LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 June 1931, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A giant potato was dug up on Mr D. Penney’s farm at Kirwec. li, was of tho White Elephant variety and weighed 51h j.310z.

Hearty approval of the action of the Southland Education Board on serving notices of dismissal on married woman teachers in its employ was expressed by members at a meeting of the Southland School Committees’ Association the other evening. Mr F. G. Stevenson said that, in view of the fact that

: hero wore 45 unemployed male teachers in Southland and 500 in New Zealand and the training of each of those teachers had cost the State £2lO, tho step was a, necessary one. Tho following resolution was carried: “That the Association congratulates the Southland Education Board on the stand taken by the Board in regard to the employment of married women teachers.”

■Overheard on the Nelson wharf during a. discussion on New Zealand polities: “Well, Coates and Forbes ought to get together and hand New Zealand back to the Maoris, with a letter of apology for making such a d mess ot if.”

The use of potassium iodide in the food mixture of fowls was claimed liy llawkes Bay poultryineu prior to the earthquake as producing excellent results. but the theories of the poultrymen concerned are rather discountenanced by a number of experiments recently carried out by the poultry section of the Livestock Division of the Department, of Agriculture at the Wnllacevillo Poultry Station (states a

writer in the Napier “Telegraph”). Discussing these, experiments, Mr F. C. Brown, Chief Poultry Instructor, told me that the object of the experiments was naturally to. discover the influence of iodine on egg production, tho weight of the eggs, fertility and hatchaliility, and the colour of the yolk. The iodine was provided in the form of a potassium iodide solution, comprising 11.52 grammes k.i. in 3000 e.c.s of water. This solution was added to water with which the morning mash was moistened, one fluid ounce being included for every twelve birds each day. The experiment was conducted for six weeks, and the birds which received iodine were all in single pens. For comparative purposes birds were also treated under similar conditions without the iodine. Mr Brown stated that the results went to show that the 'difference in the size of eggs from birds fed with and without iodine was only what would "bo expected under normal conditions, or, in other words, iodine had no marked beneficial influence. 1

New Zealand is practically waist deep in food, food that it prows, and kills, and makes ilself (writes “M.A.T.” in the Auckland “Star”). People are seen staggering home with buckshee feathered food from the swamps, terrific catches of fish from sea and river; and the fertile soil is being pushed up everywhere by stupendous vegetables that are the pride and joy of the photographer. Take an early morning tramp on any scavenger day round the sweet suburban streets while the householder is staggering to the gate with the family waste bin. Almost every bin is clamant with glad labels. While the Pacific is stiff with fish mother dodges out to the corner store and buys bins of provender from afar, as the red labels in the family bin will testify. When New Zealand trees are dropping fruit by the ton on the grass, mother sends Billy to the store for some nice tinned fruit from California. Many kinds of can, bottle, or carton represented in the accumulated hinds ot the proletariat intimate to a'stranger that New Zealand is without cattle, has never seen a local fish, hasn’t the faintest idea, of making the thousand and one relishes, pickles, sauces, haddocks, herrings, and so forth. Tin’s is tin' moment when even the most pronounced eater of overseas tucker will loyally cry out that we really ought to help our own people, and continue not to do il. lliere is a three-column paragraph in the mailer of the suburban riihhisli tin. A rubbish dump in any New Zealand town preaches a far better sermon than one has heard from the Ministry for some time. But the labels are so pretty !

A correspondent writes: “With reference to your reply to G.L., Hope, in your issue of 17th insl.. in ‘White Wings.' vol. 11, page 231, Ihe following is shown under year 11156: ‘Emma Col-

vin. 560 tons, Captain Nicholson, sailed from London Dili March, arrived 23rd dune. Passengers 172.'

The Y.M.O.A. of Wellington is filling a very great need in supplying at, a moderate cost, right in the heart of the (lily, a, thoroughly up-to-date private hold. Voting men taking up temporary or permanent residence may be assured of a good home with all the appointments of a high-grade residential club, conducted under the best influence. The attention of our readers is directed to an advertisement appearing in this issue.

The special services in the Congregational Churgh building Ilardv street, conducted by Mr Fred Woods, have been very well attended each night. The addresses given have been thoroughly evangelical in character, and listened to with great interest and appreciation. Mr Woods continues his address on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of nest week. Godet has received Hie greatest possible distinction ever awarded to a French Perfumer, lining officially gazetted “Hors Concours Membro du Jury.” Oodet Toiletries at W. McKay and Son Ltd.*

Whim the shoitesL day is loft behind the optimist begins fo look forward to spring, and can even descry summer in tlie far distance (in imagination). Tomorrow (hunday), 2isl June, is the short osL day in the Southern Hemisphere, officially and according to almanacs, but it would be a mistake to call it midwinter day, as is sometimes done. Experience shows that most of Mew Zealand's winter weather, and the worst, usually comes after tl,io shortest day. but as seasons of late seem to bo all wrong, perhaps that will not be the ease this year. To-morrow the sun is due in Nelson to rise, at 7.22 a.m., and to set at 4.34 p.m. The sun lias been setting at about 4.33 p.m. for the last, nine days, but from now onward, until the longest day, its time of setting will gradually get later and later. It is interesting to note that, whereas in Nelson there are over nine hours of- daylight to be enjoyed on the shortest day, in London on the corresponding day, there are only eight the sun rising at about 3 a.m. and setting about 4 p.m.

