LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Complaints are life concerning the slice])- worrying propensities of stray dogs on the properties adjacent to Brook street. If the owners of these dogs place any value upon them they are warned to keep them under better control or drastic measures will be taken. The Otago Education Board decided to wire the Minister that if grants for new buildings were not received this month it would be necessary to reduce tho board’s workmen. —Press Association . Asked by Mr C. Carr (Timara) in the House of Representatives last night (telegraphs “Hie Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter) whether he will consider the provision of Government subsidies or preferably grants for relief of unemployment to the smaller boroughs, Sir Joseph Ward said lie was prepared to authorise subsidies to all boroughs that raise unemployment loans or use reveniae moneys for capital works as certified by the Public Works Department, but the funds available for tnis purpose could not be authorised as grants. Unless it is sealed with tar, bitumen, or other suitable material, no footpath is properly constructed in the opinion of the New Plymouth Borough Council. It was decided at last meeting to inform surveyors that in future sealed paths would be asked for in sheets it is proposed to lay out in subdivisions. The Postal authorities advise that mails which left Wellington on 18lh June per Maungamii, via Sun. Francisco arrived in London on 17th July. Some timely advice to people who are tying up their money was given by the liev. Jasper (Juicier at an Auckland City Mission service. lie pointed out that, relief work for the unemployed was a mere stop-gup, and would not bring about permanent good. The people with money wanted to have more faith in the iuture of the grand little country in which they lived. He had no patience with the man who tied up lii-s money in gilt-edged securities, like an old iady s investment at 21 per cent. If the sum of £500,000 were spent in Auckland wisely in constructive investment, it would restore the feeble faith of the citizens. Supposing 500 motor cars were sent to the paint shop, or 500 new rooms were ordered to lie built on as many houses, or similar work was ordered. it would mean the circulation of money that would restore lost faith. There was not a finer country than New Zealand, and it only wanted the people with money to have faith, and support industry, and so give people tile right to say; “Better times ahead!”

A guide book is to be issued which, it is claimed, will deal adequately with the natural beauties and the tourist potentialities of the South Islaind. Mr Philip Hill, of New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., is working on the volume, which is being prepared under tftie auspices of the combined South Island Progress Leagues and Chambers of Commerce. At the recent conference of South Island progress leagues the subject was fully discussed, and a subcomrfiittee, consisting of tile secretaries of the Canterbury, Southland and Otago leagues, was set up to supervise its publication. The pictorial cover will depict a sunny valley with a sportsman in the foreground, a clear stream and a snow-capped mountain heightening the pictorial effect. In the letterpress special stress will be laid on tho suuniness of the South Island, so that the long-cherished fable that Te Pounamu is a land of snow and ice may be discredited. A general meeting of the Motucka District Fruit Exporters’ Association will be held in the Jubilee Hall. Lower Moutcre, on Monday, 22nd July, at 7.30 p.inSurprising sale bargains see Trathen’s advertisement page I.* At half prices ladies’ smart crotonne aprons. —Trathen’s.

