LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A very great deal of interest is being taken in the Inter-Collegiate footb.yU tournament which commences at Wellington this afternoon. Nelson College, the present holders of the championship, meets Christ’s College in the second game this afternoon, and a special edition of “The Mail” will bo published this evening giving a detailed description of the play. “The Mail’s” late telegraphic and general sporting news which is always posted up and broadcast by station *2ZK, will bo included. The edition a ill bo. obtainable at “The Maii” office, at agents, and in the streets during the evening.

In reply to a request for a ruling made by the certifying officer at Ashburton iis to whether a single who applied for work should state the financial position of his parents when ho was living with them, the Commissioner of Unemployment stated that although the young* man might have attained his majority, if his parents were in a good financial position they should he prepared to assist him through the difficult times, and there was no reason why he should become a charge on the Unemployment Board. When this ruling was reported to the meeting of the Ashburton Unemployment Committee the chairman (the Mayor, Mr W. H. Woods) said that the attitude of the Commissioner was absurd and ridiculous (reports the “Times”). No other form issued by the Government called upon a man to state the position of his parents. Ho was prepared to debate the question on the public platform. If a well-educated - hoy was to he kept idle because his father was in a good position he did not see where the position was going to end.

Denial of the assertion that sheep and lambs raised on irrigated lands became light in the bone was made by Mr R. B. Tennent, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Dunedin, during a discussion at the fathering of the New Zealand Grassfund Association at Christchurch (reports the “Times”). He said that inaguificant sheep could be grown on irrigated areas, and in Canterbury there should be no occasion for sheep to go off in condition. The reverse should be the case. The price of water for irrigation in Central Otago was equal to that of two hundredweight of superphosphate. If the water was not worth that it was worth nothing at all.

That the Fruitgrowers’ Federation seek the co-operation of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in urging upon the Government the necessity of reducing the charges for country telephones, was a remit which the conference of Canterbury fruitgrowers decided to support at the Federation’s annual conference (reports the “Times”). The remit was forwarded by the Oratia Fruitgrowers’ Association.

In support of an application for a goods service license, counsel stated at the meeting of the. No. 7 Licensing Authority yesterday afternoon that his client had been engaged as a haulage contractor since the. bullock waggon days. He then used horses, and was now running motor trucks. The chairman: “He lias not gone in for arcoplanes yet?” Counsel: “No.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to know that officers of the federation were partners in our joys,” was a remark which raised laughter at the annual conference of Canterbury fruitgrowers (reports the “Times”). The speaker was referring to a Rangiora remit which urged that, in order to give federation employees a greater financial interest in the wellbeing of tho fruitgrowers, the federation directors bring forward a scheme whereby the remuneration of all federation officers he based on the average market price for apples. A Rangiora representative said that the remit had been rejected last year, following a statement that the Rangiora association would he the laughing-stock of New Zealand. The members did not mind being that, as long as they were right. That the producer of wealth should be so “hard up” while other persons were not was a wrong condition. Upon a member declaring that federation officers would he asking for a rise in salary, Mr T. C. Brash, president of the federation, said that the purpose of the remit was to “tone it down a bit.” The remit was approved.

“New Zealand has a world-wide reputation for being an ideal glass country on account ol the benign conditions of its soil and climate,” said Mr R. B. Tennent, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture at Dunedin, in a paper read to tho conference of tlie New Zealand Grassland Association (reports the “Bress”). “The average visitor to this Dominion leaves with tho impression that highly productive pastures grow with little effort or expense to tlie farmer over most parts of the country. That such a wide generalisation is totally erroneous needs no emphasis, there being, in point of fact, only a limited area in New Zealand which can stand up to the growing reputation which is often accorded to tlie country as a whole. Those familair with conditions know full well that only a tithe of tiie country is well grassed, and that large areas remain to be successfully dealt with.”

A plea that a load of timber had absorbed rain water and thus caused the load to be excessive was submitted by a (inn of timber merchants, when charged in the Otahuhu Magistrate’s Court with carrying a load in excess of the licensed weight (reports the Auckland “Herald”). A fine of 30s and IC’s costs was imposed, "it was also raining that day,” said the inspector when the next case was being heard. The defendants had had a load of hides 19ewt. in excess of the., limit. “The rain would scarcely affect that load,” replied Mr T. ii. Levien, S.M., in imposing a fine of 50s and 10s costs. An operator of a heavy traffic vehicle was fined £3 10s and 10s costs for carrying a load over one ton in excess. The inspector stated that the defendant when challenged as j.o "his load had said the difference was accounted for by his own weight and that of his wife, who was travelling with him.

The Nelson Progress League proposes in Uio near future to issue another “Sunny Nelson” booklet, also a folder, and at tlio annual meeting yesterday a committee was set up to prepare material for both publications.

It was stated at the meeting of the No. 7 Licensing Committee yesterday afternoon that three new sawmills had been opened in the Inangahua district during the last three months.

