NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Eighteen Pound Eel. An eel weighing 18 pounds was caught in the Kaihihi stream the other day about a mile above the Oxford dairy factory. Its length was 4ft. 6in. and its girth 17in.

No Bankruptcies in ApriL There were no bankruptcies- at New Plymouth during April, 1935, and none in April last year. Two petitions have been filed so far this year, compared with seven in the corresponding period last year. The Honest Barber.

A New Plymouth man whose head is almost' bald went to a barber recently to have his few hairs trimmed. After the operation he handed the sum usually charged over the counter, but the barber handed some of it back. “Indeed,” he said, “I feel it is hardly honest to take anything at all from you.” Railway Line Fillings Settle. The new fillings on the railway between Midhirst and Inglewood occasioned by the floods of February have solidified to a great extent but have not settled sufficiently to permit trains to be driven at the normal speed. When temporary repairs had been made after the flood, trains lost a total of a-quarter of an hour over the damaged section, but now faster speeds are permissible and the loss of time is only a few minutes. Jubilee Entertainment.

Arrangements for the Central school, New Plymouth, celebrations in connection with the King’s jubilee were explained by Mr. D. P. Evans in his report to the school committee meeting last night. The sum of £l2 4s has been given by the Government for the children’s entertainment, and it has been decided to use this in providing a free matinee for the children at the cinema next Wednesday. Forced to Land. •

A Canterbury Aero Club Puss Moth aeroplane piloted by the club’s instructor, Flying-Officer Bush, was forced by adverse weather to land at New Plymouth airport late yesterday afternoon, en route to Auckland. Mr. Bush reported an extremely rough trip from the south and considerable delay by cloud and strong winds. He will resume the flight to Auckland this morning. Tire circling of the plane over New Plymouth at nightfall caused considerable interest and conjecture, but Mr. Bush found the airport without difficulty.

Films Encourage Reading. It was stated that at the annual meeting of the Wellington Film Institute on Monday that the Wellington public libraries noticed a great demand for books on any subject when that subject was dealt with in a notable film being shown in the city. Dr. J. W. McIlraith, chief inspector of primary schools, who later addressed the meeting on the film in relation to education, expressed interest in this fact which, he said, showed that films stimulated among adults a demand for a wider education. Rowing for the Blind.

An application was received by the Auckland Harbour Board on Tuesday from the New Zealand Institute for the Blind for the grant of a suitable site on the waterfront, where a boatshed might be erected for the use of the institute. The letter pointed out the advantages which the blind would gain from rowing. The application was referred to the board in committee, while the superintendent, Mr. H. B. Burnett, and the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, were asked to prepare a report.

Stranded Sperm Whale. Several weeks ago Mr. E. Jacobsen, French Pass, discovered a sperm whale washed ashore at Rock Cod Bay. He secured the assistance of two men who had had experience with whaling, and as a result became the possessor of 18 barrels of oil, reports the Nelson Mail.

Sulphuric Acid Spilled. A lucky escape from serious injuries was experienced by Mr. E. W. Bungay, herd-tester, when the rear axle of his buggy broke on the Lower Okoke Road on Sunday afternoon. A small jar of sulphuric acid was spilled on the roadway, fortunately missing Mr. Bungay and the apparatus precipitated when the accident occurred. A large demijohn of acid remained intact. Mr. Bungay, who was unhurt, obtained another axle and proceeded on his way. No New Plates on Cars Before June 1. The Transport Board had not altered the regulations to allow the affixing of number plates before June 1, the secretary of the North Island Motor Union, Mr. W. G. Walkley, advised the Automobile Association (Taranaki) last night. While the department agreed to the reasonableness- of the suggestion it had not taken the necessary action. He had ■written to the department asking whether it intended to adopt the suggestion this year. New Zealand’s Pound.

One material reason for not spending a great deal of time on the Continent was given by Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Electric Power Board, who recently returned from abroad. He said that the New Zealand pound was quoted as having a value of about 12s on the Continent. Actually when New Zealand money was exchanged the pound was worth 10s ra. When, however, goods were bought the purchase value was about 4s Bd. Business in Australia.

