GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 21 August 1939, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Miles of Hunting ! The supplies of bunting for the New I Zealand Centennial Exhibition necessi- | tated the importation of 6.400 yards | of the material, a little more than three j miles. There wil lbe approximately ; 500 flags flying at the Exhibition as j many special banners and hundreds of yards of bunting for general decoration. Planning in Building' Questioned concerning conditions in the building trade, the secretary of the Auckland Carpenters and Joiners Union. Mr J. G. Kennerley, estimated that at the present rate of progress in building it would take five or six years for New Zealand to overtake the housing shortage (states the “Star”). Conditions in the trade were booming, and they could continue to boom at the same rate for another three or four years. There ! was a need in the Dominion, however, for a policy cf long-range planning in building, spread over from 15 to 20 years, and suggestions in this direction had been made to the Government by representatives of the Auckland and WelUrgt' r, unions. Under such a pian it w.»u!d be possible to ease up on any hous--* building when the occasion nemanded and transfer principal activity lo Government and commercial buildings or slum clearance. Operations on this basis were visualised in the Wheatley noport, presented to the first Labour Government in England, and representatives of the Government in New Zealand had promised to give consideration to the union’s suggestions. Accommodation in Wellington “A gross misrepresentation” was how the accommodation problem that will arise when the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington is opened was described in Dunedin by Mr James Fletcher, managing director of the Fletcher Construction Company. “Visitors to Wellington need have no fear of not securing accommodation if thye make reservations in plenty of time.” said Mr Fletcher. “and one thing is certain—they will not be exploited.” He added that the bureau that had been set up by the Exhibition authorities had already received thousands of applications, and was experiencing no difficulty in providing the accommodation. First Peas of Season The first green peas of the season were sold at the Auckland city markets on Friday (states the "Herald"), a small consignment from the north bringing from 9d to Is lOd per lb. wholesale. The season has been poor for the growing of peas, which have been held back by the wet weather, and only small quantities are expected to be available for some time. Bishop’s Memory Honoured Notice has been received by Bishop Liston (Auckland), that at the request of Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. Minister of Housing, has agreed to give one of the streets in the Orakei State Housing block the name of Pompallier Avenue, Bishop Pompallicr was the first Roman Catholic missionary to come to New Zealand and was first Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland. The naming of another street in his honour coincides with the centenary of his arrival in New Zealand, when was celebrated last year. A Diminutive Claim There were murmurs of “Shylock” from the barristers’ table in the Magistrate’s Court at Invercargill, when a solicitor appearing on an undefended civil claim asked for judgment for lOd and costs. The magistrate (Mr R. C. Abernethy, S M.), inquired jocularly if costs as on a claim for lOd were sought, and counsel replied that the costs would be on the original claims of 15s lOd, of which 15s had been paid. What would smokers do if t.be supply of tobacco suddenly "stopped short” — like Grandfather’s Clock—and no more was forthcoming for an indefinite period? The idea may seem fantastic, but the possibility of such a stoppage has actually been foreseen —and provided for—in England. It is stated that there is "enough tobacco to supply every man and woman in the Kingdom with an ounce of tobacco every week lor a year always in store in the warehouses in the London docks." Happily lor Maorilanders, New Zealand is a tobacco-producing country, and there is not the slightest fear of any smoker having to go short, lor the supplies of "toasted (the real toasted) are practically inexhaustible. In fact, the manufacture of Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Cavendish, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog). Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold now constitutes an important and rapidlyexpanding industry affording steady employment to many hands, while the growth of the raw material Is found a profitable side-line to not a few men on the land. The fame of this tobacco is spreading beyond these shores.^

