LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 23 February 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Of all the photographs of scenes of devastation wrought by the earthquake in Hawke’s Bay, it is doubtful if any are more informative than a series of three or four score taken personally by the Hon. Harry Atmore during his visit to the district. While all are interesting, even if dreadfully impressive, the lesson they teach is really summed up in two of them. In one is seen an undamaged reinforced concrete building occupied by a legal firm, while alongside are the ruins of a brick building, the front wall of which, in collapsing, has uprooted one of the trees on the road frontage. On a hill in the background is seen an intact wooden residence in which only the chimneys have suffered. In the second photograph two corners of a main street are shown. On one corner a reinforced concrete building stands intact with its mushroomshaped internal pillars, although a brick garage at the rear was demolished. On (he opposite corner are the ruins of a brick building—a complete collapse. The Hon. Mr Atmore says there is no doubt that the earthquake in Ilawkes Bay was less severe than that experienced at Murchison on 17th June, 1929. The visitation on 3rd February, however, was attended by more serious consequences owing to its occurrence in a more thickly populated area with its greater number of buildings—mostly of brick in the main centres. The outbreak of fire in Napier added to the appalling nature of the calamity.

Two small boats broke away from their moorings near the boat sheds during last night’s storm and were washed up on Tahuna- beach. A dinghy belonging to Mr S. Russell had one side damaged.

The Waimea Fireblight Committee, in view of the outbreak at Kaikoura and Christchurch, urges Nelson growers to keep a sharp lookout for any suspicious indications on their trees and to report at. once should suspected infection be discovered. Alfred Gould announces that the Irish linens to be sold next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will he on view at the Y.M.C.A. to-morrow and Wednesday and extends a cordial invitation to the public to inspect them. Wonderful bargains in ladies’ art silk Frocks, sleeves and flared skirts, all sizes, S.M.. W. 0., and 0.5., Buxton’s price JO/lh*

A “Gazette” notice announces that a reciprocal agreement for the admission of New South Wales solicitors to the New Zealand Bar lias been made. The agreement also relates to the admission of solicitors from tlie Dominion in Australia. Tlie official notice states that any solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales who has practised as such for a period of five years, and who lias resided in New Zealand for at least five months preceding the date at which he intends to apply for admission as a- solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and who has given to the registrar of the Supreme Court at the place where he intends to apply for admission, a written notice in triplicate, stating the qualifications in respect of which such application is intended to be made, not less than two months before tlie date at which he intends to apply for admission, shall be eligible for. admission to practise as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

The best prices so far offered by big butter-buying concerns for the past six months have been made during the last day or two (states the “Taranaki News"). One North Taranaki company has sold for export 2000 boxes of March, April and May make at Is Id, the best price obtained since the fall in values set . in. The steady upward trend of prices for the last three months is thought by many of those in the trade to be likely to continue. Not long ago factories were waiting for offers of Is, but already an extra penny lias been offered. There is some inquiry for cheese, though at the price offering, 6d, it is not thought that much business is likely to be done. In the South Island fa,ir quantities of cheese have been sold.

A business man interested in the grain trade, and who has just completed an inspection of most of the wheat growing districts in Canterbury, in a note to the “Press” the other day expressed the opinion that the statistician’s estimate of 26.21 bushels to the acre for the province was too low. There are some districts that are producing nearly up to normal, and it has to be borne in mind that few of the heavy land crops have yet been threshed. In some parts of North Canterbury quite satisfactory returns were being recorded. Half a dozen crops in the Cheviot district, for instance, averaged 40 bushels to a little over. It was undoubted that the lighter land would show a more pronounced shrinkage, and it was possible that a larger area would not be threshed this season, but an average yield of another bushel to the acre in Canterbury should be produced. Even if the estimate of the Wheat Research Institute of 29 bushels for the whole of the Dominion is a shade optimistic, tlie Government’s forecast of 27 is the reverse. It was pointed out by this observer that the official estimate of the Otago crop this season was 31 bushels to the acre. There was no reason why this province should not yield equal to last season, or 34 bushels.

