LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 March 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

According to the calendar, summer ends .and autumn commences to-day, when the sun, which has for the past six months been south of the celestial equator, will cross it and enter the northern hemisphere. This is the equinox, when day and night are of equal length, though our clocks, not being rated strictly to solar time, will not show them so. I The New Zealand Fruit Growers’ Federation has decided to close the Dominion Mark department, but has arranged with the Department of Agriculture to inspect and stamp all Dominion Mark fruit offered for sale in the four main centres, and, where desired, from the cool store, according to advice received by the Canterbury Fruit Growers’ Association (says “The Press”). It was stated that it had been decided at the last Dominion conference to carry on the department only if the expenditure was balance by the revenue, and this had not proved to be the case during the last few months. It was stated that the arrangements had been made with the Department of Agriculture so as to rectify the weaknesses which previously handicapped the efforts to establish a Dominion-wide brand which stood for assured quality, grade, and pack. A case charge would ,be paid to the department for inspection. The labels would cost the growers Id, half of which will be paid to the department for inspection and half will cover the cost of the label.

Tlie St. Clair (Dunedin) sea lion believes that variety is tlie spice of life. The other day lie invaded the bar of a hotel near the beach at St. Kilda, and defied all efforts to enforce his departure for a considerable time, during which business was interrupted. Another adventure was to climb on the top of a saloon motor-car, the owner of which had to await the pleasure of the sea lion before he could drive away. On another occasion lie spent a night in the washhouse of a block of fiats at St. Clair, all efforts to dislodge him being unsuccessful till he had had his night’s sleep. In future methylated spirits sold in New Zealand will bear a label reading: “Dtethylated spirit. Poison. Not to be taken internally. If so taken may cause blindness or death, and it will induce general physical decay.” This is one of the provisions contained in Customs (Methylated Spirit) regulations, 1936, gazetted this week, which include provisions for the sale and manufacture of the spirit. The Loyal Howard Lodge DI.U. 1.0.0. F. Social Committee will hold another of its popular dances in the Oddfellows Hall .to-night. An exceptionally good (programme has been arranged, which will include old time dances, foxtrots and one steps; also Monte Carlo and Early Bird competitions for which the winners and runners up will receive good prizes. Mr H. Williams’s Orchestra will supply spirited music and Bro. R. J. Fell will be the DI.C. Patrons are assured of a most enjoyable evening. Dancing commences at 8 o’clock. Fashion Parade Trathen’s, Thursday. Book afternoon tea tables now.*

While discussing the rate of the sinking fund for the board’s London loan at the conference of the Southland Electric Power Board and the Minister of Finance (Mr Walter Nash), it was explained to Mr Nash (says the “Southland Times”) that Mr Coates, the former Minister of Finance, had made a definite promise to lower the rate. “I know nothing of that promise,” said Mr Nash “I can find no record of it. And I may add that I’ve been trying for months to live up to Mr Coates’s promises. In my opinion neither Mr Coates nor any other Minister of Finance can give promises to New Zealand bodies affecting money loaned by overseas investors unless lie is willing at the same time to place on the Estimates items to ensure that the promises made to those investors are kept.”

Dissatisfaction with the system of ridings within counties was expressed by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) when addresing the Southland County Council in Invercargill. “I think ridings within counties are obsolete,” he said, “and I think they ought to go. 1 don’t think they are of any value to the nation, and they are only a nuisance to the counties. They lead to complications and difficulty, and the revolutionary changes that have taken place in our transport system- have rendered them out of date.”

State control of currency, the issue of credit by the State, and a more equitable distribution of the national income, were envisaged by Mr W. J. Lyon, M.P., in an address given under the auspices of the Workers’ Educational Association at Auckland (reports the “Herald”). In his address Mr Lyon dissociated the views he expressed from those of the Labour Party, and emphasised the fact that he was speaking as an individual. The speaker suggested that there existed already what had been forecast in an article in “Punch” in 1842, a cry for the readjustment of interests, and that the Labour Party’s I programme at the last elections was a programme based on the adjustment of interests. Tendencies in other countries toward the regimentation of labour or capital or both were traced by Mr Lyon, who suggested that in New Zealand, within the next five years, the question of building up the national debt would stop, and that money required for development would have to be found in another way. “I believe the Labour Party’s job will be the issue of credit by the State until the point is reached when we have the parity of purchasing power equalling production.” Mr Lyon said the problem was one of distribution, and lie believed that in*, the next five years the whole question of currency control would be in the hands _of the State, which would control distribution. Credit would, he believed, be issued in the form of subsidies for secondary industries, for carrying out major development works, and assisting local bodies to do necessary works. He believed the Government would be forced to control the note issue and also the sterling exchange, a big problem, necessitating the State owing the whole of the exports, and in effect the whole of the imports.

Although there was an improvement of three inches, to 14ft 6ins, in the depth of water on the Greymouth bar, at high water on Wednesday, due to the tides making, the Anchor Company’s steamer Rata touched the bar once when leaving for Tarakohe, with over 800 tons of coal on Wednesday afternoon (says the “Grey Star”). The fact that the Rata was drawing only about 12 feet, illustrates the impossibility of the larger vessels tied up at the wharf working the bar in the meantime. However, the spring tides are making, and will be at their peak about Tuesday next. At last spring tides, when the bar was also shoaled, the ebb flow of the tides increased the depth of water by clearing away five feet of the silt, in two days, and it is reasonable to expect, if the seas keep moderate, that these spring tides will also have a beneficial effect, and possibility open up the port. The effect of J the tidal scour* ’ would be nullified if heavy' seas are experienced, and in that ease a flood would appear to be the only hope of immediate relief.