Bobby Calf Season The killing of boby calves is in full swing in the Auckland and South Auckland districts at the present time, operations at the Horotiu works being particularly busy (states the “Star”). Such is the flow of stock at the Westfield freezing works that it is stated that fully 100 men are engaged in killing and dressing the calves. “The bobby calf season is a bit late this year,” said a man associated with the freezing industry. “but they are certainly making up for lost time. At Horotiu. for instance, they have almost as many men on as during the height of the freezing season.” Automobile History The first automobile or horseless carriage that appeared on English roads is present in model form in the United ! Kingdom Pavilion at the New Zealand i Centennial Exhibition. It was driven 'by steam and modelled after the design of the stas;e coach. This vehicle was invented by a Cornish Doctor in i 1827. He was Mr (afterwards Sir) | Goldsworthy Gurney. Gurney succeedI ed in replacing the stage coach with a steam driven vehicle two months before Stevenson made the Rocket. The motor car exhibit shows models of (almost every distinctive type of motorcar built in Great Britain from the “Lanchester” and the “Roots and Venables” of 1896 to the splendid cars of the present day. The series included models of the principal racing cars of British design and manufacture as well as models of the patrols, road signs and other services organised by the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club. This section is but one of four in the United Kingdom Pavilion. The Farmer and His Stock The opinion that the farmer should be fully acquainted with all maladies afflicting dairy stock and should not need the services of a veterinary surgeon was expressed by a supplier at the annual meeting of the Awahuri | Dairy Coy.. Ltd., last week, when speaking on a proposal of the directors for a veterinary service for the suppliers { reports the "Standard”). “If he cannot do much for the cows himself, there are not many veterinary surgeons who can.” he added. The farmer had his remedies and if it was an unknown disease he was dealing with he (the speaker) did not consider the veterinarian would know much more. Again the Cats ! ! Australians, as well as New Zealanders, have much cause to complain j about the killing of birds by cats in ; the bush. Mr J. R. Kinghorn, ornithologist of the Australian Museum, said ' recently that the fox and cat were more destructive than the natural enemies of the lyre-bird such as the goanna, which ate an occasional egg. or the carpet snake, which might devour a young bird. Throughout Australia, the lyrebird, and its egg, were protected, and the depredations of egg-collectors, extensive until a few years ago, had been checked. The bird laid only one egg a year. The more the habit some people had, of abandoning cats in the bush or elsewhere, could be controlled, the better the chances for the lyre bird’s preservation. Many motorists, launchusers and others in New Zealand have been guilty of leaving unwanted cats in localities near bush. There are also many "strays” from camps and other habitations. Native or Exotie Trees? | "Whenever the subject of roadside i planting is discussed, argument arises as to the relative values of natives and j exotics.” states the bulletin of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. "Some would plant all natives, and others none but exotics. The ‘native’ supporters state that we should plant our own New Zealand trees and shrubs, and that anything else is not in keeping with this country’s landscape, exotics creating an unnatural effect. Those in favour of exotics argue that we should choose the best that is suitable from all over the world, thus greatly widening the range of beautiful subjects available. To the qualified but unprejudiced person, and also to the average intelligent member of the community, there is an obvious place for both types, but with a strong bias in favour of natives, wherever suitable." Need of Flood Control In the opinion of the Forest and Bird Protection Society’s executive the proposed Bill, recently mentioned by the Hon. R. Semple, to promote better measures for the protection of farming country against erosion, should have the support of all throughtful New Zealanders. who have read the reports of everincreasing flood damage in many parts of the Dominion. The protective works of River Board are usually along th# lower reaches of rivers, whose flooding habits are becombing worse as the result of past destruction of native forests around the sources of the streams. This expensive process has often drawn a repetition of the old saying about the maintenance of an ambulance at the foot of a precipice instead of erecting a good fence at the top. One envelope of newspaper clippings received recently by the Society included the lamentations of local bodies about the difficulties of curbing the erosive strength of three rivers—the Manawatu, the Tukituki (near Waipukurau) and the Tutaekuri. Similar reports come in regularly from various districts of the North and South Islands. The attention of all those interested is drawn to a meeting of the Nelson branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to be held in All Saints’ Parish Hall on Wednesday afternoon. The speaker will be Mrs V. Wakelin; organising secretary from the Bible House. Wellington. McKay's have full stocks of Spring Cardigans and Jumpers, all the latest tonings. Priced from 19/6 to 42/-.* j Alfred Gould announces details of a clearing sale on account of Mr S. C. I Packer, at his residence. “Oaklands,” i Waimea road, next Thursday at 1 p.m!* ; McKay’s have just opened the most j exclusive Fur Coats and Capes in the latest overseas styles. See window display.* McKay’s for the newest House-coats and smocks in fast colour gay prints. Priced from 10/11.* McKay’s for Ladies’ Spun Silk Nightdresses. hand embroidered, short sleeve. Shades of Peach. Blue. Creme. Priced at 8/11.* New Silk Hosiery for the ball at Tra- 1 then’s, every wanted colour. 3/11 to 14/11, every pair guaranteed.* Fur Capes, Coats and Wraps, Trathen’s have a reoutation for quality furs at reasonable prices.* For the ball. Silk and Lace Undies. Lace Hankies, Long Gloves and Miits. Evening Bags, inexpensive Evening Frocks. Trathen’s.*