Following on considerable discussion in connection with the destruction of the Kea, the Government lias finally decided that the subsidy payable in respect to Kea beaks delivered to the Department of Agriculture will bo 2s 6d each instead of 5,s us previously. A plea for the abolition of capital punishment is made in a briolly-worded Dunedin petition presented in the House of Representatives by Mr J. W. Muin'o (Dunedin North). It is statod in business circles in Christchurch that Woolworths (N.Z.) Ltd., intend to commence business in Christchurch in a fairly large way and that the firm will provide employment for a largo number of hands. The firm was registered last month with a capital of £75,000. The business carried on by this firm is that of drapers, warehousemen, and general furnishers. It is well known in Australia. According to a return presented to Parliament, tho Government paid hv way of bounty to the Onakaka lion and Steel Company, Ltd., for the year which ended on 31st March last, £6729 18s, in respect of 5176 tons 17cwt of pig iron manufactured at Onakaka, Collingvvood. Prior to Ist April, 1928, £14,548 '7s 2d was paid to the company in respect of 10,603 tons 7evvt 2qrs of pig iron. ‘•Anxious Parent” writes in protest against the condition of the playground at Taliuimnui school which ho desprjbes as being in a disgraceful state. “It is a shame to have children coming home with soaking wet feet; it is expensive as well as dangerous,” he writes. Mr John A. Spencer writes to “The Mail” from Auckland as follows; — ’ With regard to the several mining and oil interests with which the writer is connected in the Murchison district you will be glad to know that notwithstanding the recent interruptions in consequence of the ’quakes it has been decided to continue active development work and the writer has received instructions to proceed to Murchison for that purpose. An oil plant is in course of construction which will bo placed on Block 2 Upper Maruia at an early date. Considerable interest has been aroused in Sydney and other parts of Australia as to the possible effects of the upheavals on gold deposits. That can only be decided by a close investigation, on the spot.” Continuous complaints by tobacconists and grocers against price-cutting of tobacco m certain shops have been reaching the Minister of industries and Commerce, and it is understood that the problem is one which the Government intends to tackle. Complaint is made that wealthy stores sell tobacco below cost as an advertising measure, and that they are ruining the business of legitimate traders. The Government is being asked to protect the traders. Investigation of the matter has been made by the Department of Industries and Commerce, and it is understood that more will be heard at an early date. Whether tlie Government intends to introduce legislation or whether a committee will be appointed to hear evidence is not yet announced.

For the year ended 31st March, 1929, 5336 articles were found in the Christchurch trams. That professors are not the only people who forget 'umbrellas (says tlie “Press”) is indicated by the fact that the liumber found during'that period amounted to 1037. Purses and pe'ggy bags came next at 683, with gloves a g6od third, 316 pairs, and 201 single gloves were picked up. Lost (and found) attache cases numbered 268, and 44 pushchairs and 18 watches /were also handed in to the tramway offices.

Mr J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) asked the Minister of Health in the House of Representatives if his attention had been drawn to a Press report that severe influenza is raging in Sydney, and whether lie is taking or will take immediate precautions so that it will not be introduced into New Zealand (telegraphs “The Mail's” Parliamentary reporter). The Minister (.the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) said lie had, drawn the attention of the Director-General of Health to the cable message. The Government did not rely on the newspaper cable service for information in such regard; it had an intelligence service of its own, and, in co-operation with other countries for many months past, it had kept the strictest supervision on the influenza position. In tlie report of the Earthquake Reilef Committee’s meeting which appeared in last night’s “Mail” it was stated that the Central Committee had authorised the expenditure of £2OO on immediate repairs. The amount should have been £2OOO, which was the sum authorised. In to-day’s issue tlie Railway Department draws attention to the resumption of the daily passenger service between Glenhope and Murchison. Members of the Nelson Operatic Society are notified by advertisement that there will be no rehearsal to-night except for the ballet at 7 p.m. To-mor-row there will be a full rehearsal of principals and chorus at 7.30 p.m. and ballet at 7 p.m. A full attendance is required. Mr W. E. Barnard (Napier) asked the Minister of Finance in tlie House of Representatives whether the Government would favourably consider reverting to tlie former practice of paying interest on deposits up to £SOOO in the Post Office Savings Bank (telegraphs “The Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter). Sir Joseph Ward said that tile maximum deposit accepted from anv one depositor was increased to £SOOO as a war measure. Before the war the maximum was only £IOOO. When it went up to £SOOO tiie Savings Bank was used by small traders practically to obtain interest on their current accounts. Further than that, the holding of large amounts at call was a source of embarrassment both to Treasury and tlie Post Office. For those reason’s, lie regretted that ho was not able to accede to the request to revert to the £SOOO maximum.

