NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1933, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

It is understood that arrangements have been made for the demolition of an important retail establishment in Central Devon Street, New Plymouth, and its replacement by thoroughly up-to-date store premises. An unusual touch was noted in one application received recently for the position of secretary to a Taranaki local body. The applicant whose letter was dated September 18, stated that he vzas a married man with two children, but the two was crossed out and three substituted with a note added, “this alteration was made on September 19.”

The construction of the Codock monoplane which is to fly the Tasman Sea to New Plymouth in December next in company with the Southern Cross, is now almost completed, according to advice received by Mr. B. Shiel, aviation officer of the Vacuum Oil Company. The two Napier Javelin engines, which each develop 175 h.p., are on the way from England and should be fitted to the machine shortly. Signs that the depression is lifting are multiplying in North Taranaki. This week one financial institution considered requests for £lOO,OOO, much of which was required for building new premises or extending those now in existence. Advances totalling £20,000 were approved and others held over pending further particulars. The cargo of bitumen brought to New Plymouth by the Inverbank, which will complete unloading 1050 tons to-day, is the first shipment to Taranaki for two years. The bitumen is to be distributed throughout Taranaki, although a fair store will be reserved at New Plymouth. No further ’shipment will be necessary until at least this time next year.

Referring to the development of machinery and the problems it had raised in economic and social life, Mr. P. J. H. White at the annual meeting of the New Plymouth Y.W.C.A. last night mentioned attempts to regulate this progress. One such attempt was represented in the transport legislation in New Zealand. He suggested, however, that if road transport were destined to su_ rrsede the railways it was useless to inhibit it now. It was like taking a bow and arrow on a shooting expedition in these days of highly-developed rifles. Insignificant, almost hidden amidst its surroundings, there stands in the heart of New Plymouth a magnificent specimen of a tree fem, a glorious sight probably unnoticed by the many passers-by. The fem, which has a spread of at least 20 feet, is growing on the bank of the Huatoki stream beside the Powderham Street bridge, and is claimed by Mr. W. H. Skinner to be the finest tree-fern- he has ever seen. A remarkable view of the tree is obtained from the bridge, for one may look down on the crown of fronds.

“None of the baptisms is taken in private, unless there are special reasons for this course,” said the Rev. J. A. Allan, reporting at a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery lately on a presbyterial visitation to Knox Church. He added that the baptisms were all performed in public and there were no “kitchen baptisms.” Another minister asked the Rev. T. W. Armour, minister of Knox Church, just how he managed to get all his baptisms in public. “At first they were inclined to dictate to me,” replied Mr. Armour. "But they soon found that they could not direct a dour Scot in the discharge of his duties, so baptisms are performed in public.” Legislation will be introduced by the Government during the present session to put into full effect the powers which it received in the Finance Act (No. 4) of last session to arrange for the minting of a special New Zealand silver and bronze coinage. The previous legislation empowered the Minister of Finance to make arrangements with the Master of the Royal Mint for the minting of the new coinage, and declared that coms minted in accordance with this arrangement should be legal tender in New Zealand. It also permitted the Minister to purchase from the Royal Mint such amounts of the coinage as might from time to time be necessary to meet public requirements. The measure to be introduced this session will implement this legislation. The new bill will also, it is understood, provide for the administrative control of the new currency in New' Zealand.

Some remarkable examples of the goldsmith’s art are on exhibition in a shop window in Devon Street, New Plymouth. The most outstanding is a life-size kiwi formed from solid silver, with beak and claws of gold. The body is inlaid with 750 pieces of pawa shell to represent feathers, and is mounted on greenstone to which is attached a silver map of New Zealand. It is the work of a Napier jeweller, who undertook it as a hobby. Tributes to hL' craftsmanship were paid recently by the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, who expressed the opinion that so exquisite was the work put into the piece that it was worthy of exhibition in any of the great jewellery displays of the world. Other beautiful work by the same craftsman includes a sei of knives and forks beaten from solid silver and inlaid with pawa shell. Many of the articles shown have on them Maori heads carved in miniature.

It is understood that Bluff granite will be largely used in the decorative work on the facings of several important public buildings about to be commenced, including the Wellington railway station, the Government Life Insurance building in Wellington and the Dunedin Post Office. A member of the Fletcher Construction Company informed Mr. P. A. de la Perrelle, M.P. for Awarua, that the demand for this stone would lead to considerable activity in the Bluff quarry for the next three years, and it was probable that 30 men working two shifts would be engaged to meet the demands for the stone. The quarry at Bluff would be opened up almost immediately, and it was possible that it would be opened from a new angle which would enable workers to extract stone of the best quality. It is stated that the stone is of best quality and just what is required for the buildings in prospect.

Two lorry drivers were charged, at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui with having carried overhanging loads of timber on their lorries without having gained permission'to do so. It was stated that the charges were the first of their kind to be laid ,in Wanganui. Inspector Wilson, who laid the charge, said that one lorry was carrying timber which protruded 14ft. behind the axle of the rear wheels and sft. lin. in front of the radiator. The other was loaded with timber which overhung by 14ft. 6in. in the rear and 6ft. 2in. in the front. The inspector said that the drivers would have been granted a permit had they applied for one, and they were, in fact, granted a permit to carry similar loads on four succeeding days. Mr. F. K. Turnbull, who represented the defendants, said that permits had been secured to carry the timber in other counties, but that the matter had been overlooked in applying to the Wanganui County. Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., entered a conviction and ordered defendants to pay costs only.

A report was published yesterday that anglers who intended fishing in Lake Mangamahoe would require .to have licenses endorsed by an official of the New Plymouth Borough Council. As a result of negotiations between the president of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society and the borough council it has been agreed that no such endorsement is necessary.