NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

The old truism that “there’s a trick in every trade” was manifested during the Power Board’s recent visit to Mangahno. Certain parts of the machinery in the power-house at Mangahao stilt boro the address, “To Hon. Minister, Public Works, Wellington,” and on a member remarking on this, the engineer to tlie board (Mr W. A. Waters) explained that the machinery, when so addressed, would bo admitted to New Zealand free of duty, whereas if addressed to the department ordinary duty rates would be charged.

A breeder of purebred pigs complains that the Railway Department does not do much to encourage breeders of this class of stock. If a purebred pig has to be transported by rail, the charge is 60 per cent, higher than for the ordinary breed. About a year ago this farmer, together with otlieiß, waited on the Hon. D. Guthrie, and pointed out the unfairness of the charge. They impressed upon him that in order to improve the standard of mgs in the growing industry, farmers must have purebreds, and the Government was doing little in the way of encouragement. Mr Guthrie agreed with them and promised to give relief in the matter, but up to the present time nothing has been done.

Tho Eltham Borough Council has every reason to be satisfied with the payment of this year's rates, as more than half the demands have been met, while in previous years little more than one-eighth of the total rates has been paid (says the “Argus”). According to tlie town clerk’s figures, £3309 ol current rates had been paid up on “due date,” October 18th, and since then arrears collected have amounted to £458, making a total of £3706. Tlie rebate on this amount was £B2. Tho aggregate of rates struck by the council stands at £6961, tho amount paid representing £3390, leaving £3571 outatnndimg. TJWrclughi ratepayers not taking advantage or the rebate, they lost £B9. At the corresponding time last yqar only £570 of the total rates had been paid up, and it took five months to collect the amount which has been paid up to the present this year.

Xt was stated by a Wanganui farmer that there will only be an odd lamb that will go Bblb this sev;;-on.

The Wellington Girls’ College sports day “has been fixed for Friday. November 2nd, at Kelburn Park, and the Hoys’ College sports day for November pt-h.

“Do x you know that in this little borough we owe over £5€0,000?” said the Mayor (Mr F. E. Wilson) at the meeting: of ratepayers at AYestown (Taranaki).

Wool brokers report that there is a keen demand for crutchings. and buyers in the Wanganui district are offering a considerable advance upon the rates that were made at the August crutching sale (states the “Chronicle”).

The launch Edna, which went ashore, nearly a fortnight ago, at Matakana Island, has been floated off and towed to Tauranga, where she will undergo repairs. 'The Edna was driven ashore ■during a storm.

In reply to the Hamilton Borough Oounoil’s inquiry as to whether a portion of the Ruakura Farm could be proclaimed as an abattoir site, the Department of Agriculture has now replied that it can do nothing in the matter.

The subject agreed upon hy Miss McLean (principal of the Girls’ College) and Mr T. R. Cresswell (principal of the Boys’ College) for the Hilda Moorhouse memorial prize essay is “The Man as Citizen” (for boys); “The Woman as Citizen” (for girls).

A motor-car at Rotorua, when proceeding along a main street, struck a fire-plug. The car somersaulted twice, arid finally stopped facing the opposite direction to that in which it had been going. The driver, a Maori, was picked up unconscious, hut the other occupants escaped injury.

Mangolds appear to be scarce in the Wanganui district, at least judging by the experience of the Wanganui Agricultural Association, who require mangolds for feeding stock at the approaching show. The association, however, have been successful in arranging to get a truck of mangolds fiom Hastings.

The Publio Works Department is claiming half tho timber in the old Newman bridge, on the ground (says the “Express”) that it is subsidising the now bridge £ for £. The chairman at tho meeting -of the. Eketahuna County Council, said no objection would be taken if the department 6tood half the cost of dismantling.

The bluegum blight seems to have swept badly over parts of the Feilding district. Plantations of fine trees planted by the early settlers have been almost completely destroyed. On some of the trees there is still a vestige of green foliage, and with the introduction of the ladybird the trees may still survive.

Every endeavour (says the Stratford ‘“Post”) is being made by the .officers of the Government to check the increase of rabbits in the Taliora and .Whangamomona districts, and the cooperation of farmers and settlers •throughout the district is sought. Another rabbit (a doe) has been caught by the Government ranger at Tangarakau (says the Taranaki “Herald”).

An intimation that the control of the Kauri Park Scenic Reserve had been vested in the Birkenhead Borough Council for three years was received by the council from the Department of Lands and Survey. The council decided to request that the area be vested in the council for all time, to allow of the expenditure of public .money on its improvement, which the limited tenure did not encourage.

“I visited Pipiriki 25 years ago,” remarked a member of the Wanganui Borough Council, “and at that time, on the opposite side of the river, there was a couple of hundreds of acres of beautiful, clear countrj*, in fact the historic site of an old battle ground. I was in Pipiriki again recently. The same land ie now smothered with fern and noxious weeds, with gorse run riot ten feet high.”

While in Feilding a Wanganui “Herald” reporter learned of a case of faith healing in that town that took place before Mr Hickson s arrival in New Zealand. A little girl in that town was very ill, and she suggested to her mother that the Rev. T. Miller should bo asked to come and pray for her. Tho mother carried out the little girl’s wish, and Air Millei complied, ana the girl immediately showed signs of improvement. She ie now completely restored to health!

A case of where a man had little faith in connection with spiritual healing was brought under notice at Palmerston North (says an exchange). An old man, well on the three score and ten mark, entered into conversation •with a reporter outside the gates of All Saints’ Church. He came hobbling along on two sticks. “I am going in there to-morrow,” he remarked. “What is your trouble?” queried tho reporter. “Rheumatics,” he replied. “I have very little faith in being cured, but the old woman said I should go, and so I am here to please her.”

The question of leave of absence fo* teachers to allow them to travel was discussed by tho Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors, when applications for leave of absence were received from two teachers of the Howe street Girls* Grammar School. It was pointed out that the temporary substitution of possibly inferior teachers did not tend to improve the standard of work in the schools, but at the ©tune time it was realised that teachers received'a groat deal of benefit from travel, and their services were made much more valuable by the experience they acquired. The applications were granted.

In its annual report, the Wellington Swimming Centre records with satisfaction that its long-continued efforts have at last borne fruit, and the City Council ha© decided) that a tepid baths shall be established in Mercer street at the power house site as soon as the new power house at Evans Bay is working. No more suitable site could have been chosen, and when the baths are an accomplished fact Wellington should be bettor served in this respect than any other city in the Dominion. Work should be started in Mercer street in the new year, and before the next report is prepared the baths should be open to the public.

An interesting ceremony took place at the meeting of the trustees or tho Jubilee Institute for the Blind. Mr Norman Williams, Dominion treasurer of tho Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, handed over to the trustees cash and securities to the total vnlno of £29,913 17a lid, being the capital contributions to tho fund to date. He also handed over a cheque for £937 19s Id, being interest received on the contri buttons since the collection commenced. It was reported tht the total expenses to date in raising this large sum, including printing, postage. travelling, and clerical expenses, were £651 15s 4d. The donations promised but not yet received total £6OOO to £7OOO.