LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 June 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Over the week-end a sudden change to colder weather conditions took place, and this morning there was a coating of snow on the Alauugatapu, The Fringe, and Jenkiu’s Hill. Though the weather was fine to-day there was a. cold southwesterly wind which carried heavy storm clouds with it.

Ihe very interesting discovery of the greater part ol the sKeieton of a kuri, or Maori dog, lias been made by Mr E. I. hrost, of Lake Ohia, Doubtless Bay, and it was last week presented by him to the Auckland War Memorial Museum (states the ‘’Herald”). Air Frost made his discovery while searching the remains of an old Alaori encampment which had been uncovered by the wind among the sandhills of Doubtless Bay in tlie bar North. The find included the skull, the jawbones, the main leg bones and some of the smaller bones. The museum authorities were able definitely to identify the bones as belonging to an immature kuri. They have a certain number of known - skulls of the kuri which they were able to use for purposes of comparison, but the skeleton sent by Mr Frost is the mosi complete that they possess. Authentic specimens are exceedingly rare, for the original kuri of the Maoris became mixed with various dogs of European origin after white settlement. and completely lost their identity. The Otago University Museum possesses a specimen of one said to have been shot hi tlie last decade of last century, and there is another in the Dominion Aluseum in Wellington. Air Frost found the bones close beside Alaori hangis, and said the animal had evidently been cooked and eaten. Tlie hair of the kuri, he said, was formerly used by the Maori# for decorating their taiahas. The dog, which was probably brought to the country by the Maoris m the first place, is notable as being one ol tlie only two mammals found in New Zealand at the time of European settlement, the other being the native bat. Among the other remains found by Air Frost in this encampment were large bones of tuatara lizards which had probably served as food, and lie has also iound many moa bones in the same locality. Of particular interet was a moa chicken bone found in a broken eggshell.

Readers are reminded of the post sessional address to be given by Mr Harry At more M.P., at the Theatre Royal tomorrow evening, when he will deal with many interesting subjects and advocate reform of our monetary system. He quotes Mr Reginald McKenna late Chancellor of the Lxchequer and chairman today of the world’s greatest trading bank as declaring: ‘ They' who control the credit of a nation direct the policies of Governments and hold in the hollow of their hands the destiny of the people,” and gives a quotation from the 14th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannia to the effect: “Banks create credit It is a mistake to suppose that bank credit is created to any important extent by the payment of money into a bank. A loan made by a bank is a clear addition to the amount of money, in the community.” He will condemn national borrowing and quotes the late Mr William Rout founder of the Nelson family as wisely saying forty • years ago: “i believe that every pubic work can be secured by the people of this colony if they will agree to use their own credit in the shape of a state currency (and that free from all interest) instead of using the credit of outsiders at a. heavy expense for its use and subsequent impoverishment of its users.” Mr Atmore insists that low wages are no remedy and that the people s purchasing power should always be equal to the total value of the goods on the market as advocated by Lord Bledisloe. Pensions, he says, must also be increased and this can easily be done when our financial credit faithfully reflects our real credit (goods and services). "Guaranteed prices for farmers” is also strongly advocated bv Mr Atmore. Mr \V. Moffatt, will preside and Mr Atmore draws attention to the electric heating at the theatre and to the comfortable seating accommodation.

The annual public meeting in connection with the 11. X. Cook Recreation Ground will bn held in the Riwaka Valley Sunday School on Wednesday, 12th June at 7.30 p.m. A section, comprising an old telegraph reserve at Foxhill is being offered for sale by public auction at the District Lands and Survey Office, Nelson, on 12th July. Particulars ,arc advertised in this issue.' 1 ' Attractive ready-to-wear Felts, specially priced for our New Customers Campaign, new colourings and designs, 19/6. McKay’s.* Owing to bereavement the concert which was to have, been licit! in the Prebyierian Hail to-night lias been postponed until Monday, 17th June. Holders of tickets dated for the 10th June may use them on the 17th.

Commencing on Wednesday, 12th inst., a series of old time dances will he conducted bv the Motueka ITS.A. in the Institute Hall, Motueka,

Commenting upon the speech of the Governor of the Reserve Rank at the animal *i:cetiui» hist week. "The Dominion” says: ".Mr Lefeaux's speech dealt with banking: partly the domestic detail of banking, but also banking as a service to industry and commerce. He explained what the Reserve Rank has lions and is doing, and why. lie dwelt on its responsibilities, its independence, and the prospects of its greater usefulness to the Dominion. He took passengers down below, as it were, and siiowed them the engines at work. The effect of a banker’s talking shop to the public in this way cannot but be helpful to banking generally, and therefore-to tiade generally. One of the causes of the present rank growth in New Zealand of freak monetary theories is the public’s lack of authentic information regarding tlte functions and economic importance of its hanks. Bankers ns a class are conservative and uncommunicative ; they say very little Critics of current banking practice, on the other hand, once they begin talking, can hardiy be stopped. The public, being for all its weaknesses pretty shrewd at bottom, knows to discount ill-informed talk, but must sometimes long for a little that is wellinformed and authoritative."

