LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 25 July 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey skies with rain during th? night nixl part of this morning have persisted since the beginnings of the storm during Tuesday night. The rainfall for the 24 houis ended 9 a.m. to-day was .41 inches, making tie.' total for July so far 8.77 inches. This is nearly a third of the total to date for the year. The temperature has been slightly higher during the pa<;t two days.

The Christchurcl) Presbytery has decided to protest against "the" proposed amendments to the Gaming Act, which will come before Parliament during the present session. The following recommendation of the Public Questions Committee was adopted witTiout discussion : —"The Presbytery of Christchurch protests against the proposed amendments to the Gaining Act which aim to remove restrictions (a) on the publication of dividends and (b) on the use of telegraph offices for the transmission of bets to racecourses. It does so because it is steadily opposed to gambling in all its forms, and is assured that increased facilities such as are proposed are calculated to foster further the gambling spirit which is a source of untold harm to individuals and a menace, lo the .State." It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to all the members of Parliament whose electorates are within the bounds of the Presbyterv.

As all local tenders for the supply of cement have been, the same, the Christchurch City Council has instructed the City Engineer to invite alternative tenders for the supply of either colonial or Dominion cement which is required for the completion of the council's roadin'g loan scheme. The Works Committee reported to the council that quotations were obtained for the supply of cement required for the reconstruction cf Waltham Road, the prices received being similar in all cases, viz., £5 18? per ion, less 5 per cent. Messrs Reese Bros, were the only tenderers for the supply of tloldon Ray cement who had not yet received an order in connection with works recently undertaken, and the committee recommended that the order in this ease be allocated to them. In view of the fact that the prices received from all firms quoting for the supply of cement were the same, the committee was of opinion that the council should go further afield in obtaining quotations. It had therefore instructed the City Engineer to invite alternative tenders for the supply of either colonial or English cement re. quired for the completion of the works contained in the schedule of loan operiitictjs, The clause, was adopted.

The photogi'fiplUJ of the principals and some of the choriiH of !! ttfling Up." to be produced next week by (hn Np|snn Amateur Operatic Society at the Majestic Theatre "in aid of the'Earthquake Kclief Funds, will he on show at "Snapshots," Trafalgar street, to-morrow. The box plan is also at ".Snapshots," where the booking is going on most satisfactorily. Trathen's are making to-morrow a day of days. Remarkable clearing bargains at every counter.*

Infants' Rarras 2s 6d. Good quality cream flannel and well made. Usual prices 6s M and 7s G.. 1, now 2s Gd at McKay's Sale.* Double Reductions. Trathen's S.Ue. Vive'.ia Pyjama Cloths 4/3 yard.* TrniWs Sale. Blankets. 21/-, 24/6, 32/6 pair. Specially reduced.*

Mrs R. Watson, of the Hospital Board, has received a letter from returned soldier inmates of the Nelson Hospital at tbo time of the earthquake, in which u warm tribute is paid to the splendid work of the whole staff in assisting patients during the shako. One returned man writes: "As a soldier of several campaigns I can say I have not seen a grander response to duty. Had the staff been an army unit their gallant conduct would have been mentioned in divisional orders by the G.O.C. and prized by the regiment as pne of its fighting- honours. They nobly upheld the name and fame of that glorious band of heroes which every soJdier salutes with pride, 'The Nursing Sisters.' The domestic staff and nurses off duty at the time all joined in the great wovk."

The Prime Minister announced in the House of Representatives that he hoped to have the Budget ready for presentation to the House about the end of next week, if possible.

