LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 19 June 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“Infamy is the appropriate term io apply to Mr Lang’s conduct at the Premiers’ Conference when lie read out a long list of names of persons holding stock in Government loans, with the amount hold by each” (comments the Melbourne “Argus”). The solo purpose ol , such a disclosure could be only to hold up those named as persons deserving of public opprobrium because they bad invested their money in tax-free loaiqs. The terms of these loans are proscribed by the borrowers, yet Mr Lang would have it appear that the borrower is an injured innocent and the lender a greedy extortionist. VVlien subscribers to loans have (lieir holdings registered, for security against theft or loss., they do so in the expectation that the privacy which everyone has a right to enjoy in respect of bis personal affairs will be honoured. Mr Lang, with gross impropriety, has violated individual rights and the accepted canons of Recency for Hie sake of scoring a despicable political point. In doing so bo has also trampled upon the obligations of official secrecy. Has Mr Lang nothing to say by way of regret for the manner in which lie has so wantonly disclosed these, confidential details?

Brief reference to tho Kawkes Bay earthquake in February last was made by the chairman of the Hoard of Directors (Mr Watson) at Wellington today when moving tho adoption of tho report and balance-sheet at tho annual meeting of the proprietors of the Hank of New Zealand. Very exaggerated reports of the disaster, he said, were cabled abroad, which adversely affected the financial credit of the Dominion to all entirely unwarranted degree. Compared with the total wealth of the Dominion, that which was destroyed in llawkes Bay represented but a trilling proportion. The necessary steps wore being taken to repair the damage. Urea'credit was due to members of the staff for their energy and coolness in copin" with the catastrophe and saving both life and property. None of the staff or of Llieir dependents was injured. When the suggestion was made to Mr Walter Nash, M.P., at a meeting at Avonside that capitalism had failed, Mr Nash replied that the present form of capitalism was on the decline, but it bail not failed. Capitalism, in its present form, bad made some great contributions to the world, he said, but the trouble to-day was that, it, did not. make a fair distribution of profits. Wlnit bad to be achieved was some form of cooperative system in which' all would share.

Loyal Howard Lodge will hold its fortnightly dance in the Oddfellows Hall to-morrow (Saturday) evening. Here's a bit, that will interest, you if you are a smoker. It’s about nicotine, and is from the latest edition of Chambers' Encyclopedia: “Nicotine is a colourless, intensely poisonous odour of to baceo. Taken internally it is one of tho most powerful poisons known. One 65th of a. grain has caused in man distinct symptoms of poisoning.” It, may be added that a single drop of this liquid has been known to destroy human life ! Yol most imported tobaccos are full of this terrible stuff! Think of it!—every pipeful you smoke is slowly but surely poisoning you ! But why smoke this deadly tobacco, when you can get tobacco that is absolutely safe to smoke at the nearest tobacconist's shop? This is the famous New Zealand toasted. The toasting neutralises the nicotine, leaving the tolmeco quite harmelss. There are four brands —Biverhcad (told, Cavendish, Navy Cut No. 3, and Cut Plug No. 10. All noted for their rare bouquet and captivating flavour. But look out for imitations Doctor’s Prescription for 1/6. —A prominent Now Zealand medical man of over 50 years’ experience prescribed the components of Dr. Don’s Laxative Granules. No safer or more effective remedy for constipation has ever been sold. These Granules are easy to take. They quick!v i-estoro tlie bowels to normal healthy eon dition without dangerous purging. Price. 1/6 box.—lt. W. Martin, Chemist. Tho clusivo, joyous perfume of innumerable forget-me-not blossoms, haunting and mystical, lias made Godet I’arisienne Toiletries the craze of Hollywood. At \V. McKay and Son Ltd.*

“I wonder what our parents would have thought 40 or SO years ago if they had been told their ehiidren would some day be in front of a little instrument and hear great people speak from distant parts of the world,” said Mr F. W. U. Smith, chairman of the Hospital Board, at the opening of the wireless in the institution last evening. “Tiny probably would have thought it was an invention of the evil one,” lie added. Giving evidence at the sitting of the Arbitration Court at Blenheim a garage proprietor stated that though his petrol turnover was less than 2500 gallons a month, he was forced to maintain six pumps, because of the fancies of different customers for a particular brand of motor spirit (reports) the ''Express"), llis Honour Mr .’Justice Frazer: ”I suppose one man insists on spirit, and ono , though it is known that both come out of the one storage tank?” 'I he witness said lie had had many instances of that.

