NEWS ITEMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16628, 23 April 1928, Page 9

NEWS ITEMS

A The "Victoria College Council approved a proposal by Canterbury College to hold a conference of the four university col leges when the University Council meets in Wellington, with a view to taking united action in approaching the Carnegie Corporation for grants for university purposes. If was decided to invite two representatives of tho agricultural colleges to attend the conference.

When the steamer Remucra was at Napier a pigeon that had got out of its track came aboard, and was somewhat puzzled to find itself in strange surroundings. The bird was easily taken captive by members of the ship's company, and is now being looked after ir. the hopo of returning it to its owner. The 'indications are that it is a good flying bird, and on its leg is a ring with a mark of identification: ''No. W.G. 571, 1927."

"We are doing a very wise thing in voting a sum of money for the destruction of these birds," said Mr. C. A. Whitney, retiring president of the Auckland Acclimatisation " Society, in referring to the slaughter of hawks. He mentioned tho fact that approximately 68,000 of the pests had been exterminated during the last throe years. The sum of £I2OO had been expended in ihc, purchase, of the feet of the birds, and he urgea all farmers audi sportsmen to make war against them. . Mr. Whitney also expressed the hope that the incoming council of the society would take steps to exterminate stoats and ferrets, for theso animals were increasing at a tremendous rate, and doing considerable damage. " ,

Over 10 per cent, of the drivers of motor vehicles in Auckland are prose-, cutcd annually, breaches of traffic regulations within the city boundaries alone accounting for more than half the convictions. Prosecutions undertaken by the city traffic department during the year ended March 31, numbered 1090. an increase of 29 per cent, on the total for tho 1926-27 period. The revenue from fines imposed during the year was £1132. In addition to these cases against motorists and motor-cyclists, there were 131 prosecutions against bus and taxi-drivers and users of heavy traffic vehicles. These returned £169 10s in fines respecting irregularities concerning passenger vehicle licences, heavy traffic fees, defective brakes, and taximetres.

"It is interesting to hear that although tho public did not support the issue, the first issue pf bonds, £400,000, has been subscribed, and that some of the district boards are in active operation," remarked Mr. C. M. Bowden in his address to >,he Wellington Chamber of Commerce in reference to the Rural Credits system. "It is naturally too early yet to pronounce on the likely degree of success in establishment of local finance associations, or as to til© degree to which the provisions of the Act and regulations can be availed of in conjunction with tho stock and station agents or other recognised channels of short-term financing. It is stated that farmers v.ho have equities can obtain assistance through existing institutions. No new scheme can be dovised to assist thoso who have no equities, not without running on philanthropic lines, which, of course, will not bo the case."

At the Hastings Borough Council meeting this week, when tho electrical engineer's report was being discussed, Cr. M. Johnson asked if the engineer bad anything to report about the quality of electric current that'they had been getting during the last two months. Ho had received many complaints from the east- side of tho town that the quality was not what thev had been accustomed to. Mr. J. H, Scott, the electrical engineer, said that a fortnight ago the Power Board had been carrying out some inspection work, which had caused a lot of oscillation. As it was hydro power they ■ were using, they must expect it, and it would not be the same

as their own supply. If anything went wronrr ! at Palmerston North, say; it would bo reflected here. Cr. Johnson: Well, tho fault is then that it is hydro versus Hastings supply, unci I think the public should know this. The Mayor said that the public should also know that the council had to take over the power.

"It will be poled," states the report of the Secondary Schools' Association, "that the Entrance Board and tho Academic Board recommend the raising of the standard of matriculation to a point midway between its present standard and that of tho entrance scholarship. On the other hand, while tho Academic Board was unanimous on two matters — (1) the desirability of discouraging the idea that the present matriculation examination is a kind of leaving examination, and (2) that some form of accrediting should bo Academic Board referred both matters back to the Entrance Board. In a sense this is unfortunate; because it was hoped that this year would see the end of tho present undesirable state of affairs, viz.. tho tremendous number of candidates who take the examination with no intention whatsoever of entering the university. It is high time that the university . co-operated with the Education Department in the introduction of a leaving . certificate that civic and commercial bodies ■ would be prepared to accept in lieu of matriculation."

. Important developments are expected to be made public at an early date in connection with the economical evaporation of whey and butter-milk, In' h'is report to the Inst meeting of the Council of Scientific and 'lndustrial Research, the acting-chairman, Mr. Q. Donald, staged that the question mentioned'abovo was at present under investigation, and that the results air ready obtained were very promising, a supply of condensed product having been prepared for experiments in pig feeding. Arrangements were in hand for special'investigations to he carried out at tho New Zealand Dairy Co.'s laboratory at Hamilton, under Mr. Hughes, and at Hawera under Mr. P. 0, Vealo. Dealing with other aspects of dairy research, Mr. Donald said that regular reports had come to ' hand from Messrs .MeDowall and Whitehead, who at present were pursuing specialised studies in dairy research work in the United Kingdom. Building operations were well advanced at Palmerston North and everything should be fully ready for tho commencement of active research work at the beginning of. the next dairy season. The statistical investigations into the records of the Group Herd-testing Association were now well under way, and gave, promise of some ' interesting results. Professor Eiddet was 'nt present engaged on a cognate research into daily variations in yield and their causes. A prcliminarylsurvcy of tho problems of heat utilisation in dairy factories had been made, and further- experi ments would need to be carried out in order to deviso mtans of power and fuel ononomy.