LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 30 May 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An Extraordinary Gazette published last night announced that the General Assembly will meet, for the despatch of business on Thursday, June 20th.

11l the course of his report to the Council meeting last evening the City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) pointed out the necessity for a larger gas main from the works to the centre of the town. At the present time supply can be given only under excessive pressure, which is responsible for the large percentage of unaccounted for gas. We have received from the “Taffytown Glasseye Football Club” a copy of the “Taffytown and Glasseye Chronicle,” published at Taffytown Camp, Karamea, founded with the object of fostering a feeling of goodwill and cooperation between the Public Works Department and men employed on the Karamea-Westport road.

Game poaching in the Wellington district is decreasing, and the improvement is attributed to the liberal distribution of information regarding restriction, and to improved facilities for rangers and closer contact with sportsmen. The report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society to be submitted at the annual meeting to-day states that it is unfortunate that casual persons can obtain unlimited quanitites of cyanide for the taking of opossums. There were nine convictions for breaches of opossum regulations. Fines are said to be inadequate, although a return shows that the nine cases involved £125 in penalties, while two of the offenders went to prison. Approximately 600 licensed trappers and permit holders were operating. The report states: “The available areas were combed with a thoroughness which left nothing to be desired—except opossums.” About 53,000 stamped'skins were returned. A forecast states that prospects for the current season, which ends early next September, are not bright. Millions of locusts passed over the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamer Port Adelaide, which reached Auckland from Launceston this week, when the vessel was steaming through the Red Sea during her recent, voyage from London to Australia. Each insect was about three inches long, and they were crossing the gulf from the Arabian coast to the Egyptian side. The locusts were encountered in the afternoon and thev continued to fly in swarms over the steamer for about two hours, during which period she steamed about 26 miles. A large number of the insects fell on the Port Adelaide’s decks and eveiy door had to be kept closed. In spite of the precaution some of the insects entered the quarters of the officers and crew, and one locust was discovered in the chief engineer’s room, where it had eaten a pot plant. The result of the operations of the Auckland Transport Board for the year ended 31st March last is a profit of £BBBB. according to the annual financial statement brought down this week. The gross profit on the tramways service was £193,303, and the loss on the omnibus service was £18,006, leaving for the combined undertaking a gross profit of £175,297, out of which payments and appropriations totalling 1 £166,403 have been made leaving the credit balance stated. The bus loss mentioned represents the gross loss, but the net deficit (allowance being made for depreciation and similar charges) was £42,504. This, however, shows a reduction on the loss for last year, which amounted 'to £46,586. “The balance sheet and accounts now presented cover the first complete year of operation since the formation of the board, and I am sure the board will note with satisfaction that the result is a not profit of £8888,” said the chairman, Mr J. A. C. All tun. “Full provision has been made for payment of interest and sinking fund both on old loans and new capital raised during the year for authorised extensions, and also * for the accident fund reserve, suspense accounts and depreciation.

When Mr Oxnam’s dwellinghouso at the corner of Scotland and Bronte street was burnt down some weeks ago it was alleged that the water supply was poor. The City Engineer informed the Council last evening that lie had questioned the captain of tho Fire Brigade regarding the matter, and had been informed that there had been plenty of water and a good pressure.

Tho next Dominion band contest will take place in Wellington, beginning 23rd February, states a Press Association telegram.

The City Council last evening adopted a recommendation of the committee agreeing to tho suggestion from Mr T. R. J. Griimnctt to name an un-uamed street off Ngatitama street Endeavour street, in memory of Captain Cook’s vessel.

Mr J. Kilgour, a retired civil servant, bequeathed £IOO for Lite purchase of a piece of statuary to adorn the Wellington Botanical Gardens, states a Press Association telegram.

Samples of Bon Chrietien pears that had been in cool store at the Stoke freezing works since early in February, wero submitted to members of “The Mail” staff to-day. They were in excellent condition —as firm as on the day they wero picked, and thoroughly demonstrated the possibility of keeping this pear over a long period.

