TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 21996, 21 April 1933, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Modern Alchemy.

Continuing at the Royal Institution his course of lectures on the “Detection and Production of Swift Particles, Lord Rutherford said that for five years work had been done on charged particles at high speed with the aim of bombarding matter and transmitting it. For that reason it had been justly said that the men who were working with these high-speed particles were the modern alchmists. The general method was to “speed up” charged particles in highly exhausted vacua by means of an accelerating potential. In the United States an entirely novel form of generator, needing no transformer oi rectifier, was in the course of construction, and efforts were being made to reach a potential of 10,000,000 volts. But particles, observed Lord Rutherford, had not only been speeded up; they had to be detected. He demonstrated to the audience four methods by which charged particles could be detected and counted. Their kicks on a string electrometer could be photographed; they could be heard through a loud-speaker as a persistent patter like machine-gun fire on a small scale; they could be detected by flashes of light in a thyratron, one for every particle; and—“a lazy method”—they could be counted by the revolutions of a cyclometer.

The Boy and the School. “What is it that makes a school great?” said Sir Philip Game, Governor of New South Wales, at Trinity Grammar School’s Founders’ Day. “I do not think it is really the winning of scholarships, or even the winning of football and cricket matches. Both are important and have great value, but other - things are more important. The final test is not what Tommy knows or plays, but what Tommy is and what he thinks, or rather perhaps how much Tommy thinks. That leads one on from the past to the future. I always feel very diffident about talking to schoolboys about the future, because I have to confess that I belong to a generation that has made a pretty bad muddle of things, and I am afraid we have left you no easy job to get the world on to a level keel again. I do not know how to do it—that is your job. I can only endorse what Sir Henry Wilson said some time after the war, ‘Your future depends on yourselves.’ How you face the future will be largely decided by what you imbibe at school. Don’t forget that the customs and traditions you imbibe here will remain with you throughout life. You have a difficult job to do, and whether you make a success of it or not will largely depend on how you put in your time at school.”

Responsibilities of the Press. Addressing the Norwich Branch of the English Speaking Union, Lieut.Colonel Norman G. Thwaites said that the Press had become more potent than the pulpit, more potent than the platform and the words of the politician. “The Press is a much maligned estate,” he added. “There is a species of ingratitude towards newspapers, on which the public depend for their information about world events, which is generally to be deplored. The people whose diatribes are most bitter are among those who rush’to the Press and try to get into print whenever they have an axe to grind. Incidentally I would remark that much of the news published by the Press is drawn from the public themselves, and they must bear some of the blame if inaccuracies appear from time to time. The best newspapers take infinite care to get corroboration of the news items they publish, and the writers of leaders, hurried though they often are in composing their work, show careful restraint and an anxiety to refrain from making statements of a provocative kind. I admit that headlines can be, and often are, wilfully misleading for the sake of a sensation. This is to be deplored. President Roosevelt once wrote: ‘The man who writes, the man who month- in and month out, week in and week out, and day by day furnishes the material which is to shape the thought of our people is essentially the man who more than any other determines the character of the people and the kind of government this people shall possess.’ ”

Last evening the Government Meteorologist issued the following weather report and forecast: The recent depression passed away eastwards during Wednesday night, but a secondary depression has since developed and is now moving on to the South Island. Pressure is still high over the greater part of Australia. The forecast is for winds moderate to strong, northwesterly to south-westerly, rising to gale force in places in and south of Cook Strait. Seas in New Zealand waters moderate north of East Cape, elsewhere rough. In the eastern Tasman Sea strong west to south-west winds reaching gale force. In the southern portion seas rough. Weather mainly fair in eastern districts, elsewhere changeable with occasional showers, but some heavy rain likely on the West Coast of the South Island. Cool temperatures.

The first gifts of fat sheep from Canterbury for the Governor-General’s fund were sold at Addington on Wednesday and realized 11/4 each for a line of 20. —Christchurch Press Association message.

Melbourne experienced what is believed to be its record night temperature on April 10. At 11 p.m. the temperature was 82.8 deg., with a hot wind attaining a maximum of 55 m.p.h. The storm culminated early on April 11 in rain over a wide area of the State.

