LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 August 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Monday next will be observed as a holiday in Nelson in pursuance of the old custom of celebrating the first Monday in August as “Spud Monday”. “The Mail” will be published but will go to press earlier than usual. The following letter lias been received by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., from the .Minister of Education, the lion. 11. Atmore: “You were present at the deputation which waited upon, me at Greymouth last month when .Mr \V. G. Scott, chairman of the School Committee, asked for an amendment of toe Education Act to enable the School Committee to pay one of its members as secretary. At- the time I expressed the hope that tins work would he provided for' in an honorary •apacity. Since returning to Wellington I have looked further into the matter and l find a rather serious objection to the proposal; in I'aft' that no local body has power to pay one of its members for services rendered. This is a ml: applying to all members of local bodies, indeed, no member of a local body can claim payment from that body for 'services rendered, or for goods supplied under any contract. 3 am informed that there is generally no diffi-,-ulty in obtaining voluntary services in he capacity of secretary to a school ommittee, and I trust that Greymouth rill not be an exception to the rule.” Further contributions to the National '{allcry and Museum bring the total to 094,118, states a Press Association telegram. Due in a large measure to restriction of the Government’s immigration policy, there was a decrease of 13,531 in the number of persons arriving in the Dominion last year compared with 1945. During the calendar year, 19G8, 83,624 persons arrived in New Zealand Irom overseas and 82,889 departed, leaving 11 net gain of 795 to the population through migration. 01 the arrivals and departures considerably more than, half were represented by the crews of ships, who- also explain the large preponderance of males 111 the figures. Of the total arrivals in 1928, 66,458 were males and 17.226 females, and the departures included 65,945 males and 16,944 females. Crews of ships totalled 48.2C6 in the arrivals and 47,854 in the departures during 1928. The Murchison County Council's thanks to various institutions and individuals were expressed at this week s meeting at' Murchison. Amongst those mentioned were: The N.Z. Broadcasting Co (2Y.\. Wellington) for news broadcasted hv them during the earthquake; office:s of the Health Department for their visit to- Murchison; the Railway Department for providing relief trains and granting excursion rates to people from the earthquake area : and Mr Watson and the county staff generally. Fantastic tales had been told concerning the depth of the eaitliqiinke cracks, said Mr F. W. Furkert, Chief Engineer for the Public Works Department, during an address on the earthquake region he gave before the Palmerston North Rotary Club this week. He stated that lie saw no fissures deeper than six Icet or wider than eighteen inches. It was his opinion that a rippling movement of the earth surface had compressed alluvial material which, ' on relaxation of the pressure, had parted, leaving cracks with ragged edges on the hillside roads. Bridges had not jumped as was reported, but the fillings at the approaches had merely subsided. All hough people when in n state of hysteria were liable to exaggerate, there 'was n-aml reason for consternation because the ground rippled 10 such an extent that horses could not maintain limir balance, and the earthquakes must have been very vicious to prevent lour-tooted animals I from keeping their feet. The following resolution was carried by the Murchison County Council at a nieet.'iig held earlier in the week: “That this Council convey to Their Excellen- • c* • , . mwl f nrltr A Itpn

Council ami inhabitants of the County of Murchison in the kindly interest shown by their visit to the earthquake area..”

“Fair Spin” writes advocating that either' Biggs or Maibin should fill the lull hack posit ion in the iSeddon Shield Lenin. If “Fair Spin” calls at “The Mail” lie can collect- the sum of money enclosed in the letter.

The Minister of Railways (the lion. W. B. Taverner) informed Mr C. H. Chapman (Wellington Non*Mi) in the. House of Representatives yesterday that, the plans for the new station at Wellington are well in hand, and it' is anticipated that they will he completed at about the end of the year. Before a contract can. he let, however, it is necessary to clear the site, and this in turn depends on the erection of a new goods shed on the reclaimed ground. Tenders have already been called for the erection of the goods shed. Mr R. McKeen (Wellington South) asked the Minister of Justice in the House of Representatives yesterday telegraphs “The Mail’s" Parliamentary reporter) (1) whether liis attention has been drawn to the large, number of advertisements which have appeared in the Press recently similar to the following: “Tradesman (24), own hehall, means, wishes the company of girl 17 to 21. P.O. ignored; genuine, view to matrimony. Write 1352, “Evening Post.” (2) Whether he will have a searching inquiry made by the police into the real source of such advertisements, to find whether the motive of the advertisers is an honest and conscientious one. (3) Whether he will take steps to make it compulsory for such advertisers to publish their address, so that the bona fulcs of such can. he investigated if thought necessary. The Hon. T. M. Wilford replied :'“No complaints have been made to the authorities regarding these advertisements, nor have they any evidence that such are inserted for improper purposes. The police have no authority to require publishers to furnish the source of advertisements, and it would require legislation to make it compulsory for the addresses of advertisers to he published.”