The fear that the unemployment relief tax would be used for nurposes other than tlie relief of unemployment has been justified (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Melbourne “Argus”). The proceeds of this tax should exceed £400,• 000 a month. Not more than one-fourth of that amount is being expended on relief works. It may be that the Government is hoarding the money in order to have a large sum to spend on major works, hut there is no official announcement of that policy. All that is known is that the money is being paid into consolidated revenue. Tlie suggestion has been made again that part of the money will go to increase the pay of Stale employees who already are deemed to be escaping part of the general burden of the times. A member of the Legislative Assembly who spoke of the Government deluding the unemployed by keeping them in a state of semi-starvation when they could he earning at least a bare living, was characterised by a Ministerialist as “a despicable wretch,” but no information was vouchsafed concerning the intentions of the Government in respect of the £300,000 a month of unemployment relief tax that is not being expended on rvorks. There is a demand that this tax should be spent where it is raised. Mr Bnixner. who was in the last Ministry and who is a country member, expressed tins opinion after Mr Fitzsimmons, a suburban Nationalist, bad suggested the construction of the Eastwood-St. Leonards railway, a- suburban line, as a work that would employ 1,000 men.

Sir Oswald Mosley, the quaint aristocrat who is an English Socialist M.P., and who seems to be pushing his weight, has said that his fellow worker, Mr Snowden, is putting the nation on a starvation diet, (writes “M.A.T.” in the Auckland “Star”). Brother Oswald however, won’t starve, nor will Lady Cynthia. Ids Socialist wife, who is a daughter of the late Marquis Cnrzon, the haughtiest blueblood in Britain. Lady Cynthia is frightfully rich, and Oswald also. The other day there was a by-election and Sister Cynthia went along to oratorically adorn the Socialist side. The Socialists were dreadfully angry with Cynthia for wearing a chic white costume blazing with diamonds. They said that at so serious a meeting she. a Socialist, should not display wealth The daughter of the marquis quietly mentioned that the white linen dress had cost seventeen and sixpence in Calcutta, and had been brought to England as a present for her. The gorgeous diamonds were simply bits of cut glass worth anything up to one and nmepence. In fact the Socialist lady leaves her ropes of diamonds, tiaras, pearl necklaces and irreplaceable heirlooms at home when she goes Socialis ing.

“Trouble you for a match, Sir?” (It was in a Wellington Street car). “No!” snapped the man addressed, “haven’t got one, wouldn’t give it if 1 had. Smoking is a shocking waste of time and money.” “I’m not wasting your time or your money, either” came the reply. The surly passenger grunted. There are non like that unfortunately. They get no pleasure out of life, and hate to see others get any. The chap that lias no use for tobacco is to be pitied. Only the smoker knows —knows the joy of smoking. It’s a Verv harmless pleasure, too. Choose your tobacco wisely, that’s all, and avoid brands loaded with nicotine, as most of the imported leaf is. Our Toasted New Zealand tobacco is the stuff! The toasting neutralises the poisonous nicotine, so that you can smoke all vou want with absolute safety. Toasted leaf has a most delightful flavour, by the wav. and a rare fragrance of its own. There are only four brands: Riverhead Gold, Cut Plug No. 10, Cavendish and Navy Cut No. 3.*

A miniature golf tournament will be held on the Tom-Thumb course this evening.

A mixed foursome (four ball) competition will be placed to-morrow night at the Elite indoor golf course. Trophies will be presented to the winning couple.

Harsh laxatives harm and irritate delicate intestines. Doctors recommend Lubrolax —the safe, non-habit-forming lubricant. —Nees, Chemists. Ilardy-st,*

Ladies’ coloured Smocks, all sizes and shades at Buxton’s, bargain at 5/IL* Children off colour need Dr. Don’s Granules. Hodgson’s Store, Wakefield, Motupiko and Murchison. *

Call at Buxton’s for ladies’ coloured crepe nightdresses, shades sky, pink, and white. Women’s size only. A gift, 2/C.*

The suggestion of Sir Thomas Sidey that school holidays should commence in February instead of toward the end of December was considered at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board last week. “I doubt whether the people of this or any other district will support the idea,” said the chairman, Mr A. Burns. It was decided to express disapproval of the proposal. A similar attitude was adopted by the Otago Education Board.

