LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During the month of April, twelve marriages, 31 births and eleven deaths were registered at Nelson. Owners of unregistered dogs are notified bv advertisement of the City Council's intention to take legal proceedings after the olst instant. The term eoneert in connection with the Nelson School of Music will he given this evening, commencing at S o’clock. The term will close on Oth inst.

“How many people (asks Mr G. A. Lawrence, B.Sc., in his address to the Institute ’of Chemistry) realise, when they look into a shop window, what an enormous part the chemist has played in perfecting Hie objects which they behold? Who could imagine that Phosgene, one of the most deadly gases used in the Great War, is now, thanks to the chemist, being used in a- more prosaic role in the manufacture of artificial silk for ladies’ stockings, or that the basis for two of the most deadly explosives, without which modern warfare would he impossible, are now. being used in the adornment of furniture and motor-cars? I refer to nitrocellulose and toluene. Surely the chemist can claim more than any other the lion’s share in the work of forging ‘the swords of war into ploughshares.’ ”

The novel experiment of forming a girls’ brass band in Auckland has been successfully embarked upon by Mr A. Hodgkins,' an English bandmaster who recently came from Canada to take up permanent residence in New Zealand. So encouraging has been the response of the young womanhood of the city that before 'many more months have elapsed Mr Hodgkins hopes to make a public appearance with a band of at least 50 members. He is being assisted in his work by his three daughters, who are expert cornet players. “It will be a unique band,” said Mr Hodgkins. “There will be no other brass band of its sort and size in the world, as I have yet- to learn of a women’s solid brass band playing all the instruments.”

Intimation has been received by the Council of the New Zealand Bowling Association in Auckland from Mr Ivor B. Thomas, who represents New Zealand on the International Bowling Board, that the British team which is to tour Australia, next summer will also visit New Zealand. When Mr Thomas wrote some time ago that a British team was to visit Australia, an invitation to come on to New Zealand was promptly dispatched. The British team, under present arrangements, will arrive in Fremantle about the end of February, and will spend two weeks in each State. As an indication of the work of the Red Cross in the earthquake area at Ilawkes Bay, it was stated at a meeting of the’ Wellington branch of the Red Cross that food and clothing to the value of £IO,OOO had been sent for the use of those who had suffered in the earthquake. All the food and clothing had been given to the society. Over £6009 worth of clothing had been sent to Hastings alone. At Wakefield on Wednesday next Nelson artists will assist at a concert to be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The proceeds are to be devoted entirely to the funds of tile Wakefield Band. The Band gives its services at and it is hoped that appreciaton will be shown by generous patronage of the concert. An enjoyable varied programme has been prepared.

The Customs duties collected at the Port of Nelson during the month of April amounted to £4313 12s 3d compared with £2904 9s 9d for the corresponding pei’iod of last year. The excise beer duty totalled £741 Is 9d, compared with £970 in April, 1930.