Standing in a corner of a Gisborne garden, across the road from a church, and within sight and sound of the sea, stands the captain’s cabin of the illfated Star of Canada. It has been transformed into a home. Some say, “Hitch your wagon to a star.” This is a case of hitch your home to a Star of the sea. The cabin was bought when the Star of Canada was piled up on the rocks at Kaiti, and now one of the buyer’s daughters has it for her interesting and novel home in Childers Road. One enters the grounds through a gate made from the halfwheel of the ship. As one approaches the cabin one sees the lower deck outlined in concrete. Inside, the ship idea is preserved, but everything modern is there, too. The gangway acts as stairs to the bedroom, the port holes are lead-lighted windows. Little curtains are draped back from them, and even hammocks are swung in a sleeping room. On the upper deck a fine view is obtained, and the compass is still there in position. One can still feel the spirit of the sea, although the cabin is in a garden. Last Christmas the effect 'was heightened, for all present were in sailor dress, as much as possible, and at the Christmas dinner there came the sounding of the ship’s bell of the lost Star of Canada.

During the past fortnight 20 additional applications wore received by the City Council for the rubbish service, making the total number 562. ‘Addressing a meeting of the Canterbury Advertising Club this week, Mr J. Hay mentioned the two main channels through which advertising had its outlet, namely newspapers and direct advertising. “Unquestionably,” he said, “the use of newspaper advertising is the only effective way of getting the message over to the public in a way that is going to get results. The most potent form of advertising to-day is the newspaper. We, in New Zealand, are so well served in this respect that this, taken together with the relatively high education of the people, has brought about a state, of affairs in which the newspaper has become a household necessity. Newspapers reach the masses and enable us to market our product with the least possible delay.’ At its meeting this week (reports the “Express”) the Marlborough County Council received a letter from the N.Z. Farmers’ Union requesting “that a heavier tax be placed on the female canine than the male” with the object of restricting the indiscriminate breeding of mongrel curs, which were a menace to sheep flocks. The chairman (Mr A. M. W. Adams) said he could see no reason for increasing the registration fee on “lady clogs, _ and he moved that the Union be advised that the request couid not be acceded to. The motion was carried.

“The Government is making very strong endeavours to stamp out cholera in India, and has already achieved a good deal. Indeed a considerable amount of money is being spent in research,” said Dr. S. N. Sinha, medical officer of the steamer 'Narbada, now at Lyttelton, to a representative of “The Press” this week. Cholera, he said, was due principally to the marshy state of the low-lying lands in Bengal, and rapid progress was being made in lessening the incidence of the _ disease. Referring to unemployment in India, Dr. Sinha said that each year 20,000 students left the Calcutta University, seeking employment, and it was a very difficult matter to place them all. The Hindus, it was found, were better educated than the Moslems. It was the middle classes that suffered the most and the Government was faced with a very serious problem. “India feels the effect of fluctuations in the money markets in almost any part of the world,” he added, “for sho is in the middle of the vortex of world currents.” Dr. Sinha hesitated to speak of the present trouble in India, stating that the problem was one that needed the careful thought of experts.

“Everybody smokes now—man, woman and child.” Thus Barry Pain, the novelist. Yes, we all smoke now—bar cranks. And why not? The habit contributes more to human happiness than anv other. It soothes our sorrows, enhances our joys. Never mind the cranks. The'worst they can say is that the nicotine in tobacco is highly injurious. But that depends on the tobacco. Imported brands, it is true, are often so full of nicotine that they really are injurious. But what about our beautiful New Zealand tobaccos? Why, there’s hardly any nicotine in them for the simple reason that they are toasted. This largely helps to eliminate the nicotine and gives them their famous flavour and bouquet. Toasting renders them absolutely safe to smoke. You never grow tired of them. Quite a variety of brands, too! Those most in demand are Riverhead Gold, Cavendish, Cut Plug No. 10, and Navy Cut. Smokers say they “spoil” you for any other tobacco.*

Loyal Nelson .Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F., will hold its fortnightly dance on Saturday night. Buxton’s Sale—Maid's all wool cashmere frocks, 30in 32s 6d for 19s Gd : 33in. 37s Gd for 21s 6d; 36in. 36s 6d for 25s Gd.*

Alfred Gould announces a sale of the unsold genuine eiderdown quilts from 7 to 9 tj&is evening, also new Avonia cabinet gramophones and table standard models below auction prices.

Arrangements are well in hand for the special Novelty Jazz Dance to be held in the Velma- Hall to-morrow (Saturday) nisrht. The Regal Dance Band of five will supply the music, and patrons can look forward to a most enjoyable evening.