‘‘There must be thousands of dogs in New Zealand roaming about loose at night. There must be hundreds in my district alone,” said Mr If. G Parish (Oxford) speaking at the annual conference of the North Canterbury district of tlie New Zealand Farmers’ Union (roj.orls ‘ The I ’res; ’). He was support ing a remit that the Government t-boulf make it compulsory for all dogs to be tied up or placed under control after dark. Mr Parish said dogs were let loose at night because farmers would not feed them. He tnought a dog not worth feeding was not worth Keeping. Other speakers emphasised the menace to sheep and the worry to farmers of roaming dogs at night. r lhe remit was referred to the executive as the conference felt that in its present form it was not practical.

An interesting distinction {between property and chattels was made by Mr Alax Riske, in a lecture on his observations on Soviet Russia given in Auckland this week He was describing the model workers’ settlements of individual homes on the outskirts of Moscow, and mentioned the case of a miner purchaing his own home from his trade union. Ejaculations of surprise from several members of his audience brought from Mr Riske the explanation that in Russia to-day such belongings as are strictly kept for one’s own use are not regarded as private property, whether they comprise homes, motor-cars, radio sets, or any other personal property. “These are regarded more in tiie nature of chattels,” said the lecturer, “and a Soviet citizen may possess iliem, bat cannot use ihem in any way which would bring in profit. He cannot let or sell the house nor hire the car, nor can he own a motor-truck, which, being used for distribution and connected with production. conies under the category of those things which must be owned by the community.” The miner whose house was chosen at random for observation frr.ni a street full of similar homes, was paying for it and also the furniture by in stalmenls, and could at death leave it to his heirs.

On the ground that the holding of the general election in the month of December had too disturbing an influence on business, the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, at its meeting iast week decided to ask the Associated Chambers of Commerce to make representations with a view to haying the elections held in November (reports the “Herald”). The matter was raised in a letter from the New Plymouth Relailti's’ Association who urged this change, and also that it should not be compulsory to close for half a day on the day of the elections. Mr P. J. H. White said the drapers'of the Dominion had raised this matter on previous occasions, as they were unanimously of opinion that December was too late for the elections as it interfered with the Christmas business. It was moved that the chamber make representations to the Associated Chambers of Commerce with a view to having a change to November made in ill ± date of the election. > Mr White said that if the associated chambers took up i lie matter the Government would have to take notice, as they represented the commercial community of the whole Dominion. Mr G. H. Dolby said the half-holiday was a statutory matter, and to alter that would need an amendment of the Act, Mr White said he thought it was not expedient to move in tne direction of an amendment to the Shops and Uflices Act at the present time. They recognised that employees had to be allowed a reasonable time in which to vote, but he did not know that it required half a day. The council decided to take no action in regard to the half-holiday question, and its decisions will be communicated to the Retailers' Association.

“It is just as necessary that poultry should be subject to inspection as lt'is for any other meat,” declared Mr J. Juggins at a meeting ol the Christchurch District Council ot uie New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation, when uiging that poultry should be brought under the scope of the provisions of ttie Pure Food Act (reports “The Press”). .Mr Higgins said that the fear ul disease in poultry was a. deterrent to buying by the public, for at tbe present time it was not an offence to sell diseased poultry. Speakers z.jso urged that it should he made an offence to sell bad eggs. Remits to tins effect will go forward to the annual conference of the federation.

An amusing story illustrating the reaction to “ a. little brief authority’’ of different ranks of officers was told by Mr W. Downie Stewart. M.P., at a gathering of ex-servicemen in Dunedin (reports the “Otago Daily Times”). “During the war,” he said, "an American soldier was walking along the street of a French village one night, and, wanting a light, for his cigarette, called to a man who loomed up out of the darkness, ‘I say, could you give me a match?’ When the stranger obligingly struck a match the American was horrified to find that his casual hail had been addressed to a general. ‘l’m sorry, sir,’ he said, ‘I didn’t know you were a general.’ ‘That’s all right,’ replied the •ither, ‘you can count yourself fortunate I’m not a second-lieutenant. ” Two-piece Suits in the most attractive Knopp Tweeds, smartly tailored. Ideal for sportswear. S.W. to W.X., from 59/6. —McKay’s.*

The two old mates chanced to meet in Auckland Domain and got talking about the old days. “I ’member the time,” said one, “when you coftld buy a prime leg o’ mutton for a bob.” “Ah,” said the other, “and I mind the time when boor was sixpence a pint and bacea sixpence a ounce. Not this here toasted bacca ’most everyone smokes now, of course.” “Not likely,” agreed his mate, “toasted’s diff’rent to other bacca. I been smoking it this dozen years—and can you beat it?” “There’s nothing to touch it!” declared the other with emphasis, “and mind you it couldn’t do you no ’arm not if you smoked a pound of it a week. That’s what toasting does!” This being carried unanimously the pair lit up and toddled off in quest of “arf-a-’andle.” “Toasted” certainly has an irresistible appeal for smokers. Look at the demand for all five brands: Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshoad), Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish. Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold. Yes, and look at tbe imitations ! —and avoid them !* New Customers Campaign attractions ! Frocks and Coats reduced. Be sure to see these at-McKay’s.*

