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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16866, 1 February 1929, Page 6

A Public Works Department survey parly is at present in the bush at the head of Waikareinoana doing the preliminary work for a connecting high tension line between Tuai and Arapuni. —Wairoa Star.

The promise of another busy building year in Auckland is conveyed in the value of permits issued by the City Council during the month ended yesterday. The total value was £1&7,599, compared with £68,051 in January last year.—Special.

The rainfall in Gisborne last month totalled 2.82 in., of which no less than 1.70 in. fell on one day, January 3. The average for the month of January over the past 50 years is 2.77 in., but last year it was only 1.27im, while the previous year only 50 points were registered. '

Another victim of the mishap to the Frivolity Minstrels, when the bus containing members of the party on tour went over a bank on the Opotiki-Motu road, lias been ordered to bis bed, suffering from shock. This is Mr. L. Willis, son of Mr. and Mrs. ('. C. Willis, of Napier. A cargo of 5500 tons, including SCO tons of general merchandise, from London, which arrived at New Plymouth to-day by the new motor ship Port Alma, is the largest direct overseas shipment. to reach the Taranaki port for several years. The vessel loads a considerable quantity of dairy produce and meat at New Plymouth.—P.A.

Sharks continue to frequent Napier waters, a further member of their species having been seen in the vicinity of the Municipal Baths on Tuesday. The fact that the red flags were flying, and that the sharks’ presence is now common knowledge, has the effect of keeping bathers out of the water, and there was only one who ventured out into the sea on Tuesday.

While Poverty Bay cricket enthusiasts arc canvassing a suggestion that Wairoa might be induced to join this district, and affiliate with the Poverty Bay association, the Waiapu enthusiasts have their eye upon Uawa, and hope that if boundaries come up for discussion, the northern section of Poverty Bay s territory may decide to throw in i.s lot with the other coastal areas, and accept ad ministration from Waiapu. Doubtless the question of boundaries will be discussed at some length before the aims of both Poverty Bay and Waiapu are settled.

While being driven along the Waikanae beach yesterday, a car overturned in the sand and rolled completely over. The driver was John G. Pearce, a visitor to Gisborne from Thames, who proposes to return home almost immediately. He stated to the police that he was driving at about 35 miles per hour along the beach, near the abattoirs, and that while making a rather sharp turn, the machine lifted and turned over. It is reported that Mr. Pearce was slightly hurt in the capsize, but apparently he was extremely lucky to escape serious injury.

Waiapu cricketers are reported to be keen on a return match in Gisborno before the season closes, and no doubt the Poverty Bay Cricket Association’s representatives would be glad to accommodate them in this desire. However, as assembly of teams is not an easy matter in the coastal area, it is suggested that the Gisborne game should be played by Waiapu just after the Hawke Cup match for which the Coast association is now making preparations. This would mean but one assembly, and doubtless the Waiapu men would have benefited from their major engagement.

At least one Gisborne motor-cyclist has had the experience of travelling through a snowstorm in the middle of summer. He was journeying at the end of last week between Tokaanu and Waiouru, and ran into a snowstorm when rounding the foot of Mount Ruapehu. That was not his only trouble, for during the storm ho ran out of benzine. The roads from Whakatane to Taihape, he said, were not very suitable for motor-cycling, but for the remainder of the journey home via Palmerston North and Napier he had little trouble.

The position of timekeeper and paymaster of the Takapuna Borough Council, at £250 a year, has attracted 216 applicants. They include lawyers, doctors, and other men of education. This was reported at the meeting of the Takapuna Borough Council last evening. Mr .T. W. Hayden said that in his 16 years’ experience of local body administration he had never been so much beseiged by pitiable aspirtants for a job. Most of the applicants were unfit for hard manual labor. It was time the Government took the matter up and made provision for the. unemployment situation. The applications were referred to a committee.—(Special.