American Impreased

A recent arivarls in Wellington is Mr Harry Easton Surerus. an American interior-decorator expert, who has come to New Zealand direct from the Golden Gate Exposition. San Francisco. He has seen many Exhibitions but after inspecting the progress made at the New i Zealand Centennial Exhibition he said that he had never seen buildings and grounds so far advanced with the opening date nearly ten weeks distant. With him he carries an extensive series of: coloured picture for projection and among these the brilliant colouring and the striking architecture of the San Francisco Fair are graphically represented. Mr Surerus was engaged in the design of 14 stalls at the Golden Gate Exposition and he is in Wellington on a commission connected with the Commonwealth of Australia Pavilion. The Road Bill The road system of New Zealand .it is now generally admitted, is good (states the Auckland “Star”). It ought to be. for it cost £10.623.098 last year. Maintenance costs exceeded three millions, new construction exceeded five millions. J and debt charges amounted to considerably more than two millions. As to maintenance, the reports of the Trans- i port Department, shows that a high standard of motoring, like a high standard of living, cannot be enjoyed for nothing. There are 11.728 miles of main highways, and the average cost for maintenance alone is nearly 7s per mile per day. With debt charges added, the cost is nearly 10s per mile per day. It is often contended that the heavy expenditure on roads is justified because good roads play a part in efficient production. So they do. but whereas in 1934-35 the private motor car provided 67 per cent, of the total use of the highways. last year it provided 74 per cent. This seems to show clearly that the j principal benefit from modern highways ' is gained in motoring for pleasure, and that the criticism that the rate of expenditure is excessive cannot be met by j the plea that it is aiding production. Farming Problems ! In discussing soil erosion on his return from a visit to Australia, Mr H. j Woodyear-Smith, supervisor of the (fields division of the Challenge Phosj Phate Company, Ltd., said he under- ; stood that the entire Commonwealth would shortly be organised to tackle the j problem in its defence. Already the ! New South Wales soil conservation service had fairly wide powers, such as the limitation of stocking on Crown leases, the opening up of virgin forest areas, and the exploitation of rivei drainage areas. Officers of the service were also instructing farmers how to prevent further losses by such means as contour ploughing and banking, as well as introducing hardy species of grasses and clovers, which would bind and hold the soil in place. Mr Woodyear-Smith also referred to the great amount of research work being accomplished by various Departments throughout Australia in connection with soil erosion, as well as veterinary, plant breeding and irrigation problems. He paid special tribute to the work of the New South \7ales Agricultural Bureau, whose membership was open to both sexes of all ages, and which promoted an annual conference, at which delegates from every district gathered to offer helpful advice on farming problems. Young New Zealand's Teeth “The shocking state of the teeth in New Zealand is hardly realised except by those who, like school doctors and dental nurses, see children in the bulk.*' says the annual report of the Division of School Hygiene. “How many young adults have lost ail their teeth and been fitted with artificial dentures?” is a question asked. The officers of the division emphasise that parents should continue the good work done at school dental clinics after children have left school. In this way much of the dental trouble with girls and youths in their later ’teens could be avoided. Northland's Advantage Regret that dairy companies operating in the Waikato had received very little by way of premiums during the year under the guaranteed price scheme was expressed by Mr A. J. Sinclair. manager of the Te Awamutu Company, at the annual meeting, last week. Mr Sinclair congratulated those dairy companies in North Auckland whose premiums for quality had averaged about £1 per ton of butter. The prolific growth of clover in the Waikato, he said, was detrimental to quality, and the paspalum pastures of the north gave a much better cream. Clover, nevertheless, was the salvation of the Waikato farmer in the early months of the season when paspalum would be useless, and dairying in the Waikato without clover would be impossible. i