GENERAL NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 November 1936, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

Mails which left Wellington on 27th October via San Francisco arrived in London on the 23rd November.

Public telephone call offices distributed at convenient points in their scores throughout New Zealand are showing the same improved financial results as all other branches of the many-sided activities of the Post Office. Revenue from these slot telephone devices for the seven months ended 30th September amounted to £24,443, an increase of £2,934 compared with the corresponding period of last year. As the Post Office collected in the last financial year £45,422 for this service, the latest figures suggest that the current year’s revenue will reach £50,000. New Zealand is almost the only country in the world where calls from public telephones are available for a penny, the lowest charge in Australia and Great Britain being 2d.

Speaking to a resolution urging members to beware of the dangers of gambling, the Rev. W. A. Burley, at a session of the North Canterbury district Methodist Synod, said that primary school children were taught gambling in the schools through the introduction of raffles (reports “The Press”). He said it was helping to develop a character-des-troying habit. Little girls would come home quite innocently seeking a penny in the hope of acquiring a doll worth 5s or 10s which the teachers had previously carried from room to room. It was decided to take the matter up with the School Committees’ Association.

“There is a man who drove a bargain with this Government,” said Mr J. Hargest, M.P., at a National party meeting at Palmerston North, referring to the appointment of the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour as controller of advertising of the commercial radio stations of New Zealand. “The Friendly Road Station was jammed during the election by an ardent Government official after Mr Scrimgeour was warned that he would be put off the air if he did not play the game,” said Mr Hargest. “This cost many seats to the National party.. Now this man hate a job where he will possibly get £7500 annually.” “As I observe young people, I find many who are undisciplined and unrestrained, the product of cultural pagan homes,” said Dr. J. D. Salmond. professor of religious education at Knox College, in the Presbyterian General Assembly (reports “The Press”). “Yet there are others who are very earnest and sincere. They are demanding a totalitarian Christianity, a religion which claims the whole of life, which allows no hiatus between theory and practice. Young people are quick to sense insincerity, and this demand for the union of theory and practice accounts for the radicalism of some of our young people. Many of our young people are asking for a note of authority from the Church. In our youth work, we are seeking to meet their needs by renewed emphasis on doctrine.” Big Shonping Day at Trathen’s tomorrow. See special advertisement on page 3.*

White and Cream Panama Hats in various styles. Medium brims, trimmed neat band and bow of corded ribbon to match nr contrast. All head fittings, 8/11 at McKay’s.* Turn to it now! Trathen’s special advertisement on page 3.*

There is a heap of about 100 tons of scrap metal on the wharf near No. 1 shed, part of the broken up steamers Regulus and Orepuki, awaiting removal by the steamer Keifuku Maru which will arrive on Saturday morning from the south. There is more of the metal ready for transhipment which will be taken to the ship’s side by railway truck and motor-lorry. The vessel will sail direct to Japan from Nelson.

Ten minutes sufficed for a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday to return a verdict in favour of defendants in a civil action in which Mrs Jean Cartwright Fletcher claimed damages for injuries received when a motorcycle on which she was pillion-riding was struck by a motor-car, states a Wellington Press Association message. Defendants were Harold Muir and his wife.

H.M.S. Wellington left Nelson at 6.40 o'clock this morning for Tonga Bay, across Tasman Bay, where it will carry out exercises.

Considerable interest was taken today in the display of trophies won by the members of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club during the 1935-36 season, which is on view in the windows of the vacant shop at the corner of Trafalgar and Bridge streets. An interesting trophy is the Port Nicholson Challenge Shield, won by riders in the Palmerston North to Wellington road race in October. The association’s first meeting of the season will take place at Trafalgar Park this evening.

For the purpose of inspecting the South Island Main Trunk railway, the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) is to arrive in Blenheim at 9.30 on Saturday morning by air from Wellington (says the “Express”). be accompanied by Mr J. Wood, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, and Mr D. Grover, the Minister’s private secretary. He will receive deputations —essential ones—on Saturday morning. Mr Semple hopes to have Saturday afternoon and Sunday free for what will be a strenuous tour. He is to leave on Monday morning for the S.I.M.T. works, and in the course of the next few days will proceed to Kaikoura and Christchurch, inspect the Lewis Pass road, and also traverse the West Coast line, inspecting works at the Westport-Inangahua gap, and will then go on to fulfil further official engagements at Nelson.

The attendance of pupils at the various schools around Blenheim is being affected just now by an outbreak of chicken-pox which, in an incipient form, has been causing some annoyance practically from the beginning of the term (states the “Express”). During the past few weeks, however, it has reached epidemic intensity, and, as far as the Blenheim and Redwoodtown schools are concerned, over 50 school children have either had the infection, or are now suffering from it. Mr Pratt (headmaster of the Blenheim School) said that at first all contacts had been sent home, but now that epidemic intensity had been reached this course was useless. The rapid spreading of the complaint, he said, was caused partly through the indifference of some parents, who allowed infected children, or children who had been in contact with those suffering from chicken-pox, to mix freely with others. In a number of instances, he stated, pupils had actually been sent back to school with partly-healed scabs on their bodies, parents being apparently ignorant of the fact that at this stage the complaint was most infectious. Other children who had been sent home because they had been in contact with infected children had actually been allowed to attend picnics and pictures where, no doubt, they passed the infection on to others. The medical regulations lay it down that the period of exclusion from school of children suffering from the infection is at least two weeks, and until every scab is off the body and scalp. Criticism that the Secondary School Board's Conference was the only affected party not to have had the opportunity of considering proposals for the unification of school control was voiced at a meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools’ Board. It was decided to communicate with the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, supporting a request from the Auckland Grammar School Board that the conference should place its views before him before action was taken.

