TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 20833, 23 July 1929, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Following his public expressions of alarm at the lawlessness prevalent in the United States, President Hoover has appointed a National Law Enforcement Commission, with Mr G. W. Wickershara, one of the most distinguished lawyers in America, as chairman. It is to make a sweeping inquiry into the state of the American law and the machinery of its administration, with particular reference to the admittedly shameful and growing inability of that machinery to enforce the law. The commission is not. to assume that, prohibition is the root of all the present evils, for President Hoover has said clearly enough that he does not believe it is, but. it will not be asked to avoid consideration of the problem which is born of the enactment of drastic sumptuary legislation. The task of the commission is an immense one, and it will be many months before it is ended, and the report, whatever its nature, will be fiercely criticized. Remarking that the commission forms “a group of exceptional ability,” the Washington correspondent of 1 The Times said” that it would maintain a high level of impartiality, but extremists on either side of the' Eighteenth Amendment dispute do not want impartiality; they want their theories supported. Tragedy may accordingly impend—tragedy in the sense in which Huxley said that Spencer conceived tragedy: the spectacle of a theory killed by a fact.

There will be surprise, and in many parts of the Dominion indignation, at the Government’s proposal to. make the Saturday halfholiday compulsory (declares the New Zealand Herald). The idea was sprung on the Prime Minister by a deputation in Napier last May, and perhaps without realizing the implications of his undertaking, . Sir Joseph Ward promised to introduce legislation to test the feeling of Parliament, though he remarked that it seemed impossible to select any day that would be suitable for all interests. The promise was made but the Government has now realized the dangers of adopting as its own policy a project that will certainly be strongly opposed. It has, therefore, decided to test the opinion of Parliament by submitting a motion, so that whatever the decision, all the responsibility will be transferred to the House of Representatives. The Government cannot, however, avoid all the consequences of its precipitancy. The advocates of a universal half-holiday will not hesitate to reproach it with timidity, and if it considers they arc so few that they may be offended with impunity, it cannot so easily ignore the resentment of the large number who will be provoked by its raising of the question at all. The weekly half-holiday is entirely a domestic matter, to be fixed by each town or district to suit its own interests. That principle has been established in the law for many years, and no new circumstances has arisen to justify interference with it, nor is there any evidence that, national interests are so prejudiced that local rights should be sacrificed to a sectional demand.

The Dominion meteorologist last night issued the following information: —An anti-cyclone is moving over the northern Tasman Sea and New Zealand. A deep depression is located in the south-western Tasman Sea so that a nor-westerly type of weather is indicated. Winds light to moderate, south-westerly to westerly, later veering to northerly and increasing. Seas in New Zealand waters generally smooth to moderate, but rising on the west coast south of Cape Egmont. Moderate but freshening west to north-west winds with moderate but rising seas in the eastern Tasman. Weather mainly fair, but cloudy, increasing soon in western districts with rain developing later. Cool to-night, but temperatures becoming milder, especially in eastern districts.

The Lange Electrical Appliance Manufacturing Company of New Zealand has now gone to allotment. Over 10,009 shares have been applied for.

On the 17th inst., in the Supreme Court, in Chambers, at Wellington, on the application of the solicitor to the Public Trust Office, his Honour Mr Justice MacGregor granted probate of the will of Walter Henry Cunningham, of Invercargill, accountant, to the Public Trustee.

The Christchurch Presbytery yesterday carried a resolution which declared inter alia "That in view of the admission that the penalties imposed upon the two Auckland divinity students, Richards and Miller, rest upon an unduly harsh interpretation of the Act, the Governor-General be respectfully approached with a view to the exercise of his prerogative in reviewing the sentences.”—Press Association message.

The remarkable growth of the City of Auckland in recent years was referred to by Mr J. 8. Tyler at the annual dinner of the Auckland Master Builders’ Association. Mr Tyler said since 1924 permits had been issued for the erection of buildings to a total value of about £7,000,000. It was a tribute to the contractors that the cost of inspection had amounted to an exceptionally small percentage of the amount.

The secretary of the Winding Creek Gold Mining Co., Ltd., reports that the company had a wash-up last week, the return being 31oz lldwt for 11 working days. Owing to a very heavy fall of snow some days were lost. The main drive has now been put in .a distance of 70 yards, and prospecting drives have been carried at various points in a northerly direction. Both the main drive and the prospecting drives show good prospects. The directors will shortly put a drive in a southerly direction from the main drive to prove the southeastern corner of the claim.

The proposed road-tunnel through the Port Hills, between Christchurch and Lyt.telton, is considered by the director of town planning, Mr J. W. Mawson, to be on all fours with the harbour bridge at Auckland “It is eminently a town planning matter,” he said last week. "Transport is a vital matter in New Zealand, and its cheapening and development are subject of consideration by regional planning committees. I do not. suppose there are any engineering difficulties at all; I expect the problem is purely economic—whether the road would justify the expenditure.”