Bad as the previous year was, the period ended on 30th June was even more disastrous," stated Captain R. V. Bvtholl at the annual meeting of the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade, when he reviewed Blenheim's fire losses of the past twelve months (reports the "Express"). il(> pointed out that the per capita loss for the- town as a result of fires had been mounting up in recent years, but last year it. had readied the. alarming figure of £lO 4s per head of population. In 1927 the per capita loss was 52s and in 1928 555. When it wae remembered that the Dominion average was 18s one appreciated the seriousness of Blenheim's position. Fire losses for the year just ended, Captain Bythell said, were the highest on record apart from the devastating conflagrations which occurred in the early days. The total value of property (buildings and contents) involved in the 23 outbreaks that occurred during the period was £91,057, compared with £28,100 the previous year. The insurance cover totalled £'51,045, compared with £17,248 and the losses totalled £52,964, 'as against £13,905, of which the insurance companies bore £38,751 compared with a pay out of £9407 the preceding year, it was pointed out by the speaker'that the big fires at Messrs Levin and Co.'« store and Mr J. J. Wensley's furniture factory accounted for a big proportion of the. losses, as both buildings contained large and valuable stocks. By the deletion of the figures for those two disastrous outbreaks it was disclosed that the per capita loss was 265. The two episodes that made the greatest impression on him during his 40 years' service as a railway officer both occurred while he was employed in the booking office at Dunedin, said Mr H. F. Mirams, stationmaster at New Plymouth, who was entertained by the council of the Chamber of Commerce prior to his retirement on superannuation (reports the "News"). The first concerned a Maori gathering to be held some distance out of the city. The authorities had 1500 tickets on hand for the station, but it was a fine summer's day and so many people were tempted to make the trip that about 15X0 presented themselves at the office! He was sure many of them must have travelled free that* day. The other outstanding feature of his career .'coincided with the visit of the present King to Dunedin. On one of the gala days the south-bound express left without a single passenger! Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) gave notice in the House of Representatives (telegiaphs "The Mail's" Parliamentary reporter) to ask the Prime Minister whether the recently reported clamour in Britain for reduced prices of wool has, according io persistent and apparently reliable reports which have reached the Dominion, materialised into a combination of manufacturers and buyers to control and bear down the market for our wool; and whether in the interests of local woolgrowers, many of whom were saved from financial difficulty by the prices recently ruling, ai:d are still' barely making ends meet, steps cannot be taken to defeat a movement of the kind described, if same is found to exist?

Excellent booking so far is reported for the Nelson Amateur Operatic Society's production of "Going Up," which is being given in aid of earthquake relief. The season opens on Tuesday next at the Majestic Theatre. Rehearsals are being held nightly and the amateurs should enjoy a most successful season.

Mr G. C. Coleman, lion, secretary of the Nelson Radio Club, has received the following letter from Mr E. H. I Culver, hon. secretary <jf the Hawke's ! Bay Radio Society * (Hastings):—"On beiialf of my society and in fact on behalf of all radio listeners in Hastings, I desire to convey our heartfelt syiripai thy to listeners and others in your district who were hit by the recent earthquake disaster. We, up here, who were not badly hit, can only surmise how badly things went down your way. and we realise that a great deal of money will be necessary to repair the great damage. My society therefore joined in the local effort to help, and on Saturday last we installed a receiver in the Drill Hall for the purpose of hearing the description of the Ranfurly Shield match. Admission was by collection, and as a result I have to-day handed to the .Mayor of Hastings the sum of £l3, with instructions that it be added to the fund for the relief of the earthquake sufferers. We did intend to send it direct to your Club, but decided that the same purpose would 'be met by handing it to the \Mayor. Trusting that your Society is still'flourishing in spite of the bad' times which have been experienced and that cur little effort will be acceptable."

"The New Zealand Parliament is cf a high standard, although some of us are dull," said the Minister of Education, the Hon. 11. Atmore, in an address at the Auckland Commercial Travellers' Club. "If it is to be a thoroughly representative institution Parliament 'must contain some dull men. We accept the criticism levelled at us j a good deal of it probably is deserved."

Tn the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie moved that in the opinion of thi,s Council the great advantages which would he derived by this Dominion from the development of New Zealand's grand scenic resources would warrant the Government in taking into serious consideration the work of linking up by road suitable for wheeled traffic tho east and west coasts of Otago, via the Greenstone, Holyford, and Cloddau Rivers. Sir Thomas referred to the pari of the country concerned as one of the undeveloped assets of the Dominion, and he said that the construction of a proper road would provide access that would enable it to he properly developed. There was not a track across to the- West Coast fit for a mule to travel, and it was a serious reflection on the Dominion that there was no means of communication to the natural port on the West Coast. The cost of constructing a road had been estimated some years ago at £41,030, and tlip district had sincf beep visited bv several engineers and others, who declared ihfit the scenery was unsurpassed in the world. Double Reductions. Trathen's Sale. Coloured Aza Flannels 3/6 yard.* Ladies.' crpinp wool and cotton vests with short and long Bleovea. Regulur price 7s lid and Es lid. Now 4s 6.1 at McKay's Sale.* We don't often do it ! Buy hats one day and sell at hall price the next. Ladies' hats, large head sizes; opened folk:/. BPfi are fashion's latest, to be sold to-'moii-C'V,. SK htflr. .Al„(t Sinai'! now Bridge Coats, Frocks, Silks, Dress Fabrics and scores of remarkable bargains.— Trathen's Sale To-morrow.*

The Bishop of London recently raised once more the question whetner the historic, and beautiful, ■ but thinly attended, City churches should be sold. Speaking at a conference this week he said that a business firm had offered £50,000 for a London church which was attended by only seven or eight people. The Bishop said : "There are 46 churches with 6U clergymen, 46 organists and choirs, ministering to about 20UO people, at a cost of £50,000 to £60,000 annually. That is a scandal. A dozen churches would suffice, and £20,00U a year would be .saved." It has been suggested that some of the churches might be reerected in the dominions.

