NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

"Melbourne is having a very bad time with infantile paralysis," writes a resident of the Victorian capital to a representative of the Walkato Times. "We are also having a lot of hot, muggy weather, which does not seem to help things. The schools are closed, but the epidemic does not seem to be easing." , The elevator for the Wellington carillon tower has arrived, and it is hoped that its installation will be completed by Christmas time. The elevator, which will carry four passengers, will travel from the first floor, (not the ground) to the clavier room, a height of 70 feet, from which height a splendid view is obtainable of the city and harbour. Have you seen our " three-m-one bins, for sugar, flour, and bread? Painted to suit the colour scheme of your kitchen or pantry. Moderately priced.—Dickinson's, Ltd., 441 Princes street, Dunedin... ' Not for several years has October weather in the Waikato been so dry, and as a result the large peat swamps in the district have already commenced to burn. With indications that the October rainfall will be one of the scantiest for years the scattered swamp fires may become more general. In some districts the fires have already caused concern to farmers.

"That is just what I wanted," said Mr A. E. H. Harrison, on being interrupted by cries of "Speak up when addressing the Anglican Synod in Auckland last week. Mr Harrison's rejoinder was greeted with laughter, for at the time he was moving a resolution to instruct the Standing Committee to investigate the possibility of improving the acoustic properties of the hall with a view to the more efficient conduct of the business of synod.- After a short discussion the motion was carried. . ■• The finest whiskies, ales, stouts, brandies, and wines sent (to legal order) to town and country. Crossan's, Waterloo, Caversham...

Miss M. Sykes, of Vancouver, had to come to New Zealand to have her first experience of having a hot-water bottle supplied for her bed in a hotel. On her trip through the South.lsland; she said, she had missed 6team heating in the hotels, but this had been compensated for by the supply of hot-water bottles. That these should be supplied free seemed.to impress her. And she could not help laughing when she first found the familiar bottle in her bed.

"The tinkers are just as troublesome t and as much of a problem as they used to be," remarked Mr J. Mackenzie, of Umutoi, when telling his fellow members of the Pohangina County Council something of his recent trip to Scotland (says the Manawatu Evening Standard). Different people from the gypsies of England, who were on a slightly higher plane, the tinkers had in many cases been taken into military service during the war, anH although they might not have gone to the front (some doing even farm work), they had become nevertheless "soldiers," and, as such, had qualified for soldiers' benefits. Much of this money Was dissipated. - ' Men feel the necessity to be up to date with their dress. New styles and colourings are available for Milton men in Shirts, Ties, Socks, Suitings and Hats at Gray's Big Store... Discussing a proposal supported by the New Zealand Numismatic Society last year that a centennial half-crown be issued in 1940, the Rev. D. C. Bates said at a recent meeting of the society that it was not in the interests of the early adoption of decimal, coinage to perpetuate the half-crown. The florin, which was a decimal coin* and a fourshilling piece, which was a possible decimal unit, would be appropriate commemorative pieces. It was pointed out that the half-crown was suggested .. originally because- it was the largest / circulating coin, and it would also take a good design. Australia, however, had abolished it long ago. - That the lot of a justice of the peace is not always an easy one (says the New Zealand Herald) Was demon- ; strated when Mr G. R. Magee, J.P., Of Auckland, was recently awakened at 3 a.m. to preside at a temporary court at the Central Police Station. Following the raids conducted by the police the previous night and resulting in an unusually large number of arrests, it was necessary to summon, a justice of the peace. It is not unusual for a court to be held late at night, but, owing to the large number of people arrested, the proceedings were ' delayed, and Mr Magee. who has obliged on many previous occasions, was occupied until about 6 a.m. at the special sitting. Grandism (3329): Glowing, purple star-bright wine, with the SAVeetness of ripe grapes fresh from the vine—Aragon makes the simplest meal perfection.;.

Parts of Saskatchewan weri> in a very bad way. In the "dust-bowl" area millions of acres had been abandoned, said Mr A. M. Carpenter, of Fernside,,North Canterbury, in Christchurch recently. Mr Carpenter passed through Canada on his return from Europe. Drought, sandstorms, and grasshoppers had converted a productive wheat-growing and stock-raising area into country which would not grow wheat or carry stock. "An enormous number of farmers were being fed by the Government, and the authorities contemplated removing thousands of them from the devastated areas in other parts of Canada, where they could make a fresh start in life. Mr Carpenter said that if the prospect of regular employment on farms in New Zealand was held out to them by the Government hundreds of experienced farm workers 1 would be induced to emigrate to New Zealand. At present they were destitute. Special Showing of new Spring Goods in all departments. Buy. now while the selection is big and the price small. See windows and interior display. Your inspection invited at Mosgiel's Draper.—A. F. Cheyne and C 0... The recent controversy over steamer and air service terminals was briefly mentioned at the Auckland Town Hall recently, when a meeting was held in connection with the Centennial Exhibition. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), opening his address, said that that day he had flown from Wellington, and within three hours was within sight of the shining waters of the Waitemata. He mentioned that because aviation was bringing the two cities closer together. Sir Ernest Davis said there had not been the slightest personal feeling in the controversy, but he was sorry thaiMr Hislop did not take an aeroplane tour of the harbour and gulf. as he would then have understood what was meant by those who pointed out 'the advantages of the Waitemata's sheltered waters. Coffee Mills! We have imported a few small coffee grinders suitable for household use.—A. Durie and Co., coffee specialists. 32 Octagon. Dunedin... " The policy of Germany and Italy in regard to Spain has never been one of non-intervention. It has always ' been one of intervention camouflaged as non-intervention," stated Mr G. E. Jackson at a W.E.A. lecture at Auckland recently. He went on to say that there was very definite evidence' that these two countries had played a considerable part in Franco's rebellion. The position in Spain was of vital importance to Britain and France, for both economic and strategic reasons, he.added. Italy, the speaker declared. was faced with the alternative of either maintaining friendship with Britain or gaining control of the Mediterranean for herself if she were to Jive. Actually, of all the countries involved in the struggle in Spain..the U.S.S.R. was far and away. the least interested from a strategical point Of view. Mr Jackson expressed the view that a weak Spain was essential to the interests of Britain and France through the strategic importance of her position and the position of her possessions, the Canarv and Balearic Islands. Gibraltar would be untenable against a strong, hostile Spain. ,; Have you tried Hitchon's. P6rk Saveloys. Pork Sausages, or Oxford Sausage (cooked)? If your grocer can't supply, ring our Dunedin branch, 12-344. Milton phone, 22... ...-.,. .„