NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10651, 26 July 1920, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Timaru Press Association telegram states that at auction on Saturday a 66ft frontage to Stafford street, tho busiest part of the town, on which are five one-storied shops, was sold at £15,000 to Hnllenstein and Co. and the Timaru "Herald" Co., conjointly.

Arrangements have been made b> the Public Works Department for the largest shipment of railway sleepers ever brought, from Australia. Thuv will bo loaded at Perth West Australia, by tho Poverty Bay Freeaui?. Company's steamer Admiral Codrington, now at an English port:

It is the intention of Councillor J. Hutchison to move at the next meeting of-the City Council: "That the future policy of the City Council be to prohibit the use of advertising hoardings, as such a system as is at present in existence is tho antithesis of modern town-planning."

The personnel of the Auckland Edu cation Board is to'be reduced from 12 to 10, tho change taking effect from tho election for which tho polling closed last week. This has been occasioned by the inclusion of the North Shore urban area in the city area, the representation of which is four members.

Following close upon the resignation of tho Anti-Profiteering Tribunal, it is understood the members of the Christchurch Petrol Committee net up in connection with the Board of Trade for tho purpose of controlling the distribution of petrol have sent in their resignations (states a Press Association message from Christchurch>.

In connection with the Mahana's scarlet fever cases, Dr 1. Faris, Port Health Officer, is paying daily visits to Somes Island, where for the time being tho immigrants by "tho ship and those who came in contact with them are interned. Ho reports that the patients aro making good progress, and that) the contacts will probably bo released towards tho end of tho week.

A good etory is being told of a settler in the "Nevor Never" country behind Wauganui. There was an agitation to hayo a road in his district metalled, and in due course tho settler was approached to sign the usual petiton. He somewhat startled tho canvasser by refusing to sign, and, when asked for his reasons, said that if the road was metalled ho would have to get his horso shod; besides, he liked to hear the sound tho mud mad© when ho rode along the road.

A challenge debate took place on Saturday evening between representatives of the Social Democratic party and the Debating Society of Victoria University College, at the college gymnasium. The subject for debate was tho motion, "That only Socialism will solve the problems of poverty and of social ond industrial unTest." The Social Democratic party was represented by Mr P. Eraser, M.P., and Mrs Staples, while tho, speakers for tho club were Mr \V. Sheat, 8.A., and Miss A. Harle, B.A.

The Department of Public Health has written to tho Hasting Borouph Council regarding hospital and charitable aid and tho resolutions passed al tho recent conference—stating that it was hot proposed, at present, to plac«i tho whole cost of hospital and charitable aid upon the consolidated revenue. Tho Government had, however, under consideration a scliemo for tho alteration of tho present system of subsidies which should result in tho relief to the contributory local authorities..

At a meeting of tho Nolson City Council a fortnight ago, Councillor Pettit moved that the Board of Trade's attention be called to the fact that the bank rate on "the council's overdraft had been increased. . At tho last meeting the following letter was received in reply from tho Secretary of the Board of Trad©:—"ln reply to your letter of tho 12th inst., I have to state that the board has duly noted tho resolution passed by your council, 'and in reply directs ino to say that there is no redress under the Board of Trad© Act in respect to tho rate of interest charged by banks for overdraft. Thn hoard understands that tho increased rate, was made -as a precautionary measure against undue speculation." The reading of tho lottqr was received with loud laughter, the' Mayor exprcis*ing tho opinioD that it was the funniest communication ever received by tho council.

The prices of certain lines of pastry are advanced as from to-day. Increase in the price of raw materials is given as the reason.

There are close on seventy cases set down for hearing at the sitting of tho Court of Arbitration which commences it» session to-day.

At the recent meeting of the Seatouu Bowling Club the question of Sunday play was discussed, and the continuance of play on Sunday was carried by a large majority.

At a meeting of the executive of tho South Canterbury Farmers' "Union a motion was in favour of a petition that a license to buy meat be given Armour and Co. was lost.

Speaking at the Alexandra Hall last night, Mr H. E. Holland said that he knew, and his audience also knew, that Sinn Fciners did not countenance murder. They had courts of their own where persons were tried.

Tho South Canterbury Farmers' Union executive on Saturday discussed the wheat shortage and declared that the position was serious. Some members blamed the Government for not fixing the price of the last crop early enough.

Tho magistrate, Mr B. Page, S.M., on Saturday dismissed the information in which Frederick Armitage was alleged to have procured an overcoat by false pretences. The magistrate held that the charge of false pretences was not established. Mr J. H. .13. Steyenspn ap|)eared for ■ accused.

The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has telegraphed to local M.P.'s that the building trade has stopped for the want of cement. Four hundred tons are arriving here from Auckland, but it is all commandeered for Arthur's Pass. The members are to sco tho Minister and Ret half for urgent local requirements.

At the meeting of the Seatoun Bowling Club the hearty thanks of the members were extended to the following:—Tho ladies who helped on the openins: day and at tho social, Messrs A. P. "Smith, N. H. Willoughby, W.. Espic, A. C. Crawford (for trophies), and the directors of the company for their help and consideration during tho season.

The Mayor of Palnierston North (M> J. A. Nash, M.P.) informed a. reporter on Friday that it Was the intention of the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) to hold a round-table conference to deal with all matters affecting hydro-electric power. The conference will be held in WeLliri|ton at the beginning of next month, a-nd all those interested will be invited to attend.

"Perhaps it would be surprising to you Ito know that lfc is estimated that only 60 per cent, of tho physical fitness of our Empire is developed to-day and only, 16 per cent, of cur brain power," remarked lieutenant-Colonel G-. Mitchell, M.P., in the course of, an address to a physical training class of cadet' n.c.o.'s at *ho Garrison Hall last week. "If that is eo, let us go on, let us realise our responsibilities and our possibilities in ' life, develop ourselves, make our aim in life high, realise that sacrifice is demanded of lis sometimes in the interests of the general community, and if you do that you will realise in after 'life that tho time spent in making yourselves physically and mentally fit is time > well worth while."