NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11246, 26 June 1922, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

From London it is reported tliat the returns for the sales ot National Savings Certificates during the week endin a- April Ist, the last week of the issue for saving certificates at 15s dd, show a total o? 32,000,000 certificates sold. This is the highest weekly total sale over recorded. Tho grand total for sales of certificates up to March 31st of this year represents a cash investment of £443,219,267.

Some of tho seamen, and stewards of the Wiltshire who were present at the inquiry at tho courthouse (says the “Auckland Star 1 ;) wore surprised when the court orderlies told them to come in Slid sit in front of the panel erected to mark out tho place for the public and onlookers. “They, wouldn’t do that for us in England,’’ said one of the men, “but they give us front seats every time in this country a,nd treat us as equals every time; we will not soon forget New Zealand, and will he sorry to leave it.”

Recent visitors to Rotorua state that business people there aay tho season they are passiug through is probably the worst in the history of the town. Boardinghouses are empty, and a good deal of cutting in price is taking place. The prices of tile different trips have also been reduced owing to the slaok condition of things arid the keen oomqietition prevailing (states tho “Auckland Star”). A trip wliich formerly cost 12s 6d was now only charged 2s 6d, and a trip which used to cost 27s 6d could be done for 20s, but even at these rates very little business was being done.

The season in tho Auckland district has been so fine lately that many farmera m the bush districts i are taking advantage of the good weather ana logging up and clearing their paddocks of wood and getting good burns. This was very noticeable at Te Kuiti all lost week when dense volumes of smoke could be soon in many directions. Much gorse and fern is also being burnt; Tar, favoured by high winds, it soon becomes a raiding furnace when there is much of it. Two horsemen who redently visited the trig 'station on the highest hill in the district had a very narrow escape through one of them dropping a match in the <ll7 fern, which soon caught alight. ,

Tho disadvantages imposed on school children in the Chatham Islands was stressed by Mr H. Gudsell, who 'attended a meeting of the Canterbury Scfbool Committees’ Association. Mr Gudsell pointed out that most of the children had never seen, a bicycle or a motor-car, and were quite in lgrioranoe of many matters connected with life ill the outside world. Ho proposed that twenty of tho senior scholars—thero wore about 92 children attending Bohoole on tho island—should bo brought to Christchurch and billeted there for a weCk. The fares from the islands would be £5 10s return for each child. It was dosirod to raise subscriptions for the object. The matter was referred to the executive for consideration and report. ,

Addressing tho employees of tho Eoivcr Hutfc Borough Council last week, the Mayor (Mr W. T. Strand) made an appeal for the co-operation of the men in order tliat the work of tho borough might be carried on as smoothly as possible. After referring to' the general social conditions existing after tlio war, tho Mayor said that many suggestions had been made sis to tho heat methods of bringing about the much-needed reduction in the cost of living, but ho thought that the best method to be adopted was for every man to give more value for cash received. Tho question of a reduction of os per week in wages had been fully discussed by the council. but the council did not want to red lied in any way. tho standard of living of tho men. Tho Mayor asked employees to make any suggestions ns to tho economic control of the borough affaira-

That the Sailors’ Friend Society had been forced to change its place of activities no less than 26 times in six years was revealed by tho Rev. .lames Moore last evening. The occasion was the unveiling of a memorial tablet to the late Mrs M. A. Williams by Her Excellency Viscountess Jellicoe at the society's church. The deceased lady, said Mr Moore, had attended their meetings untnoun in ihem. and had finally CD eseni-od ihein will) I lie exisimg building.

The takings at the Palmerston North Winter .Show were practically the same this year as last, there being a difference of but 16s sd. The winter show receipts at the gates compare ns f0110w51922, £l-103 12s; 1921, £l-104 8s Od. On the other hand, receipts from the grandstand for the various events in the ring, including the football matches, increased membership, and economies effected on concessions made to delegates to the dairy conference, are expected to provide increased revenue.

An increase in city rates this year is hinted at by Councillor J. A. Flesher, chairman of the Christchurch Citv Council’s finance committee. The council’s financial position at present was not an easy one, he said. The law required that local bodies must live within their moans from year to year. They could not pile up overdrafts ill future. The Christchurch City Council would have to be very’ careful. At present it appeared to him to he strongly probable that the rates would have to be raised this year.

At a meeting of tho Canterbury Education Board a letter was received from the Education Department asking for an expression of opinion in regard to tile desirability of the Commissioner of Police conducting prosecutions against parents whose children do not attend school regularly: It was stated at the meeting that the attendance in schools generally was good, though in a few schools mumps and ohicken-pox had made their appearance. On these grounds the proposal of '.he d«pai tnie.nl. na-i rtisaporcied.

