NEWS OF THE DAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 79, 12 March 1931, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Increased Meat Consumption As the result of the “war” in meat prices in Wanganui killings at the local abattoirs have increased to almost double what they were, reflecting greater consumption of meat in the city.

The Unemployment Problem The number of unemployed on the Stratford register is 367. Several are awaiting the expiration of the qualifying period. Inquiries are being made by the authorities into the question of the eligibility for work of some farmers’ sons who have registered recently.

Your Weight for a Penny Pennies make the pound, and a daily exemplification of this fact is found in the scales at the Municipal Buildings. This morning AssistantInspector Dixon cleared the penny box, and his bagful raised the total number of pennies collected since the establishment of the machine last Christmas to 7,642 (£3l 16s lOd). Dream of Mother On Sunday evening last in a certain hotel in Palmerston North the guests were awakened from their sleep by the “shake.” They rushed out into the passages in varying stages of undress. One, an Aussie, whose first experience it was of an earthquake, cried out in an agonised voice: “Oh, my God! How long will this last?” when from behind a closed door, a Hawke’s Bay veteran of 500 shakes, called out; “Oh, this is all right; never mind the swinging motion. It’s when she starts going up and down that it’s time to move out. Just you go back to bed and dream of mother.” Down the Scale Mr. Sydney Ellison, who became famous as the producer of “Florodora,” but toward the end of his life had to accept a walking-on part in lan Hay’s play, “The Sport of Kings” at the Savoy Theatre, London, died in St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddlhgton, London. At the Gaiety and Daly’s theatres Mr. Ellison had a long record of success as producer for Mr. George Edwardes. He made the reputation of the Winter Garden Theatre for George Grossmith. n.ater he joined the Army, and after the war his troubles began. He suffered a stroke, was injured in a Taxicab accident, and was reduced to living in a single room off Regent’s Park. Yard Grows Smaller The interesting revelation that the yard is no longer 36in., and that the Dominion may soon have a yard of its own, is made by a Wellington scientist (writes a correspondent). It is not commonly known that the yard as used throughout the Empire is taken from a standard distance between two points on a bar of bronze which is preserved at Westminster at 62deg. Fahrenheit. This has revealed the fact that the yard is no longer what It was. In the years since the standard was first established 80 years ago, the standard yard has grown 2-l,oooths of an inch shorter. This fact was brought out at the Imperial Conference, where it was recommended that the Dominions and India should take steps to establish their own standards, a course which is to be followed. In New Zealand’s case this may take the form of establishing a standards laboratory, where electrical, gas, and other standards of measurement may he established.

A Young Adventurer A trader recently had occasion to visit one of the railway construction camps at Wharanui, and after transacting business' with a group of Maori women there, he set out on the return journey (states the “Marlborough Press”). He had proceeded a considerable distance when a conviction that something was amiss with his car began to penetrate his consciousness. At every bend in the road the sound of a shrill squeak came to him. At length he decided to investigate the matter, and on alighting received the shock of his* life, for sitting on the running board, its face beaming with joy, sat a little Maori “picanninny.” It had “stowed away” at the camp, and by keeping a firm hold on the dodT handle had been fortunately able to remaiu on board for the four miles traversed. Apparently the “squeals” were really the laughter of the four-year-old infant at the swinging of the car in taking the bends. No time was lost in placing the infant in a safer position and returning it to the arms of its anxious mother.

School Holidays When discussing the proposal to have the summer holidays in February at the South Otagb High School Board meeting last week, a member remarked that the present suggestion w r as the beginning of a movement on the lines of daylight saving (states the Clutha “Leader”). In Auckland the idea was favoured, as in some schools the children were prostrated with the heat in February. If Faster could be made a fixed vacation the school holidays might be fixed to include these and so avoid a break in school work. There were arguments against the proposal also, but all things considered it might be a good move. Ten days or so could be given at Christmas and New tear and the balance in February, as suggested. Several members remarked that when they went to school they had holidays in February for the harvesting, and today the boys would be handy for this also. Another member remarked that it the weather was no better than that experienced in February this year the holidays would not be very welcome, it was eventually decided to leave the matter over for a month to allow members to think it over.