GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Piloting the West Coast United Aero Club’s Moth ZK-ADZ, Mr A. Tregidga arrived at the Stoke aerodrome from Hokitika yesterday afternoon at 5.20 o’clock. The machine will probably return to Hokitika to-morrow morning. To-day is the 70th anniversary of the execution of the Maungatapu murderers. “It seems clear to me that some definite action will have to be taken to avert the necessity of closing down the service between New Zealand and the United States,” said Mr R. J. Fetherston, principal of a large British firm of shipping and forwarding agents, when discussing with an interviewer in Napier the position of British shipping in the Pacific in the lace of competition from other lines (states the “Daily Telegraph”). Mr Fetherston said he thought it essential that some form of assistance, whether by mail subsidies, building subsidies, or other means, should be given in order to enable the British interests to compete successfully with foreign services. “In my opinion, it is impossible for the British companies themselves to deal with the question of foreign subsidised shipping unless they get some form of assistance,” he stated. “Subsidies, of course, are obviously to be deprecated, because the more private enterprise is able to stand on its own leet the better. But when we are definitely faced with subsidies being granted by foreign governments there is no alternative but for our own companies to look for assistance.”

The annual report of the Automobile Association (Wellington), commenting on legislation passed by the Government this session, refers with approval to a number of features of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, but the association is disappointed that there is no provision for the registration of bicycles. "It is unfortu's£ie," states the report, “that a clause providing for the registration of bicycles which appeared in the Bill on its first introduction was not retained in the Act as finally passed The registration of bicycles is a first essential to the enforcement of any law or regulations governing their operation and automobile associations will continue to press for legislative provision in this direction. “A clause in the Law Reform Bill recently introduced ip the House of Representatives provides for the abrogation of the actio personalis rule under which a claim for an injured party under the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act lapsed in the event of the death of the person whose negligence was the cause of the accident. This again is an amendment which automobile associations have been seeking for a number of years.”

At McKay’s. Ladies’ Silk Afternoon Frocks, fashioned in a good quality super crepe, and featuring all the newest fashion notes. Neat floral design or plain colours. Sizes S.S.W. to O.S. 59/6 to sgns.* Cigarettes led to an amusing breach of promise case at Adelaide recently. Juliet, it appeared, dotes on cigarettes, while Romeo loathes the sight—and smell—of them. So love’s young dream became a nightmare, and quarrels were frequent. At last the young man bluntly told the girl that if she wouldn’t give up smoking he’d have to give her up! Hence these tears! Amid roars of laughter some of the early love letters were read out in court. At last the judge remarking that it seemed to be “a silly lovers’ quarrel,” advised the parties to retire and see if they couldn’t “make it up.” They did! The fascination that cigarettes possess for some women men too!--is simply irresistible! Look at the run on Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold, the two leading cigarette blends, so fragrant and soothing! Both are “toasted.” That’s why they’re so good-—and so harmless! There are also three toasted brands for the pipe, Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Cavendish, and Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog). No finer tobaccos are manufactured. But beware of imitations!*

Tennis Frocks in White, Kabe, Crepe and heavy quality Fuji Silk. Smartly tailored styles, and pleats in skirts to give them extra freedom. S.S.W. to O.S. 23/6 to 37/6 at McKay’s.*

According to the annual report of the Automobile Association (Wellington) the executive is somewhat concerned about proposals which have been made that compensation should be paid to any person suffering injury as the result of an accident with a motor vehicle, whether or not the driver of the vehicle is negligent and responsible for the accident. Likewise it is stated that the executive is concerned with a suggestion that hospital boards should be given some measure of relief from the petrol tax, in connection with the heavy expenditure incurred in giving treatments to persons who are injured in motor vehicie accidents. “This latter proposal,” the report continues, “contains an unwarranted assumption that motorists are responsible for all accidents. These two matters, together with a proposal that a special tribunal should be established to adjudicate in cases for damages, have been taken up with the Government through the North Island Motor Union.” Apart from the warmer temperatures a reminder of the approach of summer is given by the appearance to-day in white helmets of the local constabulary, for the first time this spring.

