GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 3 May 1937, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Correspondence on Water Supply

Correspondents desiring to express (heir views on the water supply loan proposal are specially asked to forward their letters early to-morrow morning. First Offenders A first offender lor drunkenness was convicted and lined 10s by Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. For being found on licensed premises after hours a first offender was lined 10s and 3s costs, Original Band Members Three members of the original Waitara Band were among those present at, the funeral of the late Mr T Hughes at Wadara last week. They were Messrs W. T. and H. .101 l and H. Spurdle. The band was formed nearly (30 years ago by Mr Hughes iofucka s Rainfall The rainfall at Mutueka during April, as recorded by Mr G. S. HufTam. was 3.0!) inches Rain fell on eleven days, the heaviest being ,85in on the 13th Open Seasons lor Opossums A supplementary “Gazette” issued today sets out the open seasons for the Inking or killing of opossums in various acclimatisation districts, states a Press Association message from Wellington. The longest season provided extends from Ist June to Ist September, but many are much shorter.

Dearer Porridge An advance of approximately 10 per cent, in the prices of all New Zealand oaten packet breakfast foods has been made. The rise is attributed to the higher costs of oats, which are reported to be over Is a bushel dearer than at this period last year, also to an increase in all packing costs and freight from the south. The wholesale price of honey has also been raised by Id per lb. Shooting Season Opens Shooters in the Nelson district are prepared to face a somewhat lean season for quail after their experiences during the week-end. The three months’ season opened on Saturday morning, and parties that operated in the usual country around Motueka and the Moutere had to be content with small “bags” for a start. Large coveys of the birds are expected when colder weather comes, causing the quail to flock'together, but it seems as though the wet summer had not provided the best of breeding conditions. As compared with last season the number of birds rising before the shooter are disappointing as yet. More Flats in Christchurch More and bigger flats are being built in Christchurch at present than ever before, but the housing shortage remains quite as acute (says “The Press"). The numbers living in flats and apartments grows daily but agents find themselves unable to meet the demand. There is a tendency, too, for the fiats to be more commodious than previously. During the last financial year permits were issued by the Christchurch City Council for 14 blocks of fiats, containing 80 apartments, and during the same period the number of houses for which permits were issued by the council was 390 This is the highest proportion of flats to houses the city has known, and more applications for permits are received monthly. Many of the fiats offer two bedrooms, and not a few have three. Although houses of a value of £269,816 were erected in the city last year, agents declare that it is impossible to find a vacant one. Late or Early? The birth of the first of the season’s lambs is usualy duly chronicled ifl Southland, but an Australian has stolen a march on the local flocks this time, states the “Southland News.” When the Waitaki arrived at Bluff from Melbourne early last week she had on board a shipment of stud ewes consigned to Wellington, and one of the ewes gave birth to two lambs at Bluff. One of the new arrivals died, but the other was a lively specimen. This must be a. record for a very early, or very late, lamb in Southland. Tunnel from Sound to Sound An old proposal, that of making a tunnel through the narrow piece of land separating Pelorus and Queen Charlotte sounds between Onahau and Te Mahia, thus giving access from one sound to the other, was again brought before the Marlborough Progress League last week, when a letter was received from a Wellington resident suggesting that a petition should be forwarded to the Government, requesting the work to be carried out as a national undertaking (reports the “Express”). It was pointed out by Mr W. T. Churchward that the same problems as before would arise, namely, the difference in the tides of the two sounds, and also the huge cost of the undertaking Before they voted on the matter he felt they should have more data. It was pointed out that when the proposal was being considered before two estimates had been secured for cutting the tunnel through and the quotas had been £28,000 and £34,000. On the motion of Dr. W. E. Redman it was decided that no action be taken in the meantime, but it was agreed to communicate with the Government asking for a report as to the possibility of the project.

