LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Nile, although not a passenger jbo-at, showed its worth when it brougut to Westport, reports the “Times” a boy 'from . Karamea who was seriously ill. The Nile left Westport at 3 p.m. on Monday and arrived at Karamea at 11 p.m. Sho departed again with her patient at 12.30 a.m and arrived at Westport at 6 a.m. At 10 a.m. the boy was operated on at the hospital, and is now progressing satisfactorily. The damage caused by deer in districts close to settled areas was commented on by Mr C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua) in the House of Representatives. Mr Clinkard said that deer were pests when they encroached on settled areas, and he hoped that- while tourist resorts would not be overlooked, the ideer would not be allowed to increase to such an extent as to drive people off their holding'-.

The Goodwin and Chichester Aviation Company, before the Chief Justice at Wellington yesterday, acknowledged being on the City Council’s land at Ro-ngotai without permission, and was prepared to remove its ’planes at the first opportunity. The company intimated that the ’planes would not be Uown except for the purpose of removal. His Honour, therefore, did not think it necessary io issue an injunction against the company. It was agreed that tho company should pay £5 5s costs, together with disbursements.—Press Association.

The altitude of parents to their children in the sixteenth century as compared with the present day was referred to by Professor A. iB. Fitt of Auckland, in a lecture on the Elizabethan Age. One writer of the period, said Professor Fitt, had stated that an adult demanded complete humility from children. Grown-up daughters were placed like statues in a room apart from their elders. They were not allowed to sit in their presence but only to kneel on a cushion. Sons hated and were afraid of their fathers and whipping was the order of the day. “Of the two attitudes I do not know which is the bettor,” Professor Fitt said. “I do believe I would rather go back to Elizabethan times. There is certainly a vivid contrast with our own times, l'mt after all this now freedom, is only a new kind of tyranny. The tyranny to-day is only the ether way round.’’’

Already six aviation journals are he ir.g published in New Zealand, accord ing to a statement made by the secret ary of the New Plymouth Aero Club.

An increasing number of fanners of the, Cambridge district have gone in for sheep this year, and so far the season has been a good one, the lambing returns being excellent. The lambs are coming in earlier than is usual and on several farms a large percentage of ewes have already lambed. The mortality is also low. On four loading sheep farms in tlie district there are already neat'lv 5000 lambs.

In Christchurch the tramway authorities have not found it necessary to make it, a condition of the issue of school children’s concession cards that the holders must not retain their seats when all the seats are occupied and adults are standing. This has been found necessary in Auckland. At the Chris.'church Tramway Bonid's oliico the following notice, appealing 10 the chivalrous nature, lias proved effective: “Notice to Schoolboys—A manly courtesy requires that schoolboys suouTu not occupy seats in a tramcar while adults, cither men or women, are;standing. The larger number of Christchurch hoy s'do not fail in this respect. This reminder is for the others."

A committee of the Franklin Power Board has considered a suggestion that the board should obtain land and grow trees suitable for power poles. It has now recommended to the hoard that- it should not enter into such a scheme, both because of the inherent risks and because concrete and iron poles were becoming cheaper. It was also considered that if to grow such trees was desirable the State Forestry Department might appropriately undertake the work. One member suggested that farmers might grow suitable trees on waste ground. The Wakefield Citizens' Band will give a sacred concert in the Spring Grove school ground on Sunday at 2.30 p.m.

The electric light and power failed last evening on the Port, Hills arid Ilaveri road circuits between 8.10 and 8.25 p.in.. owing to a fault developing on a 35 Ji.p. motor which the Anchor Foundry were using in their machine shop. Considerable interest is being manifested in mining ill southern Woetland, states thp Groymouth correspondent of “The Press’’. Several mining areas are being taken up and will probably be worked bv dredges electrically driven. Quite a large area of suitable dredging country lias been secured in the Pox. district. The pushing ahead of the .Main .South road appears promising, and the settlers of that district should be pic-ased with the outlook. There are over 9000 acres of occupied laud along the route and about 6000 acres unimproved. There are 8000 acres of dry land suitable for settlement, besides 11,000 acres of swampy land capable of being drained. The length of the proposed Okuru-Jackson’s Bay road is about 24 miles. The timber in tlm locality is estimated at eight hundred million superficial feet, and a nominal royalty on this would return a sum in excess'of the cost of the road. Jackson’s Bay is an open harbour and one of the best along the southern, coast with no engineering difficulties. This morning the West Const Redden Shield team, ns a mark of respect, placed a wreath on the grave of the late .Vr E. J. Kemnitz, who'was local manager of the Coast team on previous visits.

“There is a- lot of drudgery in school life and some people tell children that their happiest days are while they are at school, but I don’t because 1 don’t believe it. I believe they are happier after they have left school, than when they are* there.’'—Dr. D. E. Hansen, addressing members of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association, according to the Press report.

