NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Pictures on Christmas Day,

The City Council has granted permission to several picture theatre, proprietors to show films on Christmas Day, on condition that the programmes aro submitted to the Town Clerk for approval, Business Trips by Air. Mr. J. E. McKenzie, who made an aeroplane flight to Nelson and back in a Canterbury Aero Qlub Fos Moth on Thursday, is very much impressed with the advantages of air travelling for business, states tho " Christchurch Press." In many cases such a method of travelling offered many undoubted advantages over any other, he said, after his return to Christchurch. Mr. McKenzie, in an aeroplane piloted by Mr. J. C. Mercer, the chief pilot of the club, 'left Christchurch at 7.15 a.m.' on Thursday and was in Nelson in less than two hours. He remained there transacting business until 4 p.m. and flew back to the city via Blenheim, arriving there at 6.30 p.m. By ordinary means of travel it would have taken three days for such a trip, Mr. McKenzie said, so that it was easy to imagine the great saving of time and expense which air travelling made possible. "We had a wonderful trip, and flew at an altitude of 10,000 feet over the snow-covered mountains. I had a marvellous view of the country, and'at the same time was extremely comfortable in the cabin of the aeroplane. The machine was so steady that it was hard to realise that I was in the air." While Mr. McKenzie was' busy in Nelson Mr. Mercer flew the aeroplane with passengers to Wellington, and also flew from Wellington to Blenheim before returning to Nelson for the flight back to Christchurch. Auckland's Tepid Baths. A proposal for altering the plant at the Auckland City Tepid Baths, in order to obtain a higher degree of purity in the water and to increase its warmth, was reported to the Auckland Swimming Centre at its annual meeting by a delegate, Mr. R. Moore, who early in July was the leader of' a deputation from the centre to the Parks Committee of the City Council, states the "New Zealand Herald." The deputation asked the parks.committee to consider the question of building a larger swimming pool in Auckland, or, if this scheme wore impracticable, of increasing the accommodation for both bathers and spectators at the Tepid Baths. Mr. Moore also submitted details of the system of purifying the water at the newly-constructed Enfield Baths in Sydney. In giving the parks committee's reply to the deputation, the Town Clerk, Mr. J..S. Brigham, stated that a comprehensive report had been received from the City Engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, who referred to several matters that could receive attention, with a view to improving the Tepid Baths. No funds were available for major works, but the City Engineer had been authorised to effect alterations in the pipe system to the pumps at the baths. These alterations would increase the purity of the water, and, when the level was being raised, would allow only heated water to be admitted to .the pool, instead of cold sea water, as previously. It was anticipated that the alterations would effect a considerable improvement.

"Too Much Responsibility."

Only an indirect reference was made at the meeting of the Waimairi County Council on Wednesday to the action of its staff in inviting and accepting "donations" to the county funds from motorists alleged to have tooken parking bylaws as an alternative to having proceedings instituted against them through the Courts, states the Christchurch "Press." It had been stated that the matter would probably be discussed at the meeting, but it did not come up for consideration. When discussing whether the council should leave the negotiations for an agreement between the council and the SpringsEllcsmere Electric Power Board to the county clerk, Councillor W. G. Chapman declared that members were delegating too much responsibility to their staff. "You saw what happened the other day," said Councillor Chapman. "The clerk can easily make a slip unconsciously, and then everyone is in trouble. It is not fair to him to place such heavy responsibility on his shoulders." The council decided that the negotiations should be made by the electricity committee. Relics for Hamilton. Advice was received from London at a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council on Wednesday that, in view of the present year being the 70th anniversary of the founding of Hamilton, Mrs. A-. Hamilton was forwarding to the council the sword, medals, and belt of the late Captain J. F. C. Hamilton, R.N., after whom the town was named. In addition to these gifts,, it was stated, were two photographs, one of Captain Hamilton and one of his grandson, Lieutenant Digby Hamilton, of the Scots Guards. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, said it was most opportune that the gifts were coming for the, 70th anniversary of the landing of the Fourth Waikatos. They would become the centre of a great deal of interest when they were installed in the museum which it was proposed to establish in Hamilton. It was decided to thank Mrs. Hamilton for the gifts. Captain Hamilton was the commander of H.M.S. Bsk, which was sent to New Zealand from Australia when the Maori troubles of the sixties commenced.' He fell in gallant manner at the assault on Gate Pa.. Difficult Transport. Unexpected difficulties were encountered by a St. John Ambulance driver who was sent to Mullet Point, near Warkworth, to bring a patient to the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday. The journey of 132 miles occupied about seven hours, states the "New Zealand Herald." Two miles before reaching the farm where the patient was in bed, the driver found it necessary to leave the road, which had not previously been used by an ambulance, and travel across rough country. He took advantage of a number of bare ridges which offered the best travelling, but half a mile from the farm-house he was unable to drive any further, and had to complete the distance on foot, carrying the stretcher. A further difficulty was revealed when it was found impossible to take the stretcher in the door of the farmhouse. The collapsible stretcher ■ in the ambulance could not be used, owing to the serious condition of the patient, and the driver had- to pass the ordinary stretcher in through a window. The patient was transferred from his bed to the stretcher, which was then carefully taken out through the window again. Fortunately, the driver had plenty of help, and the patient was carried back to the ambulance without >. further trouble. Junior Judges at Shows. There was a consensus of opinion amongst. members of the general committee of tho Canterbury A. and P.. Association on' Wednesday that the time was fast approaching when there might be a shortage of judges for various sections at shows, states the '' Christchurch Times." Although provision had been made for junior judges to be appointed to act with senior men, it was contended that the position was not.as satisfactory as it .might be. It was pointed out by various speakers that a junior, judge was appointed so that he could be educated with the idea of filling a senior position later on. The question of a son of an exhibitor being placed in the position of a junior judge in the section in which his father was exhibiting was also discussed. The general opinion was that a person in that position could not possibly influence a judge in making a final decision. A motion was submitted to the effect that each senior judge should be asked to nominate a junior judge to act with him..: This suggestion did not find favour with the majority. An amendment was moved, the effect of which was that as the A. and P. Association was anxious to have junior judges educated the various breed societies should be asked to suggest junior judges for all their respective sections. It was proposed to offer all facilities for learning to these young judges, but it was to be understood that the association would not incur any expenses in the matter. The amendment was carried. -