TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21872, 25 November 1932, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Raising Sunken Ships. Since the war many remarkable feats of engineering have been performed in raising sunken vessels. German engineers have added another to the several recent triumphs in dealing with sunken ships. Not long ago the training ship Niobe capsized in the Baltic. After some days divers located the wreck. Steel cables were placed under it and connected with the salvage ship Kiev. The Kiev, being provided with powerful cranes, was able to raise the wreck from the bottom and, towed by a tug, took the invisible burden under water in three days to Kiel Fiord. There she deposited it in seven fathoms of water. Next two lift-lighters, the Will and the Power, took over the work. Cables were passed under the Niobe between the lighters, which consist almost entirely of cranes and water tanks. These tanks were filled until the gunwales were level with the water, the cables being wound in as the lighters sank; then the tanks were pumped dry, the lighters rose nearly 10ft., carrying the wreck with them, and were towed shorewards. When the deck showed above water, pumps were led into hatches and portholes, so that the ship might be pumped dry and raised. Hie Function of Fiction. “All the poetry that I now want,” writes Mr E. V. Lucas in his new book “Reading, Writing and Remembering,” “could be compressed into three volumes, one to consist of Shakespeare, one the first “Golden Treasury,” and the third a miscellany containing much Matthew Arnold, Fitz Gerald’s “Omar,” most of A. E. Housman, some Browning and a little of Hodgson, of De La Mare, of Edna St. Vicent Millay, and of Alice Meynell... I want books to be cheerful and amusing. Authors may be as satirical and ironical as they please, but directly they become pathological I drop them. This is not because I am afraid of facts as facts, but because, in my opinion, the novel is not the place to expose them. Moreover, the halftruth is a nuisance, and not even the sternest realist would be allowed to tell all. The result is a carefully selected parade of detail; a compromise between science and fiction, which, to me, who hates compromise, is nauseating. Should a novelist of genius arise and in a passion of sincerity tear away every veil, I might do homage; but he has not been seen yet.” Education and Economy. Lecturing at Rugby, Sir Michael Sadler said that if one read books written in the waning light of the declining Roman Empire, things that slowly happened then put us in mind of our own anxieties. And now there were signs and portents which suggested that, in the unfolding fortunes of civilization, we had come near to the end of an epoch and were beholding the painful birth of a new age. At the core of the problem of creative thrift in public expenditure would be found the question what were the true aims and sanctions of education in the modern State? It was clear that on this ground would be fought one of the longest battles of economy. Backwards w r e would not go. Much had been done towards overtaking arrears. But we must be vigilant in watching for the signs which would point the way to eradicating the dangerous tendencies of the present system of State-aided education and would guard against ossification and too exclusive a reliance on the present kind of examination tests as guaranteeing real competence in grappling with the new needs and new opportunities of English life. Education should elicit and enhance individual energy and power; and should not impress a Byzantine rigour on a country which flowered best when in spirit, outlook and opportunity, it was free. Lack of the right kind of education among the masses of the people was injurious to the interests of all classes.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: An extensive westerly depression covers New Zealand and the South Tasman Sea. A fairly intense anticyclone is centred near Adelaide. Strong westerly winds backing gradually to south-west. Seas in New Zealand waters rough on the west coast and about Cook and Foveaux Straits, elsewhere moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea west to south-west winds, strong in the southern portion with rough seas. Moderate in the northern portion with moderate seas. Weather squally and changeable. Some rain in districts with a westerly aspect. Some heavy falls in Westland. Mainly fine in eastern districts but showers extending from the south later. Temperatures falling gradually to-morrow.

The Auckland City Council last night decided to again refuse the use of the Town Hall for Sunday faith healing meetings held by A. H. Baltimore.— Press Association message.

At a meeting of the Mayor’s Relief Committee yesterday afternoon it was decided that the Mayor again issue an appeal on behalf of the relief workers of Invercargill for Christmas cheer along the lines the appeal made last Christmas. Further details will be announced later.

In connection with the theft of chocolates and ice cream from the shop of F. W. Newson at Miramar, William Walter Hassett, aged 19, who pleaded guilty, was committed for sentence, and Lewis Edward Rohloff, aged 19, and Thomas Henry Hale, aged 20, who pleaded not guilty, were committed for trial.—Wellington Press Association message.

A Whangarei Association message states that the Hikurangi Coal Company, whose mine was partially flooded a few days ago, is now called upon to extinguish a fire which resulted from spontaneous combustion during the dog watch on Tuesday night. The portion of the mine affected has been sealed up, and it was expected to resume hewing yesterday.

The schedule for the National Flower Show which is to be held in Wellington on January 26 and 27, 1933, has now been issued. This promises to be the greatest horticultural show ever held in New Zealand not excepting the wonderful National Show held at Christchurch in January, 1932, which was visited by 12,000 people. The secretary reports that already numerous trade displays, begonias, carnations, dahlias, gladioli, rock plants, cut flowers, native plants, sweet peas, roses and fruit are amongst the entries, which include many competitive displays.