Primary Production and Rearmamcni

“An aspect of the British Government’s policy which was bound to affect New Zealand was the increase in British primary production,” said Mr A. E. Dobson, president of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Fanners' Union, at the annual meeting of the oranch. "This increase in primary production must eventually affect New Zealand’s export market, and for that reason fresh markets will have to be found. To-day mutton and wool are fetching high prices—such prices as would lead one to believe that there was an acute shortage of these commodities. Actually that is not so. The prices are high because Britain is rearming. No matter how many aeroplanes and guns she may have when her programme is completed, Britain must realise that armament is no protection against a food shortage. A food shortage is the deciding factor in war. That is one of the reasons why Britain is encouraging primary production.” “The City of Cranks” “Christchurch seems to have earned the name of the ‘city of cranks,’ ” said Mr J. D. Sargentina, of Lyttelton, speaking at a conference (reports the Chirstchurch "Star-Sun”). Mr Sargentina quoted an Aucklander as saying to him: “We say in the North Island that if you have some pet hobby, or if you have something biting you, take it to Christchurch and get rid of it. Not only will Christchurch accept it, but the people will pay for it.” Another version came later from Mr A. E. Langdale-Hunt. He said that the flat country of Canterbury bred flatheads. “We are now in the third generation of settlers,” he said, "and we have done nothing for Canterbury, comparable with what has been done for us. 1 don’t think Canterbury will do any good until you get a fresh lot of people from other parts.” By Air Mail For the first tune in the history of New Zealand’s inland air-mail system Christchurch has maintained for a month an average dispatch of more than 700 letters a day. During April 21,518 letters were posted in Christchurch for the carriage by air, this being a daily average of 717. Both these figures are records for the service. ‘Selfish Unionism’ “Unionism as we knew it in New Zealand is largely selfishness, and not the least selfish of unions is the Watersiders Union.” said the president, Mr A E. Dobson, at the >. mual meeting of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (reports "The Press”). Mr Dobson reminded members of the statement made recently that the Watersiders’ Union cost the country C 1.000.000 a year through wastage on the waterfront, but he had heard on good authority that no less than ,£4,000,000 a year was being wasted. , ‘Farmers are accused of individualism.” stated Mr Dobson. "Well, there i are two kinds of individualism. There : is the kind devoted to selfish ends and 1 the kind which Is devoted to the common good. I do not say that this ‘ union is wholly unselfish, but I do think ‘ it tries to do its best for the common j good. Anyway, it is up to the farming community to raise the level of j unionism in New Zealand.” ]

West Coast Honey The quantity of honey for export from Greymouth is much below the average this season, because of the poor season and the keen local demand. There are at present 211 cases of honey awaiting grading at the store in Greymouth, and the Government grader is expected to carry out the work during the next week or so. “Marlborough,” Not "Mawlborough” The pronunciation of the word ••Marlborough” was the subject of consideration by the Marlborough Progress League last week, when a request for a direction in the matter was received from the people in charge of preparing the commentary on the scenic tilm of the province taken during last Christmas and New Year (states the “Express”). The League decided that the most commonly used pronunciation in the district was ‘Marlborough,” as opposed to “Mawlborough,” and instructed its secretary (Mr F. Mogridge) to advise the people in Wellington accordingly. Rabbitskin Coats In New Zealand we have come to look on the rabbit as a pest, and huge kills are made, but it is somewhat surprising to find that 60,000,000 rabbitskins are put on the market in a year oy British trappers. Mr George Stewart, of Dunedin, who has just returned from England, said the prices for hatters’ grades would not be so good because of competition from this enormous supply of English skins. Mr Stewart added: In America the rabbitskin coat is very popular in its many guises—sealines, lupines, moleines, and beaverines. The finished article has reached a remarkably high standard there and these coats are now a bread-and-butter line. In England, however, I found that the women were not yet educated to using the rabbitskin coat to any appreciable extent. Cheap Pianos A number of old pianofortes came up for sale at an Auckland auction room a few days ago (says the "Star”). They had been stored for many years, and were badly damaged by borer and moth. The condition they were in is attested by the prices realised, for six sold for £5, and one made only 11s 6d. Nevertheless, there were bargains among them, for some of the walnut and mahogany timber had resisted the attacks of the borer insect, and was undamaged. When one of the most decrepit of the instruments was “under the hammer,” a wag among the buyers bid Is (id. “Don’t be too rash,” was the auctioneer’s reply. Erratic Fisli Supply The difficulties of the retail fish trade were referred to by assessors for the employers at a sitting of the Conciliation Council in Christchurch last week, when proposals for an award for fish shop assistants were being considered. “We have been three days this week without fish, and that is likely to continue until the end of the week,” said one employer, in explaining the erratic nature of the trade. Another employer remarked that the trade was in a pretty desperate state, and there would be no improvement until they were able to get supplies of fish. Amalgamation Favoured At the monthly meeting of the Takaka County Council, it wa'b resolved, on the motion of the chairman (Mr A. PI. Barnett) and Councillor Langford, that the Council favour an amalgamation of the Takaka and Collingwood County Councils and the Takaka Town Board. Dominion Coins for 1937 The New Zealand Government has not yet placed its order with the Royal Mint for its 1937 coins, so that no King George VI money will be in circulation in the Dominion at the time of the Coronation, according to an announcement made by the Treasury. New Zealand’s silver coins are made at the Royal Mint, but the pennies are the same as used in Britain. No indication has been given of when the Dominion’s new coins will be issued, but it is not likely to be for several months. King George VI pennies, such as will later be in circulation in New Zealand, have already been issued in Britain. At the Melbourne Royal Mint, Australia is producing a special Coronation crown piece.