LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 29 December 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Union Company’s trails-Pacific steamer Waikawa which arrived in Nelson oil Christmas iiigld, has discharged 750 tons of cargo hero including 3375 cases and 430 drums ol petrol, 1140 drums asphalt, 52 barrels glucose, 8500 feet timber, 250 sacks Hour, 18 reels paper, 542 bales apple wrappers, 150 boxes raisins and 15 tons general cargo. The vessel is due to sail at six o’clock Ibis evening for New Plymouth.

At the Highland gathering to be held in the Botanical Reserve on hriday next, amongst those competing will bo W. Sutherland, of Wellington, D. Roiliwell, of Alaslerton, Aliss Mavis Burgoyue, of Groymoulli— all New Zealand champion dancers. Others competing will be travelling from as far south as Oamaru and as far north as Palmerston. The Alotueka gathering being run ill conjunction with that ol Nelson has been responsible for record entries being received by both societies. Special mention should be made ol the concert which is to take place in the Theatre Royal in the evening. An excellent programme has been arranged. Aliss Beatrice Aydon (of Wellington) who is well known to Nelson audiences will be one of the star artists, while Air llughie Smith, from the West Coast, and well known all over the Dominion, will keep tho audience well entertained amused by his humourous recitals. The Hon. Harry At more (ALP. for Nelson and .Minister of Education) has been asked to present the trophies won during tho duv at this concert.

By his arrival in Wellington on Saturday, Mr Stanley Rose, the “canoe wanderer,” completed a 600-milo tour of the North Island. Air Rose left Auckland about three months ago ill this unique attempt to tour the country in a canoe. Where there were rivers on his route he paddled the canoe, and where he had to make a trip across country he placed the canoe on four bicycle wheels and pushed it. Air Rose informed "The Post” that lie had ambitious of crossing Cook Strait, but unless lie beard of a launch which was making tho crossing lie did not intend to attempt it, as the risk of being carried away if lie was on his own was too great. The appearance of Air Rose and his queer vehicle, if it can he called such, in the city attracted considerable attention. Utility is undoubtedly the outstanding idea behind Air Rose’s costume, too, and the appearance of a mail in the busy city streets in shorts, a sleeveless singlet, tennis shoes, and stockings, is not an event to be passed unnoticed.

“There are crowds of men in England who have not the slightest desire, to work. They arc quite content with the ‘dole,’ and where there is a family of five or six the payment is quite an appreciable income,” said tlge Rev. R. G. Coats, formerly vicar of the Church of the Epiphany, but who is taking over the charge of St. Luke s, Mount Albert (reports the “Star”). He has been on a visit to tho Old Country for the last nine months. “Unemployment,” lie said, “is increasing every week. The ‘dole’ has been found to be a great mistake. It has never worked properly. I met public school boys who have not the slightest chance of finding employment ; and the conditions at Home are most depressing. There is much profligate spending, as far as luxuries are concerned, in the cities and towns, but in the country districts it is not nearly so pronounced.”

The new art gallery for Christchurch is now taking shape on the site in the Botanic Gardens (states “The Press”). The basement has been excavated and concreted, while workmen are now engaged in coating tho surface with bitumen, in order to make this part of the building thoroughly watertight. The boxes for the concrete- foundations of the main part of the building have been built, and much of the concrete poured in. These will be five or six feet from the ground level, and the first layer on top will he one of Milestone from Tiinaru. Next will come a layer of Oamaru stone, which will be worked on the spot. From this point the exterior of the gallery will be of coloured bricks, which are being made in Dunedin. Red will predominate, but it will not be altogether a brick red. There will aiso lie blue and brick of other colours, and the effect will depend on bow these are inlaid. Towards the top of the walls will come another layer of Oamaru stone. Work on the stone in the foundation layer will begin after the holidays. When the design was adopted there ivus some objection to it on the grounds that the gallery would be a “squat” building, but the site itself is some feet above ground level, while the foundations will add a few feet to its height, so that the finished gallery should have a commanding appearance.

“It is all nonsense to say that the purchase of the 30 pictures from the Royal Scottish Academy’s exhibition in Edinburgh was ‘the joke of 'the season.’ The people of Auckland had better suspend judgment until they have an opportunity of seeing the pictures,” was the comment of Sir Alfred Bankart, chairman of the Mackelvic Trust, on his return from England by the Rangitiki last week. 'The criticism of the pictures was originally made by Miss Ivy M. Copeland, an Auckland artist, in a letter in which she referred to the pictures purchased on behalf of the trust. She characterised them as among the poorest shown at the exhibition. This was followed by an opinion by Mr Francis McCracken, a New Zealand artist resident in England, who said that there was not an outstanding work among the lot. Sir Alfred Bankart said he had not seen more than a quarter of the pietuies, which were bought by Mr E. W. layton on behalf of the trust, but he was sure that the public would be agreeably surprised when they wore able to view the pictures lie had seen. Opinions about pictures differed, but the public, after all, were the best judges and they would have ail opportunity of passing their opinion oil the purchase. It would be necessary to get a suitable gallery and it was likely that the exhibition would take place some time in February.

