NEWS AND NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21110, 9 August 1938, Page 14

NEWS AND NOTES

“What do you mean when you say you had a drink?” asked Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at Auckland, when a man, who appeared in answer to charges of assaulting another man and of using obscene language, was giving evidence on his own behalf. The magistrate observed that the expression used by accused was a term possible of wide significance, and his suggestion was confirmed when accused explained he had had between 12 and 14 drinks during the day.

“They have a lot of meetings on the telephone in the United States of America,” said Mr M. s. Spence, president of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, at a meeting of Wellington accountants. During a visit to that country he had been much Impressed by the modern use of the telephone in saving valuable time for busy men. The telephone "meetings” went smoothly. All concerned could make their statements and listen in easily. Of course, the telephonic charges could be high for such discussions, but they were mild by comparison with the travelling costs of men whose offices in various cities were far apart. A. C. Gifford, a well-known mathematician and astronomer, tells of big things in high places, “Explosions Amongst the Stars,” with Impressive illustrations. O. N. Gillespie, in a sparkling survey reviews the feats of New Zealanders in painting and music. In “Words of Wheezedom,” merrily illustrated by himself, Ken Alexander humorously touches on various manifestations of human nature. Victor Lloyd in “Dream Places,” whimsically presents his ideal of life free from the usual vexations and disappointments. Nellie E. Donovan continues her “Magic Island,” a delightful story for children. A. J. G. Schmitt gives another chapter of his thrillful serial, “The Sawmiller.” Other Interesting features include W. F. Ingram’s expert review of popular sport, a chat on books and authors, original New Zealand verse and a helpful section for women. There are about 60 illustrations, including original drawings.

Smuggling things into New Zealand is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is three times the value of the goods, or £lOO, whichever is the greater. The minimum penalty is 25 per cent of the maximum. It therefore follows that the smallest punishment that the Court can inflict is a fine of £25. In certain cases, however, the Collector of Customs has discretionary power to deal with the case without recourse to Court of law. Provided that the culprit is agreeable to this course and is prepared to sign a declaration of guilt, it is competent for the Collector of Customs to fine him up to £5. In the case of a man charged at Bluff on Wednesday with smuggling, he was offered this opportunity, but declined it, preferring to throw himself on the mercy of the Court, which had no option but to impose the minimum penalty, which is mandatory. This explains an apparently severe fine of £25 for evading the payment of duty which amounted to about 3s 6d.

An indication that legislation will shortly be introduced validating a payment to Mr J. Thorn (Government, Thames) for expenses incurred while attending the conference of the International Labour Organisation at Geneva is given in the annual report of the Controller and Auditor-General, Mr J. H. Fowler, presented to Parliament. As the payments contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, 1927, the Audit Office was unable to pass the expenditure, but on an assurance given by the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, that legislation validating the payment would be introduced, the expenditure was passed by the Audit office. Attention is drawn later in the report to five specific instances in which validating legislation is still awaiting. “It has been fully realised that inherent dangers exist in following this practice,” the Auditor-General states, “and I have to place on record the fact that until recently the Audit Office has had no cause for complaint in respect of any failure on the part of the Government to carry out its undertakings. In my last report I included a record of the cases in which the Audit Office had acted in accordance with this practice, and I regret to have to report that in five cases the promised legislation has not yet been introduced.”

There is a keen demand in Wellington at present for shorthand-typists, and secondary schools are finding difficulty in meeting the requests of employers with positions requiring to be filled. Several explanations for the shortage are advanced, among them the unwillingness of pupils to leave school before the end of the year and the expansion of commercial and industrial activities. It was simply impossible to meet the inquiries for short-hand-typists, said Mr R. G. Ridling, principal of the Wellington Technical College. The girls attending the college intended to remain at school until the end of the year, when they would be adequately qualified. He thought that the position would be alleviated then. There was always a demand toward the end of the year for shorthand-typists, but it did not usually occur as early as it had this year. There was also a demand for boys who were capable of doing shorthand and typing. Miss A. Juli, careers mistiess at the Wellington East Girls’ College, said that children were staying longer at school. Another factor which might have affected the position was that there were now more openings for girls, and they were turning to new avenues of employment.

Rheumatism.—Rumatox is a scientific remedy for rheumatism. Don’t gc on suffering with aching, swollen olnts Rumatox will effectually roui from your system the poisons that cause the trouble. Even In long standing cases It reduces the swelling quickie and restores the system to c health) condition. It ts just as effective for gout, lumbago, sciatica and neuritis Price 2/6 and 4/1 bottle, postage 6d e: tra. From E. C. Ayres. Ltd., chemists 78 Stafford Street South, Timaru. ....

Dandruff.—The ueauty of your han depends on the car you give It, ano to keep the hair healthy and lustrous there is nothing so effective as Canmarine. It removes all dandruff ano t :eps the scalp in a healthy condition ft is not greasy and is pleasant to use Try a cottle It will make a wonderfu difference to your Lair. Price 2/t from E. C. Ayres. Ltd., chemists, 78 Stafforc Street South, Timaru