LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 April 1934, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

“There is never less than 200,000.000 lb. of tea in store in. London,’ ’said Captain A. W. Pearse in. speaking of tne trade of that port before the Wellington Rotary Club. .

Recently, when some inquiries were beiiur made by the Auckland Hospital Board members as to the method of cooking at the New Plymouth Hospital, it was found that for many years the head chef there was a Chinaman, who over a long period of years had given such satisfaction that on one occasion his board had given bun extended leave of absence, so that lie might pay a visit' to China, and resume his duties on his return. He was an enthusiast at his work, and was one of the most expert hospital cooks in the Dominion. Commenting on this, a well-known-Taranaki resident stated that one of the greatest benefactors the province ever had was a Chinese merchant named Chew Chong, who discovered “fungus,’.’ ami who made it a paying proposition for the settlers, who in many cases in the “.hard old days’ of long ago relied on their fungus money to keep them over the dull season, when there was little or nothing coming in. Better still, he was the first man to start a dairy factory near Eltham and buy the farmers’ milk from them. He married, ami reared a large family at New Plymouth. He avas a highly respected man, whose word was his bond. He had a wide vision of what would take place in Taranaki as the days went hv in regard to the dairying industry, and his dreams came true.

“The Companies Act will do a great deal to restore the shaken confidence, of investois,” said Mr A. Stewart at the annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants (reports the ‘‘Press-’). “But it is a matter for regret that there is not a regulation requiring even morn information on the accounts of companies Modern industry depends foils finance on the joint stock system, and this in turn .depends 011 those tens of thousands of small investois who may have no technical knowledge of accountancy. It is altogether wrong to supply those investors with balancesheets incomprehensible to them, as it often leaves the field open to professional investors who take advantage of this ignorance.”

At a meeting of representatives of local bodies held in Greymouth to consider the matter of establishing an emergency landing ground for aviation, it was unanimously resolved to affirm (lie principle of developing the site on dry land, beside the lagoon area, near the Grey Hospital. This decision was taken on tlie understanding that the costs io he provided by the local bodies shall be proportionate to the population in their respective areas. Their representatives present undertook to convey tins proposal to the several local bodies interested, states the “Grey River Argus.” tinder the proposal the expenditure would ha allocated on 'the basis of approximate population, as follows: — Grey Borough (6300), £171; Brunner Borough (700), £l9; Cobdeu Town Board (1200), £32 10s; liuiianga Borough (1400), £3B; Grey County (4400), £ll9 lOs: Grey Power Board, £100; Grey Harbour Board, £120; making a total of £6OO. Allowing for the Unemployment Board’s moneys to meet labour costs, the local bodies require to find £sll, to meet the estimated cost, £1425, with wages at 13s 4d per day, 28 acres having to he levelled.

Whether a- man who was appointed ns sole selector for the Canterbury representative Rugby team could do justice to the position if lie were, Inter in the season, appointed also as a South Island and New Zealand selector, was deluded at the meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union (reports the “Press"). The general opinion appeared to he that (he Cauleilmry selector would he needed in. the province practically all the lime, hut that the duel position might not he embarrassing if only one or two trial 111a idles were held lor selection of 1 the All Blacks for the English lour. The matter came forward as the result "f t question as lo whether the Canterbury Union, in nominating a man as New Zealand selector would go past the Canterbury selector in view of his presumably having quite enough to look to in. the" province. If that were so, it was said, there was. the possibility of a nomination for the Cnnterburv position being withdrawn. No motion was put :o the meeting and no nominations weie withdrawn. "Mr J. H. Harris was elected as sole selector fur Canterbury. The attention of the public is drawn Hie fact I hat the majority of the retail premises in the city will close at noon on Saturday (tare day). Pace wear specials—Frocks, Coats, Costumes. See page 5. Tratlion’sC Alfred Gould advertises details of an extensive auction sale of furniture, etc., at the rooms on Friday next at 2 p.in.*

dust, in time for the races. New Coats, Frocks, Costumes, Hats, Silk Hose, Gloves. See page 5, Trathen’s.*

Fruit exporters are advised by advertisement in this issue that no further quantities are required for the Continent, and that “Surplus" Stickers will be required for quantities covered by space hookings submitted after 7tli April.

“I am going lo tell you a story now which is absolutely authentic," ’ said Mr ,F. P. Walsh, one of the assessors for the employees, during the hearing of a dispute before the Conciliation Commissioner in Wellington (reports “The Post") “A friend of mine employing labour,” said Mr Walsh, "approached his hank manager for in overdraft. The bank official looked through his client’s correspondence and pointed out that lie had not yet reduce'! wages. .My friend said : ‘I don’t have to. I can carry on.’ The bank manager replied : 'You go away and consider reducing your wages, and then come and see me.’ ”

It was reported last week that little more than half the usual crop of honey will he harvested this year in the hoiicyproducing districts along the west, coast from Wellington to Mok-iu, Taranaki 'Pile position is different n the West Coast of the South Island. The

“Grey River Argus" staves that this year’s West Coast crop is better t min in most provinces of the Dominion.

The old Cutting bridge across the Waimakariii river connecting Goutls Island with the north side of the river is still in an excellent state ot preservation although it was built more than 60 years ago (states the Christ church "Press”). 1 tie surface is extremely rougn but the bridge itself appears to be as solid as a rock. Members of the Wuimakiriri River Trust, who passed oyer the bridge, on their annual inspection of reserves, mentioned the remarkable age and strength of the bridge, which, they said, had not had a penny spent on it except for work which was purely maintenance. The trust members crossed tlie bridge in a large and heav* r omni bus, but the bridge did not even tremble.