Petitions continue to be presented to Parliament praying that' the Legislature' will amend the Gaming Act so as to permit, the publication of dividends and the telegraphing of investments to the course (telegraphs “The Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter). The general opinion in the lobbies seems to be that Sii George Hunter’s Bill will have a bet ter chance of passing this session than it has had on previous occasions. Arrangements are now being made for the setting up of Select Committees in the House of Representatives (telegraphs “The Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter). It is tlie practice for the Government to have a majority on every Committee, but this year the question of nominating the personnel is made a little more difficult by reason of the fact that the numerical strength of the parties in the House is fairly evenly divided. Had the Government a majority over the other two parties combined the solution of the problem would be easy, hut ns the conditions are very different now from what they have been in previous years the Whips of the parties are busy m seeking to find a satisfactory basis for the constitution of the Committees. Friday specials, surprising snips at (be Oddment Sale at “The Auckland.” Advertisement page 8 lias details.* Alfred Gould announces a special auction sale of new and secondhand harness and saddles etc., to be held at his rooms to-morrow at 2 p.in. Business as usual while alterations are being made, Tratlien’s sale for bargains.*

It was recently brought under the notice of the Victorian .Ministry that as a result of the prevailing unemployment and distress a number of children insuf iiciently fed were being sent to State schools. The suggestion was made that the 'Ministry should exercise its powers under the Education Act, and provide meals. The State Cabinet issued an instruction to the Education Department to make inquiries to ascertain if there were aiiy children at State schools in need of meals. The Minister of Education, Mr Cohen, reported to the Cabinet that inquiries had been made at 151 schools, and replies had been reccived from 48 of the head teachers. In 38 cases the reply was that there were no children in need of meals, while 10 schools reported that a small number of children required feeding before beginning lessons. Instructions have been issued that in these cases meals are to be provided when required. Tile meals will be provided bv members of the mothers’ clubs, and the cost will be met by the- Education Department. A new work which is being undertaken by the Government, and one of great consequence, is an economic survey of the Maori race. For years the natives ‘have presented a problem, statistical data, concerning many phases of Maori life being admittedly incomplete. The object of this economic and general survey will be the more complete realisation of the Maori’s place in the community. There is much opinion as to what Maoris are doing in specific fields of endeavour, but no scientific knowledge. There is not, for instance, any complete data upon the us e which Maoris are making of occupied lands and bow far these lands are being developed, as it may be expected they should be developed. The task is being undertaken at the suggestion of and with the enthusiastic co-operation of prominent members of the M'aori race, who themselves are,very interested to know just how much the Maori is giving to< the community in the matter of service. Already investigations have made the surprising revelation that in some districts the hard labour of clearing country for fanning purposes, credit for which has popularly been given to the pioneer pakelia, was performed by the natives themselves. The conclusions of the survey are expected to be of great value to the Government in its care and attention to the Maoai race.

It was announced by Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon (telegraphs “The Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter) in reply to a question that the Government proposes to await the recommendations -of the special committee which is investigating unemployment before bringing down legislative proposals.

