CULTURAL WELFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25082, 21 December 1944, Page 6

CULTURAL WELFARE

NEW LEAGUE PROPOSED SPORT AND THE ARTS A plan for the formation of a Cultural Welfare League for the Auckland metropolitan area, to assist existing cultural activities and promote newones, has hcen put forward by the president of the Auckland Society of Arts, Mr R. 0. Cross, who hopes to arrange a preliminary conference of public bodies and interested organisations some time in February. In a circular letter which he has issued, Mr Cross suggests that the league shall interest itself, inter alia, in the provision of the following facilities: —Playing areas for both organised and unorganised recreation, including recreation for young children; outdoor theatres, band performances, sea bathing areas, life-saving gear, fresh-water baths, landing piers and boat harbours, buildings and equipment for drama, music, arts and crafts, horticultural exhibitions and educational sessions or lectures. It is suggested that groups interested in particular cultural activities shall be formed, each group to be represented on a central committee, which would be responsible for matters of policy and of common concern and would assist cooperation betwoen groups. Mr Gross proposes to invite a wide range of organisations to the preliminary conference, including the City Council, the Suburban Local Bodies' Association, practically all the ad hoc bodies; societies interested in agriculture, horticulture and the arts; youth organisations, outdoor sports clubs, professional societies and educational bodies. It is hoped that if the movement succeeds in Auckland it may extend throughout the Dominion. The Auckland Institute and Museum Council at its meeting yesterday nominated the director, Dr Gilbert Archey, to represent the council at the conference. LETTING PART-HOUSES HOMES FOR SERVICEMEN REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday A resolution urging the Government to waive the provisions of the Fair Rents Act in order to facilitate the renting of parts of houses to returned servicemen and their wives was passed at a meeting convened by the Civic Rehabilitation League and held in the Frankton Town Hall last night. The meeting was addressed by Mr D. V. Bryant, founder of the league, Dr K. L. "McGregor, the Mayor, Mr H. 1). Cam, and Messrs R. Coulter and F. Findlav, M.P.'s. All speakers agreed that the housing position could be greatly relieved if people with rooms to spare could b-> induced to let them to servicemen. APPEAL ALLOWED RELEASE FROM RAILWAYS (0.C.) HAMILTON, "Wednesday As a direct result of the shortage of labour, a relay tang employed by New Zealand Railways which had been handling heavy material on the Stratford line a short time ago had suffered four accidents, said a staff clerk stationed at Taumarnnui, Mr F. S. Floyd, in opposing an appeal made before the Auckland District Manpower (Industrial) Committee by Alexander Allen, surfaceman (Mr McCaw), against not being permitted to terminate his employment. Mr 'Floyd said that the Railway Department'had now reached its limit in releasing men for seasonal work and could not spare any more, as the railway yards and parts of the lines were in verv poor condition in many places. Appellant stated that ho had been transferred to the Taumarnnui district from Midhurst, Taranaki, where he had his home, on the understanding that it would not be for longer than three months. As he had not been sent back to Midhurst, he had decided to return and work for the local dairy company, as his wife and child were in poor health. The committee allowed the appeal. AURORAL DISPLAYS Two displays of. the aurora australis were witnessed in Auckland yesterday. The first, visible in tho southern sky between 3.15 a.m. and dawn, consisted of a pale green arc of light with a lemon tint. No rays were visible. After dusk last evening the display was repeated, the colour on this occasion being more reddish. The glow was clearly seen in the southern suburbs but the glaro of city lights hid it from most people. The aurora is an electrical phenomenon occurring at a considerable height in the earth's atmosphere and is caused by outpourings of solar energy, stated tlie Herald's astronomical correspondent. Yesterday's displays are unusual in two respects, in that thev occurred near tho minimum phase of the solar cycle, and that they were visible as far north as Auckland, where usually I only tho largest displays are seen.