In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 8

In Town And Out

Summer Time A Gazette notice issued last evening announces that summer time will begin at 2 a.m., New Zealand standard time, on September 26 and will end at 2 a.m. on April 24, 1938.—Press Association. Film Knowledge

None of the four counsel who appeared for their clients in a Supreme Court action in Auckland could enlighten a witness upon the names of cinema actors and actresses in a certain film he said he saw in Christchurch some time ago, nor could Mr Justice Callan assist them. The witness said he remembered the name of the picture, but that was all. The Judge explained away the lack of knowledge exhibited by counsel on the subject of films by saying, “Perhaps it is that we are too old, gentlemen, to keep abreast of these things.” Aerials in State Houses

Lecturing to the technological section of the Wellington Philosophical Society, Mr A. Tyndall, Director of Housing Construction, said that successful experiments had been made in installing radio aerials between the ceilings and the tile roofs of State houses. The houses would not be disfigured by poles and wires outside. The living rooms of each would contain on one wall a neat plate with aerial and ground connections. This was in line with the department’s policy to keep poles off the streets in its groups of houses by running the power wires down the backs of the sections wherever possible.

“Sprint” Drinkers New Zealanders have the reputation of being “sprint” drinkers, according to Major D. F. Leckie, who last evening gave an address on his experiences as a member of the New Zealand Coronation contingent to London at the annual reunion of the Southland Boys’ High School Old Boys’ Association. “People in England and Scotland do their drinking in a much more pleasant and agreeable fashion than we dp in New Zealand,” he said. “Here, because of the licensing laws perhaps, it seems to be a case of ‘go while the luck’s in.’ In Great Britain, however, drinking is done more leisurely and with more regard for social enjoyment. And at social functions large quantities of liquor are consumed, but no one ever seems to get intoxicated.” Centennial Road Race

The possibility of holding a longdistance road race with the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in 1940 was discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Cycling. Union, states The Press, Christchurch. The secretary (Mr P. C. Lucas) reported that the Centennial Exhibition Sports Committee considered the race would be of great interest, and favoured the suggestion. Several members expressed file opinion that the race should be run between Auckland and Bluff, but after a discussion it was decided that the best track would be from Auckland to Wellington. Suggestions concerning the race will be sent to the Centennial Exhibition Sports- Committee . for consideration. Forerunner of Neon Lighting

Though neon signs are considered a modern development, the history of tube lighting dates back as far as 1709, according to Mr M. H. Crompton, sales manager of the Christchurch Municipal Electricity Department, who gave an address on lighting to the Canterbury Advertising Club. He said that experiments had then shown that a pale bluish glow was produced when a charge of frictional electricity was introduced into a glass tube containing mercury. Similar experiments were carried out in 1740; but it was not till the early nineteenth century, when Faraday began his work, that the field began to be developed. Tube lighting was used in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1897.