The latest incidence of the vagaries of the season in the Cambridge district (says the Auckland Star) is a second crop of apples growing on trees at the orchard of Mrs Appleby, Fencourt district. The Star’s correspondent saw two specimens picked from the trees, both being of different varieties, and good-sized fruit, reaching the matured stage. The trees from which they were picked had a good first crop early in the summer, and without resting the trees continued to produce a second crop. More remarkable still is the fact that the same trees were again in blossom just before recent frosts for the third time.

The true spelling of “Otago” is about to have its due in the .name of the Otago Harbour Board’s new dredge Otakou, now undergoing trials at Paisley. The harbour and province were named after the principal Maori village on the shores of the harbour, but at that time the settlers knew little or nothing of Maori phonetics, as systematized by certain missionary scholars in the North. Consequently “Otago” was the best they could make of the name, and so it has remained, though the spelling of most other Maori place-names throughout New Zealand has been reformed these many years.

Four university students on vacation arc members of the crew of the Canadian national steamer, Canadian Conqueror, which arrived at Auckland from Montreal rcccntlv. Three of the boys—A. F. Mackenzie, J. F. Minnes, and J. Michaels —are from McGill University, Montreal, and the fourth is E. K. Morton, a son of the managing director of the Montreal Herald. The lastnamed studies at the University of Halifax. Nova Scotia. They are all about 19 years of age. Three are employed as deck boys and one is a mess boy. The}’ are very keen on the seafaring life, more especially because they hope that the voyage will harden them up for the next term’s sports.

Devonport, Auckland, was not the first locality to be so named in New Zealand. An area in the borough of New Plymouth, between King and Dawson streets, beafi that designation on old maps, and is said to have been the earliest land leased in the’ colony. The sections offered for lease were small, just large enough for a small house and tiny back yard. Early settlers took up the holdings, and it was not long before numerous little homes sprang up. These were for the most part built with punga trees and other bush timber that in those days grew in profusion in the locality. lor roofs a thatch was made from raupo that could easily be procured close by.

A scheme for avoiding Police Court procedure in the case of trivial motoring offences was rejected by the council of the Auckland Automobile Association on Wednesday evening. The proposal had been forwarded for comment by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the suggestion involved in it being that traffic inspectors and police officers might be empowered to issue penalty tickets on the spot to drivers who elected to plead guilty. This would permit the voluntary paying of fines at an appointed office. The council of the Automobile Association decided that no action was warranted, in view of the fact that members could avoid waste of time by taking advantage of the free legal representation provided by the association.

While boring for water at the Waiptiku dairy factory near Stratford, recently, a considerable volume was tapped at a depth of 787 feet, and as it was thought that some gas would probably be coming up also a light was applied to the end of the pipe. Flames immediately shot up, almost to the top of the derrick, to which height water was also flowing. A cross-pipe was later put on, and a large quantity of water was ejected. The flames continued and as time went on the supply of water greatly diminished and the gas seemed to increase. It is thought that the gas has. been caused by decayed vegetation, of which a considerable quantity was encountered as the bore was being put down. The water which has come up is of a dirty, muddy colour and contains no traces of oil.

The Gaming Amendment Bill, notice of the introduction of which has been given by Sir George Hunter in the House of Representatives, will this year contain only two clauses —proposals for the restoration of the right to telegraph totalisator investments to the secretary of a racing club, and for the removal of the ban on the publication of dividends. Like its predecessors, _ the Bill is purely permissive in its operations, and it is being reintroduced by the member for Waipawa at the request of the Sports Protection League and the racing authorities. There is a keen anticipation in the lobbies this session that the Bill (which now does not contain the double totalisator proposal) will reach the Statute Book. If is claimed that if election pledges on the subject, count for anything there is a substantial majority of members in the House in favour of th* Bill,

John Hamilton was fined £2 for obtaining credit by fraud. He secured a pair of shoes valued at 45/- by falsely representing that a regular customer of the firm had sent him to Bates’ boot shop for the goods. •—Greymouth Press Association message.

Edward Michael Twohill was fined £lO yesterday on a charge of dangerously driving a motor van which collided with a taxi. Evidence was given that Twohill was under the influence of liquor.—Greymouth Press Association message.

The following is a list of the prizes gained by the pupils of McNab School in the British and Colonial Industries writing competition: Mildred Walsh, first prize in the 6th division; Mildred Walsh, sixth prize in the 5-.6 division; Doris Byron, special prize in the 3-4 division; Jeannie Mair, first prize in the 4th division.

