GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1938, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

! (vapor Catches Fire Fire in kapoc in a shed at the back ol an upholsterer’s establishment in King street. New Plymouth, resulted in the New Plymouth Fire Brigade being called to the scene. The tire was under control when the brigade arrived and was extinguished without difficulty. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Panoramic Painting of Bay A panoramic painting of Tasman Bay, giving the names to all the important peaks, has been presented to the Nelson City Council by Mr Walter F. Robinson. At last night's meeting of the council the Mayor (Mr G. L. Page) referred to the gift which, he said, would prove of interest to all Nelsonians. On the Mayor’s motion it was decided to write to Mr Robinson thanking him for his gift to the city. “Gods Own Country?” New Zealand, said a speaker at a Salvation Army farewell at Inglewood, was frequently described as “God's own country*” but the term, he feared, applied only to the physical aspect of the Dominion. As far as the Christian point of view was concerned the phrase was far from appropriate and it was the duty of parents to encourage their children to attend Sunday schools or Bible classes or such institutions. Amended Overseas Air Service The Chief Postmaster (Mr A. N. Wallace) advises that owing to the loss of the Trans-Pacific flying-boat near Pago Pago, future mall despatches ar'; indefinite. Letters on hand are being diverted to Sydney by the Melbourne Maru from Auckland to-day for onward despatch by air. Honolulu and San Francisco, via Penang-Hong Kong service. Letters for Europe are being diverted to the Australia-England service, arrival dates of this routeing being San Francisco, Ist February. London 31st January, provided the Melbourne Maru makes the expected connection at Sydney. Lizard Sheds Skin Now in the act of shedding its tough yellow and black skin, one of the pair of great water lizards which was recently added to the collection of exhibits at the Auckland Zoo is proving a source of particular interest, reports the ‘'Herald.” As the old skin peels away the brilliant stripes of the new surface are gradually being revealed, and the reptile, which is sft long, should present an attractive appearance when the process is completed. Four kittens have just been born to a pair of royal Siamese cats, being the first to be bred at the zoo for about 10 years. The kittens, which are white at birth, are very similar in appearance to the domestic animal. Anniversary Days For the first time in 11 years Anniversary Day, 22nd January, in Wellington this year falls on a Saturday, and in view of the five-day week in many factories and offices the length of the working week for many people will not be affected by the holiday. Auckland’s anniversary day, on 29th January, also falls on a Saturday this year. That of Nelson. Ist February, will be on a Tuesday; Otago (including Southland), 33rd March, on a Wednesday; Taranaki. 31st March, on a Thursday; Hawkes Bay and Marlborough Ist November, on a Tuesday; Westland, Ist December, on a Thursday, and that of Canterbury, 16th December, on a Friday. Abattoir Returns Stock slaughtered at the Nelson Abattoir in the fortnight ended yesterday was as follows:—Cattle. 102; calves, 11; sheep, 568; lambs, 153; pigs. 67; total, 901. For the previous fortnight the figures were: Cattle. 88; calves, 13; sheep, 506; lambs, 323; pigs. 78; total, 1108. Three pigs, one lamb and one sheep were condemned during the month. That information was contained in the report of the Abattoir Manager (Mr G. W. Mitchell) to last night’s meeting of the City Council. South Island Poster Stamps

“The poster stamps issued by the association have received favourable comment,” stated the report of the Director, Mr J. J. W. Pollard, to yesterday’s meeting ol the South Islands Travel Association “Criticism has centred on the printing and the absence of certain well-known tourists resorts. It was known that the Government Tourist Department was issuing stamps and that some well-known resorts would be illustrated, and it was therefore deemed advisable to avoid specifying any particular resorts. The idea behind these stamps was to impress the phrase “South Island. New Zealand” on overseas people A portion was offered lor sale to the public. Over 250.000 have been distributed to date. It is pleasing to record that quite a number of the stamps were sold in the North Island.” New Track on Adele Island Visitors to Astrolabe will appreciate the new track which was cut on Adele Island during the holidays by Messrs G. J. Cullen and G. H. Reeves of Nelson. The track leads up from the sandy beach on the western side of the island, through a beautiful fern gully, to the saddle on the middle of the island. From the top of the track an easy grade leads to the rock on the southern peak of the island, from which there is a magnificent view of Tasman Bay. Increase in S.I. Visitors “There has been a remarkable increase in the number of visitors to the South Island during the holiday season, and we may safely claim that the increased publicity secured for the South Island during the year has been in part, at least, responsible for this,” stated the report of the Director, Mr J. J. Pollard, to yesterday’s meeting of the South Islands Travel Association executive. “The publicity in the North Island in connection with the winter trips of last year was of marked assistance, and the frequent references to the South Island Travel Association also to attract attention among those intending to travel. This increase during the summer season is welcome, but w'e hope tc develop the winter traffic as well, because by building up tourist traffic in what may be called the ‘off’ seasons we can do much to increase the aggregate return. ’

Tree planting in City At last night’s meeting of the City Council Councillor H. G. B. Hurst said he was looking forward to the time when the council could carry out further tree planting, and he wished the council to ask the Superintendent ol Reserves to report to the council on any streets w’hich would be suitable to have trees planted in them. He considered there were many places on the outskirts of the town which could be planted next season. The proposal was adopted by the council* Van Careers Across Street Careering across Devon street. New Plymouth, when it lost a front wheel, a motor van was fortunate that it escaped a collision purely because there was nc traffic about at the time, says- the “Herald.” The driver of the van was turning into Dawson street from Devon street when the wheel came off and the car careerecd in the opposite direction. Entrances to City A suggestion that Milton street. Port road, Waimea street and Waimea road, which were entrances to the city, should be topdressed if any road sealing was undertaken before the end of the financial year, was made by Councillor E. R. Neale, at last night’s meeting of the City Council. The councillor pointed out that the streets mentioned were in need of repair. The Mayor (Mr G. L. Page) said he could not see that the council could do very much work on the streets on the finances available. It would take the council all its time to come out square. Owing to the increase of wages and the changes in the awards the finances had been seriously affected. Drinking of Tea “I have never seen people drink more tea than in this country. The oniy other place which might equal it is South Africa. I have drunk more tea in the last five weeks than during the previous five years,” comments Mr R. Stewart Brown, one of the British bowlers. This opinion was confirmed by Mr D. E. Gardiner (Belfast), captain of the team, and by other bowlers, who expressed their amazement at the number of breaks made during the routine of the day for the consumption of tea, and at the hectic rush on railway stations during ,the holidays for this form of refreshment. New Zealand Press "W'e in New Zealand are very fortunate in our newspapers, because I have had the benefit of a diligent perusal of all kinds of papers in England and have come to the conclusion that I prefer the paper which makes a serious attempt to give news impartially,” said Mr Justice Blair, who has returned to Wellington after twelve month’s leave of absence, to a Wellington reporter yesterday. In every town in New Zealand one could find such unbiased papers, he said, but the difficulty in England was that unless two or three papers were read daily one 'was inclined to get his outlook a little narrowed. Statutory Half Holiday. The Waimea County Council to-day fixed Saturday as the statutory half holiday in the county. The dance and inglcside arranged by the combined committee of the Nelson Riile Club and City Pipe Band, to be held in the School of Dancing, Hardy street, on Saturday evening, promises to be a huge success Clarrie Lee’s orchestra will supply the music and some outstanding artists will assist with the items. Prizes will be allotted for the Monte Carlo, and supper with cool drinks will be served.