LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 April 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Anchor Shipping Company announces that the Matangi'B time of sailing for Wellington this evening lias been postponed. She is now announced to sail at 11 p.m. instead of the usual time of 7.30 p.m.

Speaking at the regional planning inquiry io-dav Mr Mawson, Director of Town-Planning, stated that when the work was completed there would be about 22 regional surveys in the Dominion, and New Zealand would then have a complete survey of the natural resources of the country. This would be of immense national importance going as it old to the very roots of some of the biggest problems we had to-day.

Members of the Suter Art Society are reminded in this issue of the exhibition of unframed | sketches to be held in the Art Gallery at the end of April. Flying has become a great sport m Sydney. According to an Australian airman now visiting New Zealand; aeroclubs frenucntlv hold sports and coinpetitions "at week-ends. For instance, they play aero golf. Pilots drop balls from aloft as near as possible to greens. and ground players do the putting. There are all kinds of novelties, but the most popular sport is for numbers of 'planes to set off for picnics, on a similar but smaller scale to the picnic tour proposed in Europe during Easter. These are (lie commeacement of the ever-wid-ening scope of the activities of private aeroplanes, and are comparable to the early stages of the development of the use'of the motor car. The Australian said lie considered that New Zealand lent itsel( admirably to the exploration ot the private aeroplane for week-end jaunts, to the same end as the use at present of the family motor car.

At a meeting of Chrisfehurch unemployed a good "deal was made out of a ease where a man complained that he was expected to do eight and a half hours' work for the ten shillings' worth of rations he received from the North Canterbury Hospil.nl Board. When the matter was sifted back to the curator of the Domains Board (for whom the men on rations are supposed to work) it I timed out that men. were supposed to do only six hours' work as an equivalent for the rations supplied, "and," added the curator, "it is not my way to bo hard on the men." As for the particular case mentioned, the curator said the man had not done half an hour's work, and had growled, saying that if he wero in England ho would be given the dole without having to do any work at all. The curator was very "fed up" with the fellow, but eventually signed his ticket out of consideration* for the wife and children.

The steady growth arid the increasing trade of the Stratford Borough js indicated by the large increase in the value of the building permits issued for the past year as compared with those for 1928-29 For the year ending 31st March, 1930, the value'of permits issued totalled £54,989. as against -£11.530 last year! The increase phenomenal one and the total constitutes a record for the borough. In 192'7, '.he next best year, permits for £41,000 wero granted, the total this year being £13,989 better than that of the previous record year. Six new business premises were erected this year as compared with two during the previous 12 months, while 28 residences were built as against 8.

Quite a number of ,nmaleuv gardener; nnrl others have bi'on somewhat concerned about a u'ant with black berries that lias been very common litis season, in orchards and among growing crops (says the Christchureh "Press"). When a specimen was submitted to Mr R. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, lie identified it as Black Nightshade (Sulanmn nigrum) a weed that is becoming increasingly common ihroitghout the Dominion. It grows from a foot to 18 inches or more in height, and has dark green shinv leaves. The flowers n>'c white and the berries black, and not unlike the fruit of the black currant. The plant is a poiscmous one, but Mr McGillivary said he was not quite sure to what extent it was poisonous, as an. officer he once had assisting him was in the habit of eating large, quantities of (he rip*. berries without any .apparent ill effett. Stock do not eat the plant to any extent. The symptoms of solanum stock poisoning are a staggering gait, with cramps and convulsions.

Fruit exporters are advised in tin's issue that Stunners for Hamburg will lie received up to 23rd April. The necessary stickers are being posted.

The New Zealand Tourist League, in its report for 1929. stales:—"lt has been stated that there are npw well over 2,000,000 deer in tiie Dominion, and in view of the damage alleged to be done to forests and grazing, men are actually being paid to reduce their numbers b'v shooting. This is also true of pigs. Surely here is a splendid opportunity to capitalise the situation by broadcasting an invitation to the world to come and shoot deer without license fees. Suitable adveilisements should be inserted in the sporting journals of English-speaking countries abroad."

For young ladies! Nobby little skull fitting felt hats, very smart. Popular shades and only 11/(i at Mi-Kay's.*

Bead the glad news. Half-page advertisement this paper. All about the Showroom's big effort at "The Auckland.'*

In the report of Mr G. C. Black's meeting at Reofton an error occurred in the figures regarding railway work, which should have read that there are 860 men employed on earthquake restoration, and 282 on tho Midland lino as against 61 when the. Government took office.

An example of Hie care with which the Forestry' Department officials resident at the 'Waipoua State Forest guard their charge was apparent to a party of visitors to the forest on Sunday last, says the "North Auckland Times." On the run through the forest a tire of the vehicle "blew out" with a loud report. Later, when the visitors stopped further on in the forest, a Forestry official overtook them in. a car and inquired whether any of them had been shooting. The cause of the loirtl report was explained and the ranger went on his way.