Reductions in customs tariffs as tho first steps in a policy to relieve land settlement difficulties were advocated by Mr A. A. Ross in a lecture delivered before tlie Economic Society at Auckland. Large areas of land, as fertile as any lutlierto cultivated, were still lying idle, Mr Boss said. The question was how to bring back the days when the larger proportion of the population outside mining were flocking "to the backblocks, thereby stimulating production, trade, and the growth of the cities. It could not be done by telling the people about tin; prosperity of tin* farmers and urging them to" be optimistic. Mr Ross maintained that it was not a reduction in the price of land that was needed so much as improvements in farming conditions, and these were now being effected. It was now quite possible to break in land which could not be economically looked at a lew years ago. The trouble was that world prices tended to fall and costs were increasing and were being passed on to the primary producers. Manufacturers and workers were, all able to relieve themselves of this burden by increased prices and wages, but the farmer was handicapped because his prices were fixed on the world parity.

At the annual general meeting of members of the Cliristchureh Pioneer Motor Cycle Club a motion was passed: "That the attention of the South Island Motor Union be drawn to .the recent accident on Papanui Road which resulted- in the. deatli of a pedestrian, by a motorist who was not apprehended. The relatives of the deceased therefore cannot register their claim under the compulsory third party insurance, and that the South Island Motor Union take the matter up with a view to having the necessary alteration made to ih e Act so that where there is a third party injured by a motorist who is not appre. bended, the risk may be shared by all companies accepting motor third party insurance in proportion to the amount of premiums paid."

Writing to the Cliristchureh "Press" in criticism of the Agricultural Department and its alleged unwillingness to impart all it knows of value to the farmer if the idea has not originated with the Department' itself George Lee says: "Here is a case in point. One of the worst pests the orchardist in this country has to deal with is the fruit tree red spider. It is well known in England that a small predaceous bug commonly feeds on red spiders and their eggs. These insects go through five stages or moults, and at each stage the red spider and aphis is their food, while the adults will attack leaf hoppers also. The leaf hopper is another of the orchard pests. Now t'lie Agricultural and Horticultural Departments are supplied with three copies of the Ministry for Agricultural Journal, London, therefore they must know all about this useful bug, and the blessing it would be to this country. Why have they not imported that bug? in the course of time some officers of the Department will be sent on a costly trip to discover a parasite for the red spider, etc., and then the discovery will be made that this bug is just the thing." "The prediction that we made half humorously three months ago about a movement for the abolition of slot machines has been fulfilled with a vengeance, following the decision that a slot machine is not a shop within the meaning of the Act," comments the Cliristchureh "Star." The Labour Department, thwarted in its efforts betore the magistrate and the Appeal Court to have these machines declared shops, is now trying to carry its point by a side wind. It has issued a circular saying that the operation of a slot machine is a sale within the meaning of the Act, and therefore a majority of shopkeepers might petition the Ministry to have such sales prohibited. This will strike most people as the limit of bureaucracy, and it is a pity that State officials cannot be told to occupy their time more profitably, and not meddle in matters where the public convenience is concerned. The rights and liberties of the public in matters of this description should not be assailed at all, and least of all by .State servants. There is no sound principle under which the operation of slot machines should be re. stricted, and we would be greatly surprised if the present Government gave any countenance to the ill-timed activities of the Labour Department in the matter."

The New Zealand Farmers' Union at its conference, in Wellington carried a remit setting out that the union would strongly oppose any interference by the Government with the trading powers of electric power boards. The remit caused a division of opinion among the delegates, the view taken up by some being that the boards, which did not pav rates or income tax, had an unfair advantage over private firms. On the other hand, it was pointed out that the power boards had created the demand for electrical appliances, and, moreover, in the sparsely populated districts, where a certain amount of power had to be_ guaranteed, it was in the consumer's interests to be able to obtain appliances at a cheap rate in order that he might use the power to the maximum.

Strong exception to the fact that motorists should be summoned for a first offence in breaking a by-law was expressed by .Mr J. T. Cooper at a meeting of the Dunndin Citv Ratepavers' Association, reports the "Star."" He quoted a specific example where a motorist had left his car in a wrong parking area, and the first thing he knew wa,s that h t > had received a sum. ilions. The by-laws were being continually altered, and it would be quite easy for the, inspectors to leave a notice iii the car pointing out the mistake and issuing a warning. He did not think it an honest way of getting money out of motorists, and stated that he would like to know what the revenue from [his source was and what was done with it. Mr 0. P. Cuttriss pointed cut that many cities abroad insisted upon nil their streets being kept clear. Dunedin motorists were able to use the streets as a daylight garage, and if the bylaws were not complied with their privileges might be curtailed. It was finally decided that a deputation should interview the town clerk with regard to< the. revenue.

