GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 20 June 1936, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Monday next, 22nd June, is the shortest day this year, the sun rising in Nelson at 7.23 a.m., and setting at 4.34 p.m. The sun after this date commences to set later, though po difference in the time of rising will cake place till early next month. Thougn it has been found by bitter experience that there is more winter after the shortest day than before it, there is always comfort in the knowledge chat the sun is returning.

A suggestion that automatic slidmg gates should be provided at level in New Zealand as was done in some other countries was put forward by several members at a meeting of the No. 14 District Highways Council. The proposal was said to have proved most successful abroad,, and the idea was said to be a simple one. One member commented that it would be awkward, to say the least, for any driver whose, car was going througn che gap as the gate closed, but memoers considered this at least preferable to hitting the train.

The backward methods of teaching matnematics in many parts of New Zealand was discussed by Professor W. Saddler, of Canterbury College, in his presidential address to the College Scientific Society. “In the schools in Britain and the Continent much has been done by teachers themselyes in trying to improve the presentation of the subject,” he said. “The methods of 30 years ago are now quite out of date, but I am sorry to say many of these are still being carried on in parts of New Zealand.”

“Some of us had occasion to take a course in gunnery at one of the training centres a few years ago,” said Professor Saddler, introducing in a lecture in Christchurch a story about the misuse or incorrect use of mathematics (reports “The Press”). “The class,” he said, “was in charge of a regular sergeant, who was very efficient in many ways. While discussing how the angle of elevation was measured he mentioned that the circumference of a circle was three times its diameter. One hesitating member suggested that a little might be left over. The sergeant was at a loss, but said he would consult the sergeantmajor. He produced a penny and said, ‘Look at this little circle formed by a penny. If you were to measure its diameter and its circumference, one would be three times the other, but, of course, if you get a big circle anything may happen!’ ”

The attention of dance patrons is drawn to the Scottish Society’s Gala dance in honour of the King’s Birthday, to be held in the Velma Hall, at 8 p.m. The committee’s plans are complete for a very festive evening.

and numerous splendid prizes for the novelty dances have been donated by some of Nelson’s leading firms. The City Dance Band of six . instruments c vn be relied on to provide excellent music and there will be no lack of mirth-provoking novelties. Patrons are assured of an outstanding evening’s enjoyment.

Only three replies were received by the Auckland Hospital Board from firms who are willing to supply butter to the hospital (says the "Star”). It was pointed out by the firms concerned that owing to the uncertainty existing until the effect of the Government’s legislation was definitely known, the firms could not quote a price to apply over any lengthy period. “We are not likely to get any tenders while the present uncertainty exists,” said the chairman, the Rev. W. C Wood. It was decided that the purchasing committee purchase butter for the hospital from month to montr. until the effect of the Government’s legislation was definitely known.

A witness in the Otahuhu Police Court was giving evidence in an accident case when the magistrate asked how long he had been driving a car. The witness replied that he received his license just before Christmas, and as the accident took place in January the magistrate remarked that he hadn't had much experience as a motorist. “But I was driving for quite a while without a license, sir,” said the witness. “Oh, were you?” said Mr Hunt, amidst laughter, as the witness hastened to assure him he meant that ho had been driving in the company of a licensed driver before he obtained his license.

The dedication of the beautiful little Children’s Corner, including the prayer desk in memory of Miss Selina Davidson, will take place in All Saints’ Church to-morrow at the 11 o'clock service. There will be a children’s choir and all the children from the Parish Sunday Schools, All Saints’, Toi Toi. the Port Mission Hall and Bishopdale are asked to be present, there being no Sunday schools for the day. The Archdeacon of Waimea, the Ven. T. J. Smith, will dedicate the Corner and preach, and the Vicar of All Saints’, the Rev. D. Haultain, will assist in the service.