Schools of the open-air type are being erected in Hawkcs Bay vo it-place those destroyed by the earthquake. Iho type is similar to a. new school which was recently erected in Nelson and is one which enables the whole ol the front of the building to he opened. 'This information was given by the lion. 11. Atnioie. Minister of Education, when a question was asked as to whether the Department intended reconstructing the schools on the old plans. Mr Alinoro (savs the “Times”) added to thisi reply that, all the smaller schools were being built on what was known as the Linwood type. “Down here, you people are over-nice in the distinctions of the different types of schools,” he said. “You have the Teniuka, Fcndalton, Liinvood and improved Linwood and, 1 m not sure but that during the last- lortnight you have not added another improved Linwood.” Mr Atmore also expressed Ins support of the Open-Air Schools League and the Sunlight League. The spore of foul brood, the disease that is the bane of the beekeeper, is long lived. In the course of a discussion at the Beekeepers’ Conference at Christchurch, reports the ‘‘Press,” a. question arose as to how long the spore of the disease remains active in the honeycomb. A suggestion, was made that after three years it might be deemed to be dead. Mr It. Gibbs remarked that he did not know liow long they remained active, but lie understood that some honey found in the Pyramids, and -assumed to he 5000 years old, developed foul brood. Mr E, A. Earp, Chief Government Apiarist, said that spores had been under observation for 15 years and were still active, and the investigation was being continued.

‘T am delighted to know,” said t-lio Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) at the opening of the Beekeepers’ Conference, “that a very fine quality of honey is produced in Canterbury” (reports the "Press”). “But that is not surprising seeing, that practically everything produced in Canterbury is of first-class quality.” “Including’ members of Parliament?” someone asked. “Including members of Parliament,” the Mayor concurred, amidst laughter. In expressing thanks for his re-elec-tion to the Board of Directors of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr R. W. Gibbs at the annual meeting to-day of the proprietors of the Bank, said’: “When times are bad, the Banks come in for the usual abuse and are charged with causing unnecessary deflation, restriction of credit, and so forth. I can only sav that so far ns we are concerned, it has not been found necessary to restrict credit for any legitimate business, and the needs of both our country and town customers havo had the fullest consideration. However, do as you will, it is difficult to satisfy all our critics, but when nasty things' arc said of you, it is well to remember the old adage--‘Only trees that bear fruit get stones thrown at thorn'.’ ), • Should the Soviet soccer team come to Australia, the South Australian Soccer Association will not recognise any of its games in South Australia. This statement was made last week by the South Australian secretary (Mr J. R. Willoughby), who said that the Australian Soccer Football Association would not provide bonds ensuring the good behaviour of (he visitors for which the Department for Horne Affairs had asked. “The Board can of course lay down the policy to he followed, but without the loyal and intelligent co-operation of its officers, these satisfactory results could not have been achieved,” remarked Air R. W. Gibbs, a director, when speaking to-day at the annual meeting of the proprietors of the Bank of New Zealand. “Those of you who come into touch with our men in your various business capacities will, I foci sure, agree with mo that wo have an excellent staff, - second to none—pardon my prido, but yoit know, until quite rocent years, I was one of them. The General Manager’s virility is well known, to you, and with advancing years and added responsibilities, there is no abatement in his, resourcefulness and zeal in your interests.” It is unlikely that there will he any desperate destitution in Sydney this winter (writes (he “Argus” correspondent). There will be hardship, hut not as much as some iiulhorilies expected. The reason is that there is much activity to provide relief. It was announced about a fortnight ago that there was no need fo<anyone lo sleep in the Domain. The Ucv. It. B. S. Hammond confirmed this announcement yesterday to llis Excellency the Governor, when Sir Philip Game visited the second of the places A accommodation known «« the Hammond Hotels. The men who cling to the Do main are those who will not submit to having anything done for them or are addicts of drugs and methylated spirit How they obtain the means of indulging those vices is not explained. Men at the Hammond Hotels do fairly well. They have mattresses and blankets and two’ meals a day. The men are all eligible for jobs, and there is a constant endeavour lo find work for them. They keep neat. Their hoots are mended on the promises by some of the residents, and they go to look for work in garments which, although old, perhaps, are mended and brushed, i Their appearance commends them to’employers, and thus they score over the unkempt. Mr Hammond is strict, and apparently he is well suppolled.

