NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25552, 3 June 1944, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

“VTO man is an. island,” said Dr i. l. G. Sutherland, professor of philosophy at Canterbury University College, quoting John Donne, a seventeenth century clergyman and poet, in a community week talk at Temuka. “Just as no man is an island,” said Dr Sutherland, “so no nation is an island. To-day scientists and engineers have made the world one unit, and distance has been abolished. Socially and politically there has been no parallel change. The common sense of the world situation is that some form of world order will have to be established. The prospects of reaching it are by no means clear, but there are many hopeful signs.” Bridge Replaced

Advice has been received from the Works Department that the road to the Taieri by way of the Black Bridge is now clear for traffic, the bridge over the Silverstream which had been washed away having been replaced.

Loss of Mail Reported The Postmaster-general, Mr P. C. Webb, announced last night the loss of three bags of mail from New Zealand A.P.O. 361. The mail (says a Press Association telegram) comprised postings made on May 19 and 20, and consisted of one bag each of letters, papers, and parcels. Cable Car Leaves Rails A Stuart street cable car, which left the city shortly before 10.45 last night, left the rails when near the High School Rectory. The car was carrying a large number of passengers. Some of them were thrown to the ground when the mishap occurred, «but no one was injured. Three buses were despatched to take the passengers to their destinations and complete the service for the night.

Grey District Mines In accordance with a direction from the Mining Controller, Mr C. H. Benney, all mines in the Grey district will work on Monday (the King’s Birthday). It is understood that payment will be on the same basis as for Good Friday and other statutory holidays—double rates. The Blackball mine was idle on Thursday. The temperature of the bathhouse was below the prescribed minimum, and the men returned home. “ Waiting for Mr Nash ”

A resolution was passed by the executive of the Auckland Returned Services’ Association at a recent meeting that the assurances of Ministers regarding housing for ex-servicemen be recalled to the Government, with a request that they be fulfilled. Stating that there were over 110 State houses ready for occupation in Auckland if stoves were available, a member asked why stoves could not be provided for tfiese as private builders were able to get them. When another member suggested that the Government was awaiting the return of the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, before moving in the matter, the president, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, remarked: “No. It is waiting for Mr Walter Nash.” Notices Above Hotel Doors

According to Inspector D. R. Calweil, of the Timaru Police District, most of the licensees of hotels in Timaru are at present liable to prosecution under section 159 of the Licensing Act, which says that above the door of a licensed house must appear “words sufficient to express the business for which the licence has been granted.” Some of the hotels, said the inspector, when he represented the police at the annual meeting of the Timaru Licensing Committee, had the words “ licensed victualler” printed above their doors. He contended that this was not sufficient, and said that he had warned licensees that they must signify the fact that they were licensed to sell liquor.

Use of Clarendon Phosphate “There are good prospects of an increased allocation of phosphatic fertilisers during the next year, which will materially help the returns per acre from crops and stock,” said the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, in an address at the opening of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Winter Show yesterday. He added that Otago had contributed the only supply of phosphatic fertiliser from a New Zealand source in the country’s history. It was estimated that some 25,000 tons of phosphates would be received from the Clarendon deposits to assist war production. During the last war and the period immediately following it 160,000 tons of phosphates had come from the same source.

Tha Decimal System “I foresee that we will be subject to the influence of the United States of America in post-war trade, and a study of American trade and accountancy methods will be well worth while,” said Mr F. H. Bass, of Wellington, president of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, in an address to members of the Canterbury branch of the society. "The question of the adoption of a decimal system may become important,” continued Mr Bass. “ Years ago there was a strong movement in England in support of a change to a decimal system, and in New Zealand a decimal association was formed. With head offices in Australia, only a few hours away, and in Great Britain and the United States of America, a few days away, the.prompt rendering of returns will become most important, and branch establishments in New Zealand will come under closer supervision.” The 119th Psalm “This is a most unusual case,” said Senior-sergeant A. G. McHugh in the Hamilton Police Court when prosecuting a motorist for negligent driving. Mr McHugh said that the defendant was driving at night when he saw two cyclists approach without lights. One of the youths used obscene language to the other. The defendant then chased them and drove into the back of one and knocked him down. He did not stop. Mr King said cyclists without lights were a menace to motorists. The defendant saw the youth fall, but did not know he had touched him. The defendant was fined £5. The youths were each fined 10s for cycling without lights. For using obscene language one of them was placed on probation for a year and was ordered to write out the 119th Psalm in order, said Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., that he might appreciate the value of good language.