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Otago Daily Times, Issue 22260, 12 May 1934, Page 10

Australian Mail : The postal authorities advise that the Makura left Sydney for Wellington on Thursday with 18 bags of Australian mail, and 17 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail is due at the local Post Office On Tuesday afternoon, , . ; A Chimney Fire ■ The City Fire Brigade was , called out about halfpast 8 ; yesterday morning: .to Main avenue, St. Hilda, to attend to a chimney fire. No damage was done. Around New Zealand Mr A. E. A. Hamilton, of Dunedin, who is making a walking tour around the Dominion, arrived in Dunedin yesterday at 11.45. Mr Hamilton left Bluff on May S at 10 o’clock in the morning for Invercargill, and has visited all the towns on the main route to Dunedin. He expects to complete his self-imposed task in about 104 days. Mr Hamilton, who is 27 years of age, states that his average mileage is four and a-quarter per hour, and that he can keep this rate up for eight or ten hours at a stretch. '■ Moral Disarmament Brazil and Argentina have, just signed the first recorded treaty for the revision of school text books; This is a great advance on the path of international understanding. Text books, more particularly history text books, will be written which will aim at promoting understanding and goodwill .between the two countries. '; The treaty ’is open for signature by any other- American country. ’.’ , • - Radio Direction-fmding Plant The installation of a small radio direc-tion-finding plant at Tiritiri Island, Auckland, is being considered by the Marine Department, according to a statement made to the New Zealand Herald by the secretary of the department. (Mr L. B. Campbell). The proposal is the subject of discussions between the department and the Auckland Harbour Board, and, if it materialises, Auckland will be the first port in New Zealand to be equipped with a radio beacon, which has been described as a necessary adjunct to any modern port.

Art Loan Collection The loan collection of contemporary British art which is 'at present being shown in the Pioneers’ Hall continues to attract good attendances, not only of art lovers, but also of the general public. Throughout the day, the oils, water colours and, etchings which comprise the exhibition were again inspected by a large number of people. It will interest the public to learn, that another member of the Empire Art Loan. Collections Society, namely Wanganui, has arranged for the exhibition in the celebrated Sarjeant Gallery, possibly during September, of the collection now being shown in Dunedin. Education Standards Reference to the standard attained by New Zealand University students in comparison with those of English universities was made by Dr A. J. Harrop, agent for the University of New Zealand in London, in the course of an address at the degree day ceremony at Canterbury College. He said that in the three years during which', he had been in charge of the university office in London he had met a large number of people who had come into contact with New Zealand students, either .as,, external examiners or as professors and lecturers in Britain. In nearly every case their opinions about the standard of the best New Zealand work had been highly complimentary. Professor Nichol Smith, of Oxford, told him that he had found it possible to place New Zealanders in their right category at once, but it was often six months before he could , correctly . place an Australian. The difference was, doubtless, due to the examination'system, but, in looking at particular subjects, New Zealand had good reason to be pleased at the reputation enjoyed by her students.

Soil Taken to Newcastle “ Do you know that a considerable area of the reclaimed portion of Newcastle Harbour (New South Wales) was formed from soil taken from Wellington? ” asked Mr E. Rowe, of Wellington, of a Dominion reporter. “For. many years Wellington was a very large importer of Newcastle coal for the Gas Company and for private consumption as well,” said Mr Rowe. “ It came over in sailing vessels, some of which were owned by Captain “Bully” Williams. In these days he owned a section of land in Upper Willis street, which he deepened by excavating the bank at the back. That spoil he used as ballast for his ships. As there was little or no freight back to Newcastle, these vessels had to be stiffened with' a considerable quantity of ballast. and this spoil was as good as anything for the purpose. At Newcastle it had tn be dumped into the harbour, so that in time the spoil from Wellington and other vessels made an appreciable contribution to the harbour reclamation works there.” The section in Upper Willis street referred to is that now occupied by the Y.M.C.A. It was presented to that organisation by Mrs Sarah Ann Williams, widow of Captain Williams. It was the same Captain Williams who purchased the whole of Day’s Bay, and Williams Park there takes its name after him. The property descended to his son, the late Mr J. H. Williams, who sold the park area to the Wellington City Council.

A Question of Distance Often in an action for damages arising out of a;motor accident the question, of distance crops up. A witness is asked, perhaps, how far away the motor vehicle was when he first saw it, and sometimes, to test his answer or to help him in his estimate, he is referred to the length of the court room. The estimates, that are given are as varied-as in some instances they are surprising. There was a case in point during the hearing of an action in the Supreme Court at Wellington. Mr Justice Reed asked a witness what he thought the length of the. court room was. After a look around the witness said ■he thought it would be about' 100 feet. His Honor did not appear to think this estimate was but' he asked the registrar (Mr W. W.‘Samson) if he knew the length of the court robin, and Mr Samson, apparently being unable to oblige, went outside into the corridor, and from a point corresponding to the' portion of the front bi the Bench paced the distance off. The estimate given by the witness had been from wall to wall, but the difference was only a matter of a few feet. When Mr Samson returned he announced that the distance he had measured was less than 15 paces (45 feet).' His Honor was rather- surprised! “ I should have thought' it would have been - more than that,”' he said. ’ ? , •'

Building Statistic* The value represented by building permits issued in the larger towns , during March was £613,297, an • increase of £208,164 over the February- figure, reports'the Government Statistician.. -The new Wellington Railway Station is included in the March, figure, swelling the mouth’s total, by. £339,173. The number and value of permits issued •> for; new dwellings has fallen ..off during the , past four months-from 264 in November 1 last, to 136 iii March of this year, each of the intervening months ' showing a fall as compared with the preceding month. The fall in the value of permits for new dwellings has, however, been more than counteracted by increases in the value of permits for “other buildings.”