Strong exception to the fact that the Auckland Aero Club should ho permitted to- conduct an art union in which prizes totalling £4OOO are being offered was expressed at a meeting in Dunedin of the Public Questions Committee of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. The committee decided to draw the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs to an advertisement in the Press regarding this art union. .It was pointed out that as a result of the recognition of the evils of the mania for such art- unions, which obtained a low years ago* the recent policy of the Department of Internal Affairs lias been to refuse permits for such art unions, unless they are for bona fide works of art of a- value not exceeding £SOO. The committee strongly urged that this policy of reform be strictly adhered to m tile interests of the public, and with a view to discouraging indulgence in lotteries and all forms of gambling.

Tragedy visited No. 5, Coleridge street, Sydenham, in the early hours of Sunday morning, when the father and mother of the family resident there died .within ten minutes of each other, says the “Lyttelton Times.” By a •coincidence, neither knew of the shadow of death hovering over the other. One was Mr John Quinlan, aged 75 years, and the c-ther Mrs Bridget Quinlan, aged 72 years, both late of lioburn, and resident for tile past three years in Christchurch. Mrs Quinlan had been suffering from bronchitis for two years, and the illness became serious on Friday night Last, when a doctor was called in. Mr Quinlan was taken ill on Tuesday, and his condition towards the end of the week was so serious that it was not deemed advisable to- tell him of his wife's illness. i In Mr T. Cole’s letter, . in reply to “Old Bandsman,” published last night, (he sentence appeared: “The policy 1 instituted of continually training young material for the advancement of the band is a proud fact.” The last two words should have read “proved fact.”

An inquest was held at Palmerston North' this morning in connection with the death of Eileen Mclnnes, married, of Otaki, who died in hospital on 24th July. The evidence of the superintendent of the hospital was to the effect that deceased told him she used an instrument upon herself to achieve a. certain result. The cause of death was septicaemia peritonitis -following an illegal operation. Detective Russell stated that deceased, when interviewed, admitted performing an illegal operation on herself. She retused to divulge other information. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.—Press Association. the title of the “Lyttelton Times,” which lias been, published since 1851, has been changed to the “Christchurch Times from to day. At the same time the “Star” changes its title to “Christchurch Star. ’ —Press Association. Replying to Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) in the House of Representatives yesterday (telegraphs “The Mail's” Parliamentary reporter), the ilom J. B. Donald (Postmaster-General) stated that the I’. and T, Department let to public tender the exclusive right to compile, publish, and distribute a list "f the names and addresses' of the registered owners of motor-vehicles. The list does not include plate-numjicrs a: (he vehicles, and would therefore he c: no use to local authorities. The compilation annually ot a list, of the owners o! liioior vehicles, with the plate numbers, would occupy such a considerable amoun: ol time that the list would not he available until well on in the year. By the time it was published tho'list- would’he unreliable. An average number of over two hundred changes of ownership is notified daily, and to keep the list- up to date supplementary lists Would require to he issued at least weekly. Names ot owners ol motor vehicles are supplied mi application, by Deputy Registrars to local bodies concerned. A central register, comprising all vehicles registered in the Dominion, is kept in Wellington. I lie name of an owner of a motor vehicle registered at an office oilier lban the local one is obtainable without delay direct from the Registrar of Motor \ eludes. Wellington. Local bodies make extensive use of both the local arid central registers, and, judging by the absence of complaint, the system adequately meets requirements.

