GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Aurora Australis Attracts Attention The sight of an Aurora Australis in the southern sky last night attracted much attention. 11 was of deep crimson colour with white streamers shooting out. The display commenced early in the evening, but faded away, and recommenced about 9.30 o'clock, spreading from the south-c-ast to the southwest. The aurora is caused by electrical action and radio listeners last evening noticed violent atmospheric interference. A similar spectacle on a smaller seal* was seen a few weeks ago. Encouragement of Thrift The manner in which the Auckland Savings Bank has endeavoured to encourage thrift among children and among the workers is the subject of comment in the annual report of the president, Mr A. Harris, which was presented at the annual meeting of trustees of the bank. It is pointed out that school banks established in 1926. now have 12,650 scholars as depositors, with £15.100 standing to their credit. Thrift clubs were inaugurated at the same time in factories and business houses, and there arc now 287 of these clubs, with 8600 depositors and balances amounting to £37,100. Japanese Shipping Visitor Captain K. Kasai, New Zealand Sup- ! erimenrlent lor the Yamashila Kiseu Kaisha Shipping Line, arrived in Nelson yesterday lo investigate harbour conditions m connection with the visit next month ol the vessel Manju Maru to load scrap iron. Captain Kasai was greatly interested in the shipping ol apples and the extent ol the export industry. He visited Takaka yesterday and to-day. and is returning to Wellington tins evening.

Proposed Streets "That the City Engineer be instructed lo prepare a list of sueli rights-ol-way in the city as in his opinion should be under the control of the council as public streets, with a view lo the promotion of an act empowering the council lo take such rights-of-way-over as public streets,” is a motion of which Councillor J. Glasgow has given notice lo move at the next meeting of the Nelson City Council on Thursday, 6U'j May. A.A. Badges Not Dangerous The Automobile Association (Auckland) recently sought a ruling from the Transport Department as lo whether its car membership badges infringed the new motor regulations in respect ol ‘•dangerous mascots” isays the “Star”). This action followed complaints by the association's Te Aroha agent that garages in testing cars in connection with the issuing ol warrants of fitness had mutilated tne badges by sawing off the tip. The Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson had advised the association that Hie badges do not come within the category of "dangerous mascots.” The garage concerned has also advised the association that the badges ot only three motor cars were cut, and expressed its regret that, while it had acted in good faith, it had made unnecessary alterations. No further action will be taken by the association. Registration of Bicycles "The Minister for Transport intends to bring a proposal lor the compulsory registration of bicycles before the Cabinet, and the matter will be considered by Parliament. That is all that can be said at present,” said Mr G. Laurenson. Commissioner of Transport, who is visiting Christchurch. Glow-worm Cave "The glow-worm cave at Waitomo is the most wonderful and fascinating sight I have ever seen, and 1 have been round the world four times,” said Sir Harry Lauder. Brief But <o tlie Point Probably the shortest speech delivered at any Anzac Day service was that given by Colonel Charles Spragg V.D.. at the Papakura soldiers' gathering (reports the •Star”). Colonel Spragg said that in the first place he had come to the service to remember the deeds of those sporty fellows who had dared and died, on the muddy fields of Flanders, and the shifting sands of the desert. Secondly he wanted to condole with those who had lost loved ones, and also with those who were still suffering from the war —we had got to help them and stand behind any Government who did that job. no matter what party. "And thirdly, said the colonel. turning to the Rev. 1. M. Raynor, who had just read the lesson dealing with ihe day when swords would be turned into ploughshares, "asking your pardon, sir. but my third point is that the best way to bring about that day is to prepare tor defence. Thank you.” Complaints About Pukeko "Pukeko are becoming a definite menace to dairy farmers,” said Mr H YV. James, retiring president of the YVhangarei Acclimatisation Society, at the annual meeting of the society (reports the "N.Z. Herald”). Mr James said he had seen scores of these birds on his own property m the turnip crops doing a great deal of damage "They are increasing alarmingly in numbers, and almost all crops grown by the small dairy larmer are subject to the ravages of these birds and 1 support making representations that they can bt short all the year round ' Mr W. J Bell: "The pukeko is among Lie most destructive birds we have, and should be subject to shooting alt the year There are very considerable numbers of them in this district, and in addition to destroying crops and gardens, they are most destructive lo apple crops 1 have seen them up apple trees eating Ihe apples, will, great relish It allow ed to multiply as at present they will become a ver,\ serious problem for the farmers” Ollier speakers supported these views, arid the executive is to con drier making representations to the Government to have the period extend ed during which they can be shot. At present it is for the first 14 days of the shooting season only

Thu attention ol all ex-servicemen in Motueko and surrounding districts i: drawn to the advertisement inviting them to parade at the Memorial. Motueka. on Sunday next at 6.40 p m for lhe purpose of attending divine service at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Anglers’ Problem The request that the regulation that an angler shall not lake moic than -01 b weight ot tlsh in a day be rescinded made by the Waimate Acclimatisation Society, has been supported by the South Island Societies Council. The regulation is particularly awkward lor anglers hi the big snow-ied South Cantei oury streams, where the seaiuii trout run to very heavy weights, instances ot trout up to 251 b have oeen recorded, and there are aiso the quinnat salmon, which very trequently run over 20ib and up to 40io or more. What is the angler to do who lands a fish over 20jblie cannot, by his traditions. whittle the fish down to the correct weight, though Chinese epicures say mat the best flavour is secured by cuuing slabs oil the live fish. iT,en il the angler catches a couple ol iisii aggregating over 151 b, in rivers I where the next may put him over i weight, he should ethically slop. The i weignt limit on fly streams where a | lib fish is the average also tends to Live the angler well over what would I be the limit bag in some North Island | streams. Fluctuations in Traffic S Fluctuations in traffic are a marked | characteristic of the taxi business* j states the report of the committee of I inquiry into the taxi and town-carrier business. In addition to more or less regular fluctuations according to the hour of the day. the day of the week, and the month of the year, there are violent unpredictable fluctuations due to weather conditions, social functions. etc The peak hour in Auckland, Hamilton. Wellington and Christchurch is 7 p.m to 8 p.m., and in Whangarei i from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In the jease of Wellington the peak for j the tramway traffic occurs between 5 i p.m. and (j p.m. Saturday is the peak j day for. taxi traffic. The distribution lot traffic according to the months of | the year shows that the peak periods generally occur during the Christmas and Easter Holiday periods. These 1 marked rluctuations in traffic are an nil-important factor that must be taken in account in any regulatory system applying to taxi services. Reasonable flexibility for meeting unpredictable peak demands is essential. It is considered that the regulatory sys- | tern provided in the Transport Act i gives ample scope for such flexibility. I Acute Housing Shortage i Nowhere in New Zealand is the housing shortage more acute than in Wellington city and suburbs, and even with tlie steps taken by the Government to relieve the position il is unlikely that there will be any great change lor the better lor some time to come (says "The Post”). The building subsidy granted by the Unemployment Board a year or two ago stimulated building operations considerably, but it did little to relieve the pressure, and only touched the frihge o) the trouble, as u great many of the buildings constructed under the subsidy were large city blocks. The housing position was not affected. To-day nouses for renting purposes are practically unprocurable. Most of the land agents in the city are unable to give much encouragement to a homeseeker who requires a house carrying a reasonable rental of say, 25s to 30s a week