LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

School children were making the most of to-day as tho last day of the long summer vacation, for all primary and district high schools under the Nelson Education Board will reopen for the first term on Monday, and the long days on beach, river, and in play generally will be just happy memories. Nelson College and Nelson Girls’ College will recommence oil Wednesday next.

The two young men, Messrs G. Wise and (.’. Gatunby, who were admitted to Nelson hospital following ail accident on the evening of Thursday, 23rd January, at Motueka, were reported today to be progressing satisfactorily.

The registered letters ZK-AEL have been allotted to the Marlborough Aero Chib’s Waco aeroplane, which is expected to arrive in-New Zealand in March, while the letters ZK-AEM will be borne by the chib’s latest Moth, secured from tiie Government (states the “Express”). This machine made its first journey yesterday from Blenheim to Nelson. The club’s Moth ZK-AAA, which was damaged in a recent mishap at the Blenheim aerodrome, is expected to be in the air again next week, while ZK-ADA will be flying again in about a month.

Now that the school holidays have finished the railway timetable lias been rearranged so that the Belgrove train will arrive in Nelson at 8.45 o’clock, instead of 10 o’clock, as it has been doing during the vacation.

Popular taste in reading matter seems to be returning to fiction, according to Dr. Guy H. Scholefield, parliamentary librarian, who returned to Wellington this week from a study of library methods abroad. Dr. Scholefield said that in the last few years libraries everywhere had very much the same experience. During the depression, which had caused an increase in reading, through the people having more time on their hands, there had been a fairly general tendency to “heavy” reading. Social problems were studied considerably. But now popular taste seemed to be returning to fiction. People appeared to regard libraries as recreational as well as educational, though there were the specialised libraries which had no fiction at all on their shelves. “The Post Office used to be tied up more tightly by ‘red tape’ than any other Government Department, but now it has forsaken its ways and at last learned the art of publicity,” a retired Scottish postmaster remarked to some old friends in Auckland when he passed through the city lately (records the “Star”). In Scotland, lie added, they had gone in for the most up-to-date’ methods of newspaper advertising, and the result had been most gratifying. So largely bad business increased that despite increasing mechanisation, when machines were increasingly used for all kinds of post office work, they had been able to take on a great number of extra men. He was glad to see in the newspapers which came aboard the ship that New Zealand was advertising its telephone system, and was evidently out to “boost” the post office and let the ale know its advantages. Up-to-date lods had to come, and those who catered for the public at the post- office counters had to be as obliging and , civil as those serving behind shop counters.

Besides being an accomplished musician, Dr. Edgar Bainton, the director of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, is a very witty ranconteur, and his speech at the reception given to him in Auckland by the Society of Musicians was replete with good stories, which kept his listeners in a continual state of merriment (records the “Star”). One of these related to the visit to America of a very distinguished journalist, Mr J. L. Garvin. On his arrival at New York, instead of being met by the usual horde of reporters, he was received by the editor of the “Atlantic Monthly,” who said : “I am very pleased to welcome you to New York, Mr Garvin, and I would like you to contribute something to the 'Atlantic Monthly.’ ” Now, it so happened that Mr Garvin was not a very good sailor, and, moreover, he was still feeling the ill-effects of an exceptionally rough crossing. “Contribute to the Atlantic monthly !” he exclaimed ruefully. “Why, I’ve been contributing something to the Atlantic daily all the way over.!” It is well known that many kinds of insects have amazing powers of recovering from apparent death, but an experiment recently demonstrated to an Auckland “Star” representative showed a method of revival'which seemed both speedy and sure—assuming that speed and certainty were required to revive insects to all appearances dead. Applied to three kinds of insects, namely, young ) cicada, a dragon fly and house flies, all of which had been drowned, the method was to place the inert insects in a shallow receptacle, containing common salt. A light covering of the salt was sprinkled over them Within a short time—the average time -was ter. minutes—tho salt commenced lo move, then the insect shook itself free, and after a vigorous “clean up” on traditional lines, proceeded to fly away as if nothing had happened. Can anyone elucidate tin. mystery- -docs the salt act us an initaut, in the same manner as smoke applied to drowned humans; or does it absorb the water from the surface of the body of the insect, freeing the many tiny pores through which" the insect breathes, so that they automatically recommence their function and revive the creature v

Good prices for mutton and lamb should, continue throughout the season, ! provided no serious disturbances eventuate in Europe. This view was expressed ilo the “Poverty Bay Herald”) by Mr SR. S. Forsyth, London manager of the ; Meat Board, who was in Gisborne this j week. “Our meat is popular,” Mr Forsyth said. "It is well distributed and well advertised, so that We are in the best position to benefit from any increase in the purchasing power of the British public. There is no doubt that conditions have improved in the United Kingdom. “There are indications of a further improvement in the economic conditions at Home,” he added, “and when I left the feeling of confidence was both widespread and marked. The decision of the Imperial Government to heavily increase its expenditure on armaments will provide work for many thousands, particularly in the depressed areas, and the increased spending power of the people will be expressed in trade generally. No product will respond quicker to better trade conditions than New Zealand lamb, as it is well and favour-ably-known. The sale of New Zealand lanib has made striking growth in recent years,” he continued, “but even so there is a necessity of future regulation of the market to maintain a stable price level. The export of New Zealand meat has almost doubled since I was last here nine years ago. In tact.” he added, “during the season just ended. New Zealand lamb lias made two records in the United Kingdom . In the first place, a record quantity of nearly 9,000,00 carcases was imported. In the second, this large quantity was all consumed by the. middle of November, a month earlier than the previous record. This was accomplished despite record lamb exports from Australia. ’

