NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 38

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A locomotive which is to be used in drawing the Royal train over sections of t r . Island railway on the occasion ot the visit to the Dominion of the Duke ft D4°“ ess York, is now receiving the finishing touches from workmen in the Wanganui East workshop. The engine was built in Glasgow six years ago, and has been in constant use on the New Plymouth and Wellington section. With leplacements which have been effected the engine is now practically a new one. It is painted a glittering 'black, with vivid red lines, rhe wheel rim s are of a spotless white, and the brasswork dazzles the e m‘ ix R°y al c °at of arms will be affixed-to the front. Mr Godfrey Williams, of the Roval vacht, burprise, who is spending a holiday in the Wanaka district, has presented a handsome silver cup for competition among the cricket clubs m the Upper Clutha Valley. Ine cup is at present on view at Pembroke Air Williams is a keen enthuiast of cricket and still likes to wield the willow Conditions for competition are being framed and will be circulated to clubs concerned. It is a most generous action on the part of the donor-and the respective clubs are indeed fortunate in having such a handsome trophy for competition. The cup should be an incentive and give a much desired impetus to the sport. Morrinsville was shaken by two earth tremors on Wednesday morning, there being a fairly sharp shock at 9.15 and another quite severe one an hour later. In the Supreme Court at Wanganui the trial of Frank Hedgman, an ex-constable, charged with forgery in his dealings with a man named J. J. Stuart, ended in the jury disagreeing after a retirement of four hours and a-half. A retrial at the May sessions of the Supreme Court was ordered. John William Mahoney, motorist, charged with manslaughter arising from the death of George Sutherland at Taihape on December 11. was acquitted. It was remarked at the Hawke’s BayEducation Board meeting on Friday that quite a number of female teachers would get married to-morrow if they could be released from their bond, and so make way for teachers at present not able to secure positions. There are at present 13 teachers in this district without employment, and 15 are in relieving positions. The board decided to request the department to relax the conditions of the training college bond for a period of 12 months in order to allow those teachers who so desire to be married without incurring any penalty under the bond. The work of converting (he Christchurch telephone system from overhead to underground is proceeding slowly but surely, and at the present time (reports the Press) the underground wires are being joined. Some time will elapse before this work will be finished. A start has been made with the erection of the heavy line between the telegraph office and Shirley This will carry the trunk circuit from the north, especially the new telephone circuit between the North and South Islands. Good progress is being made with the overhead lines, and the rewiring of subscribers’ premises. The question of conserving some work to assist the unemployed is exercising the minds of members of the Timaru Boron"h Council, although the town is comparatively free from those who arc unable to find work (states the Herald). The matter was mentioned at the last meeting of the Borough Council, Cr P. C. Vinnell stating that the problem was a national one and that the assistance of the Government should be sought. Cr Vinnell-said that there was no doubt that the coming winter would be a severe one and the council should see what could be done in the way of help for the genuine unemployed. ‘The question of co-operation with other local bodies >s to be discussed at an early date. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr W. M. Page had some strong comment to make on the design of small houses, with bad proportions and grotesque effects obtained by the addition of foolish features to make them attract the eye. Although the small house was often regarded as not worthy of the architect’s time, vet it would have to be realised that something should be done to stop the building of the “cheap, expensive, inappropriate, extravagant houses” that were ruining the appearance of the suburbs for generations. The maxim should be borne in mind that: “Man builds the town that the town may“ teach his sons.” Entrusted -with a mission to investigate industrial conditions in the United States a delegation from the Commonwealth of Australia arrived in Auckland by the Niagara from Sydney last week, en route to America. It consists of four representatives of employers of the Commonwealth and four representatives of the employees. The employers’ representatives are Messrs M. P. Campbell (Brisbane), H. E. Guy (Melbourne), C. Ludcwici (Sydney), and A. J. M'Neil (Perth). The employees are represented by Messrs A. jM’lnnes ‘and J. Nunden, of South Australia, and J. O. V alentine, of Queensland. The fourth •member, Mr E. Grayndler, of New South Wales, will follow by a later boat, joining the party at Detroit. Accompanying the delegation are two women observers. Miss May Matthews, of New South Wales, and Dr Kate M‘Kay, of Victoria. The former will study, the welfare of female employees in the United States, and the latter matters connected with hygiene. The delegation will return about the end of June. Mr R. J. Murphy (industrial officer of the Commonwealth Defence Department) is acting as secretary to the delegation, and two press representatives accompany the party.

Electricity is supplanting steam for pumping out the Harbour Board’s docks at Port Chalmers. One pumping plant serves both docks, and the pumps have hitherto been operated by steam from three horizontal boilers. The new plant required for utilising Waipori power has been installed, and the machinery was given a trial run last week. Mr J. M. Wilkie, the board’s- engineer,- was present, and he regarded the preliminary spin as very satisfactory. On Thursday an enterprising thief entered Foster’s Hotel, Wanganui, and relieved four of the boarders of upwards of £lOO while they slept. One wellknown racehorse owner lost £5O.