There being no criminal cases to be heard at a Gisborne sitting of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Blair was awarded a pair of white gloves—a suggestion of clean hands, dating, no doubt, to obscure times when manicure was less indulged in, even by their lordships (writes M.A.T. in the Auckland “Star”). One wonders if the State makes the gift to a judge on such an occasion, and if the State glover, prior to the little function, measures the hands of his Honour or obtains from him the size lie habitually wears. White gloves are the only change in wear our own judges when on tiie Bench ever indulge in, if one excludes the sombre cap that on regretted occasions crowns the dispenser of justice. White gloves, even outside a court of law, have from time to time expressed gladness. A door knocker, swathed in white glove, for many generations signified that a little stranger had arrived within and that mother and baby were well. It was a warning to intending congratulationists, postmen and tax gatherers to refrain from loudness —and had much of the meaning of a muffled bell. How new fathers and mothers got on when electric bells came in one knows not. White gloves in their modern social expression prevent palm prints on the waists of ladies fair at dances. White gloves on the hands of the benevolent director of traffic have before to-day aided his Honour to a pair of spotless kids himself.

An example of the effect of fashion on seed growing was mentioned in a paper read at the conference of the New Zealand Grassland Association by Mr W. A. Jacques, of Massey Agricultural College (reports the “Press ’), when he explained that one of the reasons why Irish seed growers were restricting their production of crested dogstail was because the straw had once been used to make straw hats, which were now out of faliion. Ireland which, with New Zealand, was one of the largest suppliers of crested dogstail seed to the English market, was reducing its area of production simply because there was no longer any market for the straw, and Hampshire, which had formerly been a producing area, had given it up altogether for this season.

Some confusion existed at the meeting of the No. 7 Licensing Authority yesterday afternoon as to the exact locality of Inangahua. Was it the railway station or the “pub?” someone inquired. The chairman amid warm approval, considered that the “pub” was the correct designation for the purposes of the Authority. At a later stage of the proceedings an applicant said that before he commenced carting fruit to Inangahua it wont by boat to the coast. “In fact” he added, lots of growers did not know where Inangahua was.” “And we don’t either,” said the chairman amid laughter.

The position of primary school teachers who attend military camps was explained by the Education Department in a letter which came before the Auckland Education Board at its last meeting (reports the “Star”). Teachers attending compulsory campsi in connection with their military activities, stated the Department, might be given up to five school days’ leave of' absence on full pay. On the motion of the chairman, Mr T. U. Wells, it was decided to suggest to the Department that it would be more satisfactory if the camps could be held during the summer vacation, instead of at the beginning of February, as in the past. “There is no doubt that the absence of a teacher for a week does upset the work of a school,” remarked Mr Wells.

“I i consider it is a ridiculous proposal to set up a Wool Board when we have a Meat Board, which is composed of some of the ablest men in New Zealand, and which is quite capable of dealing with wool,” said Mr A. Stuart, M.P., amid applause, at a meeting of farmers at Tailiape recently, reports the Taihape “Times.” “I can assure you that I shall strongly oppose the si ■gestion if ever it comes before the House,”' continued Mr Stuart.

School teachers are out of luck this month (reports the Auckland “Star”). They will not be able to draw their salaries till after the term holidays are over. The regulations lay down that salaries must be paid on the last dav of the term. As the present term ends on lßth August, teachers expected to draw their pay cheques then, before the holidays began. The Education Department, however, has advised the education boards that the Treasury Department will be unable to lodge the grants to allow of payments before 31st August. This will mean that teachers will be unable to draw their salaries before the holidays, which end on 4th September, are practically over.

The sitting of No. 7 Licensing Authority to deal with goods services under the Transport Act concluded its sitting at 11.30 last night, after having been in session since Wednesday morning. Over 60 Applications were dealt with. The proceedings were necessarily somewhat protracted, a good deal of latitude being allowed in view of the fact that it was the first meeting held to deal with goods services. In the great majority of cases the applicants were entitled to automatic licenses, but at the noxt annual sitting applicants will ha\e to prove that their services are necessary and desirable in tile public interest. The representative of the Railway Department (Mr E. S. Brittenden. Traffic manager, Christchurch), watched the proceedings closely. The Authority in granting licenses, endeavoured to prevent overlapping of service as far as possible.

Attention is drawn to an advertisement in this issue calling lor nominations to fill a vacancy on the Nelson Land Board.

At the Richmond Baptist Church tomorrow morning there will be a special service for young people, the occasion being the quarterly church parade of the local troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The pastor", Mr Frank Varley, will conduct the service.

Attention is drawn to the Wakefield Plunket Society’s advertisement in this issue.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, is inviting applications for land in the Maungatapu and other survey districts, and is also offering various other sections for sale by auction on sth September next. Particulars appear elsewhere in this issue.

An invitation is extended to all lovers of dancing to be present at the Rainbow Club’s dance to be held in the Velma Hall to-night when all the popular dances will he in evidence. The cash prize is for the winners of the Monte Carlo which is to take place at 9.15 p.m. Twilight dances are also featured on the early part of the programme. The club is making a special feature of these novelty dances which have always proved so popular.

“This is most ridiculous,” declared a member of the .conference of Canterbury fruitgrowers, when a remit from the Waimea Fruitgrowers’ Association to the Federation’s annual conference was before the meeting (reports the “Times”). The remit urged that no local fruit whatsoever be sold ex grower's shed for a sum less than 2s per case nett. “You had better see what the Waimea delegates have to say about it,” advised Mr T. C. Brash, president of the Federation. The Canterbury delegates were given a free hand in their voting on the matter.

“I think there are brighter days ahead, and that they are not far distant,” said the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Internal Affairs, when advising members of a deputation not to adopt a pessimistic outlook (reports the Auckland “Star”). “I think you are really a iittle pessimistic,” he added, “but we cannot help that —it is catching.”