GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 November 1938, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Postmen Work for the Children The postmen of New Zealand are making a special effort on behalf of the children with their organised drives for the sale of the Health stamp, this being the main basis of Health Camp finance. Where the postmen have been able to complete house-to-house appeals, the results are remarkably good, showing that they have a splendid goodwill which they are prepared to turn to account for the assistance of under-nourished and ailing children. The Health stamps sold during the sixth week of the campaign totalled 110.243, bringing a further benefit to the Health Camps of £4BO 12s 6d. The full results of six weeks’ campaigning have now brought £3,058 19s 5d into the funds of the Health Camps, the Auckland postal district heading the list with £587. while Wellington contributed £450, Palmerston North £236, Christchurch £205. Dunedin £176, Wanganui £167, Hamilton £157, and Napier £l3l. A Big Question A rather big question was raised by Councillor McMillan, M.P., at the meeting of the Dunedin City Council, when ne suggested to Councillor Taverner that the finance committee should supply a report to the next meeting on the position of council employees and superannuation, reports the “Otago Daily Times.” Councillor McMillan pointed out that the Government’s national superannuation scheme would be introduced in April, and he asked the committee to go into the question whether it would then cease to be obligatory for its employees to pay into the funds, and whether it would be possible for them to withdraw what they had already paid into the scheme. Councillor Taverner replied that all persons joining the council’s staff had to subscribe to the superannuation scheme. If it were possible in any way to assist the council’s employees it was the committee’s duty to investigate. He would be pleased to have a report on the question presented at the next meeting of the council. No Free Lighting Stratford businessmen are very disappointed at the action of the Stratford Borough Council in refusing to continue the practice which has been in vogue for some years of permitting shopkeepers to use an unlimited amount of electricity without extra charge in order to make the town as bright and attractive as possible at Christmas time (states the “Herald”). In the past the council has permitted retailers to use an unlimited amount of electricity for shop lighting during December without added charge, the account for December being the same as that paid during November. At last meeting a petition was received asking that this practice should be repeated this year. The council declined the request on the grounds that considerable reductions have been made in the charges for lighting. Best Physical Education Equipment

The. New Plymouth Boys’ High School had the finest physical education equipment in any school in New Zealand, said Mr Edgar W. Herbert, Bachelor of Physical Education, who is visiting Young Men’s Christian Associations in New Zealand to instruct the paid staffs in modern physical education. Interviewed in New Plymouth by the “Herald,” he said the gymnasium, sports fields and baths were splendid facilities, and in the principal, Mr W. H. Moyes, he had found a most enthusiastic man in all forms of physical education, not only from the point of view of the school, but of the nation. Mr Herbert said he found an unusual type of physique among the boys, and a splendid general physical capacity. Auckland Markets With the exception of green peas, of which there is an unseasonable shortage, fruit and vegetable supplies are reaching the Auckland markets in abundance and excellent condition (states the “N.Z. Herald”). Prices are being well maintained and continue to show a good return to the various growers, while the prospects for the Christmas and early New Year supplies are encouraging. Supplies of last year’s apples and pears are now almost finished. and prices have advanced rapidly in the last fortnight. The quality is more disappointing than that of last year, due to the adverse conditions encountered in the drying period of last summer, which has resulted in fruit failing to keep. Sturmers, for instance, are usually obtainable until the second week in December, but now they are extremely short.

Motoring Rules “There are two really important things for ihe individual motorist to remember.” said Mr L. Courtenay Atwool, an insurance adjustor, in an address to the Auckland Creditmen’s Club this week. “Never take your eyes off the road for a second or a fraction of a second in any circumstances, and never drive your car at such a speed that it cannot be brought to a standstill within half the length of clear roadway in front of the vehicle.” Mr Atwool added that if all motorists observed these rules he would be out of business in a week. Judge Used Voice Amplifier The microphone, amplifier, and loud- ! speaker which have been used in the 1 Supreme Court in Wellington this week I to assist in carrying the voices of wit- ; nesses toward the back of the court 1 were put to a slightly different use yes- j terday. The microphone was turned j toward the Bench to pick up the voice j of the Chief Justice (Sir Michael ' Myers) during his summing up to the jury in a civil case. As when the instrument was in front of the witnessbox. most of those in the court were unaware that their hearing was being aided artificially. At the same time his Honour’s words were recorded on the dictaphone, as had been every word of the evidence in the four-day case. The system was being used only as an experiment, a typewritten note being taken in the usual way, and from the Bench yesterday his Honour commented tnat the sound record had shown its value by enabling him to repair an omission in the typewritten note The Loyal Howard Lodge social committee will hold the usual dance in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. Good prizes are offered for the Early Bird and Monte Carlo competitions. During the supper interval Misses Anita and Joan Moran will entertain the patrons with tap dancing, etc The floor is to receive special attention, which combined with spirited music by Mr H. Williams’s dance band, will assure all patrons of an enjoyable evening. Bro. G. L. Housiaux will carry out the duties of M.C.