Mr IT. S. S. Kvlh (RiccaiTon) asked the Minister of Education (the Hun. if. Atmore) in the House nt Rnpresontntives yesterday (telegraphs “The Mail's" Parliamentary reporter) whether the eslablislunent or interniedinte or Junior High Schools as proposed hy the Minister will interfere with the present educational work carried on in high schools, and whether they will he responsible for reducing the number ol free places now obtainable at our High Schools. The Minister (the Hon. 11. Atmore) replied: In any proposed ((‘organisation of schools it is not intended to withdraw any concession of free education. A rod letter day at Traflion’s salt 1 tomorrow : goods must he cleared to make room for builders and carpenters who are making extensive improvements to premises. Head advertisement page ].’ The animal Plunket ball and children's fancy dress party has been arranged for daturdav 31st August. Another "day rf days" at Tratben.'s big sale of tasdnonable drapery. To•vmiitow will be a. big shopping dov. Closing all day Men lav * fP'ti.Vrs will disturb our dress depart-nv--H next week, we mush make room. To-morrow we will sacrifice all dress and silk goods at absurdly low prices.— Tratheu’s.*

Tin; victory of Franco over the United States in the? final match of this year's f)avis Cup contest marks her domination of the. international Held for tlm third successive year. Her record _ in 1928 was truly remarkable, for besides retaining the Davis Cup her players won the three important .championships--those of England, and the United States (comments the Christchurch “Press”). Jn addition Borolra, in the course of a tour of the world, won the three Australian championships at MelTliis year the Frenchmen have so far worn the English championship and the Davis Cup. The showing of England. though not impressive when considered in terms of results, lias at least given us good reason, to think that her long period of mediocrity is at an end. At Wimbledon her only success was in the women's doubles, 'but 'Collins and Gregory very nearly pulled off the men’s doubles against the American pair, Allison and van Ryn. In the recent Davis Cup match between Germany and England it was only the unexpected collapse of Austin that caused her to lose. Collins, Gregory, and Austin all have some years of first-class tennis before them, and have, in. the opinion of most critics, a good chance of developing into world champions.

It used ten be a wonder to. the “new chum” itow the experienced bushman used to go away for weeks at a time exploring the mountain fastnesses without a tent to sleep in. Ail echo of this was heard this week in Auckland (says the “Star”), when a bushman, lured to the city by the hope of getting high wages, found disillusionment wiie-.i iie saw too many men already there unable to get work. He sought out the relief otlice, after he had had “a bit of a flutter” with the savings he had brought with him, and asked for a bushman’s outfit, so that he might go back to the country. W hen asked what a bushman's outfit was composed ol'. lie replied that there would be an axe, costing about 12s 6d, a nest of four billies costing about “four bob,” and a camp oven, costing about Ss, and that v. oultl do him, as lie had his blankets. “How about a tent?” asked the relieving officer. “I ain’t no new chum bushman,” he saitl. “When I go into the bush, I like to travel light.” The experienced bushman knows that a tent is a needless encumbrance so long as there, are plenty of pungas about. "I’m longing to get back to a punga whare, where there are no draughts like you have in boardinghouses,” said in 2 bushman. “When 1 build my punga hoi.se, it will have only one door, and at the other end there will be my fireplace for burning big logs.”

The consumption of snuff is increasing in Canada, 82,0001 b. having reached the Dominion in May. “Where it all goes,” said a Government official, “is a mystery. Who uses it? There's the pinch.'’ For many years an official snuff-box stood 011 the clerk’s table in tfie Canadian Senate, but the visible supply vanished several years ago, when the Houses of Parliament were burned, and was never replaced.

According ti Mr W. MeHardy Forman, managing director of General Motors (N.Z.) Ltd., who returned to New Zealand from the United States this week, automatic signalling for motor traffic has developed to a high state of perfection. “To understand what motor traffic can develop into,” said Mr Forman, “one needs to go to the States and see f ol" oneself.” He found that in the United States there were bells and signals like railway signals, the meaning of which no one could mistake, and these were much more satisfactory than coloured lights. On roadways where there was a minimum speed limit, 30 miles an hour, traffic was heavy iut safe, the modern four-wheel brake making a min ini uni speed of 30 miles an hour safer than one of 10 miles with the old type of brake.

“There is no question of road competition with railways in India,” said Air A. C. 4ustin, 'engineer on the Ben-gal-Nagpur railway service, who passed through Auckland by the Aorangi this week. “Nearly all the railways in India are State-owned, and are paying,” added Mr Austin, who was more recently acting-chief engineer. “It may interest you to know that all the Indian broad-gauge lines are sft Gin wide, which I believe is the largest in the world, but we also have the 2ft Gin and metre gauge.”

