General News

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22518, 28 September 1938, Page 10

General News

Arrival of Empire Air Mails ‘ After nearly a week in transit on the Tasman, two dispatches of Empire air mail will reach Auckland this morning from Sydney by the cargo steamer James Cook. She left Sydney last Wednesday night, the day of the arrival of the mails, which left London on September 10 and 11, and the voyage by sea has taken more than half the time occupied on the long stage from England by air. This is the first occasion on which an intercolonial cargo ship, apart from those of the Union Company, has carried an Empire air mail oyer the Tasman, Having left Sydney for Wellington _about_ an hour before the arrival of the Empire flyingboat on Saturday, the Wanganeila has only Australian mail. The next Empire air mail is expected to reach Auckland from Sydney by the liner Niagara on Monday.—“ The Press” Special Service.

“Sudeten Plebiscite a Farce”

“It would be little more than a farce to attempt to hold a plebiscite in the Sudeten areas of Czechoslovakia at the present time,” said Mr B. E. Sauter in an address to the Workers’ Educational Association last evening. “Because of the terror that has been created in the last few weeks large numbers of those having no sympathy for the Nazis would not express their true feelings in the matter from a fear of the consequences—the persecution, or perhaps the imprisonment in a concentration camp, that might well await them.” Connexions with Sewers The desirability of all houses in the drainage district being connected with the sewer was mentioned by members of the Christchurch Drainage Board last night. It was stated that the board would lend the money required t’o .connect properties and that any loans would be a first charge,' taking priority over even Government mortgages. Mr J. W. Beanland remarked that this would simplify matters considerably. Mr H. G. Livingstone said that a number of houses was still unconnected. The board decided to obtain a list of properties unconnected and to discuss the matter at its next meeting. Gas Attacks “A great deal of guff appears in the press about the horrors of gas, but they seem to have missed the real danger,” remarked LieutenantColonel N. W. McD. Weir, General Staff Officer of the Northern Military District, during an address in Hamilton recently. “Gas which affects the breathing is easily coped with, but the variety which is sprayed from the air to cause burning is a different proposition,” he added. “A drop the size of a millimetre will produce a burn the size of a shilling.” Lieuten-ant-Colonel Weir stated that oiled canvas was being used as protection against burning gas. Attendances at Museum The number of people who visit the Canterbury Museum is indicated by a count which was taken by the staff last week, the first week since the museum reopened after being closed for cleaning. The total attendances were about 3000, of whom a little more than 1000 were school children and teachers. Parking Outside Public Library Fears that the regulations against parking day or night on the west side of Cambridge terrace, outside th' Canterbury Public Library, notices prohibiting which have just been erected, may have a detrimental effect on the membership of the library were expressed yesterday by the librarian (Mr E. J. Bell). He said that members had complained to him that there was nowhere near the library where they could leave their cars while they were exchanging books. '“I know that parking is a problem,” said Mr Bell, “but as there are between 1000 and 2000 people coming into the library every day there should be some consideration for them. It should be possible for the City Council to allow parking outside with a limit of 10 or 20 minutes, or to mark off-an area for library patrons only, as is done for medical practitioners elgfewhere. I am afraid that the regulations may injure the membership of the library.” Italy and Britain The rapidity with which Italy had approached England after Herr Hitler had summoned Dr. Schuschnigg to Germany before the German invasion of Austria was remarked on by Mr B. E. Sauter in addressing members of the Workers’ Educational Association last evening. “Some special significance surely attached to this fact,” Mr Sauter said. “It would almost seem that Signor Mussolini, seeing an end to his Austrian aspirations, had determined that he must seek a rapprochement with Britain as compensation.” Mr Sauter said it seemed clear that the ultimate aim of Mr Chamberlain’s last agreement with Italy was the conclusion of a four-Power pact, including Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, which would guarantee peace in Western Europe while leaving Eastern Europe to take care of itself. Disposal of Waste Products

“This problem of the disposal of waste products has been worrying the city for many years, and I am sure you will agree that the sooner we discuss the matter with full knowledge of the cost involved the better it will be,” said the chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Board (Mr E. H. S. Hamilton) at a meeting of the board last night. Mr Hamilton made this statement when he was reporting on a conference between the board, the Christchurch City Council, the Health Department, and other local authorities about the disposal of offensive trade effluents in Woolston. It would not be very long, he said, before another conference would be held with full information before it. Interest in National Boundaries Interest in European politics and national boundaries is reflected in the Canterbury Public Library. The librarian (Mr E. J. Bell) said that recently there had been a large demand for pre-war maps of Europe by people who wished to study the old boundaries. An old atlas which had been stored away had been brought out, and it was intended to cut out and keep for reference the map showing the minority distribution in Czechoslovakia which was published in “The Press” on Monday. Social Security Act

Considerable alarm at some of the provisions of the Social Security Act was expressed by the annual meeting of the United Otago District of the Ancient Order of Foresters. The district includes the Provinces of Otago and Southland. The following resolution was carried: “That this meeting of delegates, representing 5621 members of the United Otago District of the Ancient Order of Foresters, views with some of the proposals of the Government in reference to its national health scheme, as we consider that there is grave danger of the stability and usefulness of friendly societies being jeopardised if the interests of friendly societies are not safeguarded, and we desire to remind the Government of the promises made by the Hon. P. Fraser and the Hon. W. Lee Martin to representatives of the friendly societies and ask that they be honoured.”—Press Association.

New Footbridge in Avonside

Plans have been prepared by the City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith) of a footbridge to cross the Avon river near Medway street, and have been submitted to the Christchurch Drainage Board for approval of clearance and waterway. This was reported to the board last night by its works committee. The report said that the board’s engineer (Mr J. Cullens) considered that the bridge would interfere with boating facilities unless it was constructed one chain above or below the dam. The board agreed to approve the plans subject to the council agreeing not to erect the bridge within one chain of the dam, and that the council would undertake to provide any sewerage facilities made necessary.

Merej Found at Mararoa A splendid example of a Maori whalebone mere was-brought into the “Southland Times” office recently by Mr R. Hoffman, of Invercargill, who said he had found the weapon at Mararoa, near Lake Te Anau; The mere, which is 18 inches long and five inches across at the widest part of the blade, weighs three pounds, and is absolutely without a flaw. The handle has been drilled to carry a thong and is carved to a peculiar design, suggestive of two human faces.' The edge is sharp and unchipped. Mr Hoffman said the mere was found among several Maori ovens-and other signs of Maori fife.