A large number of St. Dunstaners take an active part in the sports in which men without sight can engage—sports in many cases which before the war would have been deemed impossible for such men (states the seven-’ teenth annual report of St. Dunstaners). Rowing, swimming, road and track-racing—not only are these pursuits followed with real and intense enjoyment, but in many cases the prowess achieved is nothing less than remarkable. This year, too, St. Dunstaners had a chance to show what they can do on the ice, and four blinded skaters took part in a brilliant carnival at the Ice Club, Westminster, and had the honour of being presented to the Princess Royal, who complimented them upon their performance. St. Dunstan’s has always believed that, in addition to the bodily fitness which participation in these sports brings, their value is equally great in maintaining that spirit of brave sportsmanship, without which no amount of guidance would have been successful in enabling the blinded men to make for themselves useful and contented lives. The training for each form of sport is very carefully super-vised at St. Dunstan’s, which employs an exwarrant officer of the Guards as physical instructor.

A mistake in H. & J. Smith’s space in yesterday’s issue advertised Grass Mats at a lower price than the firm could supply. A reward has been posted to Miss Betridge, 198 Tweed, Street, who was the first to point out the error.—Advt.

Queen Anne Chocolates. Something good. A delicious flavour. Twentyfour varieties at Ayson’s two shops, 5 and 72 Dee street. (Advt.)

Children’s washing frocks in good styles 16 to 36 inch 1/11 to 11/6. Cretonne hats 2/11, 3/3 and 5/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street.— Advt.

Big purchase of newest Suits for the present season. Navy Blue Worsted, the new brown shades and other new patterns. Selling at big reductions at Carter’s Suit Sale in Tay Street. See advt. on front page.—Advt.

A delightful and unusual gift book—- “ Letters to Teg” written and illustrated by Patrick Adam (6/-), Jackson Gregory’s new novel “Riders Across the Border” (6/-). Fairlie’s new detective story “Mr Malcolm Presents” (6/-). New supplies are now here of Eric Linklater’s “Juan in America” which J. B. Priestley describes as “a magnificent Frolic” (6/-). A new' complete “Cole’s Fun Doctor” is here at 5/-. — Hyndman’s, Booksellers, Dee Street.— Advt.

Have you tried “TENAX” soap yet. “TENAX” is a Germicidal Soap containing titrol, the oil of an Australian ti-tree which has disinfectant properties 13 times as strong as carbolic acid, but non-poisonous and non-irritant. The soap is already popular with the medical profession, owing to the thoroughness and absolute safety of its action. Thomson & Beattie Ltd. have large supplies of “TENAX,” offered at 1/6 per cake. Ask about it at the Fancy Department.—Advt.

Bestway All Day Dresses; Semi Evening Fashions for Outsizes; Caps, Hats and Scarves; Bestway Crossstitch Embroidery; Lace Pattern Frocks for Little Girls; Easy-to-make Toys; Weldon’s Berets and Scarves; Lady’s Companion Knitted Wear; Weldon’s Sports Wear for Men; Men’s Knitted Sports Wear; Woolly Wear for Toddlers; Sports Wear for Ladies—these are some of the latest Knitting and Crochet Books obtainable from the N.Z. BOOK DEPOT LTD., Esk Street. Price 9d each, lOd posted.—Advt. BARGAINS IN CAMERAS. We have a few cameras which are slightly shop-soiled, but which are in perfect working order, and we are offering these at greatly reduced prices to clear. A glance at our window will convince you of the splendid values we are offering. This is a great opportunity to secure a NEW CAMERA at a BARGAIN PRICE. STEWART’S PHARMACY, Dee street, Invercargill.—Advt. Wholesale Prices smashed to pieces. This is a fact because wd are giving up Stocking of Ladies’ Pure Silk Hosiery. We are sacrificing same at less than tc-da-’r wholesale prices. Lady Jane Pure Silk finest quality sold everywhere -t 9/11 pair. Our Price to clear 6/6 pair. All the best S’ ides in Stock so get your requirements now —it means big savings. THE MUTUAL FUR COY., Tay Street.—Advt. CAMERA BARGAINS! z Big reduction in cameras at Brown’s Pharmacy. One Kodak £4 7/6 now £3 7/6; No. 2 Hawk Eye Double lens £2 12/6, now £2; No. 1 Voigtlander 6.3 lense £4 19/6, now £3 15/6. Lots of other bargains at GEO. H. BROWN, CHEMIST, Brown’s Pharmacy, 125 Dee Street. —Advt. IT MUST BE GOOD! Ask any mother the best treatment for cold. The answer will be “Baxter’s.” For over 70 years Baxter’s Lung Preserver has been of sterling service to the mothers of New Zealand whose configdence can best be measured by the tremendous Dominion-wide demand for Baxter’s Lung Preserver all the year round. and 4/6. —Advt. At all chemists and stores, 1/6, 2/6