Increased Expenses "There seems to be a feeling of great uneasiness in the minds of responsible : business men and farmers concerning the ability of New Zealand to meet the greatly increased annual expenses in j the Dominion, and also the financial obligations—interest and loan repayments—at London.” said Mr G. H. P. j Fitzgerald, managing director of the' New Zealand Co-op. Rennet Company, j Ltd., Eltham, on his return from a business trip through the Canterbury and , Wellington districts. “Few responsible \ men speak of the problem in terms of | mere party politics; they are genuinely | concerned for the immediate future of ! the Dominion,” said Mr Fitzgerald. “Manufacturers and merchants are unable to see how our small country can legislate to provide a 40-hour w-eek at higher wages in competition with manufacturers in countries working longer hours at lower wages, and with bigger production units.” Circumstantial Evidence Impressing on the jury that it was unwise for them to draw inferences to assist in reaching their findings in a case concerning a claim for damages at the Supreme Court in Napier, Mr Justice Blair illustrated his point amusingly. “If your milkman delivered a gallon of milk to you which proved to , contain a trout, you might infer from this that he was watering the milk and still be quite wrong,” he Said. Too Much Scolding “We have been scolding our young people too long for doing things which we regard as objectionable,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. ] Parry) when referring in an address in . Dunedin to the tendency of elders to criticise youth unduly (states the “Otago Daily Times”). "When we have scolded them we think we have done our part, but that is shirking the real job. If there are activities of our youth to-day which we consider objec- j tionable it is our duty to replace them j with something better to engage the attention of our young people.” New Zealand Apples in Austria “I was very surprised and pleased, when I walked along the market place in Innsbruck, to see New Zealand j apples for sale in a number of stalls,” j said Mr H. E. Iggo, Christchurch, who returned to New Zealand recently from I a tour of England and the Continent. He said the apples were in excellent \ condition and were selling for about 4d or 5d a pound. In the Interests of Safety The Traffic Inspector, Mr C. E. Parkinson, to-day likened a pedestrian who blindly dived across a pedestrian crossing in front of cars that had almost reached the crossing, thus giving the motorist practically no chance to pull up, to “a man who walked in front of a loaded cannon with someone about to puil the string.” In making an appeal for pedestrians to give the motorists a chance the Inspector stressed the fact that even at 5 m.p.h. it took a motorist 7£ feet to pull up after deciding to do so. and if a pedestrian left the kerb suddenly when the car was pratically on the crossing, the motorist was placed in a most awkward position. Again, once the pedestrian was on the crossing he should move across smartly or he could be prosecuted for loitering. There was definitely danger in the manner in which Nelson people used the crossings at present during a busy period.

Film “Fan Mail” Refused Many hundreds of New Zealand admirers of film stars who have contributed to the big “fan mail” are doomed to disappointment because they omitted to place the proper postage of 2sd on their letters to the .United States of America. At least five hundred of these letters to film studios were returned by the last inward American mail all marked “Refused.” because the intended recipients were not prepared to pay the- deficiency surcharge of 3d on a letter r.csted in New Zealand with a Id stamp. It is evident from the addresses on these returned letters that the range of appreciation of leading actors and actresses is extremely wide, dozens cl r ernes being included in the batch. The New Zealand Post Office will endeavour to return all these letters to their lot c ers and collect the deficiency charge of 3d as some compensation for a double trip across the Pacific. Never Too Old “I do not want anyone present to think that he or she is too old to take part in physical instruction and to benefit from it,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E Parry) when addressing a meeting of representatives of sports bodies in Dunedin “This is a matter which affects every man and women among us, no matter what their age. lam convinced that most men and women go to seed years before their time, and there is no reason in the world why every person in this hall to-night should not take part in some form of physical training. The human machine is a wonderful thing.” Dull Sale at Westfield In spite of the presence of a large number of buyers at the Westfield stock sales on Wednesday, the general tone was dull, the market being over-sup-plied (reports the “N.Z. Herald”). Slow bidding was particularly apparent in the sale of calves, where the entry was very large. The quality offering was first class, but in most cases competition was not keen, except for heavy runners and choice vealers. Prices dropped sharply toward the end of a long sale, and poorer sorts in the yarding could not find a buyer. Large numbers of sheep also were penned, and. while the bidding was steady, the ground lost last week was not recovered. Exhibition Progress Amazement at the progress made at j Rongotai and the extent of the Exhibition buildings in the course of erection i was expressed by the Canadian Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, Mr W. F. Bull, who paid a visit to the site this week, in company with the manager of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, Mr C. P. Hainsworth Exhibitions of such a type were unknown in Canada, said Mr Bull. There they were more like a show, including stock events, horse-jumping, and sports. In the fortnight during which they were held annually they were seen by some 2.000.000 people. Though he had not heard whether the Canadian Government had decided to take part in the Exhibition, numbers of Canadian firms were inquiring about it. Canada had a 1 C 4.000.000 annual export trade to New Zealand, chiefly 5 1 motor-cars and newsprint. From what he had seen ! of the site. Mr Bull was of the opinion j that the Exhibition would be a great i success. r

Mariposa’s Many Passengers The fourth successive Matson liner to reach Auckland from San Francisco. via ports, with her passenger accommodation filled, practically to capacity, the Mariposa was due at Auckland this morning bringing 693 passengers. A total of 479 are through travellers, and 214 will land at Auckland. Nearly 2800 passengers have been carried by the company’s liners in their last four south-bound voyages. "Italy is in a Bad May” “One cannot help gathering the impression that things are in a bad way in Italy.” said Mr J. Shier, Christchurch, who has just returned to Christchurch from a business trip to England and the Continent. The nation seemed poor, and there was not the same enthusiasm as reigned in Germany, he added, though the people put on a very brave face. He said it was not generally known that to help to finance the Abyssinian war. married women had to exchange their gold wedding rings with the State for silver ones. Such actions brought home to the people the grave state their country was