The people of Australia are spending money freely and consequently business is booming there, said Mr. E. Riddiford, who returned from Sydney by the Monowai. Mr. Riddiford said that he had been in Australia for 14 days only, but during that time he had seen many indications of prosperity and he was given the impression that more circulation of money in New Zealand would improve conditions.

White Heron Reported. Interest has been aroused at Rangiriri by the appearance there of a bird believed to be a white heron. The bird stands about 2ft high on dark-coloured legs about Bin or 9in long and has a yellow bill of about 4in. It has been feeding on small fish from the pools left by the recent floods. It is pure white and is beautiful in flight, and fears are felt for- its safety during the shooting season. The white heron is a very rare bird, although its appearance is occasionally reported at this time of the year. Last year specimens were seen at Lake Pupuke, Whangarei, Otahuhu and Lake Ellesmere between April and May.

Children Selling Race Books. Statements made by the chairman of the Southland Education Board, Mr. S. Rice, regarding children being employed selling race books had a sequel, when the following letter was received by the board from the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference: “The executive committee of the conference has decided to circularise all racing clubs recommending that steps be taken to ensure that primary school pupils be not employed selling race books on the days upon which schools are open.” Members expressed gratification at the sound attitude taken up by the Racing Conference.

Warm, Wet Month. April this year was an exceptionally warm, wet month in the North Taranaki district—one of the best for some years from the farmer’s point of view. The ground temperature remained on a par with that of March. A total of 6.51 in. of rain fell on 15 days, the heaviest falls being 2.47 in. on April 23 and 1.86 in. on April 22. This was well above the average of 4.51 in. The temperature record shows that a mean of 61.2 deg. was maintained against 58.6 and 58.2 deg. in April of the two previous years. The maximum temperature for the month, 71.8 deg., was recorded on April 18. The minimum of 40.1 deg. was recorded on April 20. There was bright sunshine for 194.9 hours.

College’s Five Judges. There are now five old boys of Wellington College serving their country in the capacity of judges of the Sxi§reme Court bench. This fact was mentioned in the monthly report to the Wellington Colleges Board of Governors by the headmaster, Mr. W. A. Armour, who stated that two of those recently appointed, Mr. Justice Page and Mr. Justice Northcroft, were old boys. He had written to them extending the congratulations of the school. Other judges who are old boys of the college are Sir Michael Myers, the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Blair and Mr. Justice Smith. “I venture to suggest,” continued Mr. Armour, “that it is unique for any school in the Empire to have at one time as many as five old boys all acting in the capacity of judges.” The board also decided to extend its congratulations to the two old boys who were recently elevated.

Tire Carpet Trade. Probably few New Zealanders know that for each member of its population the Dominion buys more carpets than any other country in the world, says the Christchurch Press. Considerably more than £500,000 is spent .every year by New Zealanders in buying carpets. The value of this market has now been fully realised by- English manufacturers, and it was this realisation that induced one manufacturer to spend £4 7s 6d in postage on an air mail package which brought to New Zealand recently, designs for the new season. The cover is believed to bear higher postage than any which has arrived in New Zealand before. It bears 11 ‘halfcrown stamps, six at 5s each; and three at 10s each. This expenditure was willingly incurred by an English manufacturer to save about a fortnight in the transit of the package. Judge’s First Case.

When Mr. Justice Page, the newlyappointed president of the Arbitration Court, entered the court to hear his first case, counsel for plaintiff and defendant in turn admitted that they did not know where their clients were. The case was a claim for compensation. “I will have to ask for an adjournment in this case, as I cannot locate plaintiff,” said Mr. Fitzherbert. The writ was issued last year, he said, but owing to circumstances his client grew tired of waiting for a fixture and went away to look for work. Mr. O’Leary said defendant was missing and he did not know his whereabouts, but he- had been instructed by insurance interests to oppose an adjournment. “We consider that an adjournment should be granted, ’ said Mr. Page when the court resumed. “The court feels that plaintiff, if he were in New Zealand, must have known that it was sitting, and should have been here, but it proposes to give a reasonable adjournment.”

As notified in our advertising columns, motor-drivers’ licenses may now be obtained at the Municipal Offices. Drivers are strongly urged to make early application to avoid the congestion which usually occurs towards the end of May through waiting until the last few days.*