GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 November 1937, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Air Service The extent to which the air service (on occasions) can beat even the telegraph service was in evidence on the Show Grounds to-day. At 12.45 the secretary. Mr W. D. 1-larkness. received a telegram from the Jersey judge (Mr E. Griffiths) from Wellington, staling that he was leaving Wellington at 10.40 a.m. direct. When the telegram was delivered Mr Griffith had been in the Jersey ring for three-quarters of an hour. “Iv” Factory Water Supply At last night’s meeting of the City Council the Mayor (Mr G L. Page) asked the City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) when the new water main would he connected to Messrs Kirkpatrick’s factory. The Engineer replied that the factory would be disconnected from the high levels main and connected with the low levels in about a week's time. In answer to a further question as to how it became understood that the new connection had been made, the engineer replied “Imagination. ’ ‘lt was like the case of a lady who said the other day that she was getting better reception from station 2ZR now that it had been taken over by the Government.” added Councillor S. McArthur. Another Traffic Census "Following the first comprehensive traffic census taken in 1934-35. arrangements have been made by the Main Highways Board for a similar census to be conducted during 1937-38,” states the annual report of the Transport Department. “As previously, this census will be confined to the rural main highway system, and will enable both the general increase in traffic volume to be ascertained and also the trend of traffic in respect of particular routes As has already been shown by the first census. Hie results of these traffic surveys prove invaluable in the design of roads for future traffic requirements, the allocation of funds, and in connection with investigations regarding road safety. Actually, however, the main highway system, to which the census relates, constitutes less than quarter of the total mileage of formed roads in New Zealand, although they carry a great deal more than that proportion of tlie total vehicular traffic. No similar data is available concerning other rural roads nor the urban roads and streets ”

Nelson Roy’s Achievement At the Rotary Club meeting yesterday a resolution was passed congratulating Flying-Ollicer (Houston, n Nelson boy, on his successful record-breaking (light to Capetown Roiling Water Supply The City Council at last night's meeting considered the plans and specifications lor lho Reding water supply .scheme, and it was decided to call tenders for the work immediately. A Pleasant Surprise The value of co-operative effort is well exemplified by the action of the directors of Market Gardens. Ltd., Wellington, in their rebating to shareholders what is equal io 25 per cent, of the standard selling commission charge to members of their company. Earlier in this year it was noted in these column:- Unit this organisation intended to rebate lo grower shareholders I,} per cent, from the JO per cent selling commission as charged but it appears now that the financial position permits ol this rebate being doubled, and the resultant cheques now in the hands of shareholders covering the first nine months of this year will no doubt come as a very pleasant surprise to the recipients. Abattoir Returns Slock slaughtered at the Nelson Abattoir in the fortnight ending yesterday was as follows:—Cattle, 111; calves, 13; sheep 644; lambs. 19; pigs, 66; total. 853 One sheep and one pig was condemned during the period. That information was contained in the report of the Abattoir Manager (Mr G W. Mitchell) to last night’s meeting ol the City Council. Workers’ Compensation Premiums The fact that it was costing the City Council £750 annually in premiums for workers' compensation was pointed out lo the council by the Mayor (Mr G. L. Page) at last night's meeting. He said it was a question if the council should not carry its own risk, as lie considered that such a fund would soon become self-supporting. May Say What They Please ‘•The Government has no intention of instituting or encouraging the victimisation or persecution of teachers or oilier public servants for their expression of opinions on controversial subjects. Public servants have the same civil rights as other citizens,” said the the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Eraser) in reply to a question by Mr W. J. Poison (National. Stratford) concerning a broadcast statement made by a member of the staff of one of the training colleges.

Motor Registrations Registrations of British cars numbered 14,556 and those for American cars 11,133, states the annual report of the Transport Department. The figures show a steady growth of the share of new cars obtained by Great Britain up till the depression year of 1933, when 60 per cent, came from that source. There was a drop following the improving economic conditions, with a sudden increase for 1936-37 to 57 per cent. The total number of motor-veh-icles licensed as at 31st March last was 255,748, and the number of vehicles actually on the road 227,572. Hit-and-Run Motorists In connection with hit-and-run cases the annual report of the Transport Department remarks that there is a drop of over 20 per cent, in third-party insurance clrims. as compared with last year’s figures and no doubt the increase in the maximum penalty brought into effect in August, 1938, for this type of offence (£SOO fine or five years’ imprisonment, as against the former £2O fine) has assisted in this reduction, although the increase was effective for only part of the year covered. Reduction in Saturday Banking Formerly regarded by tellers as one of the busiest periods of the working week, Saturday morning now holds no terrors for the staffs of Auckland banks (says the "Herald”). Since the extension of the five-day week to many industries there has been a gradual reduction in Saturday banking business and, with the closing of legal offices, the trend has become more marked. "Saturday morning banking has shrunk materially,” one bank manager said. "In addition to the falling off in the number of clients who normally made deposits, the closing of the solicitor’s offices has removed the necessity of effecting legal settlements. However, a great deal of business has still to be transacted.(J&s the Friday night takings in city business establishments are usually deposited in the middle of the morning. Some large firms also make a practice of banking takings received up to a certain time on Saturdays.” "Of all institutions, the banks would probably be the last to close,” another man said. "There has been no official consideration given by either employers or employees to the question of a five-day week.”

