LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 14 June 1930, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

(living to the increase in subsidy granted by the Nelson City Council, the Nelson Institute Committee is now able to open the reading room on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to. noon. It is lioped that this will be found a convenience to subscribers.

i During the past two seasons the comj mittee of the Rowing Club have been i making every effort to establish rowing i here on a sound basis. At a committee .meeting held this Aveek it Avas decided j to purchase two new pair oar skiffs from I Wellington, delivery of these boats to ! be effected before the opening of next season. The club’s next dance will be on Thursday, 3rd July, _ when they intend holding a “joy” night.

In addition to the numbers of quinnat salmon recently observed in the creeks flowing into the Wairau river, in the vicinity of Northbank, reliable information has been received by the Marlborough Acclimatisation Society to the effect that fairly large numbers of quinnat have been seen in the Wairau itself, above the Wash bridge, and there is now ample evidence that a reasonably good run has taken place this season (states the “Express”). This is taken to mean that the species is now becoming properly established in the district, and the information has been received with much gratification by Mr A. E. Hefferd, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Avhose Department lias, for many years noAV, been endeavouring to acclimatise the quinnat in the Wairau.

The Marlborough Power Board is erecting a stand-by plant Avhich is expected to be ready Avithin the next feAv weeks. The engine, Avhich is of the Diesel type (says the “Express”), is a very giant among engines, for it stands over 10 feet in height, is 29 feet in length, and Aveighs, all told, some 68 tons. Its six gigantic cylinders tower so high above the floor that a metal gangway, with steps, is necessary to enable the engineers to attend to the valve mechanism. No engine ever seen in Marlborough approaches anything like half its size, and it gives an impression of power that is most striking. Its nominal rating is 630 h.p., but it is actually capable of developing over 800 h.p. It is direct-coupled to a generator delivering 520 k.w., Avhich is more than the capability of either of the two generators at present operating at Waihopai, each of Avhicii produces 500 k.Av. The huge engine and generator are mounted on an enormous block of concrete, weighing over 320 tons, and it is anticipated that they will run almost silently.

Sardine-fishing conditions in the Hauraki Gulf are found by Dalmatian exports avlio are endeavouring to establish a canning industry in Auckland to follow very closely those obtaining in the Mediterranean fisheries the “Herald”). In New Zealand, as in Europe, there is a season Avhen the little fish will respond to ths lure of the powerful light, which js the main feature of the fishing-boat equipment, Avhilo on the other hand for another half of the year the ray repels them, causing them to scatter to just beyond the radius of its power. It has been ascertained that for that period they cannot be profitably taken in the special sardine nets, although still capable of capture in drift-nets, in lesser quantities. In the gulf it is found the off-season for light-fishing coincides, as in Europe, Avith the winter months. Consequently the promoters of the industry have done little Avorlc with the light for the last feAv weeks, giving their attention to other kinds of fish, exer"* 'or an occasional cast of drift-nets Avhen the sardines are observed in abnormal quanlity. The principal habitats of the shoals in the Auckland waters have now been pretty well determined, and when spring comes regular fishing av’ll be systematically resumed.

There are apparently times when a little knowledge is not so dangerous as one has been led to believe. Replying to a deputation of Justices of the Peace (says “The Post”) the Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. G. C'obbe) remarked that he was the first layman for a great many years who had herd the portfolio of Justice. “My knowledge of the law is exceedingly limited,” icmarked Mr Cobbe with a smile. “I just know enough to keep out of the hands of the police.”

The Nelson Ministers’ Association has decided to celebrate “Bible Sunday” tomorrow, and will take the opportunity to again hold the annual interchange of pulpits, as advertised in another column. This manifestation of the unity which exists, between the churches is much appreciated, and as in past years large attendances at these special services are anticipated.

The Nelson Citizens Band will give a concert on Sunday afternoon in the Botanical Reserve commencing at 2.30. A silver coin collection will be taken at the gates.

