GENERAL NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 December 1936, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

A start has been made on construction apparatus for the electrical fish barrier which will be placed at the bywash in the diversion race of the Levels plain irrigation system, according to a statement by Mr T. G. Beck, resident engineer to the Public Works Department at Temuka, says the “Press.” The barrier will be the first of its type to be used in New • Zealand, and is to be installed and ready for operation within a month. Mr Beck said that the department had, with the co-operation of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, proved the effectiveness of electrical lish guards. Fish were notoriously averse to the slightest electrical currents because of the nature of their sensory organs. Briefly, the system was to make use of a distributed electric potential, the voltage increasing on the down-stream side to ensure that fish carried into the race would sooner or later be turned back. The voltage was at no point strong enough to kill the fish.

“Touchstone” writes in the “Men About Town” column in the Auckland "Star”: “Entrust your luggage to us,” says a Japanese carrying company’s advertisement, “and we will send it to the four corners of the-earth.” This is almost as good as Babu English, to which the following are recent samples:—“To the Manager of the British Army: Sir,—l desire ten days’ leave or more. I have word from my home that wife has run away with other man. My God, I am annoyed.” From an application for work: “Formerly also I was the first-born child of Mr S —B —D, of Nagpur, who since the days of Noah and Joans of Ark was employed in Government service. . . . Sir, one very bad and unmoral fellow did obtain acquisition to the papers of the examination whereby he passed 8.A., but, sir, I failed 8.A., though no doubt I had endeavoured by fair means and fowl to catch one floating glance at papers, but the professor who had misconduct of examination sought far too much bucksheesh before I could take one peep, for, sir, I am a family man and How Can I afford such big money. Therefore I failed 8.A.”

A correspondent writes: “As a visitor to Sunny Nelson I must say that the scene I witnessed yesterday afternoon at the corner of Trafalgar street and Hardy street has dampened the memories of what up till then had been a perfect holiday. The scene I refer to is where a traffic inspector was trying to direct the pedestrians to make them cross the street at the appointed places. I am bound to say that in a larger city his way of directing the public would not be tolerated, even though he may have cause to be annoyed.

When a Queensland distillery was destroyed by fire recently half a million gallons of rum flowed into the river and out to sea, with the result that large numbers of fish became intoxicated. Eager fishermen were lifting drunken fish out of the water by the tail. The rum proved too much for many of the fish, and hundreds, including sharks, were seen floating dead.—News item. Previously unrecorded ’ incidents of this piscal debauch are now to hand, and the “Men About Town” in the Auckland “Star.” learn of a fisherman who avers that one bleary-eyed dogfish came to the surface, and, after leering at him in a drunken manner, swam unsteadily away. Tn another instance it is alleged that a rum-sodden stingray caused much amusement by trying to swim on edge. An octopus found in shallow water had obviously had “one over the eight.” There is no foundation, however, for the rumour that a sixteen-foot tiger shark, upon being lifted into the boat, attempted to kiss one of the fishermen.

Scientists are generally thought to be aloof from politics, but in Britain particularly, they are coming to realise that the rise of fascism in Europe gravely menaces the future of their work, according to Dr. Norman L. Edson, a former Aucklander, who has I returned after spending nearly three years at Cambridge to take up the position of lecturer in biochemistry at the University of Otago. Dr. Edson, who is a graduate and former member of the staff of the Otago Medical School, went to Cambridge in 1934, and while there was awarded a Beit Memorial Fellowship for medical research which he carried on at the institute conducted by Sir William Gowland Hopkins, the “father” of biochemistry in Britain. He also travelled widely on the Continent for observation and study. “Scientists in Britain have a real dread of fascism,” said Dr. Edson. “They see it as a foe with which science cannot make any sort of terms on its own principles. Science demands an atmosphere of free enq'uii’y. expression, and criticism; and this fas'eism denies. It has set aside the old principle that science knows no national boundaries, and it seeks to make scientists, like everyone else, subservient to the policy of the State. In Britain to-day there are hundreds of exiled German-Jewish research workers and university teachers, all of whom have been absorbed into institutions of different kinds. The gain has been very great for some of these exiles are really eminent men; but the loss to Germany has been even greater.”

The appearance of mice in aeroplanes is causing concern to airport officials, says the Auckland “Star.” Nests are frequently found in the wings of machines. As a result one dear old.lady states that if she ever goes up in an aeroplane it will have to be one of those Puss Moth ones.

The Loyal Nelson Lodge and Nelson Defence Rifle Club assure patrons ot another enjoyable function tonight in the Oddfellows’ Hall. A programme consisting of old time favourites interspersed with one steps, the gipsy tap and a fox trot, will be presented and eight good prizes will be awerded for the Early Bird at 8.30 p.m., and the Monte Carlo at 9.30. At 10.10 p.m. a dainty supper will be served, and at 10.30 p.m. dancing will be re-commenced. Mr Harold Williams’s Dance Band will be in attendance to supply the music, and Bro. G. . S. Coleman will officiate as M.C.

An excellent programme has been arranged for the Richmond Choral Society’s concert to be held in the Richmond Hall next Monday evening at 8 o’clock. Besides part singing by the choir, the programme will include vocal trios, duets, solos, pianoforte duet, flute solos, and elocutionary items.

A delicacy which is keenly awaited ; each year by every household, white-. ' bait, will again be off the menu from now until next year, states the “Marlborough Express.” The season closed last Wednesday, and for the benefit of those who may be ignorant of the fact, it may be pointed out that anyone seen in the neighbourhood of a river with a net is liable to a fine. Whitebait has not been plentiful during the j season just closed, and it was only in | the last few days that it has been coming up the rivers in any great quantity. At this time of year the public in general look eagerly for the arrival of the postman and for the subsequent disgorging from his over-filled bags of their mails. And in every post office itself around the public counters is an unwonted animation. Could everyone who receives any mail, buys a stamp, or posts a packet at inis time of year, iust. take a peep behind the scenes, there would be a greater appreciation of what the festive season means to postal officials and of their cheerful willingness in getting, down to the gigantic task of coping with the Christmas mail, and there would be no grumbles if the postman is an hour or two late. Of all the servants of the public who thoroughly deserve “A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” none do so more than the postman and the postal officials whose work precedes that of the postman’s round.