Nearly every aero club in the Dominion is expected to be represented at the New Zealand Aero Club’s South Island pageant, to be staged by the Canterbury Aero Club at Wigram on April 29. Efforts are being made to secure the appearance of machines from the Air Force.

A surplus of £13,000 is shown in the Christchurch City Council accounts for the year ended March 31 against £B3OB the previous year, states a Press Association message. The Works Department expenditure was £3OOO below the estimate.

Following on the discussion at the meeting of the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday upon a lack of support forthcoming for the entomological branch of the Cawthron Institute it was decided yesterday after thoroughly discussing the possibilities of a coordination of Government departments and the Institute, that the president, Mr W. J. Polson, should interview the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and urge the desirability of calling a conference of all parties interested in scientific research with the idea of eliminating waste.

At 5.33 p.m. yesterday the Invercargill Fire Brigade answered a call to a -residence at 72 Yarrow street. Fire had broken out in one of the rooms, presumably the result of a stray spark from scorched paint, but the outbreak was quickly subdued with only small damage to the dwelling.

After 640 acres of bush and grass had been reduced to ashes in the Puhi Valley, Kaikoura, on Wednesday, a sudden change in the wind and rain saved the homestead of Mr J. Mackie from destruction, states a Christchurch Press Association message. The family had already left the house and removed the furniture. In other parts the settlers had felled fire breaks to keep the flames in check and to protect their farms.

Despite the wintry weather conditions there was a good response to the Returned Soldiers’ Association’s grand vaudeville and variety entertainment at the Civic Theatre last evening. Vaudeville and musical entertainment of a high order, presented in the main by local artists, was w’ell received by the audience whose support would swell the Poppy Day funds by no small contribution. All of the performers were in good form and the staging of the programme, in the hands of Mr G. Braxton, left nothing to be desired. Mr R. Henry was the accompanist.

“V/e very seldom see the ‘strap’ in schools nowadays,” said Mr J. E. Thwaites, headmaster of the St. Albans School, at the jubilee at Christchurch. “The I think, is to be found in the fact that in the good old days there were classes about 100 strong. Some of the children in those times no doubt got what they deserved, but I believe some got a good deal more than they deserved. Classes were too large, orders had to be obeyed, and then a little instrument called the ‘strap’ came into use. With smaller classes and a correspondingly greater ability among teachers to get round to each child, the ‘strap’ is disappearing, and will, ultimately, I think, go out of use.”

The establishment of an unpaid blood transfusion service is not favoured by the superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Dr J. W. Craven. The suggestion for the setting up of a voluntary service was recently made to the board by a Wellington association, which stated that it hoped to establish services in other centres. Reporting on the question to the board, the Finance Committee said at present every effort was made to use patients’ relatives. Only when that was found impossible were professional donors called upon. If the public desired to assist by subscription a special fund might be established for the purpose of paying the expenses of paid donors. A large number of men from the city fire brigades reported daily in groups for test purposes, and were available for transfusions when needed. The chairman, Mi- W. Wallace; said about 50 firemen had volunteered their services, and so far 32 had been examined, so there was little likelihood of a shortage of donors being experienced. He felt the brigadesmen should be complimented for offering their services so freely. The report was adopted.

SOMETHING better than ever before, and made by Austin. See the new AUSTIN SEVEN and AUSTIN TEN and AUSTIN LIGHT SIX just arrived at P. H. Vickery Ltd., Invercargill.—Advt.

Just opened up newest goods for Easter. These goods go in at sale prices with the stock we bought at huge discounts. Best quality worsted socks usually 2/11 reduced to 1/9. See Carter’s advertisement front page.—-Advt.

Ladies’ hose. Silk from 1/11 to 10/6. Silk and Wool 3/11 to 5/6, Cashmere 2/6 to 4/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street. —Advt.

Silk and Wool Hose 2/6. V/e sell the Famous Selwyn Silk and Wool at 3/11, and Flexcello make at 4/11. You cannot do better than shop at Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street. (Advt.)

Nothing adds more to the beauty of a room than attractive lighting. At Thomson & Beattie’s Fancy Department is a large selection of wire frames for lampshades, in a number of specially selected designs—designs . which are easily covered, yet lend a distinctive air to the room. Call and see them, priced from 1/3 each. (Advt.)