The friends and sympathizers of the old folks at Lome Infirmary are anxious to acquire a gramophone in order to brighten their lives and vary the monotony of the days. At the Civic Pictures on Monday the 29th a benefit will be given for this object, half of the profits of all tickets sold outside being donated to the fund. A good concert programme, in addition to the pictures, has been arranged. Tickets may be obtained at the Bristol, Begg’s and Dickey’s, Mackay and Aitchison’s and Mrs Gawn’s, and it is hoped the public will give a generous response to this laudable object.

A decision made by the Taranaki Education Board recently shows that the dual type of desk in the primary schools is becoming unpopular. The board expressed the opinion that the manufacture of this type of desk should be discontinued and single flat tables and chairs should be installed as opportunity offers. Dr W. M. Thomson said that every senior teacher he had been able to consult had enthusiastically supported the use of chairs and tables. It was decided to instruct the boards’ architect to submit a model table as a standard for adoption by the board.

It is not usual for amateur gardeners to bo able to pick ripe tomatoes in July from plants grown outdoors, yet such was the experience of one Wanganui family last week-end. The proud housewife displayed for Sunday high tea a salad of the new season’s lettuce and spring onions, garnished with slices of the last tomato off the old plant that had been bearing since late in February. As all these, together with the eggs for the salad dressing, were products of the small establishment, there was certainly reason for congratulation on the part of the housewife concerned.

Cremation of the dead in an electrical furnace is being considered in connection with proposals to build a municipal crematorium at Christchurch. The city engineer reported to the council recently that he had already obtained information regarding the crematoria at Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and also of those at Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. He had communicated with the Japanese Consul regarding the disposal of the dead by electrical cremation. This method was very little used in Europe on account of the cost, but in Japan, where cremation by electricity was national, the cost was very low, and he was told it was only about 19/-. He had received a letter from the Japanese Consul-General in Sydney stating that the information was being forwarded to him.

Try Miss Noble’s, “The Baby Shop,” Dee Street, for ladies’ and children’s dressmaking. You will be pleased with the work and the prices are right.—Advt.

At Wicks' Hose and Vest Shop you can get better quality for less money. Try us next time you are buying.—Advt.

"Steadily increasing sales are the surest proof of the popularity of DEWAR’S whisky.”—(Advt.)

Beautiful —beautiful, simply beautiful are words used by those who have seen Baxter’s newly-dressed window. The words are very appropriate. The window among things contains samples of Baxter’s choice new rich dried fruits. S.P.Q.R. —Advt. Yes, it’s true that eggs are down, More bacon will now be eaten, Ask your grocer for the Hitchon brand, Sure Hitchon’s can’t be beaten. —Advt. One good “kick” deserves another. If you want your friend to get a "kick” — instead of a knock —out of motoring tell him to use Big Tree Motor Spirit.— (Advt.) Join HYNDMAN’S BOOK CLUB .. .. .. Newest Books Available Good Service .. Hyndman’s, Booksellers, Dee Street .. Book Club Upstairs — (Advt.) FLUENE, FLUENE,. FLUENE FOR INFLUENZA. The “flu” is with us. You know the symptoms. Headache, pain behind the eyes, aching bones, sore throat, feverishness with slight cold. When you feel like that be well advised —go to bed and take Fluene; three doses of which will relieve the pains and reduce the temperature. Obtainable only at Stewart’s Pharmacy, Dee street. Price 3/per bottle. —Advt. What great “sellers” the “William” books are! Here is the complete series to date: Just William, More William, William Again, William the Foffrth, William the Conqueror, William in Trouble, William the Outlaw and William the Good. 3/6 each 3/10 posted from the N.Z. Book Depot, Esk Street, Invercargill.—Advt. PECTOL knows its work and gets on with it from the first dose taken. Made with the best cough and cold curing ingredients known to science, in the correct proportions. IT CURES IN HALF THE. TIME of any mixtures made for the purpose. Test it for yourself. A 2oz sample given to anyone supplying their own bottle. Large bottle 2/6 from BROWN, The Chemist, BROWN’S PHARMACY, 125 Dee street. —Advt.

Smart Varsity suits for boys. Some of these suits have fawn and grey tops, pants of navy, others all one colour either grey or dark grey, strongly made. Usually 22/6 and 25/-. Our price 10/- a suit to fit boys of 2 to 7 years. Thomson and Brattie.—Advt.

“Nothing’s so hard but search will find it out.” —Herrick.

Many people have given up hope of ever finding a really effective cough remedy when, with a little further search, they would have discovered “Baxter’s.” Baxter’s Lung Preserver is a rich,- red, warming compound which quickly soothes and relieves the worst cough or cold. It is very effective also in cases of influenza. Possesses unique tonic properties.

Keep “Baxters” always in the home! Get a bottle from your chemist or storekeeper to-day 1 Generous-sized: bottle, 2/6; large, economical size, 4/6; bachelor's size, 1/6. i