Following advice that Universal Distributors, Ltd., in consequence of a court decision, could not issue or redeem any more universal certificates, a meeting of New Plymouth retailers who have been giving out the certificates was held last week (says the “Herald”). The meeting was well attended, and the following resolution was passed to be forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. S. G. Smith, and the Palmerston North Retailers’ Association: “That this meeting of New Plymouth retailers, who have distributed Universal Coupons, supports the action of the Palmerston North retailers in requesting the Minister of Internal Affairs to take immediate action to protect the holders of coupons and prevent the distribution by the liquidator of the funds belonging to the coupon holders.” A determination to do their utmost to keep faith with their customers has been expressed by some of the leading retailers, and they have obtained legal advice on the matter.

As the result of the terrible damage done to brick and stone buildings in Hawke’s Bay by the earthquake, public opinion is veering rapidly to the view that no school buildings in the future should be constructed of those materials (states the Napier “Telegraph”). The wooden, detached rooms of the open-air type are considered to be the best for the safety of the children. It has been pointed out that but for the fact that many of the Hawke’s Bay children were out at play when the ’quake occurred, there would have been a holocaust.

At a meeting of the Westport Trotting Club held last Friday, it was decided to abandon the proposed Earthquake Relief meeting owing to the economic condition prevailing in the district.

The blight on the coal trade has affected even Denniston, where the miners this week have worked only two days (states Saturday’s Westport “News”). It is many years since slackness of trade so affected Denniston.

Owing to the supply exceeding the demand tons of raspberries have been left to rot on the bushes in various gardens in the district. “Thirty-five years ago Rudyard Kipling told me to see, above all things, Milford Sound, which lie called the fourth wonder df the world; I have seen it and I believe it to be more beautiful than any of the Norwegian fjords,” said Dr. P. Furnivall, a prominent English surgeon, who was in Auckland last week. “It is a glorious asset,” he said, “which cannot be too highly praised, and for that reason it is a pity there are not better facilities for getting there.” Kipling’s advice to see Milford Sound was given to Dr. Furnivall in London shortly after the famous novelist’s marriage. He listed Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, the Grand Canyon of Arizona and the Victoria Falls as the world’s first three wonders, and Milford Sound and Mitre Peak the fourth. Dr. Furnivall, who is the son of the late Dr. F. J. Furnivall, the celebrated Shakespearean scholar, succeeded Sir Frederick Treves as chief surgeon of the London Hospital, and on his retirement in 1919 settled in the quiet little Devonshire village of Westward Ho, where he spends six months in the year, devoting the other six months to travel. He was to leave by the Tofua on Saturday on a' trip to the Islands, returning to New Zealand before sailing for "England. The fiordland of Southland, he said, fulfilled all his expectations by its loveliness and grandeur, and the accommodation at Milford Sound was extremely comfortable. As far as tourist traffic was concerned, however, he felt that the steamer service provided by the Hinemoa was much too uncertain to meet the needs of the majority of English and American’ tourists.

An illustration of prompt business methods appeared on the order pajier of last week’s meeting of the Napier Harbour Board (says the “Telegraph”). A cable sent from London on the Thursday following the Tuesday of the earthquake, by Kalis and Co., stated that they were prepared to quote prices for a delivered dredging unit, comprising a bucket, a dredger, barges and tugs, which were now at Aden after the completion of a contract at that port.

“I think it is time we raised the window blinds and let the Hon. Atmore have a view of the travail that his agricultural bias is passing through, or elso the departmental officers will stifle it in its infancy,” remarked Mr W. Adams at last week’s meeting of the Wanganui Education Board (states the “Herald”).

All who are interested in pigs and bacon are cordially invited by Mr James Wyllie to attend the opening ceremony at the Blackbyre Bacon Factory at Appleby at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow, The ceremony will be performed by Mr John Corder, chairman of the Waimea County Council.