The Union Steam Sluo Company’s freighter Katoa, which has been sold to Holier and Company, Shanghai, wuit ou to tlie Jubilee Floating Dock at Wellington yesterday for the final overhaul before sailing from Wellington for the East. Captain R. Cordy, who is in command of the Chinese crew of 24 which arrived here on Monday by the Maunganui to mail the ship, is in no hurry to take the Katoa away, but she will probably sail within the next week. A leisurely course will be taken, as tlie ship is to proceed to Britisn North Borneo for instructions from Shanghai. There are many farmers in New Zealand who will not agree that the dehorning of cattle.is as painful —as distinct from cruel—as Lord Bledisloe would claim it to be. A well-known Taieri farmer states that the pain inflicted on an animal when its horns are cut oil is similar to that experienced by a human being when lie has a tooth extracted. There is a momentary acute pain and shock, and that is all. The Taieri farmer says that he has been dehorning cattle all his life, and that within the past 18 months he has treated over 1000 animals. Immediately after the operation a dab of Stockholm tar is put on the wound. Not one death has to be recorded in the 1000 cattle dehorned, and the Taieri farmer states that in practically ever** instance the animals were feeding in the paddocks a couple of hours afterwards. He claims without hesitation that the temporary pain indicted is justified in the result achieved, as cattle in herds, in railway tl’iiclc, and in other confined spaces cannot wound each other as do cattle with their horns intact. A Dunedin man who has also had a wide experience of cattle stales that he lias seen an animal taken from a, truck so badly injured by tlie horns of the other animals that it died shortly after. He gave it as his. clear-cut opinion that dehorning may be painful. but that it is really a humane operation.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Nov/ Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. J. A. Young)jgave an account of the successful operations undertaken against deer in the South. Island, and spoke of his own observations in tlie thickly infested areas there (reports “The Rost") Air Young said that recently lie had spent some nine da-v in the highlands of Western Otago, going through the Haunt Pass, and into the hack country of Westland, to see what the officers'of his Department were doing in- the places where, deer could bn destroyed. This was most necessary in tlie interests of the forests and the people living on, the plains below. The Department, had had teams of men destroying deer in the headwaters of the Wnimakariri and in Westland. The sportsman was satisfied with half a dozen a week, but in South Westland and above the headwaters of the Waimakaviri, he said, the Department had killed 8000 deer. He dealt with the destruction caused hv deer among the mosses, ferns, and seedlings covering the floor of.the forest, and with tlie dangers of the consequent erosion to innholders and the courses of rivers such as the Waimakariri.

A missionary address was given at 'the Methodist' Hall last night by Sister Elizabeth Common who is on furlough after having spent eleven years at the Solomon Islands. She described the ways and customs of the native teachers converted to. Christianity, who were working in the Islands, and gave a vivid account ot missionary life there. A musical nyorrramme to which Mrs Smith, Mrs Gibson and * Miss Mayson contributed was given and a playette entitled The Chalice and the Cup,” by Bible Class girls was rendered. The Rev. W. A. Burley presided and on the motion of Mrs Reaper a vote of thanks to Miss Common and • performers was carried hv acclamation.

The Brightwatcr Flower and Produce Show will lie hold on Friday and Saturday next 20th and 21st April for the :52ml year in succession. The committee has arrangements well in hand and everything points to the usual good display of the various classes of entries which include fruit, dowers, vegetables, and industrial work. Afteimnin tea and supper will he available. A musical programme will be provided on both evenings when it is hoped the public will show its appreciation hv patronising the show in good numbers.

Dance patrons ar e reminded of the popular fortnightly dance to he held in the Brightwatcr Public Hall on Saturday next, under the management of the Brightwatcr Brass Band Inc.

Students and teachers are reminded that, entries for Trinity College of M us io practical examinations close on until April with the lion, local secretary, Mrs If. S. Claughton, as advertised.

More plants 1/- dozen to-morrow at "I’ll,, Auckland" in Nelson. Adverisemeiit nag 4 for Alteration Sale Barmins at Nelson and Motueka.*

In to-day’s issue tlie Railway Department draws attention to special trains and cheap fares from Nelson to Rich moiid in connection with the Nelson Jockey Club's Race Meeting on Saturday and Monday next.

More Alteration Sale Bargains tomorrow at “The Auckland.” Nelson unci Motueka Advertisement page 4 for details.*

At 12.30 o'clock to-day H.M.S. Dunedin. flagship of the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, left Nelson for the Sounds after a stay in port since last Saturday. A large number of people assembled on the wharf to see the departure of the vessel. 'Pile band played a number of pieces, including “Auld Lang Syne," and after lifting her anchor the warship glided awav out of the harbour.

The unusual spectacle oi a. full-drive hitting a sparrow on the wing was witnessed by several members of the Timaru Coif Club at Higlifiold during the week-end, states the ’Herald. ’ Driving from the Chasm, one of the members hit a sparrow, wliijai fell dead into the bottom of the Chasm while tiio ball thus interrupted reached the top of the hill. The member claimed a ‘birdie," hut his opponent would not allow it.

The postal authorities advise mails which left Wellington on the 20th March per Makura, via San Francisco arrived in London on 18th April.