Thermos Masks 2/0; enamel saucepans 1/1, 1/6 each; Jap. sunshades i 11- Ihe Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.. Did.' A laxative which is perfectly safe for children and invaluable, too, when they are “out of sorts” is I)r. Don’s Granules Being made from purely vegetable ingredients they are "-entlc in action, and do not cause griping. 1/6 packet. Obtainable R. W. Martin, Chemist.* Women’s sleeveless cotton frocks from 10.6. Cream fitji and rayon sleeveless tenuis frocks, special price 18/6. —McKay’s.*

Beach towels 7icl and 1/6 each ; bath i-obim> 3’6 vard." Novelty hanks (samples) 6 for 2/11. — IThe 1 The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. Ltd.* Business as usual to-morrow and Wednesday. Tralhen’s for quality drapery, bathing gowns and caps. i’rices are right.-' Have you seen the aluminium ware? Arrived too late for Christinas. These are all British made from the heaviest aluminium obtainable. Will last a life time. —The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. Ltd."

The weather over the weekend was fine and warm. Many people left town for the numerous picnic resorts in the district.

After being on the dole for the greater part of tin; time since (lie coal strike in 1921, a miner, Mr Robert Million, of liishop Auckland, County Durham, has come to New Zealand to try his luck. With his wife and four children, ranging from four months to eight years, he arrived in Auckland last week by the Rangitiki from London. “Things are dreadful in the coalmining industry in England,” observed Mr Million to the “Star.” “At one time County Durham was the coalfield of the world, will) about 360 mines working. To-day I do not think that more than 30 of them are working, and iL is the worst place in the world. In the district where I come from there are 32 pits, and only about three are working. Thousands of men are unemployed as a consequence, and the biggest part of tliejn arc on the dole. Since the strike of 1924 1 have worked only nine months, while since the upheaval of 1921 1 have been in. employment for only 10 months. While I was on the dole 1 received 17s a week for myself, 7s for my wife, and 2s each for each child, which worked out at 34s a week. There are more unemployed in Durham than employed, and all classes of industry are suffering from depression. The railway shops are operating on five and, in some cases, only three days ft week. Miners in the parish of Bishop Auckland receive only from 35s to 36s for a six-shift week. When a man got an opportunity of working for tiiis low rate of pay, lie had to take the job or lose his chance of qualifying for the dole. Generally speaking, living conditions are not of the best. I was living in a two-roomed house, for which I paid rent of 6s a week. I have seen hotter stables than that place. A 41b loaf cost 4;d, and the cheapest flour was 2s 2d a stone, but the clothing was pretty cheap, as one could purchase a good tailor-made soil for from £2 10s to £3.” Mr and Mrs Million have come to New Zealand hv means of an assisted passage, and it is their intention to settle in Iluntlv.

The Government fruit officials in Auckland are interested in a new strawberry which has been developed by Mr A. Sands, of Point Chevalier (says a local paper). The berry is the result of ;t cross of the well-known. Captain Cook and Madame Melba varieties with the wild strawberry. Tests made show that if is blight-resisting, the the flavour is distinctive, that tin* flesh is firm in. texture, and that it lias exceptional keeping qualities. The new berry is the result of several years of experimental work, and has been grown in a heavy clay soil. Samples of the berry have been sent to the Massey Agricultural College, Palmerston Nortli. , Many unusual requests are made to the Mayor of Christchurch from time to time, but one of the most original that Mr Archer has yet received was made by a man who called upon him last week and demanded a penny because a stamped addressed envelope which he had sent to the Mayor had not come hack to him (states the “Times”). Treating the matter us an excellent joke the Mayor called the man into his room and questioned him as to whether he was a Scotsman and the particular reason why lie was so anxious to get his penny back. The visitor, however, dashed the Mayoral hopes of another Scottish joke to the ground hv declaring that lie was horn in New Zealand although his parents had come from Yorkshire. Maintaining a serious demeanour the caller stated that he was in business in Linwood and he had called to get his penny back because a letter he had sent to the Mayor concerning the widening of Staninore Road had not been replied to. He entered into a lengthy explanation of the complaint he had made, but was brought to a halt when the Mayor suddenly produced a penny and expressed the hope that lie would then he satisfied. After the caller had departed the Mayor ascertained that the letter which was the subject of the complaint was posted oil 18th December only and had not yet been brought under the notice of the Mayor. As it concerned a matter dealt with by the Works Department the Town Clerk had referred it to the City Engineer and the reply was ready to be sent.