The formation of a golf club at Redwood’s Valley is proceeding satisfactorily. Arrangements have already been made for the use' of an area of land particularly suited for a golf links. The work of laying out the course and preparing the greens has commenced and it is anticipated that play will be possible in a fortnight. It is hoped that a large attendance at the initial meeting, as advertised, will ensure the formation of a strong club.

“It is always held out as a reproach to New Zealand geologists that they cannot be very definite as to the precise age of their Alps,” said Dr P. Marshall at the New Zealand Alpine Club. Dr Marshall said that the New Zealand Alps presented particular difficulties because-of the absence of fossils —shells, bones, pieces of wood, and plants which were living on the beach when the mountains were seashore. Dr Marshall issued a particular appeal to members of the Alpine Club, and to anybody else who tramped or climbed, to keep a lookout for fossilised rocks. If it was not possible to bring back a fragment, the rocks should be photographed or a sketch made.

“New Zealand plants are to be seen all over Northern Ireland; the climate seems to suit them,” said Canon E. Blackwood-Price, of Down Cathedral, who arrived at Auckland from Sydney on Wednesday as chaplain to the Primate of , All Ireland, Dr C. F. D’Arcy (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Canon Blackwood-Price mentioned particularly coprosma and what was known as “New Zealand laurel,” but he did not remember any plant answering to the description of the* cabbage tree, which is grown in large numbers at Torquay and other places in the South of England. He said that he looked forward to seeing New Zealand plants in their natural habitat.

When a remit suggesting that when a returned soldier with 40 per cent, war disability died, his death should be deemed attributable to war disability came before the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association, it was opposed by a delegate who quoted the case of a man with 40 per cent, war disability who had an additional 60 per cent, disability through getting a “hob-nailed liver” by drinking too much. Mr B. J. Jacobs: “He was dead.” (Laughter.) The delegate said the man had taken to drinking ho't cider and had died because of the state of his liver. A voice: “In cider.” (Laughter.) “Yes, in cider,” replied the delegate. If they approved the remit, he said they would make provision for widows and dependants in cases like the one he had quoted although the death was due to civil disability.

The Rev. Samuel Ironside visited Nelson from Cloudy Bay on 25th June, 1842, and conducted the first Methodist services on that occasion, preaching in the morning to the Maoris and in the afternbon and evenings to the early settlers. The records show that he baptised on the above date Christiana Lovell, daughter of Benjamin and Esther Lovell. This child was the first British child born in the Nelson province. On the same day he baptised Mary Ellen Williams, daughter of James and Jane Williams. In order to mark the 94th Anniversary of the Methodist Church in Nelson a special service will be conducted in St. John’s Church on Sunday morning by the Rev. Wm. Rowe, and old identities in Nelson and surrounding districts are specially 1 invited to be present.

The attention of dance patrons is drawn to a carnival benefit dance to be held in the Velma Hall to-night by the St. John Ambulance Brigade in aid of one of their members who has had a fairly long illness. A good programme of dances has been drawn up and combined with the usual first class supper and all the latest dance hits by Logan’s Dance Band De Luxe everyone is assured of an enjoyable evening.

A strong appeal to the young men of New Zealand to take a keener interest in the defence of their country was made by Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., at the annual reunion of the Te Awamutu branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. “I am a thor-ough-going pacifist,” said Colonel Hargest, “and I view with horror the present world tunnoil, for I realise that, should we be involved in hostilities — however reluctantly—thousands of young men will again respond to the call of arms. «Yet are they preparing themselves for such an eventuality? 1 cannot help thinking that the young man of to-day is a little less thoughtful of his responsibilities in this direction. I count myself fortunate in belonging to a generation that faced up to its responsibilities. If it costs me my seat in Parliament, I will continue to urge the young men of New Zealand to follow the example of the men in the Great War.” Colonel Hargest added that political prejudices were swept aside when the welfare of the returned soldier was concerned. The Labour Government’s Defence Committee was working unitedly in the interests of the returned men.