An “Ingleside” for Scottish folk will bo held as advertised.

The attention of ticket holders is drawn to the advertisement notifying the postponement of the Thistle Tennis Club’s concert which was to have been held next Tuesday. The concert which was to' have been 'given by Mrs Harold Moore and Miss Elsie Moore in the School of (Music next Wednesday is postponed to a later dale. Last evening Miss Moore had the misfortune to upset a kettle of boiling water over her foot.

A man named Joseph Relz, aged 37, a roeoift arrival in Nelson from the ,South, was brought before Messrs F. W. O. Smith and G. M. Collins, J usticos of the Peace, this morning and charged with being an idle and disorderly person within the meaning of Hie Police Offences Act. The accused, who was arrested yesterday by Detective Russell, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment.

Thirty men aro working on the RongaCroixelles relief works and twenty more men went there to-day. It is expected 100 men will find employment on this work by tho end of next week.

In a speech at a recent luncheon at London, Mr Jack Hylton, the conductor of a jazz band which recently toured the Continent, said that when the band arrived at the Italian border lie was taken to the police station and kept for two hours. Jt was there explained to Air Hylton that in September he had put out a placard, stating “Mussolini and his band will play ‘Bye-Bye, Schneider Trophy.” He was warned not to repeat the offence, and released.

It was decided this week that in future the Taranaki Education Board will retire male teachers at the age of 65 and female teachers at the age of 55.

The stupendous speed of 300 miles an hour is aimed at by the Australian motorist, Norman “Wizard” Smith, Avhen ho attacks Sir Henry Sograve’s one-mile world’s land-speed record of 233 m.p.h. at the 90-milo beach, Kaitaia, early next year (slates the “Sun”). For tho proposed attempt the British Government has loaned a secret engine, which Avas shipped from England recently. Mr Don Harkness, who accompanied “Wizard” Smith on his 10-mile world’s, record attempt at Kaitaia early this year,.Avill be responsible for installing tho engine in a special chassis. The conditions under which the British Government has loaned the engine, which Avas one of 10 constructed for the Schneider Cup air race, require that only Don Harkness and his partner may know the interior dimensions a.nd details. The engine is supercharged and Avill develop 2,000 horsepower at, top speed—4,ooo revolutions —’which, Avith the gearing that will be installed, will drive tho car at 300 m.p.h. The engine is twice as powerful as that installed in the Golden Arrow, in which Sir Henry Segrave established the record of 235 m.p.h. last year. When this information was referred to the secretary of the Auckland Automobile Association, Mr G. W. Hutchison, he said that it had been in the possession of the association for some time, although it Avas held to be confidential. Negotiations concerning the attempt, hoAvever, had proceeded betiveen the association and the Government. _ “We aro in touch Avith the Internation Association of Autoipobilo Clubs and the Royal Automobile Club to ensure that the attempt on the record Avill bn strictly in accordance Avith international rules,” said Air Hutchison, “and special electric timing apparatus will be imported to time the event.”

An interesting statement on the problem of Church union was submitted to the Auckland Presbytery this week by the Rev. W. L. Marsh, Avhen reporting as_ convener of the public questions committee. “Without in any way throwing cold water on proposals for definite corporate union, I think Ave all feel that at present it Avould not be Avise to go forward on any such lines,” said Air Alarsh. “We may attain corporate unity in the ideal better by indirect than by the direct road.” As a result of a paper given by the Rev. W. Walker, the Alinisters’ Union had undertaken to exploro A’ery thoroughly the federal union organised among tho churches of America. ThM seemed to be a national organisation Avith a secretariat of its own, something on the lines_ of the Council of Christian Congregations here. Some such ideal of federal union Avould seem to present the most likely Avay of approaching closer fellowship Avith sister churches. They had recently had a very remarkable demonstration of the growing feeling of unity among the denominations, and they desired that that should not be lost, but that they should go on from it. The feeling that the coming Lambeth Conference Avould have something very important to say on this matter for all the churches Avas expressed by the Rev. W. J. Comrie. Their attitude at this time, he said, should be one of inquiry- and patient waiting. His own ideal Avas that of corporate union, but that could not be brought about in a day. It could come only through patient negotiation.

