NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 62, 19 March 1929, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

NOTES FROM ALL PARTS. THE DOMINION DAY BY DAY. SERB. THERE, AND EVERYWHERE SHOCK FROM 11,000 VOLTS. ; v f' While the asssistant electrician, Mr John Hurd, was engaged on Tuea-* day evening in overhauling the electric power plant at the Waihi Gbld Mining Company’s transformer station, which had been thrown out of gear by the entry of a mouse some days ago, he had a remarkable escape from death, states a Waihi correspondent. It seems that his hand came very close to one of the high tension leads and that the current connected with his hand and traversed his arm and body. On his removal to the hospital it was found that Mr Hurd had escaped with superficial burns to the hand, arm, and the sole of one foot. At the time of the mishap the transformers registered 11,000 Volts.

OPEN AIR SCHOOLS. Visiting teachers have been much interested in the changes in school architecture that are taking place in New Zealand. A London teacher, who is spending a year in the Dominion under the exchange of teachers scheme, contributing an article to the Daily News and Westminster Gazette, says: “A delightful feature of the latest schools in New Zealand, and one that will eventually mean improved health, generally to the whole community, ,is the open air classroom. Teachers whk> work in these open air class- s

rooms tell me they feel better in health and less tired at the end of the day, and they find the children, much more alert and responsive and easier to t'each.” FARMERS’ UNION SCHOLARSHIP. A letter was received by the Victoria University College Council last Thursday night from Professor Peren (principal of Massey College) asking that if there was no award this year under the Farmers’ Union scholarship regulation's the money might be made available for research work at the Massey College. On the motion of Mr R. M’Callu** seconded by Mr Fair, the chairman (Mr P. Levi) and Professor Hunter were empowered Sbi to the suggestion, provided that it met with (the approval of the Professorial Board. The opinion was generally expressed that the whole of the regulations in regard to the scholarship needed to be revised and brought up to date. THE RIGHTS OF DEFENCE. Delayed action by the police in regard to a prosecution for dangerous driving was the subject of a i complaint referred to the council of the Auckland Automobile Assodation on Wednesday (states the New Zealand Herald). A member wrote stating that his car had been involved in an accident with a motorcycle on 4th September last. He did not receive a summons until 11th January, although the mbtor cyclist knew early iu November that the police were going tc fake The Magistrate dismissed the case, but the defendant’s expenses were nearly £2O. A member of the council said the experience was not unique. “My wife had a slight accident in February, 1928, but it was , the middle of June before the police hunted her up for a report,” he , remarked. It was resolved to point out to the Minister of Justice that such delays deprive drivers of the opportunity to recall the circumstances or exercise the rights of defence. AN ATTRACTIVE PADLOCK. Attached to the tape which stretched across the new Hutf bridge prior to the opening ceremony last Thursday afternoon was a gold padlo. k, suitably inscribed for .ater presentation to tee Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward, who was in ond of his happiest moods, was not slow to seize the opportunity for a little fun making at the expense of the padlock. “As Minister of Finance,” said Sir Joseph, “I w'ould like to express m y very deep sense of ap- • predation of the action of the Lower Hutt Borough Council in having a. gold padlock attached to this fape. Now. as a matter Of fact, whenever I see a hit of gold I grab it. (Laughter). lam going to take it home | wi th me, and I hope that very soon I will be able fo use it to lock up 1 a little surplus of my own.” (Laughter and applause.) Sir Joseph was just about to remove the padlock when he hesitated. “On second thoughts,” he said, “I think I bad better leave H there until my two colleagues, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Railways,' have spoken. lam atraid tluy would not be able to make much headway unless they had a bit of gold dangling in front of them. i (Renewed laughter.)