Higher Hospital Fees From Ist December the rate of payment for treatment of patients at the Mawcra hospital will be 12s per day, Ibis being reducible to 11s provided the account is paid within 50 days of being rendered (slates the "Taranaki Herald”). This is an increase of one shilling per day. the present rate being Us per day, reducible to IDs for payment within 30 days. The reason for the increase was given last month by the chairman. Mr A. L. Campbell, who stated that legislation had been responsible for an increase of £2OOO in expenditure. mainly in connection with wages and increase in staff owing to a reduction in the weekly working hours of the staff. Electricity for Camping Grounds Arrangements for the supply of electricity to the camping grounds at Tahunanui and Molucka have been made by the Waimen Electric Power Board, which at its meeting yesterday adopted a report by the supervising engineer, Mr N. A. Andrew's, on the subject. The board is prepared to supply slot meters and plug-in ranges for hire, the camping authorities to have the option of purchasing the ranges Deductions for Taxation. By specia l arrangement, the Treasury Department has for some months been making deductions from the salaries of many Auckland public servants which it is crediting against general taxation yet to be assessed (states the “Herald”). In some instances, the deduction is intended to cover the whole of the probable taxation; in others, it is on a basis which will permit of a fairly substantial contribution toward the amount assessed It is stated that the system has been steadily attracting members of the Government service, and if is expected that it will show a substantial growth next year. Children’s Playgrounds A number of features of children’s playgrounds in Sydney were commented on by Councillor 11. G. B. Hurst at last night’s meeting of the City Council. He had noticed that under the playing equipment such as swings, horizontal bars, Roman rings, tanned bark was placed in many of the grounds. Otherwise there was earth under the equipment in preference to asphalt. He saw a number of features which could be considered in any future development of playgrounds. Passenger Services During the five years the Transport Act has been in operation there has been a steady increase in the net return to operators of passenger services, and for the year under review, says the annual report of the Transport Department the returns show a net profit of £109.000, representing an advance of nearly 12 per cent, on the total profits for the previous year and equivalent to a return of 12 per cent, on the total capital invested £152,000 Written Ofl Fees amounting to approximately £152,000 had been written off in seven years it was reported at tlic Taranaki Hospital Board meeting this week, Discounts totalling £3OOO per year had been allowed, and the amount outstanding in current accounts on the board's books at the present time was £54,108. Work of St. Dunstan’s The annual report of St. Dunstan’s, famous English institution earing for war-blinded ex-servicemen, shows again a year of successful operation. It is emphasised that St. Dunstan s is not a residential institution, as many people seern to imagine. The conception of the founder, Sir Arthur Pearson, was not to segregate blinded soldiers in a home for the rest of their days, but to teach them to lead normal lives when they returned to their own homes St. Dunstan’s, the report states, is primarily an educational institution, from which the men. trained in useful occupations, arc sent into the world. The institution takes a fatherly care of all its "old boys,” supervising their welfare from every angle—industrial, commercial, professional, entertainment, health and domestic. The report states that the success of the “talking book,” by which famous books are read to the blind through the medium of gramophone records, has become an established success. During the past five years more than 200 cases of "delayedaction” blindness have come to St. Dunstan’s.

Relics of the Early Days The Provincial Historical Committees which were set up as part of the Centennial Organisations have many interesting tasks ahead of them. One work, that of collecting “bygones” suggested by Mr L. D. Bestall. Director of the Hawkes Bay Museum, could well be adopted throughout the Dominion. Mr Bestall emphasised the necessity for acquiring articles such as out-of-date farm implements while they were still obtainable. Old coaches, “growler” cabs, and “dog-carts” were also mentioned as exhibits that would become valuable in the future. A study of literature of the ’sixties will call to mind objects that would be interesting if they were exhibited. Ari early flail, a goatskin sieve, a gold prospector’s pick, or a pair of moleskin trousers would all provide backgrounds for descriptions of the early days. Mr Bestall pointed out’thal many things were almost imperceptibly disappearing. “In a year or two,” he said, “it will be very difficult to obtain one of those lemonade bottles with a marble in the neck, and in 50 years’ time they will be interesting indeed. Maori Medicine At the first meeting of the Hawkes Bay Historical Committee, the Right Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aolearoa. brought forward the suggestion that research should be made into the beneficial qualities oi herbs native to New Zealand. Bishop Bennett pointed out that many Maori families still use the ancient herbal remedies of their forefathers, in preference to medicines prescribed by the pakeha. Chemists have come to realise the value of Maori remedies, as witness the use of “karengo,” or edible seaweed, as an antidote for goitre Bishop Bennett referred to two further remedies "Manuka.” boil the young shoots. Good for rheumatism. sore back, lumbago. Bathe parts in mixture as hot as possible. "Tutu,” boil leaves and young branch. Soak sprained member in the mixture hot. Bandage tightly with leaves in bandage. “There arc scores of other remedies,” Bishop Bennett said, “but my object is merely to stir up the interest of students on a line of research which will probably be of inlestimable benefit to future generations and incidentally reduce the cost of nature’s remedies, for these kind of remedies can be made by anyone, and procured almost anywhere.”