The recent proposal from Masterton that a new industry should be established for the manufacture of cornflour in the Dominion recalls a similar scheme advanced in Gisborne about two years ago, when investigations were made into the commercial possibilities ol manufacturing alcohol and cornflour from maize. Inquiries made by the “Poverty Bay Herald’’ show that little interest has been taken in the project, the general opinion being that there is little prospect of successfully developing a manufacturing business in connection with the maize industry. In regard to cornflour, it is doubted whether the demand in the Dominion for the product would be sufficient to compensate for the cost of installing expensive machinery. The actual amount of cornflour consumed in New Zealand is not known, but a fairly substantial return would be required to cover the overhead charges. In the same way, it was thought that maize alcohol would not be a profitable proposition, and, although much interest was taken in the district during the time when negotiations with the Government were being carried out by a visitor to New Zealand, there were many who did not believe in it as a commercial success. In the meantime, the price of maize has risen substantially, and at present there appear to be prospects of better returns for growers in future.

Tlie Nelson Provincial.Soottish Society will hold its first Ingleside of the year in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday next. The programme committee has decided to make a special attractive opening night of the Ingleside, aud no effort has been spared to ensure an enjoyable evening. Artists included in the programme are Miss Shields, Mr F. W. Huggins, and Mr K. McKenzie, songs : Miss .N. Ching, elocution; Miss Taylor, violin; Mrs E, Smith, concertina j Miss Stella Swiggs (of Hastings), the Highland Fling and Sword Dance; Miss Grace Inkster, Sean Truibhas and Sailors’ Hornpipe; Pauline McKenzie, national dancing. Two Monte Carlo dances are icluded in the programme, with prizes for the winners. The Troubadours Band will supply the music for the ballroom dancing, and Pipe-Major J. Patterson for the national dancing. Mrs N. Dowling will be accompauiste. Items wil be interspersed with dancing.

Members of Federal Hockey Club are reminded of the annual meeting to be held at the Goodrich Rooms, Bridge street, on Monday next, 23rd inst., at 7 p.m. notice of which will be found elsewhere in this issue.

An advertisement of interest to contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers, inserted oil behalf of the Public Works Department, is published in this issue.

■The R.S.A. Social Committee will hold another old time and modern dance in the Velma Hall to-night at 8 o’clock. The nett proceeds of this dance will be handed over to the McGregor Fund, a worthy cause. The committee assures everyone of an enjoyable evening. Good prizes will be given for the noveltv dances and the ladies’ committee will provide a plentiful supper. The Melody Boys Band will supply the music and Mr G. L. Housiaux will carry out the duties of M.C.

Alfred Gould announces an auction sale of faim implements and household furniture on behalf of Mr C. A. Kelling, King Edward street, Motueka. on Tuesday next, at 1 p.m.* Mannequin Parade at Trathcn’s Thursday. Book tables for afternoon tea immediately. Only limited number available.*

Among the efforts under consideration for raising funds for the Women’s Rest Room and Plunket Society building, (the Plunket Society is finding its half of the money from its own funds and is appealing to the public for the half for the rest room) is a sheep or cattle drive. Speaking of the drive, Airs Lock, President of the Society, who as Mayoress was actively engaged in raising patriotic funds in connection with the war, recalled a poultry “drive” that was held. In many instances when they visited country districts they were told that they could have the poultry, willingly “if they could Catch them.” It was surprising, said Airs Lock, how proficient the committee became after a day’s chasing fowls round fowlhouses, barns and haystacks. They soon found that the fowls usually think alike and they were able to intercept them at the right places, except for the few with less brains (or more brains) which usually made off across a paddock, rendering the chase rather hopeless, even for the best runners of the party.

“The Government is proposing a duty on fuel oil. and it is suggested that we apply to have the duty refunded to fruit growers,” said Air F. W. Sisson, president of the Canterbury .Fruit Growers’ Association (reports the “Press”). He said that fruit growers used fuel oil extensively in fighting frosts. It was reported that it had been decided at the last meeting of the Canterbury advisory committee of the New Zealand Fruit Growers’ Federation to write to the head office of the federation asking that steps be taken to secure such a rebate A distinct tendency to do away with street fences and to replace them with low walls has been noticed by Mr A. R. Galbraith, president of the Christchurch branch of the Town-planning Institute of New Zealand, and at a meeting of the branch he remarked that they were most attractive. “Some iron fences six feet high are fearful eyesores,” he added (reports “The Press”). The branch was considering a suggestion by the Christchurch Beautifying Association that the p/oposed type and height of fences should be shown when plans for subdivision of land were submitted to local bodies for approval. Some of the members doubted the advisability of tow tenches or no fences at all in a city which experienced many strong. winds, and it was also stated that the powers of a local body in restricting the height of fences were very limited. “Christchurch gets much wind, and to make the city look any good,” said Mr W. W. Scarff, “we must have well-kept flower gardens. If they are to be smashed about every now and then, low fenches will be useless.” Local bodies had very little power, except in the control of live fences and fences at corners, said Mr E. H. Andrews. The Christchurch City Council discouraged the use of high fences whenever possible. It was desirable that there should be more uniformity, but neighbours seemed to vie with each other. Many low stone and brick walls were being built at present, but the difficulties caused by the prevalence of winds could not be overlooked. In some localities it might be wise to insist on low walls, but local bodies’ powers were very limited except where there was danger to the public. The Riwaka Croquet Club will hoid an old time dance in the Oddfellows Hall, Riwaka, on Wednesday, 25th March, when good music and an excellent supper are assured to patrons.