A warning to hotel licensees about the practice of entertaining guests in the bar or the bar parlour was issued by Mr H. Morgan, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Westport (says the “Star”). Mr Morgan said that there were in all hotels private sittingrooms for the use of the licensee and his family, and if he chose to entertain his guests in the bar parlour or the bar instead of in his private sit-ting-room, then he had himself to blame if he was brought before the court to explain his actions. “At the same time,” said Mr Morgan, “I know of no authority that lays it down that the licensee may not entertain bona fidie guests in the bar parlour or bar. If a man comes to my house at night to transact business I am quite entitled to supply him with liquor, and a licensee is in the same position.” Nevertheless, the entei’tainment of guests in the bar or bar parlour was open to the gravest suspicion, and was a bad practice. Mr Morgan said it was notorious the amount of afterhour trading that went on in some of the hotels at Westport, and he thought the licensees concerned were very foolish to encourage -it.

A large sunspot is at present visible on the sun’s disc some 16 degrees to the north ot the sun’s equator (states “The Post”). The Dominion Observatory estimates it to have a penumbral diameter of over 23,000 miles. The spot crosses the central meridian of the sun on Sunday. Much activity is in evidence around this spot and interesting developments are being looked for. Nine centres of activity are at present visible on the sun, with a total of 45 spots. During the past few weeks the sun has been very active, but the majority of the spots nave been very small. Hundreds of persons have been interviewed about the recent assault upon the matron of St. Cuthbert’s College, Epsom, Auckland, but the police who are investigating the case have not secured sufficient information to warrant an arrest (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Cases of this nature frequently present difficulties for the police. Chief among these difficulties, perhaps, is the understandable reluctance of women witnesses to proffer information which, they fear, might involve them in publicity that would bring their names before the notice of the public. Actually, their fears are groundless, and their refraining from giving the police the benefit of observations made round about the time of an assault, or some similar act, frequently prevents the authorities from identifying the man concerned. Inquiries into the incident at St. Cuthbert’s College on 12th September have elicited the information concerning several cases involving insulting behaviour by men during the past few months. In the majority of instances the police were told they were not informed because the woman feared the publication of her name. The position in such circumstances is that the Department of Justice has power to protect women witnesses from the possibility of their public identification.

“I am glad we have not the bookmakers on our racecourses,” said Mr J. FI. Grigg to “The Press” on his return from a visit to Australia. “New Zealand is much better with the totalisator. With this system the money spent by the public goes back into racing and improvements to the appointments of racecourses.”

The highest price paid for a beef cow at the Westfield stock sales in the past seven years was obtained on Thursday, when a huge Shorthorn, (weighing over 10001 b, was sold for £ls 5s (states the “New Zealand Herald”). It was among a choice consignment from a Wanganui farmer, which averaged £l2 5s lOd each. With the general improvement in beef values over the past two months, several high prices have been received although before Thursday the best figure recorded was £l3. During September. 1929, the cow market ranged between £l4 and £l6 15s each, and steers were up to £27, whereas the latest top price for a bullock was £l7 10s. Beef averaged between 42s and 44s per 1001 b in 1929 compared with the present values of 30s to 365.

Brightwater residents are reminded that the concert to be given by the Choral Society will be held in the Brightwater Hall on Wednesday next. A varied programme has been arranged, including part songs, vocal and instrumental items, and two plays. The rainfall in Motueka during September, as recorded by Mr G. S. Huffam, was 3.11 inches, the maximum fall being 74 points on the 9th Rain fell on 14 days.

The Citizens’ Band dance will be held to-morrow evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Old-time and modern dances will be included, and also Monte Carlo and Early Bird for which good prizes will be given. The City Dance Band will supply the latest dance music. Foot-sufferers are advised that Mrs Coleman will be visiting Motueka tomorrow and Wednesday. Make an early appointment with Messrs Manifold and Miles.* Old Girls of Nelson Girls’ College vied with the present pupils in the annual field sports on Saturday afternoon, when past pupils were successful in the tennis and baseball matches, but the College girls won the cricket. There was only a moderate attendance of Old Girls. The sports were conducted by the College pupils, who were the challengers, and who provided an enjoyable afternoon tea. A subscription was taken up during the afternoon for the Evans’ Memorial Fund.

Alfred Gould advertises an auction sale of piano, household furniture, etc., or to-morrow, on account of B. J. Peters, Hardy street.* Youthful Frocks in floral imitation linen, attractive styles for sport at home. Gay colourful designs on light grounds, neat tailored collars, finished pockets and stitched belts. S.S.W. to W. 15/6 at McKay’s.*

When speaking at the official opening of the new slipway at the Port on Saturday Mr A. Gould, chairman of the Nelson Harbour Board, pointed out that tenders for the levelling of the new aerodrome at Quarantine reserve had closed, and he hoped to be able within a few days to state that a tender had been accepted, and to announce the approximate date when the work was expected to be completed.