. Alfred Gould advertises an auction sale to bo held at Wakefield at 1 p.m., Wednesday next on account trustees of the Y-M.C.A,*

| Reports from all pails of the Taranaki district, indicate that butter-fat production is being well maintained. At the outset of the season production was much below that of the previous season due to tho unfavourable climatic conditions, but the improvement in this connection has resulted in much of the leeway. even if not all, being made up. In fact, production to date on many farms is actually ahead for the corresponding period of last season. There is ample feed everywhere and with dairy stock in- excellent condition the farmers are very hopeful that the season will be an extended one. “The only drawback,” said one prominent farmer to a “Taranaki Herald” reporter, “is the price received for the produce. See il you can do something to increase the price level a little for us and then everything in the garden will be lovely.” Although the season is well advanced there is still much hay to be harvested. Crops generally have been good, the undergrowth being more dense than for some vears past. While recent rains have been very beneficial to pastures they have seriously interfered with hay-mak-ing operations and it is probable that quality will have suffered to some extent as the result of the fodder having to lie out in the paddocks for some time.

The grateful shade of beautiful oak trees and the large, level playing area have made Victory Square a pleasant place for children, "more especially over the last week or so of the holidays. Tho once over-grown grass and unkempt hedges have now, under the influence of mower, rake, pitchfork and shears, given way to a smooth green sward—offering a pleasant contrast- to the brown hills on either side—and trim hedges.

An application to have jiu-jitsu instruction included in the school curriculum has been made fo the Minister for Education, the Hon. P. Fraser. Jiujitsu is being increasingly studied in England, and courses are being given at many of the leading schubls and colleges. Prison warders are being officially encouraged to learn the art. Mr J. B. Adams, who in the last few years has conducted classes out of school hours at several Auckland schools, said that a knowledge of jiu-jitsu had improved many of the pupils both mentally and physically. They were no longer afraid" of attacks, yet they did not use their skill except for self-de-fence, as this principle was instilled as an essential part of the instruction.

A garden party is advertised to he held at Richmond on the lines of that held twelve months ago, and which proved very successful. This will take place on tlie grounds of Mr E. Norris, next to the Bowling Green, and opposite the A. and P. Show Grounds. There will be numerous stalls, the goods being available at popular prices. Sports and various interests for young and old will be provided. The event is being held on behalf of the funds of'the Methodist Churches in the district, Stoke, Hope, and Brightwater combining with Richmond in the activities.

A flattering estimate of New Zealand js made by “Tho Times” Literary Supplement ai a recent issue, wherein a reviewer states New Zealanders- should be able to feel complacent about the aptness of their country as a subject of literary panegyric. From whatever point they make their approach, writers on New Zealand unite in their prqise of the excellence of the whole. The Dominion is small enough for that. It shows no violent eontrcists in climate 01 scenery, though it has an abundant variety; and all that is best worth seeing aiul enjoying chat can be comprehended with not too much difficulty in single tour., It can also be described without anv compression in a single book, and the last few years nave seen a good many such. To see them in proper proportion it is desirable to remembet that New Zealand is far. from, being a simple tourist resort, but is also politically and commercially :very .active member of the British Commonwealth; though New Zealanders like to speculate on how far tlieir rugged'and beautiful environment will tend to; make a .distinctive people.

A warning that live stock are moie vulnerable to electric shock -than human beings was given by representatives of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board who investigated the strange case of the electrocution of a drover’s horse in one of the streets of Morrinsville (says the “Star”). A fault in the power system had caused the ground in front of a new dwelling on the stock route to become “alive,” with fatal consequences to the horse, which was ridden over the roadway at this spot. A number of pedestrians had passed by without noticing any shock, but the horse, with its greater stride and contact with. the earth through four feet, received a shock which caused it to collapse and die. It is stated that a shock of 100 volts is sufficient to kill an animal, but about five times that voltage would be needed to have fatal effects on a healthy man. Electricians get fairly severe shocks in the course of their work without serious consequences, but the same shock transmitted to a horse or cow would prove fatal. There have been a number of cases of stock being electrocuted in the Thames Valley through mu tact with fallen “live” wires, but clie recent Morrinsville case was due to a set of unusual circumstances that make it probably unique.

The fact that a new and successful industry, the cultivation of New Zealand flax, has been created on St. Helena, the island where Napoleon died in exile, is recorded in the “South and East African Year Book and Guide for 1930.” The exports of fibre and rope from the island were valued at £38,000 in 1929, and £14,394 in 1933. The island has, a population of 4170, eight schools, a hospital,,, a savings bank, and “a nine-hole golf links, no insect pests and no snakes.”

A general meeting of the Motueka District Fruit Exporters;’ Association will be held in the Jubilee Hall, Lower Moutere, on Tuesday, 4th February, at 4 p m., when Mr G. Stratford, orchard instructor, will give an address on “Export Grade and Regulations, with particular reference to Cox Grange.” Exporters, graders and packers are urged to attend.