In the News

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 4

In the News

Orderly Celebrations The police had little difficulty, in keeping order in the city last night. Although the celebrations were often extremely noisy, those who took part [ were generally well-behaved. This has , been so throughout the Victory celebrations. i Serious Offence ■ “I have noticed many houses flying ' the White Ensign during the last week,” said a Lyttelton naval officer - at Christchurch. “Evidently many citizens do ; not realize that the flying of this flag, on anything other than his Majesty’s ships or training establishments, is considered a serious offence.” He added ■ that there were no restrictions on the 1 flying of the Red Ensign or Union Jack. ! Mount Ruapehu Renewed activity in the crater of Mount Ruapehu was reported on Wednesday to have reached an intensity equal to the most violent outbursts of. the eruption in March, and the rockcovered island has reappeared above the steaming lake surface in the same position as previously. Steam and fine ash are pouring from the crater in a continuous belching column, while loud rumbling can be heard at The Chateau. Road Deaths Six road deaths were reported during April, according to figures released by the Transport Department. Three of these were pedestrians, two being small children. Two of the pedestrian accidents happened in Auckland and one in Feilding. The other three involved a motor-cyclist whose machine left the road near Dunedin, an occupant of a lorry who tried to stop a runaway trailer near Nelson, and a cyclist in the Manawatu district. There were 11 deaths on the road during April 1944, 14 in April 1943, and 20 in April 1942. Rabbit Nuisance The danger of rabbits burrowing in stop-banks of river protection works was mentioned by the chairman (Mr C. T. Aschman) in a report at a meeting of the Waimakariri River Trust. Mr Aschman said that the trapping of rabbits on land controlled by tire trust had been continued during the last year, and although large numbers had been caught, the rabbits seemed to be as numerous as ever. It was hoped that the winter poisoning would have good results. Mr Aschman added that in the opinion of the trust’s engineer (Mr H. W. Harris), a bad break in the cross bank in the Waimakiriri several years ago had been caused by a deep burrow which allowed flood waters to soften the interior of the embankment, seep through to the opposite side, and make a collapse possible. Rats at Zoo Criticism concerning the large number of rats at the Auckland Zoo is often expressed (says The Auckland Star). A current story relates how a small boy was taken to the zoo, and on being shown a pit containing a lion and several healthy rats asked his mother which was tire leopard. It is stated that though poison is regularly laid in the park—as many as 5000 baits are laid in one day—the rocky foundations of the area and the fact that foodstuffs must be left lying in the cages and pits make a certain rat population inevitable. However, the control measures taken are regarded as satisfactory, and the effectiveness of the poison is stated to be shown by the diminution in the number of rats immediately after the baits have been laid. Red squills bait, which is poisonous to rats, but does not harm birds and other animals, is again being used at the zoo after being unprocurable for a period. Plea for Three R’s

“As a businessman with a wide experience of selecting staff for commercial offices and industry, I state quite definitely that the average child trained in our primary schools does not spellas surely as he did 40 years ago, he does not display the skill of his father in calculation, nor does he write as well,” said the Mayor of Wellington, Mr W. Appleton, in opening the annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute at Wellington. “Perhaps I shall be regarded as a back number, but I am convinced that with the introduction into the school curriculum at too early a stage of such a wide variety of subjects inadequate knowledge of the fundamentals of the three R’s is being neglected. In my judgment, and I also speak as the father of five children, the department might well. give more attention to reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, and a sound foundation of our mother tongue.”

Revolution in Education The average citizen and his wife could not be blamed if they thought the school of today had altered little from their own time, said Mr J. Barnett in his presidential address to the New Zealand Educational Institute conference. “The old grey, prison-like, shabby exterior has not altered,” he added, “except to take on an even more venerable appearance. I appreciate all that has been done in recent years in regard to new buildings. But the great majority have still the exteriors of 40 and 50 years ago. Can parents be expected to realize that there has been a revolution within those unprepossessing walls? Surely we must tell the public about our changed methods, our changed outlook.” Parents should become more frequent visitors to the school, and teachers given the opportunity of inspecting othex - schools. How many teachers, he asked, for example, had seen kindergartens at work? Colours for Men

Velvet dinner jackets in plum, burgundy, and other colours will be worn by smart young men after the war, according to a London authority in an article written for the April number of The New Zealand Draper. As a reaction against the uniformity of khaki and other service shades, brightexcolour and interesting weaves will be favoured, he says. Double-breasted velvet dinner jackets will be worn over ordinary black dress trousers, with a soft white shirt. Other types of jacket will be black with coloured lapels in silk or velvet. The influence of the battledress is being seen already in lounge suits, which are more comfortable and roomy, though with snugfitting hips. The grace of the army and naval greatcoat will be preserved in overcoats of the Guards’ type, with pleated back and half-belt. Stating that more coloux - will be introduced into men’s day wear, the writer points out that yellow pullovers and ties and sports shirts in other strong colours are already being worn.