A motion picture producer, Mr Alarkey, and Airs Varney (costumier) are at present at Tokaanu making arrangements with Air J. Asher for the production of a great Maori film—the most spectacular film yet made of the story of the Maori people before the advent of the Europeans. Two large pas and tort-v Maori canoes will be constructed, and" eight hundred Maoris will he employed for six months on the making of the picture. In one scene, entitled “An Attack on an Island Pa,’’ it will be necessary to assemble 1200 natives. Mr J. Asher will have charge of the provisioning of the Alaoris, and on the completion of the picture (so it is understood) the Government will assist the Tokaanu natives to maintain one of the newly-constructed pas so that an annual assembly of Alaoris may be held there for the purpose of reestablishing the old Maori customs.

Motor vehicle imports into New Zealand during tire first six months of this year totalled 15,072 units, a record in the history of tiie trade and an increase of nearly 139 per cent, on the aggregate of 6313 cars, chassis, and commercial vehicles imported in the first half of 1929. The dutiable value of the imports was £2,055,517. This figure was exceeded in 1925 and 1926 for a smaller number of vehicles—a striking indication of the decrease in the average prices of cars and trucks. .For purposes of comparison dutiable values only are taken, and these figures must he augmented by freight, customs duty, and profits before tiie vehicles are on the road. If these additions are considered the half year's imports represent an expenditure of nearly £4,000,000. The total of 15,072 vehicles imported in the January-June period of this year included 11,247 cars and car chassis, the remaining 3825 vehicles being commercial types. In the boom year of 1926 car imports for the first six months totalled 11.940. Tim aftermath was felt in 1927, and imports remained at slump figures until the last quarter of 1928. The total of 1510 English cars imported in the last six months is a record for any such period. Italian ears, which enjoyed a small share of the trade in 1926 and 1927, are practically at zero. The car imports accounted for £1,634,870 of the £2.055,517 relating to all vehicles. .

An assault at a dance hall resulted in a. sentence of seven days' imprisonment without Ihe option being imposed upon Percy Smith, a young man, at Christchurch. Complainant, another youth, said ho had four teeth broken.— Press Association.

Never before have prices been so favourable for thrifty shoppers. Trnthen's quote amazing reduction:; in ensure a quick clearance. Hats, fiixks, coats, warm winter underwear, etc. etc. Shop early to-morrow, closed all day Monday. *

Closing all day Monday. Double reduction prices in all departments at Trathcn's sale to-morrow.'

Tn to-day's issue the Railway Department draws attention to altered train arrangements on Monday, nth

The ."'moral committee of flu* Nelson Horticultural Society will meet at the Institute to-morrow evening at 7-30.

L. A. Baigent, who was one of the hoys injured when part of the Boys’ College collapsed during the recent, earthquake, lias now sufficiently recovered to return to his home in Grove street.

The municipal milk scheme which figured so prominently in the last election campaign for the Christchurch City Council, is now virtually dead, and the Bill prepared by the previous council lor .submission to the present session of Parliament is being allowed to remain in Hie pigeonholes undisturbed (says the “Lyttelton Times”). Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., the originator of the scheme, was not a candidate for re-election to the council last May, and as tU? Labour candidates who secured election are not all enthusiastic supporters of municipalisation of the milk supply, it is unlikely that anything more will be heard of it. The present coluicil has allowed the time to slip by when local Bills must be submitted to Parliament in order to lie dealt with this session, although Mr Carr, on his own initiative, has introduced a private Bill dealing with the matter on general grounds. Shortly alter the present council took office the whole question of what reforms should he introduced in connection with the milk supply was referred to a committee for consideration, but the committee has not .vet submitted ils report to the council. The members of the present council do not seem anxious to have anything more to do with the municipal isat ion scheme. * j

The Christchurch City Council is still retaining the deposits of three of tho candidates for election to the Council \yho failed to poll one-eighth of the votes polled by the lowest successful candidate at the municipal elections in May last, reports the “Times.” This is being done in accordance with legal advice on the subject. The candidates affected are Messrs E. H. Stringer, T. Bailev (Independents) and J. \V. Bobson (Labour). The right of the Council lo return the deposit (£3 in each case) probably will be tested, the contention being that the section of tho Act under which elections are hold on the proportional representation scheme does not make it clear whether the returning officer lias the right to retain the deposits of candidates who fail to- poll u certain proportion of votes.