Strong resentment at a statement made recently in the Auckland Police Court by Sub-Inspector Fox, to the effect that increased sustenance allowance was probably partly responsible for an increase in drunkenness, was expressed at a meeting of the sustenance branch of the Auckland Provincial Workers’ Association. The following resolution was passed: “That the sub-inspector be written to asking for a substantiation of his statement, and that failing this he be asked to retract his statement publicly.” It was also decided to take steps to secure an official investigation of the statement, and to ask the responsible Minister to have officers of the Justice Department warned against making “such statements which, unwittingly or otherwise, cast aspersions on the whole of the unemployed, who resent this.”

The Loyal Howard Lodge social committee will hold its fortnightly dance in the Oddfellows Hall on Saturday night. The programme will consist mostly of old time dances, including the Gypsy Tap, Maxina, La Rinka and other favourites. A special twilight for foxtrot will also be put on. Eight prizes will be awarded to the winners of the novelty dances. The ladies’ committee will provide the supper, Mr H. Williams’s orchestra the music, and Bro. G. L. Housiaux will carry out the duties of M.C.

To assist the funds of the Nelson District Cricket Association and the Nelson Ladies’ Cricket Club a dance will be held in the Velma Hall on Saturday night. A full orchestra will provide the music, i and supper arrangements are in the hands of the lady members. An enjoyable night is assured.

A Jumble Sale of a large variety of left-oIT clothing will be held in the Salvation Arnvf Sunday School Hall to-morrow afternoon. Winter and summer clolhing of all descriptions will be sold.

The Nelson Provincial Scottish Society has received two boxes of heather, all the way from “Bonny Scotland.” One box is a gift from the editor of the “Scotsman’s Weekly,” the other from Mrs Will Begg, formerly of Nelson, and now residing in Thurso, Scotland. The heather will be on view at the Vienna Cake Shop tomorrow, and can be seen in conjunction with a display of Scotland’s national dainties.

The popular vogue in Swagger Coats —beautifully tailored in spring weight Woollens of newest check and fleck designs. Swing back with inverted piests. S.S.W. to W.X. McKay’s 45/- to 59/6.* Attractive Washing Frocks in superior 'quality Cambric, in smart printed designs. Shirt bodice, with adjustable collar and short sleeves with action pleats. S.S.W. to O.S. At McKay’s 15/6 and 15/11.*

An appeal against an order in the Magistrate’s Court varying a maintenance order was heard by his Honour Mr Justice Ostler in the Supreme Court this morning, Lucy Spiers being the appellant and Bertrand Frederick Spiers the respondent. Mr W. V. Fletcher appeared for appellant and Mr C. R. Fell for respondent. Respondent was examined at length in connection with his business and general financial position, and his Honour reserved his decision.

At the recent A. and P. Show the winner of the Maiden Hack in the light horses was Mrs Harrison Jones, of Matariki, not Mrs M. Harrison, as reported. With the object of raising funds to aid the Anzac Scouts for their Christmas camp, the Loyal Nelson Lodge and Nelson Defence Rifle Club are holding a dance in the Oddfellows’ Hall at 8 o’clock to-night. The programme will consist of the usual old time favourites, interspersed with One Steps and Fox Trots, and a good prize will be awarded to the winners of the Monte Carlo. There will be a good floor and excellent supper and music. Mr G. S. Coleman will officiate as M.C-

The methods employed to guard against injury to pedestrians from an alleged obstruction placed in front of a building job in Broadway were discussed during the hearing of a claim by Mrs Doris Byers against W. M. Angus, Ltd., builders, states a Press Association message from Palmerston North. Mrs Byers sought to recover £9 10s for personal injuries and damaged clothing, alleging negligence against the defendants in not lighting the obstruction, which consisted of planks across the footpath fastened by wire. It was claimed for the defence that the provision made for the safety of pedestrians was in accordance with the city bylaws, and that special lights operated by a time switch had been installed. The Magistrate, Mr J. L. Stout, said his personal view was that such an obstruction was dangerous even in the daytime. It was absurd to wire planks down with staples; they should be nailed down. Decision w.as reserved pending an inspection of the lighting methods by the Magistrate.

“A man who has an honest complaint or grievance to put before the authorities in charge of public works in this country can be sure that he will get consideration. The agreement between the Public Works Department and the New Zealand Workers’ Union provides the channel for referring disputes to the local engineer, the district engineer, the Engineer-in-Chief, and finally to the Minister. There need be no stoppage of work while grievances are being discussed, and there must be no stoppages,” stated the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, addressing the railway workers at Bartlett’s camp in the Gisborne district (reports the “Herald”). “Every grievance will be investigated, and if it is supported by the circumstances, we will see that it is put right, but the man who brings up a grievance without any reasonable foundation loses prestige, and I would advise everyone to avoid unreasonable complaints.” “There are two types of people I will not stand for. One is the stockexchange gambler who speculates in the necessities of life, and the other is the street-corner spitoon-philosopher who always criticises, but never does anything constructive himself,” remarked the Hon. R. Semple in an address to railway workers at Bartlett’s camp (reports the “Poverty Bay Herald”). “The man who stands on the street-corner and criticises others for either going too slow or too fast, for doing this wrong and failing to do that at all, ought to be given the opportunity of trying his own hand at directing the affairs of tlje-country. There would be no danger of anything happening, because he woulcl not get as fax' as doing anything. ( Confronted with the work that falls to the lot of a Cabinet member, and with the responsibility of helping to really run the country, he would fizzle out like a Seidlitz powder in a puddle of water.”