GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 11 September 1937, Page 8

GENERAL ITEMS

Advertising: a Tax If the executive of the South Island Motor Union has its way, every petrol bowser in tlu: South Island will soon carry a placard bearing words something like these: "Every time you buy a gallon of petrol you are paying the Government 10j|d in tax. ’ The executive heard the suggestion made by Mr J. S. Ilawkcs, whose main contention was that rinly such prominent placards | would impress upon the public the amount it pai 1 in petrol tax. The suggestion will be considered by the annual meeting of the union later in the month. Serious Damage oy Grass Grub Waimatc is not the only district in South Canterbury where anxiety is being felt by farmers at the ravages ;of ilie grass grub; at Temuka, also, concern is being felt by farmers, whose pastures are affected by the pest. Mr G A. Davcy, Rangitira Valley, said that more damage to his land had been caused this season by the grass grub than for years. In one of his paddocks six acres of summer grass had been completely eaten away, while, in anotheg. which he would have to plough, live acres of young grass had also been destroyed by the grub. He expressed the opinion that the ravages of the pest were noticeable all | over South Canterbury. Mr W. Moore, Waitohi. supported Mr Davey’s remarks, and added: “I think that it is time to get in touch with the Cawthron Institute and to make inquiries about the insect which is said to be able to counteract the depredations of the grass grub,” Mr Moore said. "Farmers in this district may recall a lecture given at Pleasant Point some years ago by an officer of the Cawthron Institute, who stated that an insect had been discovered somewhere in South AmericaChile, 1 think, he said—which was a grass grub parasite. Farmers in South Canterbury would certainly welcome that parasite now.” Fire at Fairhall A five-roomed wooden house siluj ated a short distance beyond Bell’s crossroad in the vicinity of the Fairhall hall, and occupied by Mr and Mrs L. Robinson, was burnt to the ground in the early hours of Thursday morning (reports the "Express”). When the ffre was discovered Mr and Mrs Robinson, who were the only occupants of the house, had only time to make a hurried exit, and a few articles which they snapped up on their way outside were all that could be saved. The house, which was owned by Mrs Robinson. was insured for £4OO, £250 of the cover being held by the Yorkshire Office and the remainder by the Commercial Union Office. There was a cover of £2OO on the furniture, policies of £IOO being held by each of the above offices. Legal Appointments to Colonial Service Some years ago, the Colonial Office opened the Colonial Service to graduates of the New Zealand University, and a board of selection was set up in New Zealand for the purpose of recommending suitable candidates. One of the branches of the service was the legal branch, but a difficulty was found that many of the colonies required appointees to be members of the English Bar, ami that it would be necessary for New Zealanders to become members of the English Bar if they wished to obtain the full benefit of the service. It is gratifying to know (reports the “New Zealand Law Journal”) that for this purpose the qualifications of New Zealand barristers are now recognised as equivalent to that of those in England. Mr H. D. Acland, of Christchurch, who is one of the members of the board of selection, has for some years urged the rectification of this matter with the Colonial Office through the board; and word has now been received that persons who have obtained their professional qualifications in New Zealand are eligible to apply for appointment in the service. Candidates must have bad four years’ practical experience in their profession. In this service, vacancies are filled as they occur. Danger on Wairau Bridge

On the motion of Councillor A. M. IV. Adams, the* Marlborough County Council decided yesterday to ask the Main Highways Board to erect notices at each end of the Wairau Bridge, near Renwick. warning motorists to drive slowly. In moving to this effect, Councillor Adams drew attention to the large number of accidents which had occurred on the structure through vehicles skidding on the running planks. Councillor J. Kennington contended that it was not always a question of speed. They did not want to be picking at the Highways Board too much, but he was pleased to see that the Automobile Association had moved in the direction of urging that the centre gap between the running planks be filled in. “It is that gap which is causing the trouble.” he declared. He agreed that some of the mishaps which had occurred wore due to speed, but described incidents which he himself had scon to show that slow-moving vehicles were also liable to come to grief. Councillor A. M. W. Adams agreed that the remedy was to have the gap filled in. Councillor J. W. Douglas said it was a particularly dangerous bridge, and he had almost an accident on ’t himself recently when his car skidded badly on the wet planking. Councillor Kennington said it had been suggested to him that there was something in the bridge itself that was causing the epidemic of accidents. Perhaps the piles were sinking and causing vehicles to develop an up and down motion. The chairman (Mr A. H. Net’sU "Perhaps the piles are swinging.’ Councillor F. E. Fairwcathcr: "It is simply excessive speed.” The motion was carried.