Boring for water has been proceeding at tlie Baglau Brewery for over twelve months, having been begun on the 28th July, 1928. Three bores have bee.n put down, and the third lias now reached a depth of over 300 feet. If needful this bore will be continued for another 100 feet, but hopes are entertained that a suitable flow of water will lie encountered before that limit is reached.-

During the past few weeks, evidence has been accumulating that there exists, under the surface in Blenheim, a degree of poverty which is almost unbelievable (states the “Express”). 111 several eases neighbours have become aware that the people next door—or, perhaps, just up the street—are having a hard time, and discreet inquiries have revealed appalling instances of families in actual want, with no money, no food in the house, no source of income in sight, and yet jealously concealing their plight with a' Stoicai pride. “You can take it from me,” said one citizen who was approached, and who claimed to know what he was talking about, “that there is actual starvation abroad in Blenheim this winter, but most of the victims conceal their plight and are too proud to seek, or even to accept charitable aid.” That there may be something in this viewpoint is evident from the experience of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable .-Aid Board, because it has not found the demands upon its charitable aid resources this year much greater than was the case last year. But, although the Charitable Aid Board's experience seems to indicate that cases of necessity this year are little, if any. more numerous than in previous years, independent citizens who are now interesting themselves in tho matter assert that there is far more poverty undeV the surface than is dreamed of. To illustrate the point, it is pointed out that there are to-day no fewer than 220 men registered as unemployed at the Blenheim Post Office. Of this number some have found work with the Borough Council, under its relief scheme, and some have been taken on by the River Board under a similar arrangement, while a number, who were birds 'of passage seeking a job, have drifted away to other localities. But it is estimated by the officers of the Post Office that there are still about 120 unemployed in Blenheim—most of them up against it—and yet the Charitable Aid Board is at present in touch with only 18 eases of distress.

A technical school deputation which waited on the lion. H. Atmore at Wellington to-day stated that the best interests of technical education could not he achieved in Wellington so long as the school remained divided between the old site in the city and the new one at Mount Cook. The City Council would purchase the land and buildings behind the Town Hall at a price to he agreed upon, lull declared to he not less than £50,000, of which half would go to the College Hoard. An additional £BOOO was sought tn complete additions to the new school. The Minister gave a sympathetic reply, hut emphasised that to a large extent the matter came within the province of the Finance -Minister. —Press Association.

The attention of those interested in missionary work is called to the advertisement appearing in this issue of the Alissionarv Lunch to be' held in All Saints’ Schoolroom at midday to-morrow (Friday) to which they are cordially invited. It is being held under the auspices of the New Zealand Church Alissionary Society.

jY motor-car, a threo-soater Chevrolet. has been found hy Hiccarton Borough Council employees, and is alleged lo lie the same car that participated in a collision with a tram car on Hiccarton load about two months ago; the car and its driver disappeared immediately after the smash. The ear, which has the 1928 registration plate No. 115-281, lias not been claimed yet. It is in the Riocarton Council's yard, savs the "Press'’.

Air J. C. Fairborn, District Telegraph Engineer stationed at Christchurch, states that repairs have been effected to the Inangalmn-Murehison telegraph lines as far as Lyell, hut there was a gap in the .West Coast-Nelson system between Lyell and Murchison. The work of reconstruction was ,held up hy had weather, and meanwhile all traffic was going by wav of the east const.

Nearly all the brown trout ova in tin Nm-tli Canterbury Acclimatisation So.■civ's hatcheries are now hatched.

about 95 per rent, of the eggs proving fertile. It is expected that the work of liberation will bo commenced at nine, and more eggs will be obtained from Southland as soon as the trays arc emptied.

When a “Lyttelton Times" reporter suggested to Dr. YV. A. Sledge, who arrived at Christchurch from Heeds University. that the weather had not done finite the right thine by him, Dr. Sledge said: “ft’s fifnnv Aiiw everybody seems to he grumbling about the

weather. .Tils! a l : Mb> bit »f rain! The' ought to he in Leeds, whore we have leaden skies for weeks and weeks at a Stretch.”