Farmers in Masterton recently complained that tlie low price of New Zealand tallow is partly due to the competition of products of whale oil, won in the war against Antarctic whales. Mr G. A. Lawrence, B.Sc., in an address to the Institute of Chemistry points out that it is solely, through “pure” research (that is, research of no obvious commercial importance at the time) that the world discovered certain ways of solidifying liquid oils, by means of which whale oil has eventually becomO a competitor with tallow. “Not so many years ago,” says Mr Lawrence,, “the hydrogenation of liquid oils to produce solid fats was looked upon as only an interesting chemical phenomenon, yet, to-day, it ranks as one of the most important chemical processes whereby large quantities of oil are converted into solid fats. But for this process of hydrogenation it is probable that the whaling industry would not have reached its present wide dimensions, and incidentally our tallow produced in New Zealand ’ would have demanded greater prices in the world market. All these processes had their birth and derived their infant nurture in work no doubt referred to as ‘pure’ research. ’ If it is true that scientific research got the farmer into this competition trouble with tallow, it is doubly true that scientific research waits all along the line of the farming process to help the farmer against allcomers. The attention of parishioners and members of the congregation of the Cathedral is directed to the notice appearing in this issue of the annual meeting and social gathering to be held to-morrow (Tuesday') night in the Marsden Church House. Smokers often wonder why their tobacco so frequently burns the tongue. This is why: there’s too much nicotine in it. This" acrid, evil-smelling, poison--1 ous stuff it is that plays up, sooner or later, not only with, the tongue, but ; with heart and nerves, causes smoker’s throat, and other ailments. Nicotine is common to all tobaccos, and is present in large quantities in most of the American brands. The constant use of the latter is certain to undermine the health. It is, by the way, a feather ill New Zealand’s cap, that she produces the purest “weed” in the world. This beautiful tobacco is toasted, and the toasting it is that gives it its unequalled flavour and aroma. Yes, and more important still, it rids it of its nicotine, and makes it safe to smoke. Indulge ever so freely and it can’t harm you. There are only four brands of toasted: Riverhead Gold, Cavendish, Navy Cut No. 3, and Cut Plug No. 10. The popularity of these goods has had the usual result—they are being imitated. Bear that in mind when buying/ A dance will be held in the Velma Hall on Thursday next in aid of the St. Mary’s Orphanage Garden Fete Funds. Boys’ Marl Jerseys, striped Collars and Tie to match. 3/6 each, all sizes, at “The Auckland.”* Metchnikoff startled the world twentythree years ago when he announced that the poisons caused by constipation were the chief cause of old age and death. Ensure regular and natural movement of the bowels by taking Dr. Don’s Laxative Granules. 1/6 box. Free samples from R. W. Martin, Chemist.* White All-Wool N.Z. Blankets, 80 by 60 inches, 9/8 each ; 92 by 64 inches, 12/3 each; 100 by 74 inches, 14/8 each. Grey All-wool Bush Blankets, 8/11 each. —At “The Auckland. ”* Long hours at an office desk usually bring on constipation. Take Lubrolax, natural, gentle laxative made from pure paraffin oil and Japanese seaweed. Nees, Chemists.* Fleecy-back Shadow Striped Art Silk Bloomers, guaranteed, Women’s 4/11, O.S. 6/11.—At “The Auckland.”* Hollywood Stars are raving over the new Godet French Toiletries. These sweet, entrancing toiletries are perfumed with thousands of tinv forget-me-nots. W. McKay and Son Ltd.* Tweed House Frocks, small women's 15/9, women’s 19/6, O.S. 23/6.- —At “The Auckland.”* All popular styles in coats, tweeds, face cloths and zibelines, flared or ideated, fur trimmed or plain, 55/-. 75/- and 05/- at McKay’s coat drive to-morrow.*

‘‘We have just had another Anzac Day, and one of the keynotes of the observations was the fact that we are out to prevent another war. Returned men have seen all they want of war, and if we can do anything to promote peace, I think we should do it.” Tim statement was made by Mr A. C. A. Sekton at the annual meeting of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, when moving a remit expressing the opinion that the association welcomed whole-heartedly the efforts of the League of Nations to get the world to abandon war as a means of settling- international disputes. While advocating peace, Mr Sexton did not believe that with the present state of unrest in the world, New Zealand should abandon all reasonable means of defence. "We are part and parcel of the Empire, and we must have reasonable defences,” '.‘oneurred the president, Sir George Richardson. The remit was carried, and it will go forward to the Dominion conference of Returned Soldiers’ Associations.

Tlie rainfall at Motueka for the month of April totalled 3.46 in. Rain fell on 12 days.

