NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1927, Page 3

NEWS AND NOTES.

The rather remarkable fact that m certain parts of Taranaki the earth is a- very poor conductor of electricity and the usual .safety “earthing” devices are of little or no avail, was dismissed at a meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, when the problems of electric shocks experienced by users ol the telephone was before the council (reports the “News.’’) The electrical engineer (Al r W. H. Muggett) explained that sometimes a fallen high tension wire burns a smoke-like trail in the grass, hut lost little of its current by contact with the earth.

I hat nurses should work an eighthour day and n six-day week was the substance ol a motion brought up at a meeting ol the Duller Hospital Board by Mr Weekos (states an exchange). In moving the motion, he considered Hint it was only proper. .Miners and watersidors would not work for more than eight hours a day. so why should women he expel ted to do so:' In response to questions it was stilted that the nurses do not get any compensation for working long hours, excepting that they are allowed three weeks' holiday each year and one day off every month. Another speaker thought that consideration would have to he given to the extra expenditure involved. On the motion being put to the vote it had only one supporter—the mover. Air Weokes.

The linking up of road transport with lhal of the railways lias heen largely availed of during the present grain season by farmers (reports the

"Lyttelton Times"). The system was first introduced to carry wool, when the. railways were facing heavy competition from motor earners. Arrangement- were made in country districts for carrel's to load tlm wool and carry it t> the railway, tlm farmer bring charged the through freight from Ills farm to Hie store. With grain, road competition has not been so heavy, on account, of the low freight rates for grain on the railways, hut the system of having only one charge for transport to meet Inis appealed to the farmer'. mid a large amount of wheat is being forwarded under thU method.

Some people do not appear capable of distinguishing between an electric fuse-box nnd a postal receiving-box, although they are of widely different const met ion, says the Oamaru "Al.ail.’’ So it comes about that they have forced into fuse-boxes letters which they hoped would he duly collected by the Lost Office officials on their daily rounds. The electric luse-hoxes are rarely opened, hut lately an Oamaru official had to open one. and found quite a hatch of Idlers inside. How long they had lain there cannot be de-termined--they may have heen there for months. No doubt their long rest: ill obscurity lias caused disappointment to both writers and intended recipients.

Residents in two houses at the Ihirade end of ('note Road. Napier, find an unenviable experience recent ly .says an exchange), when, during blasting opera t ions on the lace ol flu l Rlufl qiiarrv by prisoners oi the Napier gaol a considerable number of large, jagged limestone boulders were hurled some distance, landing on roofs, in backyards, and in one case through a bedroom window and into the bedroom itself. The hack verandah ol a house occupied liv Mr .1. Woods was levelled to the ground, while tlm root of all outhouse was smashed in. Ihe two limestone boulders that did the damage loth weighed about 3lllh. and would have spelt instant death to anv person that they hit in their forceful (light. A miraculous escape was that of a small child, w Ini'.* mother. All's Hudson.'was a guest in the house. For a mu Her of minutes before Hie hi ast occurred she had been playing under the veranda which failed to survive tlie impact ol the boulder. A further boulder hit a very noticeable

impression on the hriekwork ot a chimney. In the next door residence, which is occupied h.v Mr and Mrs RusM'll. a boulder crashed through a window at the hail; of Hie premises and was projected into a bedroom. I'urtiniiitelv, Afr and Airs Russell wore aw.iv at the time.