NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10608, 5 June 1920, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

A libel action, in which Professor von Zcdlite claimed £IOOO damages against the "Now Zealand Times" was partly heard before His Honour Mr Justice Edwards and a jury of twelve at the Supremo Court yesterday. Evidence was given by tho plaintiff, the only witness, and in. the course of cross-ex-amination, bv Sir John Findlay, K. 0., some interesting information was elicited. The case, of which a full report- appears on, pages 8 and 9, was adjourned till 10.30 this morning, when counsel for both parties will address the jury.

The Fire Brigade desires to acknowledge with thanks the sum of £1 Is from Mr G. AV. Evans, Fortunatus street, Brooklvn, for services rendered.

Judging from a recent report the Te Aioha Borough can hardly bo said to be in a sound financial condition. At a. meeting of the council the clerk reported that the overdraft stood at £'6995, and the limit- was £7OOO.

According to a review of the British labour situation by the London "Economist," the peak of unemployment in England was reached iri May, 1919, when tho total of idle persons was reported at 1,093,400.

In illustration of the enormous growth of the demand for motor ears, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce announces that the maker of a cheap but famous type is now turning out 3000 per day, just three times as many as a year ago.

A proposition has been mado for a party of Parliamentarians to visit the West Coast before the session opens, in order to gain a -first-hand knowledge of the mining industry, tho conditions of work, the prospects for future development and cognate subjects.

"Concrete ships are a complete failure. They cost twice ;ui much as steel vessels, and take twice as long to build." • So said Sir G. D. Hunter, head of the great shipbuilding firm of Swan, Hunter's, in announcing the abandonment of tho scheme to build concrete ships on Wearside.

In the civil ease in which John Kioly Bought to recover the. sum of £53 lis lOd from H. E. Manning, alleged to be owing on building contracts in which the plaintiff and defendant were partners, Mr W. G. Biddoll, S.M., in his reserved judgment, nonsuited the plaiutiff. No costs were allowed.

In connection with tho safety zonea at certain tram stopping places are pillars on stands to attract tho attention of drivers of vehicles. The other evening one of these was removed by isome wag (Bays the Auckand "Star"), and placed at the. doorway of the nearest hotel, after closing hours. Prohibitionists will no doubt object to hotels being marked as "safety zones."

The difficulty in obtaining goods from England was mentioned by • a merchant who attended a recent conference held in Wellington. He stated that his firm 6ent an order for fifty different lines, .and after waiting for a long time for tho goods to arrive a bill of lading was received from their buyers in London. The only entry on the- document was a tank of Epsom salts which his firm was not in urgent need of at the time.

During the height of the Christchurch storm, Mr P. Keast, of Lincoln, had a startling experience. After an electrical discharge there was a terrific explosion, which broke all the windows except one on the north-east 6ide of the house. There was a pear tree just in front of tho one which was left intact, and this must have saved it. On Mr Keast going out to investigate he noticed a strong smell of sulphur, but everything' appeared to be as. usual.

Tho Secondary School Teachers' Conference opened at Parliamentary Buildings yesterday, the Hon. C J. Parr, Minister for Education, being in tho chair. There were also present five principals, eight assistants, and four departmental officers, and 'fio, business consisted of the'consideraitiion of tho reconstructive policy, classification, and salaries. Tho proceedings wore not open to tho Press. The conierenco will be resumed at 9 o'clock this morning.

During their visit to Wellington last week, Messrs J. Price and G. G. Bell (members of the Matamata Town Board) were (says the Auckland "Star") i informed that as a. result of the effort* of Sir William Hemes, M.P., the Government proposed to spend the sum of £6OOO on improvements to the Matamata railway station in tho near future. No details wero given as to tho manner of the expenditure, with tho exception of the statement that an island platform would be provided. The deputation also approached the authorities on the water and sewerage scheme and in connection with town endowments. They report having been favourably received on all matters.

Quito n largo number of people entertain tho opinion that the printing of "Hansard" is a deliberate waste of public money (says the Wairarapa "Age"). Be that as it may, there is little doubt that thousands of pounds are wasted annually in the preparation of useless pspore and returns. At a time like the present, when the newspapers of tho Dominion are at their wits' end to procure supplies, and whon iho cast of paper is several hundred per cent, above pre-war prices, there can be no excuse whatever for the throwing away of public nirthey by tho Government Printer. Economy in tho matter of stationery might with advantage bo practised in every department of State.

The next annual conference of the I New Zealand Returned Soldiers' As- • soeintion will be held at Dunedin.

l'cur steamers will shortly lift over two million feet of timber at Greymemh for Australia. The Inga. will load 5C0.000 feet for Sydney and the .Joan Craig 200,000 feet for the sainn port. The Malaita will load 400,000 feet, and the Kaituna one million.

On Thursday night a motor-car, while travelling along the Hutt road, collided with a telegraph post, with the result that the radiator was smashed and ' the forc-carraigo damaged to an appreciable extent. Tlio occupants of the car escaped injury.

"That the Prime ifinister be written to asking for full particulars and details of the- 700,000 acres of Crown Hinds stated by him to be available, for settlement; sucli particulars to T>e forwarded to local association." —A decision of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association.

The New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has resolved to recommend to the. Government, "That any soldier who has been discharged for refusing inoculation be refused any benefits under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act or the Repatriation Act.''

While driving- along Rolleston street just, before 0 .o'clock last evening an expressman, William Cowley, residing at No. 19. Carrington street; was knocked off his cart through a collision with a, dray, and received injuries to his back. He was removed to tite hospital at 6 p.m., and at midnight was reported as not being in a serious condition.

''Zamille," writing to the Auckland "Star," says:—"l desire to announce that, spurred by the example of the ladies' meeting recently I have decided in future that I -shall not pay more than 14 sruineas for a suit of clothes, £2 10s for a hat, £3 for a pair of boots, 9d for a cup of tea, and a shilling for a. packet of cigarettes. The cost of living must be met by selfdenial."

"That a legal opinion be obtained as to whether the men and their wives who came out on the ltuahine are entitled to the difference between second and third-class faics, and if such opinion is favourable, that the executivo take immediately legal action against the authorities responsible," was a resolution adopted yesterday at the annual conference of delegates of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association.

The Cook Hospital Board placed a remit before the Hospital Boards' Conference suggesting tiiat the Justice Department be approached in respect to the desertion of wives and families by husbands. It was pointed out that the court allows maintenance at so niuch a week, hut that the defaulter generally goes free, and the family is. then kcj>t by charitable aid. The "annual cost in this respect was said to be on the increase.

At a meeting in Wanganui of those interested in .manufacturing, the question' of the returns asked for by the Census and Statistics Office was fully discussed. It was resolved that no returns be made out until all the other Employers' Association in New Zealand have been communicated -with ;md their replies received. It waa agreed that the questions are unnecessary and too inquisitorial.—Press Association.

For some time past the subject of forestry and afforestation ' has been steadily attracting more public notice sir the denudation of New Zealand's native forest- is proceeding apace under the pressure of settlement. For this reason, considerable interest attaches to the lecture to be given by Sir David Hutchen on Saturday evening. Sir David has a world-wide reputation for his work in India and. South Africa, and his view.s on tho forestry problem ahead of New Zealand should carry much weight.