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Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 6

Defence expenditure by Australia in the present financial year is estimated at £179,402,658, which is equivalent to over £25 per head of population. Last year’s expenditure was £54,327,387. The sum of £33,924,759 will be spent abroad, compared with £12,00.4,142 last year. A variation in the regulations which will enable trustees and companies to contribute to aeroplane funds for the purpose of providing aeroplanes for the Royal Air Force or for the defence of New Zealand or for training pilots in Canada under the Empire training scheme, where the articles of association have hitherto prevented them from cfoing so, is contained in a ‘ Gazette ’ notice issued last night. Reference to the efforts of pupils in patriotic work was made in the report of the rector of Otago Boys’ High School (Mr H. P. Kidson) to yesterday’s meeting of the High School*. Board. The boys made a very good contribution from their homes to the collection of books for the soldiers’ camps (about 400 hooks and 300 magazines). The boys were giving a gymnastic display at the coming sports gala in aid of the war funds. They had also helped in other ways in the present queen carnival effort. Sjome 200 of them hoped also to take part in the house to house collection of scrap metals soore to be held.

A study of taxation, particularly land taxation, in New Zealand is to be made by Dr J. H. Gilbert, dean of the faculty of social science at Oregon University, United States, who arrived at Auckland this week. Dr Gilbert has already spent a month on similar study in Australia and will remain in New Zealand for about two and a-half months. Most of his time will be spent in Wellington. Dr Gilbert said his special field was economics, and taxation systems were of particular interest to him. He intended to devote considerable attention in New Zealand to the country’s unusual method of taxing on the unimproved value of land rather than on the land and improvements. “. I am delighted to say that this year there were no litter-bugs, and all the rubbish which was collected could have been contained in half a hat box.” This comment was. made by Mr .1. A. MThcrson (curator of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens) when reviewing tho behaviour of the people who visited the gardens and park for “ Daffodil Sunday,” states the ‘ Press.’ Mr M’Pherson said the city should be proud of its record of cleanliness through preventing the spread of litter in its reserves. He added that the behaviour of the extremely large crowds which visited the gardens left nothing to be desired. The monthly statistics of the Dunedin Public Hospital disclose _ that 541 patients were admitted during August, 391 others remaining from July, making a total of 922 treated for the month. Out-patients treated for the month numbered 2,270 in all branches. A claim for rent of a dwelling, £4O 10s, was brought in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., by E. A. Clarkson (Mr M. Joel), who proceeded against B. A. Tyrrell, it was explained iu evidence that tho defendant had paid The rent to tho mortgager of the bouse, who was tlie landlord, instead of to the mortgagee (Clarkson), who had entered into possession. Judgment for the plaintiff, with costs, was entered for the amount claimed.

Tn his monthly report to the Otago High Schools Board yesterday niternoon, the rector (Mr D. S. Chisholm) of the King’s High School, stated that military work had been carried out this year in the ortliary school uniform, supplies of headgear for all cadets and uniforms for now hoys not being available. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, and also the lack of adequate equipment, training had been carried on steadily through the year. With the establishment of the National Reserve Battalion, an officer and noncommissioned officer from its staff were detailed for instructional duties with the cadets, and their assistance in this respect had already proved very valuable.

Several cases of notifiable diseases in Otago and Southland have been reported to the district health officer (Dr T. MTvibbin) during the week ended at noon to-day. These comprised three cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and one case of scarlet fever in Otago and two cases of diphtheria, two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, and one case of erysipelas in Southland. The diphtheria cases were located in the Hedgehops district, near Invercargill. So far as can be ascertained, the Otago district is practically free from German measles (which is not a notifiable disease), no cases being reported in the schools. The opinion that precautions taken in London before the -war to guard against air raids had been hilly justified was expressed by Dr E. B. Gunson, who has returned to Auckland after being more than a year in Groat Britain. Although bombing had not started when he left England, he had obtained an idea of it from experience in another part of Britain, where bombing had been carried out by the enemy. Ur Gunson said that public shelters in streets and squares were not proof against direct hits, but gave good protection from blast and splinters. A great deal had been done to strengthen basements of city buildings, so that they would be safe even if the structure above were severely damaged. Dr Gunson said there was no doubt about the solidarity of the British people under the leadership of- Mr Churchill, and confidence had been restored. It was generally felt that a new political order would emerge from the war, and old party alignments would not be seen again.

Authority was sought at yesterday’s meeting of the High Schools Board by the rector of Otago Boys’ High School (Mr H. P. Kidson) for the sending of boys, if the necessity arose, for turnip thinning in country districts. Should it be necessary for boys to bo released from school during term time, it was suggested that part of the wages should go to some patriotic fund, but the work would have to be of national importance. The secretary (Mr C. R. M'Lean) explained that the rector thought that with so many men away it might he a help if the boys could be released to do turnip-thinning and such work towards the end of the year. It was proposed that they should go out in groups. The hoard decided to grant general permission for the proposal to be carried out, subject to approval being given by a sub-committee when the necessity arose.

An appeal is made by the Y.M.C.A. for magazines and periodicals for the men who will go into camp next week at Forbury Park and at Wingatui, and those who ■would care to help in this effort are asked to leave parcels at the Y.M.C.A.. in Moray Place. At both Territorial camps the association is establishing a depot for the welfare and comfort of the men.

His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the following deceased estates; —Archibald M'Quarrie Ritchie, of Bannockburn, miner; George Todd, of Dunedin, retired company manager; Ruby Isabel Mundie, of Dunedin, married; Frederick William Isaac Johnston, of Whare Flat, corporation employee; Robert M‘Leod, of Milton, engineer; and Charles Edward Norrish, of Owaka, farmer. Letters of administration have been granted in the estate of the late Robert Nicholson, of Maheno, farm manager. Mr P. J. Twomey, hon. collector for the Makogai Leper Fund, writes: A medical board has just completed an examination of the patients at Makogai, with the result that another 43 of their number are now free to return to their homes. We may imagine the joy of the mothers who are to be reunited with their children, some of whom may not even recognise them.. The kindness of many New Zealand friends has kept the patients in a cheerful andi hopeful frame of mind. This has considerably helped in the cure. Dr C. J. Austin, the medical superintendent, is loud in his praise of New Zealand’s assistance in bringing about this splendid result.