At the Wellington Rotary Club luncheon this week (states “The Dost”) it was announced that the coal and firewood distribution scheme was now well established, but an appeal was made to members to assist with donations. The coal companies had agreed to carry coal free of charge to those households chosen to receive it. .The president, Mr J. M. A. Ilott, stated that h e had received a sum of money from a Hutt resident, anonymously, to go to the fund. That the Government had every right to appoint its supporters to public bodies was the view expressed by Mr J. A. MacPherson (Oamaru) in the House of Representatives. They had beard something about “spoils to Hie victors,” said Mr MacPherson, but lie would like to remind the House that tjie late Mr Massey had stated quite openly and definitely that it was his policy to appoint men who would carry out his policy. If that was the privilege of the late Mr Massey, surely, it should be the privilege o! the present Prime Minister. Personally, he thought a Government was justified in appointing its supporters to boards and other bodies. Mew Zealand farmers are taking very seriously the “Use More Wool” campaign which lias been launched in Australia and at the end of the month a committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union will meet the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation to discuss ways and means of contributing to the scheme (says the “Sun”). Farmers throughout the country have been very impressed by the revelations of the world’s growing wool crops, and the manner in which rayon, cotton and silk are making inroads upon the woollen industry. Inquiries reveal that there is an almost general agreement that the Government should be asked to promote legislation to collect an export tax of so much per bale. This money will be used for advertisement purposes, but it is unlikely to be handed over to the Australian Committee for them to administer, while it is equally unlikely that a special office will be constituted’ in London to deal with the question of advertising in the United Kingdom. Most probably the fund will be administered by the Empire. .Marketing Board for New Zealand farmers, the money being ear-marked for advertising in the effort to increase the consumption of wool. Concurrently with this matter arises another very important issue—the question of research into wool. Aiming at improving the wool crops of the Dominion the New Zealand Farmers’ Union will discuss with the sheep-owners the question of creation of a fund for woollen research and the object of the conference is to map out a joint scheme whereby a levy for this purpose may be combined with the other levy for advertisement expenditure. A candid statement that no one was more pleased than lie to see Sir Joseph Ward occupying the position of Prime Minister was made by Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston) in the House of Representatives (telegraphs “The, Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter). “Come over here,” chovussed United Party members when Mr Nash made this observation. Mr Nash: “He is there with his party, and I think the right honourable gentleman is deserving of it. He has done a lot for New Zealand, there is no question about that. The right honourable gentleman knows just exactly my opinion in regard to the matter, and he knows that I have a very great admiration for him. However, it may not be for long; it won’t be for ever, .1 am sure,, but I hope lie will have a very enjoyable time/’

For the nine months ended 31st March, 1929, the .Maui Pomaro made 15 trips from the Islands to New Zealand (eight from Samoa and Niue, and seven from* Norfolk), and handled the following cargoes Auckland, 2080 tons, and 55.000 ft. of timber; Wellington. 926 tons; Lyttelton, 1961 tons; Dunedin, 665 tons. Aggregate: North Island, 3006 tons; South Island, 2626 tons; total, 5632 tons. Included in these figures are 46,000 cases of bananas snipped direct for Southern ports. The total expenditure for the ten months ended 31st March, 1929, exceeded the revenue by £1972 12s Id. It should he noted that prior to the Government taking over the Nine service in 1925 ail amount was expended on that service only for relief ships and subsidies of £3866 for the year. To-morrow Tratlien.’s sale, many bargains in oacb department. Read examples page I.* At Trathen’s, college. girls’ navy woollen gloves, 2/11 pair.* In the report of an interview in Wellington with Mr A. S. Mitchell, M.l.Mcc.E.j F.N.Z.I.A. (published in “The Mail” yesterday) mention was made of the scriptorium adjoining Nelson College. This should have been tbe Assembly Hall which was practically undamaged. Friday specials at “The Auckland.” Oddment Sale specials. Advertisement page 8 has details.*

A rare visitor to Wellington, a sealeopard, was found on the beach in Evans Bay, near the power-house yesterday morning. It was nearly full-grown and appeared to be quite uninjured, hut, hungry, as it was moving restlessly about and opening its mouth at the approach of human bein'gs. A good,'deal of interest was taken in the unusual visitor until its departure for the Zoo on a motor-lorry. The sea-leopard has been seen about the harbour several times during the past fortnight, bnt this is said to be the first time it lias been noticed ashore. In conversation with a ‘Tost” reporter, Mr J. Jijangridge, curator of the ZoO, said that as far as lie could remember, the only sea-leopard found previously in the vicinity of Wellington came ashore near Lyall Bay about fifteen or sixteen years ago. It was taken to tile Zoo, but died within a few days from pneumonia. Seals and sea-leopards found on the New Zealand coast were generally either injured or sickly. The specimen found today did not appear, however, to be hurt or ill, and if it could be persuaded to feed, there were hopes that it would live. It would bo a very interesting exhibit in the sea lions’ pool if it did live.