Au interesting experiment in oyster cultivation has lately been carried out in Auckland by Mr J. P. Bennett, inspector of sea fisheries. About 16 mouths ago. Mr Bennett, working on a theory of his own, plaoed a large number of prepared rocks on the scoria reef that extends for over a mile into tho harbour from near Point Chevalier up toward Kauri Point. Previously there was not a vestige of an oyster on this reef, but Mr Bennett stated recently that his rocks are now smothered in oyster spat, and ho considers that, if given tho necessary protection, the reef will supply from 500 to 600 sacks of oysters in about five years’ time.

Writes “Morcutio” in the New Zealand “Herald”:—There is not a great deal of satisfaction for Wellington in the new system of recording trade statistics. It was Wellington that objected to the allocation of exports to the producing districts, on the ground that the published returns did not indicate the volume of traffic through tho port of Wellington, unit also—though this was not an official representation—because Wellington did not like the fact that Auckland had gained the premier position. Now returns are published of the actual tonnage of cargo handled at each 46 ports, and so far as the new system shows, Auckland is still the premier port. For the first four months of the year the cArgo handled at Auckland amounted to 463,640 tons, while the total for Wellington was 404,859 tons, Auckland had higher figures for both coastal and overseas vargo, so that the only explanation of the figures is the' obvious one.

How an ingenious man can nullify the harshness’of some of our railway regulations is illustrated by the following facts:—Not 100 miles from Dunedin a coal merchant got delivered to him in one day three trucks of ooaj. They were ordered to arrive on different days, hut somebody had blundered. The dealer whose plant was limited, found at tlie end of the time allowed for discharging trucks that he had failed to empty the last truck, which had two tons left in it. He approached tho stationmaster for some latitude. Rut rule something or other seas quoted—“lf not emptied, then demurrage charge of 14s would he enforced.” Pondering this over and making inquiries re freight, the astute one found he could consign it to the next station, some three miles an, for 5s 9d. This he promptly did. Next day tho truck started on its travels. For five days it ran up and down the line. The owner of the coal used to amuse himself by waving his hand at it daily as it passed. On the fifth day it was brought to a stand at the station, and the ooal merchant got his coal, and saved 8s 3d. The Railway Department’s profit is not disclosed.

According to statements made at the annual meeting of the Combined Sports. Association in Wanganui, there are certain deficiencies in connection with the recent Queen Carnival, members of committees having received tickets to a certain value and failed to afford a satisfactory balance-sheet. Mr Howie said that the association owed a duty to the public, who had so nobly supported tho cause, and he felt that something should be done to compel delinquent officials and committees to furnish propel* records of their transactions. They hsld a trust rCpOsed iii them, and they must do their duty, regardless of consequences to certain individuals Who failed to properly account for the moneys handled by them in trust. Either returned art union tickets of tho cash they represented should be available. The secretary intimated that tho auditor, and rightly so, would not pass the balance-sheet until certain tickets or cash had been returned. A special oommittee, consisting of the president, Mr Howie, and Mr Reid, was set up to investigate matters and report to a special general meeting to deal with the question of finance.

Tho quaintest figure that ever appeared in the ring in Melbourne was old Starlight, a clever middleweight, who is still pottering about the boxing stables. Starlight was as black as a coal, and had the airs of a Nubian king. One night, When lie was boxing in fhe Victoria Hill, Bourko street, he heard himself addressed several times as “Nigger.” When the gong rapped for a spell. Starlight went to the ropes, and, shaking a glove at the offender, said : “Don’ call me nigger, chile. I ain’t, black. You bin deceived by de dark circles, roun’ mah eyes.” On another occasion, when Starlight was called upon to face a hefty gasman from South Melbourne, the rightful opponent having failed to materialise, the lean coon looked his huge rival over; find, turning to the audience, said, “Ma gracibim! I never felt more like turnin’ whito in de whole course of. mah life.’’ On another evening he complained from tho ringside: “I dunno why* folks dlwiz speaks of me as de coloured boXiih, I’se as quiet a dresser as der is in die town.” So say’s tho Sydney “Bulletin.” Starlight toured with “Chu Chin Chow,” and that was his last “professional’’ engagement-

At the invitation of the Wellington Football Association, a little band of twelve patientfs from the Wellington Hospital, all that were equal to the journey, were conveyed to Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon to witness the “Soccer’’ test match. The hospital authorities express their appreciation of the Football Association’s kindly action.

About t .vice a week a large envelope is found pinned in a free trunk ai Neasikn. England. The outside of the envelope bears a written, warning to those leading an evil life, whilst inside are a copy of one of the Gospels and a shilling. The prize usually falls to the policeman on his early morning round. The benefactor has never been discovered.

Postal parcels now take, three days to roach Hamilton from Wellington, while the railways absolutely refuse to carry parcels on mail trains. no matter what the urgency, (states an exchange). These facts were the subject of grievances lodged by Mr D. Wilson to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce when he urged the chamber to initiate some action with a view to getting the position remedied. The Government, the writer considered, was hv its attitude killng its own business. Were there a good road to Auckland, ho felt snip that a parcel van would ho making regular daily trips from Hamilton to the Queen City. The chamber agreed with the writer.