If every corner of Russell is redolent of, the memories of the white man,” said Mr W. H. Bedggood, an old identity of Paihia, “does not every bay, island and gulf in the bay of one hundred isles resound to the fame of names ’great in Maori tradition'/” As an example (says the Auckland “Star”) he told tlie tale of an ancient taniwha, who lived at Tokerau. Piercy Island, off Cape Brett, is known to the pakeha because it was named by Captain Cbok after Sir Piercy Brett, one of the Lords of the Admiralty in his time; but to the /Maori it is a living testimonial to the prowess of a taniwha that lived, and perhaps still lives, in the deep gulches of Cape Waiwekai. There was a certain old taniwha who lived in those sea caves, and had three sons. One day they fell a-quarrelling as to which was the strongest; and so they arranged a trial of strength. Off Cape Waiwekai in those days were three islands, Piercy Island, or Motu Koupaka, the Ninepin, and a third, smaller. The eldest was to carry Motu Koupaka from its place near the cape across to Cape Brett. And plain for all the world to see, he did so. The next son had to take the second island right round to Whangamuru, because it was a smaller burden, but just after he had started he grew weary and sank with his island right down into tlie sea. There it is to this day. The youngest son reasoned that he had no chance besides these two feats, so, like the man of one talent in the Bible, lie simply did nothing; and there is his small island off the cape now. The tale was necessarily true, Mr Bedggoo'd added, because there was a great hole through Piercy Island tha£ the greatest taniwha had made in carrying his burden.

Northern papers report that schedule progress is being maintained with the construction of the uncompleted section of the East Coast railway, from Waikare to Wairoa. Although the line between Napier and Waikare was extensively damaged by the earthquake, the work from Waikare onwards has been delayed very little. A total of 416 men is at present engaged on the work, the principal details of which are the completion of the Kotemaori tunnel (now almost finished), and the Mohaka and Maungaturanga viaducts, the final links on the 80 miles route from Napier to Wairoa. These two viaducts should be completed according to the original schedule, by the end of 1932, when the whole line should be available for use. The repairing of the permanent way between Napier and Waikare, including the two miles of line over the shattered Westsliore embankment, has not concerned the Public Works Department. The Department is responsible for construction only, and the repairing of the Napier-Waikare section is the concern of the Railway Departiftem; 1 which had taken it over and was using it some time before the earthquake.

The dog licenses issued by the Auckland City Council in 1930-31 numbered 2822, and 421 dogs were destroyed in the same period.

A firm supporter of the jury system in criminal cases is Mr Justice. Smith. Speaking at the Hamilton Civic Luncheon Club last week his Honour said there had been, a good deal of criticism of the jury system, which some people thought should give place to a bench of Judges. He had never been impressed with that argument. In a country like New Zealand, where the education of the people was general, and where great care was taken in preparing the jury panel, there v was nothing to compare with “twelve good men and true” in arriving at a fair verdict. In civil cases there had been much criticism of the common jury, dtte to the fact that it was generally considered that juries were sympathetic toward the plaintiff. Some of these criticisms were well founded. Commercial cases, he thought, were more suitably dealt with by a Judge than by a jury. Tlie jury system was part of the judicial system of the country, and his Honour thought it was wise to retain it. The system brought the men of the community into direct connection with the administration of justice. Mr Justice Smith also supported the retention of the grand jury system because it enabled the leading men of the community to gain a first-hand knowledge of the conditions relating to crime that existed. He approved of the idea of school children in charge of teachers being permitted to hear unobjectionable Court cases.

An assurance that there was a revival of interest in the Returned Soldiers’ Association organisation throughout the Dominion was given to the annual meeting of the Auckland Association by the secretary, Mr E. H. Sharp. The annual report showed that the membership of the local branch had increased for the sixth year in succession, and now stood at 1166, while the increasing interest in their own affairs was reflected by the attendance at the meeting of 110 returned men, as compared with between 60 and 70 last year. Mr Sharp said the movement had gone ahead by leaps and bounds. There were now 48 associations throughout the country, and the total membership during the year had increased by 2000. i

See page 7 to-night’s “Mail”! Ladies can save at least 30/- on their new winter coats. Great coat drive commences to-morrow at McKay’s.*

Learners of old-time dances are reminded of the usual Monday night class at the Velma Hall, commencing at 7.30. Great London purchase of ladies’ smart coats in face cloths and tweeds, at a big discount. Good coats 35/- upwards at McKay’s to-morrow.* Alfred Gould announces an auction sale of salvaged cargo per S.S. Opihi to be held at the Rooms, Hardy Street, next Thursday.* Matrons coats in brown, navy and black, smartly cut, and beautiful materials, worth 7 guineas, but clearing at 5 guineas. McKay’s coat drive.*