Friday special at.McKay’s! Girls’ Fleecy Bloomers in Navy and Creme. Sizes' 12 to 22 inch, 1/4 to 2/11 according to size.* Ladies’ Wool Vests, pleated with cotton inside, short sleeves, women’s size worth 7/6 for 5/11, to-morrow at McKay’s.*

At the annual meeting of the Real Estate Institute of Otago the president (Mr L. D. Ritchie) said that farm lands were not meeting with a ready sale, and those associated with pastoral and agricultural interests were very definite in their assertion that the price of land must bo adjusted more in keeping with presont-duy prices for produce if the occupant was to receive a reasonable return on his capital and labour. This country had already suffered unduly from inflation of land prices, but the lesson involved was not readily learned. While conditions abroad, with the accompanying lack of purchasing power, continued as at present, New Zealand, notwithstanding her many advantages, could not hope to have prosperous times. New Zealand’s prosperity depended in great measure on the markets for primary products, and when it was remembered that for the last financial year the exports of wool were down by some £5,000,000 anjJ other products by £3,000,000, making a total decrease of £8,000,000, the cause of dullness in business could be readily understood. During the 'hearing recently of a maintenance case in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, a statement was made by the defendant to the effect that he had been committed to a mental hospital without a medical examination. On inquiry from the Mental Hospitals Department, it is ascertained that the alleged committal reforred to did not take place in New Zealand but in Australia. With the exception of casos remanded by a Magistrate for a period of observation, and voluntary boarders, all cases admitted to a mental hospital in New Zealand require prior examination and certification by two independent medical practitioners. “I cannot help wondering if you realise how very near to the hearts of Her Excellency and myself is the need for its extension,” said His Excellency the Governor-General, 'Lord Bledisloe, in opening the new dormitory block at the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (says the “Waikato Times”). “I hope —indeed, I believe —we are not far away from a great reunion of Christian Churches. (Applause.) I am satisfied that we could consolidate the forces of Christianity and carry the teachings of the Gospel, far further, by reunion .than by continuing in separate camps.- Like my friend the late Lord Davidson, and the Bishop of Gloucester, of my own diocese, I am "a keen advocate of Church reunion. l I would like to see this reunion movement initiated in New Zealand, and I feel sure it would be a great example to the Empire and to the world.”

The Masterton County Council decided at its annual meeting this week' not to contribute towards the provision of a district aerodrome at Masterton. An item of £350 for such a purpose, which appeared on the estimates, was accordingly struck out. The chairman, Councillor J. W. A. Ealloon, stated subsequently that the council considered it would -not be justified in increasing its expenditure this year on account of the hard times the farmers were experiencing at present. The council was committed to a reading programme which" was going to hit some of the ridings fairly hard, and it was also thought ithat «o far there was no definite indication of an aerial service including this district. l

The appointment of Mr F. C. Chichester as flight-lieutenant in the N.Z. Air Force was gazetted last night. At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club held last night, Mr W. C. Davies gave an interesting and instructive talk on “The. Stones at our feet.” The address was illustrated by some very fine pli olographic views which were shown on the screen, and some valuable information , regarding the various stone? found throughout the district was, given. On the motion, .of President Rowe a vote of thanks to Mr Davies was carried .by acclamation.

A protest was made by the executive of the North Island Motor Union yesterday against a elapse in the proposed Transport Bill, giving the Minister' of Transport the right to spend £150,000 of the Highways Fund in any way or anywhere he thought fit . (reports “The Post”). The clause was described by Mr E. A. Batt (Wellington) as savouring of political favour. Mr F. J. Hill (Wanganui): “He could spend it on .a cognty road?” The secretary (Mr 11. J. Stott) said that the Minister had taken up the view that he should have control of a certain amount. Mr L. A. Edwards (Wellington) said that in view of resolutions favouring an increase in the petrol lax, the association should keep its eye on the £150,000. “It's only another way of taking away motorists’ funds, which they have been picking at for so long,” lie said. The association decided to make a protest. Buxtoff’s Sale. —2 only maids cashmere jumper suits, 1 fawn 36s 6d for ,25s 6d; 1 saxe 39s Gd-for 25s Gd.*

Friday special at McKay’s! Ladies’ Fleecy lined BlOoiners in Creme and Navy easily worth 4/6. Friday’s price 3/3.*

Alfred Gould announces an auction sale of motor cars, motor cycles, fruit trees, shrubs, and'general nursery stock at the rooms, Hardy street, to-morrow, at 10 a.m.

Buxton’s Sale.—Women’s all wool vests, “Manawatu,” :\v. 8s 6d for 5s lid, o.s. 9s 6d for 6s 6d.*