What is the King's chain? This was one of many queer terms heard at the conference of New Zealand Harbor Boards. A delegate seeking information as to who should be the owner of a piece of foreshore that had gradually appeared out of the sea was informed that between high water mark and a landholder’s property a strip of ground a. chain wide was vested in the King for roading purposes if required. If the high water mark fell hack further from the original foreshore by a change in the topography of tho harbor floor the property owner may not add the. Heavensent piece to his holding, after allowing for the King’s chain, for the law provides that land accretion goes to the local harbor authority.—Special.

The vital statistics for Dunedin for January,, compared with the corresponding period last year, show a substantial increase in tlie births. 0b the other hand, the deaths and marriages show a slight decrease. The figures are as follow, 1928 figures being given in parentheses: Births 148 (123), deaths 72 (78), marriages 55 (58). —P.A.

Good records of school attendance are held by two brothers, pupils of the Auckland Normal school. Douglas Munns and James Frederick Munns, who have attended for eight years and three months and eight years and two months respectively without missing one halfday’s attendance. At a meeting of the Auckland Education Board it was decided to send letters of congratulation to the parents. The Customs receipts for last month at Dunedin, amounted to £75,241 9s Id, as against £66,598 12s Id for the corresponding month last year. The beer duty was £23,996 5s Bd, as against £22,079 9s 7d for last January. The tyre tax was £1656 4s, compared with £1029 13s in January last year. The motor spirit tax was £5578 "4s, against nothing in the same month last year.— P.A.

Gore orchardists are complaining that the recent spell of hot weather has had some troublesome effects, notably upon apple trees, the fruit of which is badly blemished on the cheek turned towards the sun. One theory is that ihe, dew of early morning, affected by the sun’s rays, is projected through the skin of the fruit and causes a superficial blemish of the flesh (stales the Ensign). At the gas conference in Wanganui yesterday, Mr A. McNeil, of Birkenhead, was elected a life member of the institute. The matter of improving the quality of tar producd at gas works to ensure its use for roading was discussed and it was decided to refer it to the incoming council, it being emphasised that the great waste at present going on is due to the tar not being as good as certain prepared material for this class of work.—P.A

Mr. R. Jefferies, of Foxton, for the last 13 years has been carrying a Turkish bullet about in his body. He entered the Palmerston North Hospital last week for treatment to an injury to his leg, and at the same time had the missile removed. He was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915, and has been carrying the bullet ever since. It had not inconvenienced him much until lately, when it appeared to ibe working out.

A considerable number of men from Eastown l-ailway workshops, Wanganui, have left under transfer for new locoations, and another large party leaves next week. Soon there will be a mere handful of employees left in these shops. Tradesmen and others view these transfers seriously, as they mean that the spending power in Wanganui will be reduced by £50,000 annually from That source alone. Many of the transferred men are married, and have been struggling to get homes together, and either nave to sell at a sacrifice or do their best to let them, which is not an easy proposition at present. Members of the Carnie family at Mokoreta had an unwelcome experience (states the Wyndham correspondent of the Southland News). A thunderstorm occurred at dinner time, and while the family were gathered around the table at their midday meal, lightning struck the house. All the lighting points were blown, and a, bright blue flame shot out from the Ironing point, reaching more than half-way across the room, missing several members of the family by an uncomfortably narrow;margin. The shock was extended by the power lines across to the stable, where several young men were, one of them, George McKay, being spun round and thrown to the ground. The championship of New Zealand for the best loaf of bread lias been won at the Christchurch exhibition by Mr. J. Somerton, of New Plymouth, who won the Master Bakers’ Federation’s solid silver challenge shield, a special gold medal and diploma, and £25 in cash for distribution amongst the foreman and operatives in tlie bakery. The trophy is to be held until the next exhibition. Mr. Somerton was also successful in Class 11, loaf from a no-time dough, open to all compressed yeast users, for the best loaf of bread made from a short process fermentation, securing first prize and a gold medal to the master baker and £lO in cash for distribution amongst the foreman and operatives. The type of employment which is being favored by the modern girl is strikingly exemplified as the result of the experiences of a Dunedin business man and his wife, states a Lyttelton Times correspondent. About a- week before Christmas she who looked after the •ionic advertised for a girl to assist in the housework. Not a single reply was received. Just recently the husband advertised for a girl to do odd small jobs about his office, and has been overwhelmed to the extent of 85 applications. It is only natural, therefore, that the heads of this particular household are forming newly developed ideas on the education system. The business man considers that education should fit girls for the, employment that is offering. At a meeting of the Wanganui River Trust Board the following resolution was moved by Mr. ,F. H. Allen: “That the Wanganui River Trust Board and the Wanganui Domain Board having outlived their usefulness, the Government be recommended to repeal the Wanganui River Trust Act and to repeal the Wanganui River Domains Act; that the Public Works Department take over control of the river and scenic reserves; that the Wellington Land Board take over administration of all lands at present controlled by the board.’’ After, discussion, it was decided that a special committee, consisting of Messrs. A. S. Burgess, Gregor McGregor, N. G. Armstrong, A. M. Campbell, and F. H. Allen be appointed to go into the matter of the cost of administration and usefulness of the River Trust Board, with suggestions for improvements.