The matter of brick school buildings, and the possible danger they would have in the event of earthquake, is exercising the minds of the Canterbury Education Board, and that body is sparing no effort in dealing with the problem presented. At the board’s meeting last week, says the “Times”, the Buildings Committee reported that, in accordance with instructions from the Education Department, the board's architect and an engineer from the Public Works Department were inspecting all brick buildings in the Canterbury school district, and would furnish a report as soon as possible. A discussion arose when the board considered a letter from the Richmond School, in which it was stated that the doors on the old building at that school swung inward, and that, in the event of an earthquake, a blockage at the exits might mean terrible disaster. Mr C. S. Thompson: “That old building is of brick, and is high and narrow. It would be a deathtrap in a serious ’quake. It might be advisable to get an immediate report on that building.” The Buildings Committee reported that the foreman and the architect had been instructed to inspect all schools where doors opened inward, and where chimneys had been erected over exits. A report by Mr 11. J. Bignell to the Buildings Committee intimated that in view of the inspection, it would be advisable to defer consideration of the proposal to remodel the Waimate School. That recommendation was adopted. The board decided to hold over discussion of the matter till the reports on the inspections were to hand. 10% cut, yes; but get your clothing requirements at Huggins where the cut off all goods is 25% this week.*

Buxton’s for cheap shadow stripe art silk knitted Bloomers, women’s size only, all good shades. A snip, 3/o.*

Constipation causes unpleasant breath, and in most cases we are unaware of the presence of either. By taking the effective medical prescription, Dr. Don’s Granules, you ensure the regular functioning of the bowels, liver and stomach. 1/6 box from R, W. Martin, Chemist.*

Following on a strong northerly wind which blew all day yesterday, heavy rain fell during the night. To-day the Maitai River and the Brook were running half-flood high. The rain was badly needed throughout the district, and will do a lot of good. In some parts of the district tanks w’ere empty, while wells were drying up. The Cawthron Institute registered 2.13 inches ot rain last night.

Tahuna residents report that tanks in the town overflowed last night for the first time since June.

Mr Gordon Field, of Brightwater, had the misfortune recently to have a large haystack completely destroyed by fire. The loss is doubly severe as, coming at the end of a dry season, Mr Field is left with no hay supply whatever. The stack was uninsured.

Fruit-exporters are reminded in this issue of matters of immediate importance affecting the current season’s shipments. The south westerly wind this morning blew in heavy seas along the Rocks Road, many of the breakers jumping the wall on to the roadway..

“Farmers can’t afford the high local body rates they are paying to-day and so far as I am concerned the day for making the roads suit the traffic is past,” said a member of the Wanganui County Council to a “Chronicle” reporter last week. “The traffic will have to suit the roads and that is all there is about it.” He intimated that at the next meeting of the council he intended to put his contention into practice so far as his own riding was concerned.

Dragged down by the low price of butter-fat and of wool, the man on the land is yet able to face his troubles with a jest (remarks the “Express”). This was amply evident at the monthly meeting of the Blenheim branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union last week when a discussion on weed eradication was in progress. “One of my neighbours,” remarked a member, “had a terrible crop of Californian thistle growing on part of his land, and meeting him one day, I asked him how he was faring with it. ‘All right,’ he replied, ‘it used to be growing in two paddocks but now I’ve got it confined to ona. ‘How did you manage that,’ I asked. ‘Shifted the fence!’ was the laconic reply.” Before the ordinary business was proceeded with at the Nelson Education Board meeting to-day the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, M.L.C. (chairman) referring to the earthquake in the Hawkes Bay district, said no part of the Dominion would sympathise more sincerely with those people who had suffered than the Nelson province. “We know what it is to have an earthquake, and the nervewracking time that followed, and we can; sincerely sympathise with those people” went on the chairman. He.had spent three days in the Napier and Hastings district shortly after the. earthquake, having gone there for the purpose of comparing the two ’quakes, and really there was no comparison. Nelson, so far as an earthquake was concerned, did not know what it was. The conditions at Napier and Hastings were indescribable. He did not say that the force of the earthquake at Napier was nearly as heavy as the one between Karamea and Murchison, but it had struck a most densely populated part of the district. The thing that surprised him most was not the number that were killed, but that there were any left alive. The chairman then moved that a votg, of sympathy be passed and forwarded to the Hawkes Bay Board and other local bodies. Mr Wilkens seconded the motion, which was carried, members standing meanwhile.