“Franchise Day" The monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union will be held in Burrough House on Tuesday afternoon next, 14th September, at. 2.45. As 19th September is the 44th anniversary of the signing by the Earl of Glasgow as Governor of New Zealand, of the Bill which gave women (he right to vote, the meeting on Tuesday will be a special “Franchise Day.” Delegates will be appointed for the District Convention to be held in Nelson on 6th October.

Woodhens at J’dortis Bridge For some weeks past it lias been noticed that several of the woodhens at Pelorus Bridge have been limping on one leg isays the “Express”). It was at first assumed that some bird disease was responsible but one of the worst eases was caught this week when il was found that the bird’s leg had been broken below the knee and that the flesh had withered away, leaving the bone exposed. It is now suspected that illegal trapping of opossums in the bush near the bridge is responsible for flie mutilation of the birds but no evidence is as .vet obtainable regarding the culprits. As these tame woodhens have been quite a feature ol the reserves and a source- ol interest to visitors, the Pelorus Scenic Board is much perturbed about their welfare and will welcome any assistance that can be given towards ascertaining the reason of their lameness or to locating the persons who may be responsible. Facts About Mountains “If the top half of a mountain could be suddenly cut off it would tend to rise again,” declared Dr. K. E. Bullen, lecturer in mathematics at the Auckland University College, in an address to the Auckland Astronomical Society, reports the “New Zealand Herald.” He said that, likewise, ir a sufficiently great weight were placed on it, it would sink to an appropriate level. It could be shown mathematically, however, that the earth could not possess a mountain exceeding about six miles in height nor an ocean exceeding six miles in depth. Thus Mount Everest was close to the maximum height theoretically possible. Cathedral Debating: Club At the last meeting of the Cathedral Debating Club it was affirmed that the women of New Zealand should continue to enjoy their franchise. The judge was Mr W. C. Harley. The next meeting is to be an open one and will be held on Tuesday evening, the subject of debate being: “That capital punishment should be abolished.” Mr T. E. Maunsell has consented to act as judge. The speakers will be Messrs Brodie, Tankersley, Fowler and Morgan for the affirmative and Messrs Fletcher, May, the Dean and Dr. Crawshaw for the negative. High Commissioner’s Office. A tribute to the New Zealand High Commissioner’s office in London was paid by Mr B. Trathen who returned to Nelson this week after a visit to England. Mr Trathen said that he had difficulty in obtain a seat to watch the Coronation procession, but through the efforts of the High Commissioner’s office he eventually procured a ticket for a seat at a reasonable price when residents in London were paying much larger sums for seats. Incubator at Game Farm An electrically-controlled incubator has been installed at the Hawkes Bay Acclimatisation Society’s game farm at Greenmeadows for the purpose of hatching pheasants’ eggs. The incubator will hold 1)00 eggs, the settings being divided into trays of 140 each. At the farm at present are 72 pheasants, which are kept tor the sole purpose of breeding, and it is expected that the incubator will receive its first trial about the end of next month. Elimination of Guesswork “It is not fully realised by cyclists that thought reading has no place at all in traffic safety,” states the latest safety message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) Incorporated. “In other words, the exigencies of modern traffic demand the complete Oimination tf guesswork as between jne vtnicle user and another.” Driving Schools Criticised “You must not go near the water until you can swim. These driving schools are just the same-—you must not go near the school until you have had a conviction ” This statement was made by Mr F. W. Johnston at a'meeting of the South Island Motor Union when he attacked the principle of establishing driving schools as being "just like putting the cart before the horse.” "To qualify for the school you have first to commit an offence,” he said. ‘These people arc not taught to drive. They are just put through a fairly perfunctory test and they get licenses. They get into trouble and they are sent to these schools to learn to drive. After being given a license to drive on the highways these people commit offences and arc then given lessons in driving.’