Masiofo Tamasese, who is at present in Auckland to be near her husband, the high Samoan chief Tamasese, who is undergoing six months’ imprisonment at Mount Edeh gaol for non-payment of taxes, stated to an Auckland Star r» porter that she had been allowed hv the prison authorities to visit her husband three times last week. Asked what restrietions were imposed, the chieftainess said that courtesy was extended to her but some of the regulations were some what, onerous, inasmuch as it seemed very strange and unnatural to her and her husband that they should he com polled to converse in a foreign language and also to have to obtain permission to greet or embrace one another in their own native fashion. This has on one occasion been withheld. “These restrictions,’’ said Masiofo, “seem all the stranger when it has been stated that Tamasese is not a political prisoner. Mv husband told me that the prison authorities treated him as well as he could expect. On the day I took my three children it. was more difficult than ever as they do not speak English, but of course the youngsters could not lve restrained and were able to talk to their father in their own language, despite the presence of a warder. I am move than disappointed,’’ continued Tamasese’s wife, “that the writ of Habeas Corpus issued for the release of my husband has not vet come before the court. It was issued before I; arrived in New Zealand. I have been told that such a writ called for a hearing within 24 hours, and T wonder why. this uroceedure has been departed from in Tamasese’s case,”

In addition to the losses which were covered by insurance in the fire at the Wellington Fruit Market, there were heavv losses which were r.ot so covered.

The total loss in that conflagration is now placed at £300,000.

The new Majestic Theatre in Willis street , Wellington, will probably be opened with a “talkie’’ film. There is talk of three theatres in Wellington being equipped for the new sound pictures—the Majestic, the De Luxe, and the Regent.

The fact that though six steamers have been selected as apple earners and none is to load at Nelson .has come as a great surprise and disappointment to Nelson orchardists in particular, the Harbor Board, which acceded to growers’ requests to increase facilities, and to the district in general. At a meeting of the Sailing and Power Boat Association in Christchurch last evening concerning the Sanders Cup arrangements, the following recommendation to tlie Dominion conference was carried: “That all boats be measured at the contests before the race by means of outside moulds.” —P.A. The streets loan of £27,CKX) at Levin is nearly all spent and the work practically completed. Mr. C. Skiltrop, C.E., presented his report at last council meeting and it is hoped that the maintenance will not be higher than £d per square yard per annum, thus cutting out the usual heavy upkeep when the streets were not bituminised.

The fire at the Kodak Buildings, Wellington, was a very destructive one, and a tremendous amount of stock was damaged by water and some by chemicals. The damaged goods are now being disposed of, and although anything like a definite estimate of the loss is *not yet possible, it will approximate to something between £20,000 and £30,000. What is apparently a case of pillaging is complained of by a Gisborne shopkeeper, who has just opened a consignment of confectionery received by boat from Auckland at the beginning of the week. The contents of some of the packages had been completely removed, while portions of other boxes were found to be missing. A cream lorry belonging to B. F. Spiers and Son went through the bridge over the Doughboy Creek, near the property of Mr. H. Dallows, at Murchison (states a Nelson message). The driver, J. Armstrong, and three children, twofcf them belonging to the family of Mr. A. Rodgers, and the other a visitor, all had a lucky escape from serious injury. The driver sustained rather a bad euton one of his arms, necessitating a lew stitches, while two of the children were cut about the face and chest, though not seriously. The other child escaped with a severe shaking.