The trustees and matron of St. Andrew’s Orphanage desire to thank the following for gifts of various kinds for the use of the institution; Miss Richmond, Aliss Tibbie, Aliss Rees, and Aliss Atkinson; Mesdames A. V. King, Tangye, A. Robinson, and J. Black; Ales dames Ruffell, T. B. Louisson, Marshall, and. J. Wood and Sons. Also tho churches at Waimea West, Takaka, Milton street, Njilson, the Cathedral', Stoke, Tafimiamii, Mot-upiko.,-Stanlev Brook, and Suburban North. :

In the inspector’s report, forming part of the Otago Education I loard’s report for the year,. reference is made to the position of assistants in the secondary departments of district!high schools. It is suggested that these assistants should bo regularly graded as secondary teachers, in order to open up for them an avenue of promotion into secondary schools. '1 he board, it is stated, is of opinion that even if so graded, A’ery few of these teachers Avould secure positions in high schools, as most high school boards adopt tho practice of promoting members of their present stalls. Unification of control Avould certainly do aAvay with any tendency towards watertight compartments, but if this is not immediately possible some measure of reciprocity between secondary and primary school boards as they are at present constituted might' bo mutually beneficial in the direction of selecting the best teachers for appointment.

Nearly. £2,500,000 has been spent on the Arapuni scheme since the construction of the headworks was commenced by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whit’vorth, Limited, in September, 1924. ■ The expenditure to 31st March, 1929. was £2,239,923, and an additional £226,030 was voted Inst year. The estimate of the Public Works Department for the headworks, that is the main dam, diversion tunnel, headrace, spillway and the powerhouse and equipment, was £1,168,27/. For these parts of the undertaking Armstrong. Whitworth submitted a tender of £1,175,457. and they were given the contract. The total of approximately £2,500,000, includes payments to Armstrong, Whitworth for work done .up to the date of their abandonment of the contract. The. balance has gone into transmission lines, ! the Penrose sub-station, and extra work on the powerhouse foundations and in provision for the development of power greater than the estimated demand at this period.

“I am not satisfied that the people of New Zealand utilise their own products as much as they should,” said the Governor-General ‘ (Lord Bledisloe) to those present at a gathering arranged by the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union at. Wanganui. “There aro far too many importers in tin's country. People advertise themselves as importing goods from another country and there seems to be a preference for goods from other countries, especially among young ladies.’ IBs Excellency urged New Zealanders to patronise their own. stating that the Mother Country would not find fault with that.

“I have been repeatedly ridiculed in regard to the development of pumice hind,” said the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom), speaking at Raliiatua. “f don’t mind. The time is not far distant when the whole of the pumice belt will be equal to, if not better than, the Matamata Estate in the Waikato, which was so much decried 30 years ago. We are not talking about the job; we are doing it.”

“The natives are very good people to work amongst, but there is great need of further medical work,” said Nurse Agatha Clark, summing up the situation faced by the missionaries and teachers on the island of Bunana before the annual meeting of the Melanesian Mission in Christchurch (reports tlie “Christchurch Times”). “In Christchurch, I understand, you arc especially interested in the island of Banana,” said Miss Clarke. “I found the natives most refined. They liked the best music, and the best in the way of heads and cloths. They do not like gaudy colours so much as the subdued colours. It is very hot over there, hut we only had to pray for rain twice, and it came immediately. As far as pests go, there are the mosquitoes, two varieties whose bites produce elephantiasis and malaria. The whites are not so liable to infection as the natives. The centipedes grow to a length of about eighteen inches. They are not agressive unless touched, but their bites are poisonous, and have to be treated like snakebites. One of the greatest difficulties in teaching the natives is the language problem. Nearly every pupil has some peculiarity of speech which is not common of the whole, and each one has to be dealt with separately.”

