Overtaking Vehicles

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 15 April 1939, Page 6

Overtaking Vehicles

With the *oad accident rate increasing rapidly, motorists who invariably use care arc becoming alarmed lest they themselves become involved in a smash-up through no fault of their own. A common complaint among experienced drivers is that unthinking people, or those who have no experience, are continually accelerating when overtaking vehicles wish to pass. It is one of the most dangerous practices on the road, and has led to numerous mishaps, as the overtaking vehicle has judged the speed of the vehicle he is overtaking, of oncoming cars as well, and of course knows what his own machine is capable of. Tn the “Road Code” issued by the Auckland A.A. is the following clause: “Do not obstruct others who may wish to overtake you. and never accelerate when being overtaken.” Charity Stamps All New Zealanders know of the good that can be accomplished through the i annual sale of postage stamps to aid health camps for children, but probably few are awre of the extent to which the system is carried on in some Continental countries. A letter received in Auckland from Paris this week boro three stamps, one of which entailed a contribution to assist French refugees from Spain, another assisted maternity welfare, and the third contributed to the provision of radios for the blind. Each stamp bore a picture illustrating the charity with which it is asociated. and showed the number of centimes by which the charity would benefit from the sale of the stamp. Higher Taxation ? An opinion that much higher taxation is in sight is expressed in the annual report of the Wanganui Employers’ Federation. “The present rate of expenditure cannot possibly be continued without the aid of loan money from overseas.” says the report, “and it is doubtful if a loan could be obtained under present circumstances, more par ticularly as one of £17.000.000 is about to mature and must be provided for. On the other hand, if public works undertakings are curtailed, thousands of men will again become unemployed and. as such, a charge on the public purse.” A Test For Centennial Memorials People in some districts are still undecided about the form of Centennial memorials. It is mentioned in “New Zealand Centennial News” that some time ago a reviewer submitted the following notion for folk who were discussing Centennial memorials: “Will the memorial be inspirational in the view of local folk as well as visitors from other parts of New Zealand and countries overseas? Will it create an impression that the planners looked forward as well as backward? Will it help in making a national sense of country? Will the memorial be regarded as a real asset of the district?” Nelson Apples for Brazil

Six thousand cases of apples from Nelson orchards are being shipped by the Waimarama at Auckland for discharge at Santos, in Brazil. Brought to Onehunga by the coastal vessel Titoki and transhipped across, the apples are of the Delicious variety, and have taken the place of a quantity which it was intended to export from Auckland orchards. The local crop (says the “Star”), unfortunately, failed to reach the export standard. Fruit experts state that the Nelson apples are of high quality. and are confident that the shipment will be landed in Brazil in good condition. The Waimarama sails from Auckland next Monday, and should reach Santos early in May. Hay for Stock Less hay than usual is being sold this year by farmers who normally have more than sufficient for their own requirements, according to Auckland merchants. It was reported yesterday that farmers who usually had a quantity of hay to dispose of were inclined not to sell this year in view of the exceptional season and the prospects of a shortage of winter feed. Prices had not yet shown any rising tendency, such supplies as were available being offered at about £4 10s a ton.

Telegraph Lines Damaged Near Murchison

Blasting operations near Murchison yesterday caqsed falls of rock and earth which disrupted telegraph circuits and caused delays to traffic between Wellington and Westport. Greymouth and Hokitika. The circuits were affected in two places north of Murchison and at 3 p.m. traffic to the West Coast was showing approximately two hours’ delay. At that time only one shaky circuit was available to Greymouth. Communication was restored by 3.55 p. m . and at 4.30 p.m. traffic was normal.

Valuable Help For Refugees in China

An appeal is made in another column for gifts of clothoing • for Chinese refugees. New Zealand missionaries are prepared to distribute relief to the neediest cases and the Chinese t hems Ives are making our “left offs” etc., into comfortable and much needed clothing. Shipping companies are giving generous help in the transport of cases, and everything of this kind enters China “duty free.” The ladies’ committee of the Church Missionary Society will be packing parcels on Friday next 21st April at the Marsden House and will be most grateful for gifts of clean left-off or misfit garments of any description.

International Croquet The Wellington Croquet Association ] has advised the Lower Hutt Borough Council that the international croquet championships and the New Zealand .open tournament will be held in Lower Hutt in January, 1940. Large entries arc expected and the available grounds, it was stated, would be insufficient. The , council has advised the association that 1 five more playing areas could be provided on the Hutt Recreation Ground at the cost of the extra preparation and marking. Dog Helps “Rabbits” A favourite with all golfers who use the links, and particularly with those whose shots are liable to land in the rough. Peter, the alert, intelligent terrier "attached" to the Mornington course, has been finding balls lately in great style (reports “The Post"). One long-handicap player claims that Peter is able to discriminate between a good “lie” and a bad one. and has no qualms about shifting a ball resting in an awkward spot. This may or may not be the case, but it is a fact that the dog has rare intelligence. Yesterday the ball played from the eighteenth tee landed in long grass just outside the green; where it was out of si~ht. The player, after searching for a while, exhorted Peter to help in the quest, whereupon the dog. which had been standing near the green, picked up the missing ball in its mouth and held it for a moment before dropping it, clear of the grass. Without a doubt the whole thing was unorthodox, but it was so diverting and original that play was held up w'hile Peter received his reward, a piece of chocolate.