“When the ‘bury the hatchet and forget the past’ scheme suggested by the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare is inaugurated in Samoa a lot of tact and diplomacy and ingenious leadership will be necessary if the Samoans are to forget what "has happened,” said the Hon. 0. F. Nelson at Auckland. He is of the opinion that prompt statesmanlike action may accomplish much and that in time favorable changes of policy will bring about a new understanding. “Military methods,” he says, “and demonstrations of naval power, backed with machineguns and,.armed forces have failed deplorably and will never bring about the desired results.”—Star.

The new Avro-Avian Cirrus 8 aeroplane, ordered by Messrs. Goodwin and Chichester, was assembled at the Newtown, car-sheds, and towed to Lyall Bay, Wellington, on Wednesday, when it took off on its first flight in New Zealand. Captain Bolt piloted the machine, and with Mr. S. Brown, a member of the firm,,as a passenger, ‘ x circled the reserve a number of times 1 before making a perfect landing. The new machine differs considerably from the Avro-Avian Moth, having a stronger engine, and slotted wings, which enable it to ascend rapidly. It*

is likely that the 'plane will leave for Napier to join, the firm’s other machine.

Will the double-decker motor-bus come to Wellington? (asks the Dominion). Nearly all the motor buses in London, Sydney, Birmingham, Glasgow, Berlin, and other places are now double-deckers. Gradually the old single-deckers (like the buses that plv in our suburbs) are being eliminated in the cities, as their passenger capacity is too restricted. To carry 50 passengers may not pay, but to carry 70 or 80, or even 100 passengers (and some of the latest buses are large enough for that) means a handsome return on practically the some petrol and oil consumption as a single-decker. The modern double-decker bus has its top glassed in and is soundly roofed. These would be a good type of bus for the Wellington-Hutt route, did the overhead railway bridges permit.

When Mr. E. L. Morgan, of Washington, stepped off the boat at Wellington the other day, he expected to find the largest building about three stories high, so he told Rotarians, at their weekly luncheon. “I have been doing a bit of sight-seeing round about here, and I would like to say that it has been a surprise to me,” he confessed. “I say a surprise because I had not realised just how nice New Zealand is. Coming out on the boat, I was told that I would not like your country, and that it was too slow. I think you make a mistake, if I may say so, in not standing up for your own country. People take you at what you say. Probably we go to the other extreme. I’ll admit that, hut I really jt ] think you ought to say good things ~ about your country. It pays.”

Apparently the power plant in Gisborne is keeping abreast of s the demand for current throughout the district, for no emergency call has been made on the supply from Waikaremoana, which it is understood was promised in the event of a serious breakdown in the powerhouse plant. Mr F. R. Ball, chairman of the Poverty Boy Power Board, intimated to-day that the demand is being met with a small* margin to spare, and that no emergency call on the national source of hydro-electric current is anticipated. Providing the board’s plant can handle the situation for a week or two more, there will be no crisis, as in the course of a fortnight the Waikaremoana installation should be in full working order, and ready to deliver a regular supply of current under the contract with the Poverty Bay board.

4.1 an altitude of 270 ft. on the approach to Mount Duppa in the Whangamoa (Nelson) district there is nearing completion at the present time a log cabin 12ft. by 10ft., which, when finished by the State Forest Service staff, will make a useful camping ground for botanists, scientists and climbers who tackle the ranges between Mount JDuppa and the new West Coast road via Tophouse. The cabin is being made of New Zealand cedar (Libocearus Bidwillii), cut and shap- > ed on the hillside adjacent to the site of the hut. The timber is little known, but has a fine straight grain and is easily ivorked. The trail beyond the hut ha 3 been blazed for some distance and good climbers can with little difficulty ascend Mount Duppa (3700 ft). The continuation of the track will be a work occupying some years in completion, hut even as far as it has gone it affords a magnificent view' of the surrounding terrain in all directions. , '