“It seems to, mo that the donation habit is getting over the odds; if we go on like this there will bo nothing hut the skeleton of the hoard left,” said Mr Campbell Johnstone, at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, when it was proposed that £lO should he donated to the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League. “I do not know whether this really comes within the scope of a harbour hoard, although I recognise that land settlement is to ho encouraged,” Mr Johnstone added. “As soon as anything is started people seem to come to the board for donations. They will pick at us until there is nothing hut our hones left.” The.chairman, Mr M. H. Wvnyard. said that he thought the league should he supported, and he considered the donation should be made. It was decided to give £lO.

Resentment of a statement made by Mr M. 11. Wvnyard at the annual dinner of the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ Association to the effect that the Associated Chambers of Commerce might do something to give investors a lead as to the merit of schemes of investment, was expressed by Mr G. C, Creagli, chairman of the Auckland Stock Exchange. “We would like to point, oiTt to Mr Wynvard and others interested that there already exists a body—the Stock Exchange—the members of which, as a result of a lengthy experience in such matters, are quite competent to give a lead in regard to what securities are sound or otherwise,” Mr Creagli said. “There certainly are schemes which are advanced as investment propositions that would have no chance of meeting with the approval of members of the Slock Exchange, , and which would receive scant consideration from the Exchange committee. I would again warn the investing public of the necessity which undoubtedly exists for consulting a member of this Stock Exchange before investing in any of the numerous schemes brought under their notice from time to time by plausible canvassers.” Tile memorial erected over the grave of the late Sir Arthur Guinness at the Knroro cenietel’y, which was broken by the earthquake on 17th June, lias yet to be repaired. Tlio Mayor of Greymoutli (Mr J. W. Greenslade) said he believed funds for the memorial were subscribed by the public, and lie did not know whether them was any money available for renovation purposes. He hoped that sufficient money would be forthcoming to enable the memorial to be put in good order again. ■ Various aspects of State undertakings wore commented upon by Professor B. E. Murphy, of Victoria- University College, in an address given to tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference on the subject, of “Public Expenditure.” In his concluding remarks lie said: “Public apathy and indifference lead to lax and wasteful administration and result in an absence of a sense of trusteeship in public men. Where there is not public vigilance or sound and critical public opinion the level of administration is bound to bo low. Few of the public or politicians understand the intricacies of public finance, and in any case a member of Parliament bound by his election pledges cannot criticise expenditure freely, as it is a matter of confidence or no-confidence in the Ministry, and is decided on party grounds that- have little relevance (o the merit of the problem. Owing to the general indifference financial criticism provokes resentment, or boredom. It- is not good ‘political copy,’ and so is neglected. Moreover, politicians are interested in tlio scramble for local doles, and this deflects their criticism and makes it ineffective. Whift is needed is a long period and carefully planned scheme of public works (which is imnossible owing to party considerations)? careful adherence to such scheme (which is likewise impossible in practical political life, because no Ministry can hind its successors) ; and a greater interest in, and appreciation of, the problems involved by the general public.” The Waimairi County Council lias decided to discontinue its contribution to the Canterbury Progress'Leaguc, and has this year deleted the item from its estimates. “We think the League is wrongly named," said a member- of tlio County Council this week. “It should be called tlio ‘Alice in Wonderland,' or ‘Looking Up’ League. 1 really think it has outlived its usefulness. The ratepayers do not get their quid pro quo: they do not get sufficient benefit out of it. ’ That, is my opinion, and it is the opinion of the majority of the members of the council." The grant formerly made by the County Council to tlio league was £77. It is understood that the League will make representations to the council to reconsider its decision.

The remarkable growth of bowser petrol stations throughout New. Zealand has created a new industry in Auckland —the manufacture of bowsers. The demand that has developed for equipment of this kind is demonstrated by the fact that in the Auckland province alone there are 7CO garages and service stations, many of which have up to eight bowsers on their premises, it was reported to a meeting of ihe Amalgamated Society of Engineer.® that conditions in the trade had improved slightly in recent months, owing to a firm commencing to manufacture petrol pumps. The demand for pumps was steady, and the firm, which had formerly been slack, wqs now employing forty hands.

Members of the Nelson Amateur Operatic Society are notified hv advertisement in this issue that to-night's rehearsal of “Going Up" will he held in the Elite Hall at 7 o'clock. All members are required to attend as this will be the hist rehearsal before the dress rehearsal, which will be held in the Majestic Theatre on Monday night.

One of the headings to an article in last, night’s "Mail” dealing with a discussion in Parliament on the subject qt the fairness of otherwise of Press reports of speeches, made it appear that a protest had been, made by tho Hon. H. Atmore, si report of whose address had brought the matter up. The article itself, however, indicated that the protest was made not by the Minister hut by the member for Motueka and was endorsed by the Prime Minister, who expressed strong objection to discrimination on the part of the Press in this connection, anil said lie asked for nothing hut what was fair.