That all main line railway locomotives should be fitted with electric headlights, in the interests of safety, is a suggestion to be submitted to the North Island Motor Union by the Wanganui Automobile Association. It was explained that the electric headlight gave a long, bright beam which would light up crossings from a considerable distance.

At a meeting of the'Grey mouth Harbour Board, the report of the Government Engineer-in-Chief, Mr F. W. Furkert, upon the scheme outlined for port improvement by Mr Gordon Nicol, Harbour Engineer, of Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented. It was briefly to the effect that the cost of the scheme would approximate £1,000,000, and that important details were required as to the material and other costs, as well as the nature of the structure proposed. Moreover, it was pointed out by Mr Furkert that soundings showed the proposed length of walls would not take the entrance into water as deep as Mr Nicol presumed to exist at that point, so that longer walls would be necessary.

An organisation to be known as the Auckland Education Conference was formed on Wednesday evening at a gathering of forty representatives of various bodies interested in education (states the “New Zealand Herald”). The meeting was convened by the Auckland Educational Society. Mr A. G. Lunn, who presided, recalled that the society had approached ihe Minister of Educa-' tion'some time ago with a- request for more vocational training in order to assist the large number of young people who, at that time, were experiencing difficulty in finding suitable occupations. The Minister’s reply was that education would receive a more agricultural bias in future, and in view of the large number of boys entering agricultural pursuits, there was undoubtedly a wide field of useful enterprise in that direction. It was one of the many problems that the new organisation could investigate. : “We cannot afford to live in little dogboxes when we have such important work to do in the community,” said >, the Rev. H. K. Archdall, headmaster of King’s College, in a strong plea for “a forum of discussion” among teachers and other educationalists. On coming to New Zealand from Australia four years ago ho. had been surprised at the extraordinarily small amount of co-or-dination among the various branches of the State educational system —primary, I secondary, technical, and university.

During his recent trip to Australia, Dr. P. Marshall, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, found ample evidence that Civil Servants were determined to tackle the monetary question (says “The Post”.). They had made up their minds that they had to see the crisis through and he poorer, but what rather put their hacks up was the incessant demand for higher wages made bv the working man, who did not seem disposed l to accept his share of the depression.

Every day for the past week the big dredge built by Joseph Sparrow and Sons, of Dunedin, for the Golden Terrace Extended Goldmining Company has been making trial runs of her machinery at the place in the Shotover River where it is to start working. It is the biggest dredge ever built in New Zealand. _ The trials are reported to he quite satisfactory.

Letters from Australia by the last mail have born an unfamiliar stamp. Recently the Commonwealth has issued two new postage stamps to commemorate the discovery of the Murray River by the explorer Sturt. The stamps, of a penny-halfpenny and threepenny denomination, are red and blue respectively. A portrait of Sturt, taken from a picture in the Adelaide gallery, is surrounded by a design which includes lyre-bird feathers, boomerangs, and tools and weapons of the Murray River blacks. Below the portrait is an inscription, “Sturt Explorer Centenary 1830-1930.” It is one hundred years since Charles Sturt made his momentous voyage down the famous Murray River that runs through three Austra-

lian States. He was then about 35 years of age. and had seen service with the 39t’h Regiment in the Napoleonic wars. He accompanied the regiment when it came to Sydney in 1827. He was made aide to Governor Darling, and with Plume, another great explorer, he was dispatched to discover the course of the Macquarie River in New South Wales.

At tent ion is called to the advertisement. of the annual sale in connection with; the St. John’s Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary to be opened on Tuesday next, at 2 p.m., by Rev. P. Knight., B.A. There will be stalls for the sale of work, produce, flowers, cakes, sweets, etc. The rooms will be open afternoon and evening. Musical and elocutionary items and a promenade concert will commence at 7.30 p.m.