The Supreme Court at Wellington has granted to the Public Trustee probate of the wills of Elizabeth Emma, Boyes, late of Rni Falls, married woman; Edgar William Adair, late of Nelson, telegraphist; Jane Ricketts, late of T'ui, widow; and Elizabeth Hannah Lena Quayle, late of Takaka, widow; and lias constituted him. administrator of the estates of diaries Maurice Lynch, late of Newton Flat, motor driver; Ludwig Died rich Bossolmann, late of Nelson, baker; Harriet Edwards, late of Mottieka, widow; and Thomas Hannon, late of Tadmor, farmer.

The attention of men employed undo No. 5 scheme is drawn to the advertisement regarding the temporary continuation of the scheme

The Hospital Football Club held a very successful benefit dance at llm Stoke Hospital in aid of one of llieir injured players. The floor was in perfect order, and the hall was lastefullv decorated. Dancing went on till midnight. Mr Harold Williams and party supplied the music, and Messrs Ashton and Kemp acted as M's.C.

The usual Gaiety dance will he held in the Beehabite Hall to-morrow night. Music will he supplied by Mr lice MeC'allum and liis Gaiety Band.

Particulars of a parcels delivery arrangement entered into by the Railway Department with S. J. Jstod and (o. are announced in the advertising columns to-day. All parcels arriving by boat will he delivered at a small charge. A similar system is in operation in other cities in New Zealand. Parcels will also he collected for forward delivery to all parts of the Dominion. It may not be generally known that parcels can he consigned at- the Nelson railway station lo any other station in New Zealand at a small fee. The system will come into operation on Monday next.

“If there is any person in the com munitv who drinks more lea than T do L would like to see him,” said the Mayo” of Christchurch (Mr I). G. Sullivan. M.P.), speaking at the beekeepers’ conference, reports the “Times”). He said that he always sweetened his tea with honey. Despite the fact that he knew nothing of the chemical action of the combimuion, lie used it consistently. “It might be worth while for you to start propaganda on those lines,” said Air Sullivan.

A Timaru girl willr." relatives and friends in Christchurch was told by an amateur fortune-teller some weeks ago that the city would he razed by an earth quake at 3.15 p.in. on 'Tuesday, 16th June (reports the Christchurch “Times 1 This prediction, heard wirli amusement, worried her as the days passed and, on lGlh June, she was feeling very anxious I', occurred lo her that, if she listened to the afternoon programme from 3YA from 3 p.in. to 3.30 p.m., she could ho sure that the earthquake had not oe curretl. She turned the dial of the so to 3YA but heard nothing Terrified, she rushed to t-lup telephone and rang the Timaru exchange She asked, witn some agnation, whether things were wel. in Christchurch —had there been an earthquake? She was reassured or. tliat point and the operator asked the cause of ho anxiety. She explained that she could r.ol hear Christchurch Over the air and was then told that :'t was the silent (lav for 3YA.

Sydney, with the prevailing shortage of money, and with the doors of tire State Savings Bank still closed, is going hack to the old system of barter, reports the “Post’s” correspondent. Exchange of 'goods, such as motor-cars and property, such as houses, farms, and businesses, is taking the form of currency in thousands of cases. If one lias something one does not want, and someone else has something that is wanted instead, then a swap ! follows. Where properties are involved in these exchanges, estate agents are not growling, for they receive commission on the stated value of both commodities exchanged. Recently, to give only one example, a man with a big farm on the North Coast exchanged it for shop property in one of the leading suburbs. Hundreds of people who have tried to obtain 'goqd hard cash for properties or businesses or cars have given up the idea; they arc now adopting the barter system.

“Discipline was strict in the early days—even on Sundays,” said Mr Robert Billens in the course of reminiscences of the ’6o’s at Lyttelton, reports the “Press.” “On Sundays wo went to Sunday school at 9 a.in., and when that was finished we were marched to church. The sermons were not short —the service did not finish till after one o’clock —and it was quite the usual thing for many of the congregation to go to sleep. When that- was ended the afternoon Sunday school began. Even in the evening,, if it were possible, we were sent to church again. Things are different nowadays.”

A very pleasant afternoon was spent in the Baptist schoolroom under the auspices ot the W.C.T.U., when a gramophone recital, “The Messiah, was given. There was a good attendance of. members and friends. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies; A' collection was taken up in aid of headquarters. A" vote of tluiuks was accorded to Mr Tuckey for his gramo phone.