NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25514, 19 April 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A LETTER was read at the meeting of the King Edward Technical College Board of Managers yesterday from the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) saying that he had received a letter from a fltizen who suggested that musical perormances given by the students of the college should be broadcast. The Mayor said that he had on occasions referred to the outstanding performances of the choir and the orchestra. He expressed the view that more should be done to make Dunedin the cultural centre of the Dominion by the establishment of a chair of music and a chair of art at the University of Otago. It was decided to make inquiries concerning the possibility of having the concerts broadcast. Students’ Work Day As a result of the work day held by the students of Otago University on Saturday, when various tasks such as digging gardens and household duties were undertaken, the sum of £2OO was raised. This money will be given to the relief fund for students who are prisoners of war. Books for the Services In a statement at Wellington yesterday, Mr G. T. Alley, director of the Country Library Service, said that the appeal for paper-covered books for the services had proved eminently successful, 58,000 being collected. Mr Alley expressed thanks to all who had assisted, especially mentioning the valuable services of the school children, who had acted as collectors. Self Praise

“I do not think it is the job of any New Zealander to crack up the deeds of our own division, our airmen, or any of our services,” said the Bishop of Wellington, the Right Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, in his address to the annual meeting of the Missions to Seamen Institute recently. “ That should be left to the others, the English, Australians, and Americans, who can judge what is the total effect of New Zealand upon the war.” Electrical Development It was reported at yesterday’s meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce that a meeting would be held shortly with other interested bodies in Dunedin to consider the question of electrical development in the South Island. The executive reported that it was understood that schemes at present under construction would provide power at the present rate of expansion for only some three or four years.

Dunedin-made Pottery Some excellent examples of the potter’s art were on display at the monthly meeting of the King Edward Technical College Board of Managers yesterday. The principal (Mr W. G. Aldridge) said that all the articles, which included a variety of vases, bowls, cups, and plates, had been made by Mr O. C. Stevens, the teacher of chemistry at the college. He said that Mr Stevens had turned out a good many really beautiful articles, which showed what could be done in the Dominion. All the work had been done by Mr Stevens in his spare time. Camp for Medical Students

The dean of the medical faculty at the University of Otago (Dr C. E. Hercus) has been advised that the War Cabinet has authorised the holding of a camp for members of the Otago Universitv Medical Corps during the forthcoming May vacation. The unit, which was last in camp during the autumn term vacation in 1943, will comprise about 400 students, and the camp will be held at Tahuna Park. Training will be given in field ambulance work, and senior students will be specially trained in the duties of medical officers for the armed forces. It is expected that the students will be in camp for the greater part of the vacation.

Rise in Divorce Rate The slight falling off in the divorce rate that was noted in Auckland during the war years 1941 and 1942 was followed last year by a marked increase that promises to be continued even more rapidly this year. The number of petitions filed last year for dissolution of marriage was 560, and there were in addition 103 petitions for restitution of conjugal rights or judicial separation, making a total of 663. For the first quarter of this year the petitions filed under both headings number 231, so that if this rate, is maintained the year’s total should be about 1000. The figure of 231 is nearly double that for the first quarter of last year. Taking the statistics of decrees nisi granted, which probably give the most reliable in<jex, the record prior to last year was reached in 1940, when 376 were granted. The figures for recent years are;—l939, 360; 1940. 376; 1941, 328; 1942, 347; and 1943. 462. Salaries of Nurses The opinion that the payment of better salaries was the only way to attract more nurses to the profession was expressed by several members of the Auckland Hospital Board when the Health Department’s recruitment scheme for overcoming the shortage of nursing applicants in many centres was before the board. “If attractive salaries were paid nurses would be obtained,” said Mr G. T. Parvin, who added that the aids and auxiliaries received as much as staff nurses. Mrs M. M. Dreaver said the aids and auxiliaries had formed a Union, and the nurses would not do that. The chairman, Mr Allan J. Moody, said little could be accomplished by pursuing the discussion. The Hospital Boards’ Association was taking up the matter of nurses’ salaries. 'The board had done its best to get more, and the only hope was that the association’s representations would bear fruit.