In a very unusual affiliation case bofore the Court at Wellington, application was made by a young manned woman against a young married man, but as the woman is still living with her own husband* the S.M. ruled that neither the husband nor the wife could give evidence tending to illegifiinise their own child. Counsel for defendant also said that tho defence was an absolute denial. —Press Association.

"I hope in regional planning a very big negative will be put on sluicing away of high class land because of the mere greed of gold for the present,' remarked Professor Easlerfield, Director of the Cawthi'on Institute, when giving evidence to-day before the Town-Planning Board Committee of enquiry. The professor went on to say that in the Murchison district there were three or four valleys which would be developed by top-dressing, and with tho completion of the railway the produce would be delivered at Nelson at a reasonable rate. The railway was going to make all the difference in tho district, as tho produce could be readily brought to town and be rapidly shipped.

Building operations valued at £54,538 were carried out in tho Borough of Blenheim during the financial year just ended (says the "Express). The Council issued permits for the erectioa of 27 new buildings costing £38,053 in the aggregate. No doubt owing to the extensive improvements and additions effected at two of the leading hotels the permits for alteration and extensions of Buildings readied a total of £16,485. Under this head 70 permits were issued. The permits issued during the year are divisible into two general classifications —new bui'dhigs form one class and alterations and additions the other; and there are three subdivisions—private dwellings, business premises and one other section for those buildings which can not be included under the preceding headings. Altogether 23 new houses valued at £19,404 were erected (or aro being erected), while 37 dwellings were extended or altered structurally at a cost of £3675. New business premises numbered only three, but their value was £15,927. Twenty-eight business premises were altered or added to at a cost of £2641. There was one "other" new building costing £2722, while Jive buildings in the miscellaneous category were altered at a cos! of £10.169. In the previous financial vear the building, permits totalled £32,912. There were 27 new buildings costing £32,734, while alterations and additions were 55 in number and worth £10,178.

"You get legislation in accord with tho amount paid for it," said Mr W. L. Martin, M.P., at the annual conference of the Waikato district of the Farmers' Union in Hamilton, when a remit opposing the suggested increase in salaries of members of Parliament was being considered. Mr Martin characterised the remit as a stray sheep and sail! it would be a more worthy policy if the conference devoted its attention tc increasing the pav of members and getting better men. "You will not 'get good legislators while you pay them a miserable pittance," he said. "It is absolutely impossible for a mem bcr. to'live on £450 a year." There was a suggestion, said Mr Martin, to increase members' salaries to meet sessional expenses and to provide a superannuation fund. The greater part of any increase would be devoted to the creation of such a fund. He believed the actuary had prepared a scheme. It would be necessary to provide a substantial sum for the fund every year. Apart from the question of superannuation an increase in salary was justified. The remit was carried without dissent.

Mr Robert W. Wightman, of Mount Hutt, Methvpn, will be an Independent Labour candidate for M.'d-C.interburv at the next Parliamentary general election. Mr Wightman. who is a wellknown farmer, stood as an Independent candidate at the last, election. Ho left last week for England, and will visit also Scotland and Ireland, with the idea of studying economic and labour conditions. He w II return to- New Zealand in about six months' time, or earlier if a general election is precipitated {sta'os die Cltristcburch "Tones''). "The only man in New Zealand who can solve '.he unemployment problem is the man on the land," stated Mr Wightman in an interview before leaving the Dominion. "Our largest consumers of our produce are those people overseas, and. as onr greatest, asset is our workers abroad, I am leaving New Zealand to study their working conditions. I will visit, among other places, the Smithfield market, the Lancashire cotton mills and industries in Scotland and Ireland." One of the main planks of Mr Wight man's political platform is the establishment of agricultural banks, which, he contends, will reduce the rate of interest, and indirectly -the cost of production and of living. He states that the agricultural banks could take over existing private mortgages, and issue agricultural notes for farming purposes.

Mr W. A. Donald, younger brother c-i the Minister of Industries and Com merce, the Hon. J. B. DonalcL who has been selected to contest the Parnell scat for the United Party, was horn in Auckland forty years ago. being the youngest son of the late A. B. Donald. He was educated at, Auckland Grammar School, and went to England with his father in 1902 to complete ins education at Dulwich College and University College, Oxford. Mr Donald studied lav, and in 1913 entered a solicitor's off ve in tondon. , Later he read in Clumbers with Sir William Jowitt. who is now Attorney General in the British Labour Government. As he was in the Colonial Yeomanry when the war broke out, Mr Donald was mobilised in the early davs of the war, and joined the Tntiiskiliing Dragoons. He served in France from early in 1915 until the end of the war. After the war Mr Donald w.is called to the Bar, a step that would have been taken earlier but I'oi the intervention of ihe war, and he practised in London for some vears specialising more particularly in cpmmfn law. He left the lew in 1923 to take up a business appointment in London. Tn view of bis brother's entry into politics. Mr Donald returned tc New Zealand in April oi last year in o-dor to take an active part in the business of A. B. Donald and Sons, of w.'iich he has for many vears been a dhecto'-.