An application has been filed m the Wellington supreme Court for a declaratory order giving the National Sporting Club (Inc.) iiie right to promote wrestling matches. It is understood that an early hearing has been applied for (sav»

■'The Dominion”). m:e National Sporting Club was formed recently by Mr 11. D. Pennell, of Wellington, to pro mote wrestling bouts in opposition to tile ,\iw /calami Wrestling "Union and. ils affiliated provincial organisations, bn' so far the club has been unsuccessful in obtaining Police Department permits, which are necessary in the staging of contest s

“Although not up to the total set in 1933 of 160,259 cases, the 1935 total ot 135,915 cases is a good indication that Otago apple export is not decreasing,” states the report issued by the Utago lh uitgrowevs’ Council. '1 lie report .says the crops were heavier this year, but they contained a large percentage of big fruit which was not exportable. Of ’.he total cases exported the council shipped 34,651 cases. This season's export was at least two weeks earlier in starting and a week earlier in finishing than usuai, and already the council’s first lour shipments had readied the United Kingdom’*} markets and had either been sold or were- being sold. Speaking at the annual meeting of the National dank of Australasia m Melbourne. Sir Janies Bluer, chairman ol tile board of directors, made passing reierence to the present wurnl outlook and the position occupied by Great brilain. “Tne international situation appears t.o have deepened in its complexities, he said, "and wliile the general unrest ill Europe continues there is little hope lor a permanent improvement in tne market for :he goons we export. The Empire is playing a noble part in its endeavours to piomote an honourable and lasting understanding among nations, ana we iervently hope that, an enduring peace, with all it means to us, ns nearer uian appearances indicate. Great Britain has merged V'o ,n her own financial dillicuities Lu a manner that has commanded the admiration of the world, and ius once again demonstrated her inherent power to overcome obstacles by sheei force of character when a national crisis occurs. She adopted no synthetic methods of rehabilitation such as we know have been resorted to in other countries, but adhered to the sound principles of plain, ordinary common sense, which have been always her strength and her salvation.’’ “We have recently read many attacks on, and many defences of, the British White Paper,” said Professor A. W. Sewell, speaking to members of Uie Auckland branch of the League of Nations Union (reports the “Star”). “ ‘National security’ or ‘lmperialist warmongering’ have been terms used about it, a little indiscriminately. I think we obscure the issue by bringing into tlie consideration of such an instrument of policy as the British White Paper any questions of loyalty or disloyalty, any question of war-mongering or acquisitive Imperialism. Those who framed the British White Paper framed it in the interests of peace. They think that peace will be secured that way. Some of us do not. But, in discussing the matter, the issue is plain. Both sides want peace. Is the British White Paper likely to be an instrument of peace or war: If I attack the British White Paper. I do not thereby become disloyal, nor do I forget the interests my country. If I defend the British W bite Paper, I do not therefore become a warmonger. I am merely mistaken.’

In connection with the Methodist Synod at Richmond two public meetings will be held. At Stoke on Tuesday evening the Rev. Messrs Wills and Sanderson, of Marlborough, will bo the speakers, and at a welcome social on Wednesday evening visiting speakers will be the* Revs. 11. J. Bailey (Motueka) and H. V. TJtting (Tua Marina). The synod is open to the'interested, as it is mainly in the form of a-- retreat. A notable visitor willnbe the Rev. E. P. Blamires. Youth Director for the Dominion Church, who will take a prominent part in the proceedings. The Very Rev. H. E. Lumsdale, Dean of Stanley, Falkland Islands, with a parish that includes the South Pole, recently described how he held a service at the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, on the' hill overlooking the whalers’ harbour of South Georgia. The Dean slat, ed that his mission to the graveside of the famous explorer occupied a fortnight, and he had to make the journey in a 250-ton steamer, which threaded its way through the sen studded with iceberg's of all colours 'and sizes. It was a very simple service, with a small gathering of rugged fishermen and tinfir womenfolk standing at the graveside of Shackleton, who died while sailing the Antarctic seas 13, years ago.

Tiie warning of the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Sydney (Mr Schmitt) to his compatriots not to come to New South Wales unless they are well furnished with money might well be extended to cover all States (writes the Sydney correspondent of the “Argus*’). It is a commentary on the state of mind of those residents of Sydney who, notwithstanding prevailing conditions, still yearn for shiploads of immigrants. If there were at present openings in New South Wales for more labour, no better supply than New Zealand’s surplus could be wished for. New Zealanders have some knowledge of the conditions prevailing here and of what would be required of them, whereas the real “new chum” neither. Just now. however, there is no opportunity for any more newcomers, though later there may be room for many. “Stay where vo.i are” is Mr Schmitt’s urgent, message to New Zealanders anxious io reside in New South Wales. Others abto may heed the warning. Mr Schmitt is not the onlv man who has had to provide from his own pocket the fares homeward cf il'.-advised persons who have sought work and wages in Sydney, only to find themselves in the Domain. They come from all States as well as from New Zealand.