Losses of Money A . visitor to Auckland . (Mf - F.’-.T, Wilson, of Whakatane). lost in notes from a pocket of his coat during last week-end. Mr Wilson put the money in the inside pocket of the coat on . the previous Friday night, but did not look for it again until Monday morning, Jjvhch' it was missing. Mr Wilson wore the coat bn Saturday, but .during .the-remaiuder of the time it was hanging in his room in a boarding .house. He thinks thief must have entered his room while' he was asleep and extracted the money, as he is a heavy sleeper, and Cannot remembey disturbing anything in the pocket-when he wore the coat, on Saturday. • An envelope.with one month’s salary was lost by an Auckland nurse last week. ■lt was contained in handbag, which the; nurse left in a. telephone booth in. Karahgahape road,, ambits loss was quickly noted. On returning to the booth, however, she discovered-, the bag gone. She thought that an ' advertisement would soon result in the finder re; turning, the bag and: the . money, but; the bag has not been restored." "Hospital nurses, as is generally known, receive only meagre salaries, and’ the loss'of-’the money has caused considerable embarrassment. ' ...

Schoolboys at Mount Cook v More than 70 schoolboys, who made .the Hermitage, ; Mount Cook, their rendezvous for winter sports on, Saturday last, will return to their homes, to-day - and tomorrow, They were drawn .from. Christ’s College, the Cathedral - Grammar . School; St, Andrew’s.-College, the Christchurch Boys’ High . .School,-’ M'Clashan. College, the Otago Boys’ High. School, Southland Boys’ High School, Waitaki" Boys’ High School, and the Timaru and Wellington Boys’ High . Schools. Ski sports have been held on the Tasman -Glacier, in .relays, and on the Ball Glacier, and the results, which have not yet been-compiled, will be announced shortly. On Monday about 70. girls--from- South-island secondary schools and colleges and university students will leaye for" the; Heymitagh for a" week', of sport. “ ' ' -

Legislation Approved . A Satisfaction at the' passing of the Trading Coupons Act and amendments to the Sales Tax Act was expressed at,tfc.c conference in Wellington .thisweek >of the New Zealand Drapers, \ Clothiers, .and Boot Retailers’' Federation., 'lt was reported that “ in. two .of .ihe .... it would be difficult to estimate, the. actual money value to pur membefa pf. the work which . oiir organisation accomplished. In the one case we succeeded .‘in securing legislation prohibiting, a most .objectioal trade practice, and in the , other we secured amendments of very great value to all retailers. These results alone are probably worth to the trade many times more than the whole expenditure of the federation since its - commencement;” The conference resolved that steps be taken to secure an amendment of the sales tax so as to make the incidence ■ upon retail traders Toss oppressive. *• .

Rope Aero** Road A stout rope tied across ilie-roadway in the lower part of . the Domain drive in Auckland, was'noticed by a woman motorist one afternoon recently just in time to avert an accident. She brought her car to a standstill ;«nd warned the drivers of approaching until ;the rope had- been removed-■ I t.ia believed ,-lhat children were responsible:, fpr tying: the rope from one side of a sinaliyoruamapfal bridge over a creek to a tree-fern. gr<J'n> ing on the other side of the. road., The rope was fixed, at a, level where it: wopltj catch the radiators of any motpr vehicles that happened to pass. The locality chosen for the supposed prank was particularly dangerous, being-, encountered immediately after rounding a difficult corner. As the woman driver stopped her car she saw two".children disappear into the bushes. One of the latter returned to where several cars were -Waiting for. the road to -be cleared iand is? moved the rope. He was severely-ad-monished by the indigant drivers. The matter was reported to the Automobile Association, which; referred the complaint to the ploice. ■ ■ ■ -

The United Starr-Bowkett, Building Society will dispose of £IBOO oh May~24i‘: '■ We have received anonymously' from Oamaru a contribution of 5s ‘ towards" the fund tb provide a “ talkie installation at Seacl iff Mental Hospital. Attention is directed to a notice by the Railways Department calling tenders for the purchase of railway ..cottage No. 51, Tapanub ' A notice to shareholders in the .No, .4 group of the Dunedin Starr-Bowkett Building Society appears in this issue. An excellent variety entertainment will be given in the Empire Theatre at P. 15 on Sunday night by some of Dunedin’s, leading artists. Admission will be. by'silver coin The Railways Department advertises that a relief express train will , leave Christchurch for Dunedin at 9.10 a.m. and a mail train will leave: Dunedin for Christchurch at 8.40 a.m. on Saturday, May ID. ’ V - ' A; Frank Anderson, Dental Surgeon, Princes street, Dunedin, will visit Waipiata and Patearoa on May 17 and Ranifurly on May 18.-—Advt. • >•. •. '■ , Let Williamson’s remodel your weddingring into the new “Dorothy” shape. - It is rounded and more comfortable to wear. Charges are always fair.—Advt. C. W. Sundetrum, Dentist, 53 Moray place, Dunedin, will visit Ranfurly, Waipiata, Naseby on .Monday, May. 14, and Oturehua and Palmerston Tuesday, May 15.—Advt. * - • “When Winter Comes”;—To mabs, your slate, tile/ flat, or iron roofing-secure get in touch with Donald Stuart,"Limited, 82 Bond street, for prompt quotation.— Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets, next . Tele* graph Office). Telephone 12-35 D.—Advt. Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Sturmer, optician (2. Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old-age.— Advt.