MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1928, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) INQUEST VERDICT. O Hit ISTCHUIFCH, Jan. 31. At an inquest on Thomas Samuel David Porter, 32, killed as the result of a. motor lorry accident in which he was a passenger, the Coroner said that the driver, .lax. Joseph Small, had taken more drink than he should have in tin l circumstances. Though he was not drunk, his Jinental equilibrium was disturbed to a paint where he was unlit to be in charge of the truck. There was nothing to have caused a man in lii.s normal senses to have driven into the gutter. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.

LA AC AS II11! K SPINNER’S INVESTIGATIONS. WELLINGTON. Jan. 28.

I)r Marsden. the director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, informed a reporter that the Department had received advice from England stating that experiments in that country had opened up startling possibilities for New Zealand flax. Dr Marsden explained that some time ago, Sir Amos Nelson, a large spinner and manufacturer, of Nelson, Lancashire, had visited New Zealand and had become interested in flax. He had waited upon Dr Marsden and Professor Ensterlield and they had referred him to Mr Petrie, the Government flax grader. The result had been that Sir Amos Nelson had taken home with him samples of New Zealand ilax with the idea of utilising it in the manufacture of artificial silk. He had found, however, that half an inch was too small for spinning purposes. News had now been received from Sir Amos Nelson, however, that his chemists had been successful in producing from flax fibre two inches in length with excellent lustre, which he considered would make a valuable admixture for cotton and woollen goods. If able to spin this successfully Sir Amos Nelson stated that lie would be able to absorb the whole of the output of New Zealand Max for the next five years. Experiments had not yet been completed, but he did not see why they should not be successful. EOAYERS’ PLIGHT. AUCKLAND. Jan. 29. An exciting incident occurred at the Hobson Bay gap in the new waterfront railway embankment. AA'lien the St. George’s Rowing Club light maiden crew, consisting of Messrs Kelleway ■ stroke). J. C'oote, C. Autlireau. and AV. L. Carr (bow) was endeavouring t. pass through it on their way to compete for the Nexon Cup at Tamaki regatta, the boat swung through the gap at an agle and the forward portion got past the supporting piles safyly. The tide, running in at an agle, caught the stern of the boat, however, and carried it against an outer pile, smashing a rigger, and over turning the iigli craft. The stern of the boat quickly filled with water, and this weight smashed the keel, and the backbone of the boat. The crew were precipitated into the water, but they were all good swimmers, and after a slight struggle succeeded in climbing to safety on the piles. Before they left the water they also managed to make the boat secure with a piece of rope. Two of the oars floated away into the harbour, but were subsequently recovered by a launch. The boat, which was worth between £9O and £IOO, was damaged beyond repair. AA'liile the club lias its property insured, it will nevertheless be a heavy loser. TRAINING COLLEGE. AA"ELLINGTON. Jan. 30. Under instructions issued by the Education Department, the number of new students to be admitted to teachers’ training colleges this year will be reduced.

“ This is the result of the policy adopted by the Department in 1925, when it commenced supervising the numlier of entries to training colleges, with consideration to the number of positions likely to be available some years ahead,” said Air T. B. Strong (Director of Education) to-day. “No D Division students will be admitted t<-.s year. Those affected by this decision are students who have passed some section of the D division examination and who have had some experience in teaching at schools which may be non-State or country institutions, but who are not probationers. The Department considers that it is under no obligation to accept D division students. It has never taken these students as probationers and does not feel called upon to find them positions.” it has been decided also to till the grade places from B grade positions. I