Of late years there has been a certain amount of freakishness in architecture in Sydney that has amazed all those who are refused classification as being among those possessed of the artistic instinct (says a Sydney writer). The refusal leads to explosions of indignation and the brutally frank assertion that it is the freakish who have no art in thensouls. The argument is interminable. The rage for Californian bungalows was succeeded by the new ora which had its genesis in the chair of architecture at the University. Those who embraced Lhe new teaching scoffed at all cailitr building. They proceeded along what they called “Spanish lines.” But many of the homes of Sydney are mixtures of all sorts of styles. The early colonial buildings were objects for sneers, yet some of the. Spanish homes incorporate the “old colonial” tradition. It is disfigured, however, by quaint devices which do not always add beauty. The craze for the antique—foreign antique—is also evident. Water-worn stone, rough masonry work, lanterns of the 16th century, and what not, are observed in various places. One saw recently a pile of shabby bricks awaiting inclusion in their rough state in a home. They were hand-made at great expense to give them a worn appearance. To-day an architect has come forth to tilt at these eccentricities and to declare taat the early homes in New South Wales were more desirable in every way. A heated controversy is certain.

Smoking in bed ! Yes, it’s a bad habit. It’s caused many a death, and many a fire. Two fires originated in Dunedin lately, that way, according to Superintendent Salmon’s report. Another dangerous practice—not so readily recognised—is smoking tobacco containing a lot of nicotine—a deadly poison. Practically all tlie tobaccos imported from America and elsewhere contain far more nicotine than can be safely absorbed into the system day after day. You may not experience ill effects for a while, but sooner or later Nature sends in her bill. Your nerves go wrong, or you get heart attacks. You run no such risks with the New Zealand toasted tobaccos. The toasting frees them of nicotine to a very large extent, so that you can smoke them every day, and all day long if you wish, with perfect safely. It also gives them their fine flavour and unequalled buuquet. There are only four brands: Riverhead Gold, Cavendish. Navy Cut No. 3, and Cut Plug No. 10. They possess an irresistible appeal for smokers.* Ladies’ bathing costumes by “Petone,” “Canterbury,” “Jantzin,” and Wolsey,” surf or sun back style, 14/6 to 29'6, at (McKay’s.*

Just a few plum puddings left—made from the famous Royal Household re-cipe—-they're just delicious, 1/3 each.— The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. Ltd.* Two days more business and then closed Thursday, Friday and all day Saturday. Tratlien’s Quality Drapery Store.* For greater Beauty and skin freshness, use Godet Face Powder and Cream, exquisitely perfumed with Godot’s newest perfume—Forget-me-not.—-W. McKay and Sons, Ltd.

Chronic constipation overcome by taking Lubrolax, a combination of Japanese seaweed and pure paraffin which encourages natural wave-like movements.—W. A. L. Nees, Ltd., Chemists.*

Yesterday 130 people were counted on the northern beach at one time at Lake Rotoiti, and this was only about half Llie total number of visitors and campers at the resort. On Boxing Day over 100 cars called at the Bake. Many parties are camped there for the holidays.

The use of the hose for watering purposes has been restricted. The hours, until further notice, are froi 5 to 7 a.m., and 7 to 9 p.rn. A large number of campers spent the Christmas holidays at the l’elorus reserve, which is a popular point for motorists to break their journey between Nelson and Blenheim.

After having lain for eight days in hospital at Bathurst, New South Wales, under treatment for minor injuries, a Chinese was discovered to be suffering from a bullet wound in the hack. On 30tli November Ton Lou, an elderly Chinese gardener, was found unconscious under a tree. The matter was reported to the police, to whom Ton Lou made a statement that he had been knocked down, assaulted and robbed of a small sum of money, lie was unable to give a description of the alleged assailants, and was conveyed to the district hospital, suffering from abrasions to the face, which was much swollen, and shock, hut with no apparent injuries to the body. As his condition did not improve, it was decided to make an X-ray examination. The negative showed a small bullet embedded in the man’s hack. Ton Lou’s condition is not regarded as serious. The police report they are unable to obtain any satisfactory account from Ton Lou of the circumstances of the alleged attack, or who his assailants were, nor can they discover anyone who noticed anything unusual in the locality where lie was found. ,

On Saturday afternoon a scrub and grass fire on the hank at the hack of the gasworks endangered two houses. A number of people gathered and managed to get the flames under control with heaters. One of the heaters fainted with exhaustion in his efforts to stop the five.

The adoption of a shorter working week with a coresponding increase in leisure hours is being hastened in the United States by the present economic conditions, according to Mr J. W. Dye, who arrived by the Maunganui last week to take charge of the United States Consulate-General at Wellington. A shorter week was part of a scheme for rationing work and the absorption of the unemployed, Mr Dye said, but this would not he merely a temporary measure. It would outlast the period of depression.

At the Oddfellows Hall on New Year's Eve (Wednesday), the Loyal Howard Lodge will hoid an old time dance from 9 o’clock.

Gay beach wraps in multi coloured striped towelling 11/6. Jazz beach coats 7/6. McKay’s.* More Rayon frocks 6/6 frock length; fuji silk 1/3 yard; voile frock lengths 3/6 each—The Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. Ltd.* Children’s wool bathing suits, one piece or with skirt attached, babies sizes upwards 4/11 to 12/6. —McKay’s.* Bathing caps from 6d each. Diving helmets in good rubber from 2/6. McKav’s.*