NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

New Waiongona Bridge. Approval of plans for the erection of a new two-way reinforced concrete bridge over the Waiongona River on Te Arei Road has been received from the Public Works Department by the Taranaki County Council. The work will commence immediately. Hauluru Sails.

The small coastal motor vessel Hauturu, which was sheltering at New Plymouth from heavy seas off the coast, left at midnight. Other coasters which came in yesterday from southern ports had unusually rough passages for the time of the year. Fall of Earth.

Yesterday morning a fall of earth from the steep cliffside in Morley Street below Western Park nearly caught two children who were walking along the footpath below. The noise of the fall, however, attracted their attention in time and they ran in great alarm down the hill, the stones on the fringes of the fall actually striking their feet. In all about three yards of earth and small stones came away and might easily have injured anyone unfortunate enough to be struck directly.

Model Aeroplane Trophy Won. Mr. F. J. Brown, New Plymouth, has been awarded the Modelair quarterly fniniature cup for his model aeroplane flights duiing the last quarter. The competition, which is organised by an Auckland company, is open to the whole Dominion.

Trafficking in Sport. The acquisition of areas of water by syndicates for duck shooting in those areas was discussed by the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, the opinion being expressed that the practice was not in the best interOst of the sport. It was suggested that where trafficking in shooting rights could be proved the society should do all in its power to close the areas concerned, but the suggestion was not adopted and consideration of the matter lapsed.

Taupo Thermal Baths. Advice has been received by the chairman Of the Taupo Rdad Board, Mr. J. Loughlin, from the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, that the Government is prepared to grant the board a loan of £3OOO toward the erection of thermal baths at Taupo. It is estimated that the cost of the baths will be £6OOO, and it is suggested by the Minister that the board apply to the Local Government Loans Board for sanction to raise the balance of £3OOO.

“Falling to Bits.” “Many of your mountains seem to be falling to bits,” said Mr. H. G. Courtney, a member of the Alpine Club, England, who has returned to Christchurch after an extensive climbing holiday in the Southern Alps below the Copeland Pass. Mr. Courtney said it was a great pity, but he thought it Was only a temporary feature. He had been told by his guide that the cause for the exceedingly numerous rock and ice-falls this season had been ,the dry summer.

Importation of Chukor. Not a great deal of success has been met with by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society in connection with an effort to introduce chukor for game purposes, despite efforts to hatch the birds locally, and the importation of eggs from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. None of the breeders succeeded in rearing any birds owing to adverse weather. Some chukor were liberated at Taringamutu, in the King Country, but there have been no reports that the birds are thriving.

Shorter Working Week. The opinion that the innovation of a 40-hour working week was both desirable and justifiable was expressed by the retiring president of the Canterbury Builders and Contractors’ Association, Mr. S. J. Moore, at the annual meeting of the association. He said it seemed almost inevitable that before very long the hours of work would be 40 a week. “Most of us have seen many laboursaving devices installed in our work,” he said, “and it is true that many new occupations have arisen from the advent of machinery and modem conditions, but I fear the balance is still very much on the wrong side in relation to employment.”

Misplaced Zeal. Labour political principles and theories of the “rights of man” have to give way before the natural indolence of a negro population, or so it would seem from a story told at Christchurch by Mr. H. C. Shekel!, a planter from Jamaica, who is On a>. visit to New Zealand. Mr. Shekell said that many years ago Ben Tillett, the British Labour politician, had visited Jamaica to observe the conditions under which the natives worked. His conclusions were summed up in the comment. "This is no place for me. I have never seen labour so well organised in my .life.”

Standardising of Schools. ■ “In New Zealand, because of Government control, there has been a standardising of schools rather than an emphasising of their individual character,” said the Rev. O. W. Williams, when urging the establishment of an endowment fund for the college at the annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association. “The consequent loss is unfortunate,” he added, “and one contrasts with this the situation in England, where local control and variety are fostered. There is need for a special fund, under the control of the old boys, to be devoted to the special purposes of the college.”

High Southerly Wind. The high southerly wind which swept over North Taranaki at the week-end caused considerable damage to fences. Several iron and board fences at New Plymouth were levelled and old trees suffered severely. The wind whipped up heavy seas off the coast and on Saturday large waves were constantly washing over the- New Plymouth breakwater. On higher ground it was almost impossible to stand against the force of the gale. Two sightseers who began to climb Paritutu had an alarming experience on the loose rock of the base and returned hastily to shelter. Motorists on exposed roads occasionally had difficulty in controlling their cars. There was no club flying at the New Plymouth Airport and the Wanganui Aero Club’s meeting was again postponed.

Potential Energy. Discussing the field of research in the further development of the modern motor-car, Mr. W. A. Sutherland, secretary of the Automobile Association (Wellington), addressing members of the Wellington Rotary Club, said that one of the greatest aims was to obtain the greatest possible amount of energy from petrol. If by some miracle the energy contained in benzine could be completely and solely used for propulsion a typical car could run 160 miles on one gallon at 60 miles an hour, whereas at this speed, to-day, it did approximately only 12 miles a gallon. In other words, only 13 per cent, of the fuel was used in the propulsion of a car. Putting it another way, there was enough energy in a gallon of petrol to drive a small car 400 miles.

Taranaki Naval Applications. Twenty-one applications for positions in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy were received by the New Plymouth office of the Defence Department this year from the Taranaki district. Of the total 12 applications were for positions as stokers and nine as seamen boys. Five of the applications for stokers and four for seamen boys were from New Plymouth, the remainder being from other parts of Taranaki as far south as Hawera. Failure to satisfy the standard of dental fitness has eliminated many of the applicants. The selected candidates for stokers will undergo an educational test on April 17 and the seamen boys will be subjected to a similar test on April 30. Successful candidates in the examination will undergo a severe medical examination and the names of those who are passed will be submitted to Auckland for final selection. The successful candidates for stokers’ positions will enter the Auckland training base on May 17 and the seamen, boys on May 31.

The Elizabeth Arden method of scientific skin treatment brings lovely results because each step of the treatment is based on some fundamental need of the skin. Every woman should take advantage of the visit to New Plymouth of Miss Arden's personal representative, Miss Gwen Bett, who is giving free advice on skin treatment this week at Scanlans Ltd. Arrange for appointment. 'Phone 43.*