For matrons! Large head fittings in smart ready-to-wear felts, lii/C, 17/t>, li)/(i at McKay's.* Children's rcadv-to-wear felts, in all shades, S/G, 0/1 1, 10/0 at McKay's.*

After a lengthy spell of dry weather welcome rain fell last night and to-day. Up to 9 o'clock this morning .51 of an inch was registered. There were several heavy showers to-day which temporarily Hooded gutters in the City streets. The rain will be very welcome to people in the country who rely on tanks for their water, and the country generally will benefit by the fall. The' Board of Managers of the Nelson Technical School has appointed Mr Sydney Goldsmith late of Christ church, but formerly of Australia and London, to the position of Inslimtor of Art and Art Crafts. Mr Goldsmith is an artist cf outstanding ability in the teaching profession, having had a first class trainleg, ai:fi many years of teaching experience, both in. a public and private capacity. He studied ill London at the Cope and Nicol School of Arts, conducted by Sir Arthur Cope, R.A. and Mr Clauser K.A. From this school he obtained a three years scholarship at the Royal Academy of Art, London, where ne was awarded J-he goid medal for figure paint- j ::ig from life, the bronze medal for por-l trait. At a later period he was appointed assistant art teacher at the Cope and Nicol school. Mr Goldsmith has aho , hid experience in teaching in Tasmania. Australia America and in New Zealand nt the Napier Technical College. He is a past master in Art and Art Crafts. Several fine specimens of his work can be seen at the school by prospective students. No doubt Mr Goldsmith will prove a great acquisition t.o the artistic community of Nelson both as a teacher and a fchow artist.

Writing from Cheltenham, England, to one of his old pupils, Mr F. G. Wayne, Tarawai, Thames, the first rector of Waitaki High School, Mr John Darkness, M.A., says: "I resumed acquaintance with the Waitaki High School in this way. Our house has a garden gate on to the Cheltenham County Cricket Ground. I walked across and had a talk with E. D. Blundell, of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, who was, I know, a New Zealander, in the Cambridge team. I told him that 1 had hen 20 years in New Zealand as professor and school master 'at Christchurch, Waitaki, etc. He then said: 'I was at Waitaki High School,' and he asked me whether 1 was Mr Darkness. I was astonished to the last degree to find that anyone, especially a young man, in Oamaru, knew my name." Mr Harkness's letter is full of happy reminiscences of his pupils. Speaking of his own health at tne advanced age of 77 years, he says: "I am going pretty strong myself and do :iot feel old yet. I have given up my walking matches and running for trains and bu-es, but I fancy I can still do my 20 mile walk and certainly do 12 frequently. What several Auckland jewellers state is a remarkably large and well-shaped black pearl, was found in a mussel on the St. Heliers Bay Wharf last week by Mr L. Duncan, a resident of St. Heliers, states the "New Zealand Herald." Mr Duncan secured it from a medium-sized mussel, which he intended to use as bait. The pearl :s larger than a pea, and weighs 18 grains. It is not perfectly spherical, but it is regular. Its value is estimated to be well over £SO. Mr Duncan has been advised to send it to Sydney or Melbourne for sale. Mr James Pascoc staled that small pearls, both black .and white, are found quite frequently in" mussels, and he had been offered a fairly large number of speci mens found in Auckland waters. Few were of value, as they were marred by defects in the shape or colouring, and were usually small. Tli3 pearl found by Mr Duncan was exceptionally large, and of good colour. It should realise a fairly high price on the Australian market, but in New Zealand ther« was not the demand to justify local dealers buying pearls of any type. No differentiation was made by dealers between pearls coming from pearl oysters and those coming from mussels, except that mussel pearls are seldom of good lustre or shape. Peails were judged on their qualities as they existed not tin their origin, said Mr Pascoc. He recalled a previous case, nearly 20 years ago, when a European had bought a fine black pearl from a Maori boy for 6d. A few months later he sold it for £l2O.

The Nelson Rowing Club's weekly dance will be held in the Rowing Shed on Thursday night. Easter Eye Openers in the Showroom. Read "Tho Auckland's" Half-page advertisement this paper for details.*