a redoubt and stockade combined ; it was built in 1843 and was named Fort Arthur, ufter Captain Arthur Wakofield. who was killed at the Wairau. Then when a place of defence was no longer required ill Nelson, this principal church naturally was set there, on the hill that commands the principal streets. In the far North, there is a pretty church at the (historic village of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. It sits on a mound overlooking the old-fashioned hamlet. St. Bride’s Church, at Mauku, is another; it is one of the story-churches of our history, for it was stockaded as a fort in the Maori War. The tall spire topping its dark shingled roof looks out over the tree tops on and around its sentry hill. One with a wider lookout is tlie tiny Presbyterian Church at Pukekohe East; you catch a glimpse of it from the railway lino near Pukekohe town.

The mysterious disappearance of the entire roof of a farm house at Owharoa, near Waikino, is claiming the attention of the district police at the present moment, comments a contemporary, 1 For some time the farm has not been occupied, but recently it was inspected by a settler who intended to make a purchase. After visiting Auckland where tno necessary arrangements were completed, he returned to Owharoa with tho intention of entering into possession. His surprise was great when he found that in the meantime the house had been stripped of its root, all tho sheets of corrugated iron having been removed. Ho at once communicated with the police, who have a clue in so far as tho existence of motor lorry tyre marks in the vicinity are concerned.

ft does not always pay to do as others do, writes “M. 0.5.” in the ‘‘Taranaki Daily News”. A party of British, South African and Canadian farmers visited New Plymouth this week and were shown round tlie district in a number of cars kindly provided by generous residents. One of the tours was about to start. Two ladies emerged from their hotel, and following the example of the others they selected a nice roomy car and stepped into it. After the stream of cars had passed out of New Plymouth they sat in state in Devon street for a considerable part of. the afternoon, and then found they had not only missed the trip but were sitting in the private car of someone in no way connected with the outing.

Absolute adherenco to the terms of Treaty of Waftangi was advised by Sir Apirana Ngata, himself an outstanding example of the fruit of the equality of opportunity and responsibility promised to the native race in that pact, when addressing assembled delegations of Maori tribesmen at Waiomatatini hui (Poverty Bay) last week. He claimed that the treaty was an equitable basis pf relationship between the two races occupying New Zealand, and that constitutional channels were open for redress of any past breaches of treaty terms. He deprecated strongly any departure from. the Waitangi pact, and urged compatriots to take their grievances before Parliament, as representing the British Crown in the Dominion. He recommended hard and unremitting work as the salvation of the Maori race, and urged particularly the value of land development, pointing out that tribes still retained sufficient areas of land to he partially independent. The Maoris’ obligation to pay rates was recognised, and all they asked of the pakeha was forbearance while they achieved an economical footing, which would enable them to meet this obligation. Confiscation of land had been a source of much irritation, but some grievances had been dealt with and others were receiving attention. Industrial leadership was badly needed, and he noted with satisfaction developments in this direction among some tribes. He pointed out the wisdom of consolidating land interests and making land available to Maoris willing and able to develop it, suggesting that tribes with much idle property should not hesitate to let neighbouring tribes settle it for their mutual benefit. The Minister’s remarks were received with enthusiasm by the visiting delegations.

At the conclusion of one of the sessions of the Conference of the Municipal Association last week, a very interesting address on Stewart Island was delivered to the delegates and their wives by the Mayor of Gore (Mr D. L. Poppelwell). Mr Poppelwell first dealt with the physical features, the geological features and the history of the island. He stated that Captain Cook first mentioned Stewart Island in his report on 6th March, 1770, or exactly 160 years ago. He stated in his diary that the land was apparently an island, and also recorded the fact that he and his crew had dined on the flesh of a dog while in the vicinity of the island. When he plotted out his map the coastline of Stewart Island fitted so well to the conformity of the mainland that he came to the conclusion that it was part of the mainland, and it was not until 20 years later that its insularity was established. The strait between the island and the mainland was named after Lieutenant General Foveaux and the island was named after Captain Stewart, who surveyed the island, hut did not discover it as was popularly supposed. Stewart Island was the locality where the first vessel, built entirely of New Zealand timber, was built and was also responsible for the first wreck in New Zealand waters.