Butter Almonds, Brazils and Bonbons, only 1/6 per lb. See other bargains in the windows of Ayson’s two shops, 5 and 72 Dec Street. —Advt. JUST TO HAND. GOLD PROSPECTOR'S BOOK by C. Barclay Smith. SOME OF THE CHAPTERS: Equipment Required. How to use a Prospecting Dish. The use of the Cradle. Ground Sluicing. Indications of Reefs. How to Identify Gold. Etc., etc. Price: 2/9 posted. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, 49-51 ESK STREET, INVERCARGILL. (Advt.) STUNNING! That is the word that describes the MURIEL ASTOR BEAUTY PREPARATIONS, the complete series of which are to be seen at STEWART’S PHARMACY. If you are interested in seeing the most reasonably priced and attractive Home Beauty Treatment on the market just look in at Stewart’s and see “MURIEL ASTOR.” Ask for the Muriel Astor free booklet “The Women Of To-day.” STEWART’S PHARMACY, Dee street. (Advt.) These cold nights a hot water bag is a necessity. To get satisfaction, of course, you must have a quality bag, and the “Shamrock” Hot-watei’ Bag fills the bill. It is hand-made of finest quality rubber and fabric reinforced. Size 8 x 12. Guaranteed for one year. Price 3/11. Posted 4/3. Hyndman’s, Dee street. (Advt.) BEWARE OF SORE THROATS. As usual, the coming of ■winter has been marked by a large number of sore throats and throat coughs. A sore throat is generally the forerunner of a serious cold or possibly influenza. But Baxter’s Lung Preserver will soothe that sore throat away in quick time.

It is wonderful how “Baxter’s” wards off trouble and in addition increases resistance b> its valuable tonic properties. Three sie?,s at all chemists and stores, 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6. —Advt.

EYESTRAIN AND HEALTH—The most dangerous, most troublesome and most elusive eye trouble is astigmatism, caused through curves of the eye being abnormal. This does not always impair the vision. That is why thousands of people suffer from this complaint without knowing it. The abnormal strain astigmatism exerts on the system wastes vital nerve force. Astigmatism is the commonest cause of frontal headaches, unnatural tiredness, irritability and depression. It sometimes affects the eyes themselves, causing them to smart, burn or ache, especially after reading. So we invite you to come and have your eyes tested in our consulting room by GEO. H. BROWN, M.P.S., I.O.N.Z.—now. It is W’ell worth a call—more—it is a duty you owe to yourself. Our facilities for testing are of the latest. GEO. H. BROWN, Chemist-Optician, Brown’s Pharmacy, 125 Dee street. . (Over tw’enty-one year’s optical service.) (Advt.)

When the motor liner Rangitata, which arrived at Wellington last Wednesday from London, was on her way to New Zealand, she received a call to render assistance to an injured Pitcairn Islander. The ship’s surgeon, Dr. F. E. Graham-Bissell, and the fourth officer went ashore, and attention was given to a man who had sustained concussion in an accident. The man was recovering when the doctor arrived. Dr. Graham-Bissell states that there is no medical man resident on Pitcairn Island, and if there were he did not know how he would make a living, as the inhabitants are so healthy.

The kauri gum which forms the main part of the collection of gum,' native birds, and curios recently purchased from Mr F. O. Peat, of Titirangi, by the Dominion Museum, Wellington, is generally recognised by experts to be the finest collection of kauri gum in the world. It will not leave its present home in the Treasure House at Titirangi, however, for another three years, until the new Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery are completed. The collection includes 1600 very choice specimens of kauri gum, which owing to the altered conditions, will never again be procurable. Another section of great interest consists of 90 skins of native birds ready for mounting.

A honey bear is the mascot of the Norwegian motor tanker Osthav, which arrived at Auckland from Singapore on Saturday. The animal, which is about the size of a fox terrier, is a native of the Straits Settlements and was purchased at Singapore. It is a pretty little animal with a thick coat of black fur and it has very sharp claws about two inches in length, to enable it to climb trees of honey. It is housed in a kennel inside a large wooden cage and is fed •on milk and anything containing sugar. Captain S. Hansen, the master ,of the vessel, is accompanied by his wife and three-year-old girl. The child and bear are great friends and play together inside the cage. The bear, however, is very destructive and for that reason it is not allowed at large.