The Chronicle

Chronicle (Levin), 15 June 1949, Page 4

The Chronicle

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1949.

Making Quite Certain, "The Government has decided to nationalise crime just to make quite certain that it does not pay." — Mr. A. H. Thomas, of Wellington, speaking ,#to Levin Rotarians this week in a brief reference to controls. Elderly Drivers Tested. Forty-eight car drivers over the age of 70 were 'this week .tested for the renewal of their driving licences. The large majority pass--e'd, but a small percentage have been required to present themselves for a further test in the rules of the roa'd. The inspector, Mr. W. Boyce, said that the standard of driving generally was fairly good. Highway Through Scenic Reserve. A strip of the bush-clad slopes on either side of the TaumarunuiTokaanu scenic route, about 10 miles from Taumarunui, has been vested in the Department of Lands and Survey, and set aside as a scenic reserve. Steps are being taken by the Stat'e to purchase further land from the Maori owners to give a scenic strip for the whole length of the road where it traverses the bush. When the negotiations are complete six mfies of highway will pass through scenic reserve. Seven Thoughts. "These seven thoughts, first published in an American magazine conv'ey truths that have yet to be 'earnt by many of our Left Wing people," said 'the presi'dent, Mr. S. G. McClelland, addressing the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. "They are: (1) You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. (2) You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. (3) You cannot help small men by tearing down the big men. (4) You cannot help the poor by d.estroying the rich. (5) You cannot lift the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer. (6) You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence. (7) You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they coul'd and should do for themselves." Stolen Car Hit By Train. A car taken from outside a residence in Karamu Road, Hastings, late Mon'day afternoon withou't the authority of the owner came to grief some time later at the railway crossing at Tahoraiti, south of Dannevirke, when the driver failed to negotiate a bend. That was only the beginning. Later when a southbound train was approaching the crossing at 10.25 p.m., it ran into a portion of the vehicle which was protruding across the railway line, and hurled the car about 50 feet before stopping. The police were notified, and an ambulance stood by while a search was maide for the car's occupants. No one was found. The driver had apparently vanished when the car, which belonged to Mr. William C. Clifford, first came to grief. On Trial. Local government was in some ways on trial. At times it did not get all the support it should from the Government, said the presi--dent of the New eZaland Counties' Association, Mr. W. G. Belton, opening the annual conference of the Institute of County Engineers at Dunedin. County officers should work together as a team, such administrative ico-operation being designed to strengthen the counties' organisa'tion. ' Government Departm'ents did certain work' in some counties, and he considered this was playing into the han'ds of Departments. Anything that would restrict the activities of ciyil ser-vant-s would be turned down. "This was apparently the policy of Socialism. The counties would have to co-operate against this policy.