An increase of a guarter-of-a-million boxes of creamery butter graded in Auckland in the seven months of the dairying season to the end of February, compared with the corresponding period of last season, was reported by Mr E. C. Wood, chief Government dairy produce grader, at a conference of Auckland province dairy factory managers last week. The cheese figures are approximately the same as for last season (says the “Herald”). Mr Wood said that the general quality of butter had been fairly uniform, and while there had not been many exceptionally high-scoring butters the proportion of “finest” spread over the period was about 3 per cent, better than last season's gradings. The average 'grade points were approximately the same as for last season. Owing to the prolific growth experienced in the province, feed or district flavour had been noticeable for a considerably longer period than usual. Slight soda flavour had been experienced in some lines, and many butters that appeared to be otherwise* clean lacked brightness. There had been some irregularity in the salting of the butter this year, and it was made very clear that every factory should have a salt-testing outfit. As far as cheese was concerned, the quality had not been as satisfactory or uniform as that of butter. Early in the season the principal defect had been loose and open texture, but body and flavour had been fairly satisfactory. More recently there had been a greater proportion of faulty cheese. Mr Wood mentioned various points that could be remedied, but said that on the whole Auckland cheese was clean and attractive when crated. The Nelson Rowing Club’s weekly dance will be held in the Rowing Shed on Thursday evening. New fur-trimmed tweed coats in smart and ‘.xrlusive styles, 65/- upwards at Mmviv s.*

At ;i meeting of the Thames Harbour Board last week, a letter was received from Mr Bennett, of Mangatarata, suggesting that the mud on the Thames sea flats be turned into fertilisers. The letter stated: —"Thames sea mud lies in countless millions of tons. I suggest that you have it tested for its value as a fertiliser, and, if lacking for anything that promotes the growth of pastures, add the missing ingredient and you will iiave a valuable product and a very cheap harbour.” The chairman, Mr Li. Lowe, said the matter was worth looking into and that the board should have the mud tested. The matter was left to the local committee to deal with.

“What chances have the Flock House boys who come to New Zealand compared with those who go to Canada?” writes a correspondent who forwards to the “Star” a copy of a Canadian magazine article telling of the wonderful way in which the Government of the sister Dominion helps people who really Want to get on the land. Through the interest and help of the Canadian railways, British juveniles are encouraged, and last year no less than 1100 went across the Atlantic under the auspices of the Canadian National Railways. About 97 per cent, of the lads “made good.” In view of some-recent criticisms in New Zealand, it is interesting to note that the facilities for getting on the land which are afforded the lads who go to Canada from the Old Country are also available for Canadianhorn lads. The problem of housing British immigrant families who come to Canada to settle on the land is being met, to some extent at least, by the offer of the Canadian National Railways to build cottages for the Britishers at various points on the prairies, so that the new arrivals may secure a home at a nominal rent of three dollars a month (says the magazine). This offer has been approved by the Overseas Settlement Board of the British Government. The cottages will stand on a fenced plot of land, averaging from one half to one acre in extent. They will he served by good roads and, as near as possible to the local market place and school. They will be furnished with'stoves and furniture. It is understood that the families will occupy the cottages only during their first year in Canada, while they are obtaining preliminary experience in farming conditions.

Opposition to proposals for the disestablishment of the Church of England was expressed by Archbishop Averill when speaking at a farewell gathering tendered to him at Auckland on Friday prior to his departure by the Aorangi lor Vancouver to-morrow (states the “New Zealand Herald”). He deprecated very strongly the separation of Church and State in England. The archbishop said it would be a bad day for England if she did not have some practical and definite recognition of God and of religion. Whatever might be the benefits enjoyed in New Zealand, where there was no Stale connection, so far as England was concerned he wanted to see Church and State remain as they had been for many centuries past. He might be of some help to the Mother Church at the present time by putting before it .something of the situation here, especially since General Synod had passed the Enabling Bill, which had made it still freer and more independent. The more independent they were as a Church the more they loved and respected and honoured the old mother Church. It was ridiculous for people to suppose that because they were independent they lacked anything in love and respect and honour for their own Motherland and their own mother Church. lie was going to tell England, as occasion presented, something of this deep love and veneration of New Zealand. The more the legal bonds went the more the deeper bonds seemed to him to increase. One of the ways in which they had been able to help England was through the Church of England Empire Settlement Scheme. There was a very energetic committee in Auckland and so far they had placed about 300 boys on suitable farms. The great majority of these had made good.