In connection with the public meeting lo bo bold at the Municipal Chambers on Monday night lo discuss the unemployment problem, the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) states that although tile Government lias decided to continue the No. 5 scheme, there are still other important matters to be considered, for the reason that the Hospital Board’s revenue this year is so small that it cannot adequately deal with relief. In these circumstances, the Mayor added, it was incumbent to make some provision to meet the applications for relief so frequently made. It is considered that some proper organisation should be set up to deal with relief in order to prevent overlapping and waste. It is hoped that there will be a largo attendance at the meeting. The possibility of the slump having some beneficial results so far as the dairying industry is concerned was mentioned by the Director of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture (Mr W. M. Singleton), when speaking at- Palmerston North. Mr Singleton remarked that New Zealand had achieved yet another record in the matter of production. So regularly were these increases being made that the rest of the world was wondering how New Zealand did it. The economic conditions through which they were passing were very difficult, but they had to remember* that it was in times of adversity that they looked for ways and means of improving the quality of their produce. Out of the slump of the 80’s had come the separator, which had been responsible for such progress ill the dairying industry. He was wondering what advantages New Zealand was going to receive from the present slump. There was one direction in which he thought economy could be effected, and that was in respect of the delivery of supplies to the factories. The loss of unnecessary cream haulage would pay the whole cost of dairy instruction in N r ew Zealand.

Undergraduates are to be excluded from the Otago University graduation ceremony on 16tli July. , The University Council' explains, in ' a letter to the Students’ Association, that in view of the conduct of certain students on the occasion of the last graduation ceremany, the Council lias decided _ not to reopen the question of the admission of students to the ceremony this year, but that the matter will be reconsidered for next- year.

The risks run. by pedestrians in these days of motor transport are often referred to in jest and in earnest, but it lias been left to Invercargill to produce a new danger from motor traffic (says the Southland “Times”). A woman who was pushing a cycle along Dee street had just passed the buses parked near Esk street when a car rolled past and something struck lier instep. The missile proved to lie fi nail; winch had apparently been picked from the street by a wheel of the ear and projected through the air in the direction of the passer-by. 'The nail pierced the instep behind the toe joint for over half an inch, and the victim of the accident has not since been able lo use the foot.

In connection with figures recently published as showing the public securities held by various life insurance companies, the Wellington office of the Australian Mutual Provident Society states that the total held by it amounts to £43,882,928. Of this, Australian Government securities amount to £21,103,882 and the balance is, comprised of securities of public bodies and municipalities in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other dominions. — Press Association.

“What marvellous achievements and startling and bewildering changes have taken place during the history of the company!” remarked the Hon. E. W. Alison at the fiftieth annual meeting of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, held this week. In 1881, the year in which the company came into existence, there were no tramways—not even those drawn by horses--no motor cars, no telephones, no electric light or power, no wireless, no Hying machines, no submarines, no oil-driven vessels, no silent picture films or talkies, no X-ray—nor any of the other amazing inventions and d* velopinents of the past half-century. “It makes one wonder what further scientific discoveries may come about, within the next fifty years,” said Mr Alison

Statements that some of the recipients of charitable aid were obtaining from Lhe stores tinned food and delicacies instead of plain foods were made at this week’s meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board. The chairman (Mr W. L. Ken nedy) emphasised that in order to make the funds go as iar as possible luxuries would have to ho barred and it was decided to advise the stores that only absolute necessities should he supplied. A remarkable circumstance has happened in the removal of Messrs Claughlon’s Music Store. Without pre-know-ledge they will now occupy premises that- were held by two former music stores, also more striking still, their private residence in Waimea street was owned and occupied by the former tenant- of the business premises concerned.

It has been suggested by some members of the Nelson Womens’ Club that a motor circle should he formed for the purpose of one afternoon a week taking out convalescent patients for a- short drive. In this issue a:i advertisement notifies the time of the meeting. All members are welcome, but especially those who drive cars.

A jumble sale will he held in the Cathedral Sunday School, Nile street, next Saturday, 27th June, at 2.30 p.m., when good and useful clothes will be sold.

Members of the IT; muonic Society’s •horns and orchestra are notified that next week a combined practice will he icld on Monday evening at 8 o’clock.

Overcoats at greatly -reduced prices are offered by the Military Stores as advertised on page 2.* Hr. Hon’s Granules bring quick, safe relief from constipation, biliousness, indigestion, rheumatism, and neuritis. Made from formula of a New Zealand medical man with over 50 years’ experience. Dr. Don’s Granules are safe, small and active. _ Send twopence in stamps for free trial packet-. R. W. Martin, Chemist, Trafalgar Street. * Constipation? Luhrolux, the scientific laxative encourages the natural wavelike movement- of the bowels. It- is a combination of Japanese seaweed and pure paraffin. Try it. W. A. L. Noes, Ltd., Chemists.*

At a meeting of the Otago Education Board this week the question of representation on the Education Economy Committee was referred to by the chairman (Mr J. Wallace). Mr Wallace said that lie had received the following letter from tlie I’rime Minister: “I have been advised by my colleague, the Hon. H. Atmore, of-that portion of vour telegram recently sent- to him, in which it is suggested that in connection with the Education Economy Committee the edu-

cation boards should be represented on il. 1 have noted the request of your board concerning the matter, and shall be glad to bear it in mind for consideration at the appropriate time.” The chairman said he had replied as follows : “As there is a rumour here that the Educational Institute has been promised representation, I would now respectfully suggest that primary education boards at least receive the same consideration.” Tho chairman’s action was approved.

Donations of food and clothing will lavery gratefully received by the Salvation Army officers for tlie needy during tho winter months.