LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Interests of Albanian Citizens Additional responsibilities have been placed on the Consular Agent for Italy in Auckland. The Italian Government has ordered all its consulates in New Zealand to assume the protection of Albanian citizens and their interests in the Dominion of New Zealand and Western Samoa. Technical College Roll There are l-'ioO pupils attending the Seddon Memorial 'Technical College this year, according to a report presented by the principal, Mr. G. JPark, to yesterday's meeting of the college board. "It is possible to accommodate this large number because of the new building erected at the end of last year." said Mr. Park. "The position now is that the college is quite full, although not overcrowded, but it has been necessary to use every available classroom. Exhibition of Flowering Gums A further botanical display has been arranged by Miss Lucy Ciauuell. botanist to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, for the coming week-end. The object will be to demonstrate the great number of flowering euealypts that can be grown in Auckland. Local bodies and the staff's of the Auckland-City parks are co-operating to supply material, and it is hoped that horticulturists generally will send in examples from their own trees, it is expected that over 50 varieties will be displayed. Agriculture and Education With a view to promoting a greater agricultural bias in secondary school education, the Seddon Memorial Technical College Board recently sent circulars to schools throughout the Dominion requesting support in urging that a greater percentage of marks be allotted to agricultural papers in public examinations. At a meeting of the board yesterday, Mr. G. J. Park, the principal, reported that 20 schools supported the proposal outright, while only four were opposed to the proposal. The New Half-crown "Why is not 'Fid. Def.,' the ancient title of His Majesty the King, mentioned on the new New Zealand half-crown?" asked Sir John Sandeman Allen, M.P., at a complimentary dinner tendered to him in Christchurch. "It looks at hrst as if jou want to cut the painter of tradition. Perhaps you have not noticed it, but I know from very good experience that you are inhabitants of an exceedingly bright, happy, and loyal country," he added. "Possibly 1 am being too meticulous, but it is a good thing to mention it." Ex-Servicemen's Hall An application by the Kemuera Lxservicemen's Association for a permit to erect a hall on a vacant section in Cotter Avenue was considered by the City Council last evening. The city engineer reported that riie site was about 100 yds. from Remuera Road, in an almost fully developed residential area. The building, being in the category of theatres and places of amusement and assembly, should be. permitted only in a business area. The Town Planning Committee recommended that the application be not granted. '1 he matter, however, was referred back in order that i a deputation from the applicant asso- | ciation might be heard. ! Men Not at Church

That the vast, majority of the members of his large congregation were women must have been noticed by the Rev. A. K. Warren, the new vicar of Merivale, Christchurch. when he preached his first sermon at St. Mary's Church, for lie commented on the failure of men to attend church services. "1 hope that the services we have here will not be attended only by women, and that men will come to the church," Mr. Warren said. "This morning, at the 8 o'clock service, I was impressed when I saw the number of men there. 1 have been happy to serve recently in a parish where men have been particularly good in their attendance at church." Plunket Society's Funds

A request by the Auckland branch of the Plunket Society for a donation was declined by the City Council last evening. The branch stated that it had had a most difficult year and was anxious to avoid further curtailing its activities. The flavor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. in reply to a question, stated that so far as he was aware, the council had not previously contributed to the society's funds. No provision for a donation had been made in the current year's estimates. The street collection allocations for 1934 had been made that day and the Plunket Society had been given a day to itself. It was decided to express regret that the council could not contribute.

Eminent Overseas Rotarian An interesting delegate to the New Zealand Rotary Conference to be held in New Plymouth from February 27 to March 1 inclusive will be Dr. Fong Soo See, of Shanghai, a prominent Chinese Rotarian. Dr. Fong, who is expected to arrive at Auckland by the Monterey on February 23, has had a distinguished career. The son of a poor landowner in the Kwangtung Province, China, he went as a boy to the United States, where he served in menial capacities in order to earn money with which to educate himself. Subsequently he took the M.A., LL.D. and Ph.D. degrees and became a teacher and professor of languages in China, and the dominating force in a large Eastern publishing company. During the Sino-J a panose hostilities some two years ago he played a leading part in the cause of peace and was one of two Chinese Reparians who met two Japanese Rotarians on board a British warship in an endeavour to bring about a peaceful settlement.

Trophies from the War "Speaking as a returned soldier, and not wishing to give any offence to anyone concerned, 1 think that the guns, in front of the Supreme Court buildings should be placed in tin museum or some other suitable place," said Mr. J. Sturrock, at a meeting of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. Air. Sturrock said that he did not desire the guns to be destroyed—merely shifted to a more suitable situation. They marred the beauty of the place. The chairman, Mr. R. B. Owen, said that, although Mr. Sturrock 's remarks would be endorsed by members and a number of citizens, and war trophies had been banished from the market places and streets of many cities of the world, perhaps because of the outcry that, resulted from previous controversies regarding the guns, the association had better bid.its time. Mr. V. E. Egglestone said he regarded the guns as an example and warning to the younger generation.