Mrs 11. Dodson, senior, of Cleveland road, met with tin unfortunate accident when attending the pictures at. the Begent Theatre this week. Mrs Dodson slipped just as she was sitting down and fractured her right leg. She was admitted to To Bangi Hospital and is reported to be progressing very satisfactorily.

“Subscriber” writes to protest against the amount of the remuneration offered by the Nelson Emergency Committee to tho supervisor of restoration work at Murchison and thinks some explanation should he given. “Sympathiser” also writes from Tadmor but while agreeing that the amount is largo says that people should look on both sides and should bear in mind that possibly the person appointed (who is not known to the writer) was one of those in need of the motiev.

An increase in revenue as the result of the year’s operations is disclosed in the annual report of the Tourist Department laid before Parliament (telegraphs “The Mail’s” Parliamentary reporter). The report states that the revenue for the year was £72,658, as against £65.447 last year, and the. expenditure £82,987, as against £76,865. The principal sources of revenue were as follow: Rotorua, £35,670; Wnitomo Caves, £12,406;’ passenger hooking bureau, £10,203. The Department, it is stated, is contemplating tlio resumption of the To Allan hostel and steamer, and the purchasing of the present buildings at Lake Manapouri, an action which would bring the whole of the Fiordland country under the direct management of the Department and should tend to greatly improve tourist traffic to this region. Plans and specifications for the new bath buildings at Bctorua are approaching completion. Reference is made to the fact that the' number of visitors to the Milford track during the past season was greater than ever before, and in spite of a disastrous fire, which destroyed Glade House, the management and staff were able to maintain an efficient service.

A very serious aspect- of Karamea’s isolation is the health of the community and the suggestion was made at a Bui-, ler Progress League meeting that a cottage hospital would be a great '.help to the people of the district. Mr F. D. Young stated that before the earthquake it was usual for two or three cases a month to be brought into Westport from Karamea. Now there was only communication by sea and it was probable that a rough sea voyage would add the finishing touch to a patient seri‘ously ill. For a population of 1000 people it was a serious matter for them to be isolated as they are. It would be at least two years before they had road communication. He. moved that representations he made to the Buller HosDital Board in respect to the establishment of a hospital at Karamea. Mr F. Wood seconded the motion, which was carried.

Another dairying season will soon be in full swing (remarks the Taranaki “Herald”). Cows, ip all parts of the district are coming to profit in excellent condition, and with plenty of feed everywhere new records should be established so far as production is concerned. Last season, it will be remembered, was a wonderful one for growth, and many farmers to-day, even in poorer districts so far as the quality of the land is concerned. are in the happy position of having either ensilage or hay stacks, and in some cases both, that they will not, have to open this winter.

' A big gathering of people watched blasting proceedings at the Westport Post Office in the efforts to demolish the big building. Despite six separate discharges of gelignite, the portion intended to he lowered held its position. Then the hauler was brought into requisition and Inspector McKinnon and his staff were rewarded by seeing a big portion of the! building come crashing to tho ground.

A.n unfortunate mistake that was not without its humorous side occurred in connection with the concert given by the Dunedin Royal Male Choir this week, reports the “Times.” A well-known local caterer had received an order from the conductor of the Dunedin Orchestral Society to provide supper this evening, for 70 guests. Last evening a photographer, who is also a member of the Male Choir, rang up the caterer asking him if he had a wedding party there, as he-(the photographer) was anxious to photograph the bridal party and get away to His Majesty’s Theatre to sing at the concert. On hearing this inquiry, the caterer in alarm asked if the conductor of the Orchestral Society would be present, and was told that he would. Thinking he had made a mistake regarding the night of the supper, he rang up the theatre for the man who had placed the order, only to bo informed that lie was, at the moment, on the stage. He decided 'to lose no time, and immediately rushed all necessary food and cutlery to the theatre, where a sumptuous supper was laid out. At half time, the conductor ot the Male Choir was astounded and dismayed to see his carefully trained singers enthusiastically doing justice to the surprising feast. The caterer, meanwhile, can console himself with the gratitude felt by last night’s performers for his generosity, and look forward to repeating the preparations this evening. A combined meeting of the Motueka Safe Bathing Society and the Band will be. hold at the High School on Mondav evening, to consider the holding of a queen carnival.

Great interest was taken las; night in the display of “Going Up" photos on 'n°" * l ' Snapshots in Trafalgar street. I lie box plan is filling most satisfactorily and it only requires a bumper house on tuesday night next to guarantee a substantial cheque being handed to the Earthquake Relief Fund by tlm Nelson Amateur Operatic Society who are giving the' whole of the. net proceeds to this cause.

By advertisement in this issue the Commissioner ot Crown Lands. Nelson, notifies, that he will offer sections in various parts of the Nelson Land District for selection on Tuesdav, 6th August. The annual re-union dinner organised by.the Moluoka branch of (he R.X.A., which was postponed from 13lli July on account i>f inclement weather, will he held on Saturday, 3rd August, at 7.30 p.m.