LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Historic Court Room Having held sittings in the Borough Council Chambers since 1874, the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court will move to a new room in the Post Office building from July 1. Tho last session in the old Court room, with its many historic associations, -was held the other day, Mr. H. A. Young, S.M., presiding. The Shortest Day To-day the sun reaches the most northern portion of its apparent path, and accordingly there is less daylight than on any other day of the year, although there is little appreciable difference in the days for a week on either side of the solstice. Although in a meteorological sense winter began on June 1, to-day is its " official " commencement.

Boot-Repairs at Relief Depots Complaint regarding the taking of footwear to relief depots to be repaired was expressed at a recent meeting of the Wellington Footwear Repairers' Association, and it was decided to send a deputation to tho Mayor to urge that the practice be discontinued. It was contended that boot-repairing as a relief work was an injustice to the legitimate repairers, many of whom were at present receiving less wages than relief workers. Absent-minded Minister The confession that he was apt to overlook, when making a speech, the principal significance of the occasion, was made by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, when officially opening the National Dairy Show at Palmerston North. He commented that sometimes, at such functions, he got so carried away in the course of his speech that he forgot to perform the formal opening, and had to bo called back to do so.

"A Minor Tragedy" "Every important Rugby district throughout the Dominion, except Taranaki, has its quota," says the Wellington Evening Post, in an editorial on the All Blacks. "That a province which has played so great a part in football and produced so many famous players in its time, including those of the first All Blacks, whose name has become a legend, should be without a singlo representative in the present team is indeed a minor tragedy."

Power of Advertising A tribute to the power of press advertising was paid by Mr. Colin Eglinton, retiring president of the Palmerston North High School Old Boys' Association, at tho annual reunion. Last year, he said, a large number of circulars had been sent to members reminding them of the function, but of the 85 who attended, only about 25 had been present in answer to the circular. The remainder had attended because of having read the advertisement in the newspapers. Advice to Engaged Couples A little advice on procedure during tiffs between engaged couples was given by Mr. Justice Callan during tho hearing of a breach of promise case in the Supreme Court yesterday. The defendant stated that on one occasion his fiancee had handed him back her ring, but he returned it to her. "Did you put it on?", asked His Honor. "No, sir, she put it on herself." "It is always advisable for the man to put. it on in a case of reconciliation." commented His Honor. "I advise you in future to do so."

Unemployed on County Work A slight decrease is still noticeable in the numbers of relief workers engaged in the Waitemata County, according to a report by Mr. L. F. Faram, county engineer, which was received at a meeting of the county council yesterday. The engineer said he understood that in future all works undertaken would have to be approved by the Unemployment Board, and an estimate formulated for each work before it was started. It was doubtful whether the council should not consider dispensing with all men, with the exception of local unemployed, if this policy was to bo followed.

Town and Country The difference between the countryman and his cousin in the city was commented upon by Air. C. B. Barrowclough in an address to a party of young farmers visiting Dunedin. "It used to be said," Mr. Barrowclough stated, "that when the country fellow came to town you could tell him by the way he dressed. Now, after looking round this room,'l have coino to tho conclusion that tho only way in which the country boy differs from those in the town is that he looks a little healthier, a littlo more intelligent, and a little better dressed." Tho remark was greeted by the country youths with a substantial measure of acclamation. Double Punishment Objection to the system of making milk vendors against whom prosecutions had been recorded, appear before tho Metropolitan Milk Council to show cause why their licences should not be cancelled, was raised by Mr. J. S. Montgomerie at a meeting of tho council yesterday. It savoured of punishing twice, ho said, and rather reminded him of tho old habit of giving a child who had been caned at school another caning when he got home. He did not object, however, in bad cases, or where a, man continued to offend. Other members agreed with Mr. Montgomerie, and it was decided that from a number being considered only a vendor fined for adding water to his milk should be required to appear, and that in future information should bo supplied as to whether persons prosecuted had offended before. " Tin Can " Mail Stamps Stamp collectors who wish to obtain envelopes postmarked by tho " tin can " mail of Niuafoou Island, in tho Tonga group, will have an opportunity of despatching mail by the Monowai when she leaves on July 9 for a cruise to tho South Sea Islands. Envelopes should bo properly addressed to the intended recipient and sent under cover to the Union Steam Ship Company, Auckland, before July 5, with loose New Zealand stamps for 6d for each envelope sent tor postmarking, lhe envelopes will be landed by the Monowai through the " tin can " mail and, after being dealt with on tho island, will be returned at a later opportunity. Niuafoou is a volcanic island lying midway between Samoa and Fiji, with an ironboutid coast which does not permit of landings excejO by small boats or canoes. Until fairly recently the natives swam out for tho mail, which was put overboard in tin cans, but owing to one of them having been carried off by a shark they now go out in canoes to pick up tho cans, the outward mail from the island being hoisted on to the steamer by a line.