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Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 4

A 10 per cent, cut on wages, salaries, and allowances as from August 1 -was decided upon by the Lyttelton Harbour Board on Wednesday. Exception is made of employees earning £lOO per annum and less, and of the special daily rate paid to employees engaged on diving work. Between £3OOO and £4OOO will be saved, and the-Finance Committee is to make a report to the next meeting of the board as to the disposal of this money.

A proposal that a. big art. union should be promoted for the relief of distress in the four centres has been made by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), who has written in the following terms to the Mayors of Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland: —“I have been approached by some people who suggest that an art union for relief of distress should be applied for to the Minister of Internal Affairs, and that the Mayors of the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin should be the trustees. The advertising people of Dunedin have guaranteed to find the gold for the prizes, so there will be no expense on our part. I take it, of course, that the gold will be returned when the prizes are given out. The suggestion is that the four cities share equally in the proceeds of the art union. As you know, quite a number of art unions have been run for the benefit of sports, and you will agree with me that the relief of distress is a much more worthy object, and should receive the liberal support of the whole of New Zealand. The matter of expense of running it (advertising, etc.) will be kept within reasonable bounds, and I feel sure the people will give readily, especially when there is a chance of gaining a liberal prize.” The Gazette issued last week contains amending regulations under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928, governing the removal of certain plants and bees from the North Island to the rest of New Zealand.

“ This man has shot probably the last white heron in Canterbury,” said Mr M. J. Gresson, in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, when George Wearing (Mr A. A. M'Lachlan) was pleading not guilty to a charge of shooting absolutely protected game. "I am satisfied with his explanation that he did so by mistake. He says that he saw a white bird on a bank 300 yards away, and went towards it, but when the bird rose as he got nearer, shot at it. He was successful in hitting his mark, but on looking at the bird was puzzled to know what it was. He took it straight to the ranger, who told him that the Acclimatisation Society had no option but to proceed against him for shooting an absolutely protected bird.” The magistrate (Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M.) said that if Mr Gresson was satisfied with the explanation he could withdraw the charge, and this was done. Dr John R. Hosking, who has been-in Samoa for some months, will return shortly to New Zealand after having spent an interesting and it is believed profitable time in those islands. At the instigation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research he has been engaged in distilling plants and flowers found in Samoa with a view to extracting oils for perfumes and essences. He has been successful in obtaining some promising material, which has been sent to manufacturers of scents, in Europe. Similar work on other Pacific islands has resulted in much profit to those concerned, and it is thought that quite possibly the luxuriant tropical vegetation of Samoa can be turned to good account. • . ’

The new schedule of travelling allowances for officers of the Post and Telegraph Department was published in the Gazette last week. The new scale (says a Press Association telegram) rises from 12s a day for officers receiving a salary up to £342 per annum to 18s a day for officers whose salaries exceed £5OB 10s. The schedule giving the rates of overtime payment is also published as follows:—Officers whose salaries are from £342 to £423, new rate 3s an hour; £265 10s to £342, new rate 2s 8d; £216 to £265 10s, new rate 2s 3d; £162 to £216. new rate Is 9d; not exceeding £162, new rate Is 4d; message boys 7d.