"Viyella" Press Fabrics, usually 6s lid, to-morrow 4s 11,1 vard.—TrnI hen's,'' Ladies' All Wool Bloomers, made by vVolsey, Ltd., light navv onlv, women's and 0.5.. formerly 7s 6d and'Ss Gd, raw Is lid.-McKay's Sale.* 150 Dress Lengths, to-morrow 9s lid L2s 6d, 15s dress lengths.— Trathen's.* Girls' Raincoats 10s 6,1 at McKay's sale. 6 only "ills' Rubber Coats '36 and 39 inch, formerly 28s 6d, now 10s' Trathen's Sale.: flO-inch Curtain Nets 1/-, An. Silk Curtainings I'll and 2/6 yard.* "Velveteen at Half," 36 inch Navy 8s lid, now 3s lid yard.—Trathen's.*

"When wo move a vote of no-confi-dence will the Reform Party support us?" inquired Mr 11. E. Holland (Bailor) of Mr D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury) in the Jlouso of Representatives Co-day (telegraphs "The Mail's" Parliamentary reporter). Mr Jones: "We might, do." (Laughter). "It is all a question of the .subject. I question whether the Labour Party are more dangerous than the present Government." i That in every case where game or birds are imported into the Dominion, their natural enemies should also be brought along in order to keep them from getting out of hand, was a contention put forward by Mr Talbot (Hawke's Bay) at the meeting of the Dominion Executive of the Farmers' Union in Wellington. He instanced tho caso of rooks. This did not at all meoi with the approval of Mr O'Connor (Nelson). "We have imported deer into this country," thVTTeison dolegato remarked, "and great as the damage they have done, it ia surely not suggested that we should import lions and tigers to keep their ranks down. The remedy would be more deadly than 'the disease."

Mr A. T. Long, formerly British Consul at Louieneo Marques was the speaker at the -Nelson Rotary Club lunch to-day. The subject was "Portuguese East Africa," and Mr Long gave an interesting description of some phases of life in that country.

The Hon. T. Shailer Weston, M.L.C., waited upon the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union in Wellington in order to place before that body the views of the Employers' Federation concerning the proposal to abolish the Arbitration Court and substitute industrial councils for the settlement of industrial disputes, ,Mr Weston pointed out that Mr J. Roberts, representing the New Zealand Alliance of Labour, would like to make it compulsory for industrial councils to exist. The council of the Employers' Federation, on the other .hand, thought it would be dangerous to have one big Labour Council in New Zealand, as they never knew what men might be at its'head. There had been a very close scheme of working between tire Alliance of Labour and the Employers' Federation within recent years, and this had Avorked with good effect, but it behoved employers to be careful before agreeing to any change in the I.C. and A. Act. In Great Britain, Lord M'elchett's proposals had been weighed very carefully by the employers before they agreed to come in. "The subject is a most important one for employers," concluded Mr Weston, "and' our federation does not believe in substituting industrial councils for the Arbitration Court, and particularly do we. object to having these councils made compulsory by law." . At the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr G. A. Edmonds, J.P., a first offender was fined 10s for drunkenness.

An increase iirthe naturalisation fee was complained of by Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) in. the House of Representatives (telegraphs "The Mail's" Parliamentary reporter). Mr Parry asked the Minister of Internal Affairs whether the fee had been increased from £2 to £10; what was the object of making such an abnormal increase; whether Cabinet had been consulted before the decision was arrived at; whether any indication was given to Parliament when the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill was under discussion that such an increase was contemplated or possible; whether the Minister thought the increase correctly interpreted the mind of^Parliament;'whether the Minister realised that the increase was unjust to many hard-working, honest, lawabiding citizens who desired to obtain for their wives and families the advantages of New Zealand citizenship and discriminated unfairly against the working class whose incomes were accordingly lowered; and whether the amount would be reduced again to £2. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle replied that tho increase was in keeping with the fee charged in th e United Kingdom. He suggested that Mr-Parry should place the other matters mentioned in the question on the Order Paper, when they would be inquired into.

"lh e purchase of a wreath costing £1 Is is without authority of law," stated Mr G. F. C. Campbell, head of the Audit Department, in a comment attached to the balance-sheet of the Selwyn Plantation Board for the year ended 31st March, 1929, received at'this week's meeting.