The Star. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1928. NOTES OF THE DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 8

The Star. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1928. NOTES OF THE DAY.

TNTENSE DISAPPOINTMENT would be created in South Africa if the All Blacks were unable to fulfil any of their fixtures. In that country of wide spaces it is not possible tor the public to move about as freely as they can in New Zealand, and the consideration shown by the Dominion Enion for supporters of Rugby in South Africa will do very much to strengthen the ties of friendship. At the same tilne, it is satisfactory to learn that the first match of the tour is against country clubs, and will be regarded as an exhibition fixture rather than a trial of strength. Footballers stepping straight off the boat cannot be expected to do justice to themselves, no matter how keen they may be to keep faith. In addition, the thought of the long and arduous tour ahead must weigh heavily with the manager of the visiting team, for any severe injuries suffered at the outset owing to unfitness would militate against the success of the whole visit. In the circumstances the right course has been adopted, and Mr Hornig can be relied upon to exercise a wise discretion.

OOME DAI Parliament will make it illegal for tram-cars to run on the wrong side of the road, but until that day comes fatal accidents will continue to be recorded. Yesterday’s inquest on the death of a young man in a collision between a motor-car and a motor-cycle elicited the fact that the accident was due to the dangerous system of running the trams on this part of Riccarton Road. The tram runs westward on the wrong side of the street, and motor-cars coming in the opposite direction on thejr proper side are in danger of a head-on collision. In the accident under notice the motorist was forced to pass the tram on the open side of the road; that is to say, he was almost forced off his proper side because the tram-car had the legal right to travel on its wrong side. Unfortunately at that moment, the car came to a loop, and turned out towards its proper side, adding a dangerous complication which led to loss of life. We cannot too strongly condemn the system under which single lines of tramway are laid close to one side of the street in various parts of the suburbs, because it creates a constant menace to road users who are driving on their proper side. There have been shocking collisions on Riccarton, Lincoln and Papanui Roads, because, trams run on the wrong side, and the system is also dangerous to passengers who are called upon to board trams on the wide side, of the street. Where single lines are laid they should certainly be laid in the exact centre of a street. Any other arrangement is too dangerous to be tolerated.

A YARN is told of the late Bishop Stubbs that on reaching -*■ a village church one Sunday evening the verger pointed out that his Lordship had had a long cross-country journey', that his Lordship was about to deliver a sermon, would his Lordship permit him to mix for his Lordship a good, stiff glass of whisky' and water. “ No,” said the Bishop firmly', “ for three reasons, no. First, that I am, as you say', about to go into the pulpit to preach; second, that I am chairman this y r ear of a temperance society; and third, that I’ve just had one.” This story comes vividly to mind in reading the reply of the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) to the protest of a section of the unemployed against giving the equivalent of work for such relief as they receive from the Hospital Board. Put briefly', the Mayor’s reply seems to be that the system oT demanding work in exchange for relief is first, the decision of the Department in Wellington; second, that it has been backed up by' the North Canterbury Hospital Board; third, that the board is controlled by a majority of country' members and the city representatives (of whom he is one) are out-voted; fourth, that the unemployed must grin and bear it until they get a Labour Government; and fifth, that lie entirely agrees with the system, which is no more charity than the old age pension. It will be seen that the Mayor has done his best to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. He seems to. feel that after all the system is not what his extremist friends would like to paint it, and that nothing could contribute more to a man’s than the knowledge that he was working for his living and not living on charity. But the Cabour caucus, apparently, has other views, which tend to ktep its members sitting on the rail.