NEWS OF THE DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19918, 21 April 1939, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Highway Reconstruction The reconstruction of the main highway between Taihape and' Mataroa is to be put in hand in the near future.

Earthquake at Opotiki A short earthquake was felt at Opotiki at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The shake was followed by loud howling from dogs in all directions for some minutes.

Boy's Fall From a Tree Playing in a tree, at his home at Makaraka on Wednesday Peter Walsh, a boy of school age, suffered a fall in which he broke his wrist. He was admitted to the Cook Hospital for treatment.

Insurance For Board Members The Cook Hospital Board yesterday afternoon decided, on the motion of the chairman, Mr. M. T. Tnaflord, lu insure against injury or death all memlbers of the (board when engaged on board business. The decision was unanimous. Birthday of a Princess The thirteenth birthday of the most important child in the British Empire, Princess Elizabeth of York, will be celebrated to-day. The Princess is the elder daughter of King George VI, is in line of succession to the throne and will succeed her father, provided His Majesty does not have a son. She was born on April 21, 1926.

Nine Calls During the Year "The total number of calls received during the 12 months were nine, compared with 10 for the previous year," stated the superintendent, Mr. W. Bainbridge, in the report he presenter! at the annual meeting of the Wairoa Fire Board yesterday. The calls were:—Drapery shop, one: motor car. one: dwellings, one; tobacconist's shop, cne; storeroom, one; washhouse, one: rubbish fire, one: grass fire, two:—■ Special.

Break in Banking Business An unusual break in banking business occurs in New Zealand next week. St. George's Day falls on Sunday next, but as the legislation requires that the holiday shall be observed on the following Monday banks will, not be open on that day. Tuesday being Anzac Day all business is suspended throughout the country, so that there is a break in banking from Saturday morning unti; the following Wednesday. In recent years it has been fell that the Saints days should not be observed as holidays by the banks, being of no consequence to the general public, but a practice dating over many years is still observed by these institutions under their legislation.

Cook Maternity Home Supporting the comments of the chairman, IMr. M. T. Trafiord, on the kick of patronage of the Cook Maternity Home, Mr. D. W. Coleman. M.P., at the meeting of the Cook Hospital Board yesterday afternoon. expressed the opinion that the home should be more generally used. The home was excellently appointed, and should ibe giving greater service tc the district. The board should endeavour to find out why more use was not made of the facilities there. Dr. J. C. Collins .supported Mr. Coleman's remarks, and warned the board tha'i if the maternity home was not more used, it would deteriorate in point of service. The board musf have its trainees in work, and must try to find means of improving the standing of the home with the public. Hospital Salaries and Wages

During consideration of the estimates for 1939-40, the Cook Hospital Board yesterday learned from the managing-secretary, Mr. C. A. Harries, that salaries and wages now represented about 50 per cent of the total expenditure each year. The outlay for the past year in salaries and wages was £91,000, Mr. Harries stated. In the domestic portion of the hospital Lnstitu'tions, wages had increased threefold in 10 years, the introduction of the domestic workers' award having meant an addition of £4OOO per annum to the board's general expenditure. In reply to questions, Mr. Harries said 'that the 40-hour week, and higher individual wages under awards, were mainly responsible for the increase in costs under the heading of wages. There was not one .surplus employee in any of the institutions under the board's control. Mr, Harries added.

Hospital Board Expenditure •i should like to remove a misapprehension that appears to be in circulation, 'ln the efl'ecl iha'L the Waikolm County Council is opposed to expenditure for necessary equipment or staffing," said Mr. 11. .1. F. Toiwbleson ;at Die meeting bt the Cook Hospital Board yesterday afternoon. "The council has feM that while it is obliged 'to rate for the board's .requirements, it has no direct voice in the regulation of expenditure Iby the board, and that it owes it to the Waikohu ratepayers to impress on Ithis board that no unnecessary expenditure should be undertaken. The Waikolm council is certainly not opposed 4o such outlay as may 'be essential to the maintenance of a high standard of efficiency in the hospital." Mr. Totmibleson mentioned also that the hospital levies accounted for onequarter of 'the rates struck this year in the Waikohu County.