St Matthew’s College.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1939, Page 6

St Matthew’s College.

An enjoyable at home gathering was held in the drawing room of St Matthew's College last night, arranged by the Parents' Association. The Principal. Mrs Max Cleghorn, gave an informative address on American universities and schools. Supper was served by a committee of parents. Native Plant Reserve. The Christchurch City Council is continuing the’development of the native plant area in Victoria Park, the reserve situated on Cashmere Hills. Recently the city nurseries have sent up to the park 1800 native plants and 933 other species, including ornamental shrubs. The native plant area on the hills is one of the main attractions in Victoria Park, and covers many acres of hillside within easy access of the tramway terminus. New additions will be made to the area already planted as conditions permit. Boys Unable to go Abroad. Ernest Buller, aged 14, of Wanganui, who left here three weeks ago to join the Australian Boys’ Band and Revue in Auckland, has returned home. Buller linked up with the revue for part of the North Island tour, but, with other New Zealand boys, who were also to join the company, was unable to leave the Dominion because of indemnity difficulties. The boys were put to great expense for their outfits for the tour, One boy earning £8 a week gave it up for a tour which ended abruptly. A Motor-Car Plays Up. An obstinate motor-car played up in a very irritating way for its driver in Manchester Street, Christchurch, the other afternoon. When it stalled while crossing the intersection of Hereford Street the cars behind piled up until there was a row of a dozen, all hooting angrily. At last the driver of the front one got out and decided that he could move his car more quickly by pushing it. However, just as he stepped on to the ground the car began to roll forward with the camber, and then, with the help of a traffic inspector, it was pushed aside and the big string of cars was released from behind. Game on Lake Ellesmere. The recent cold south-westerly winds have brought huge flocks of black swans and pukekos to shelter close alongside the main road skirting Lake Ellesmere. Sportsmen’s eyes must light up at seeing, only a few chains from the roadway, such splendid prospective “bags; and some of them claimed that the birds knew very well it was not in season to take them. The swans are careful not to come too close in, bm pukekos were to be seen flying ovei the highway and feeding a few yards from the fences. Several dead pukekos on the road showed that some had been a little too careless.

Attacks On Money System. “An attempt is being made to run a campaign depicting money as a black and evil thing,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives last night. “This campaign though meeting with a measure oi public approval, is undermining and destroying the real foundations of our wealth and is really a blow to thrif. and enterprise and the savings of oui average New Zealand citizen oi family. It may be thought by some that this blow is aimed at big money interests but an attack on money as money is an attack on those possessing small savings as well as large savings. It if well for those with small savings tc pay attention to this fact." Land Tax Abolition. An estimate that between 25 000 am 30,000 farmers will be affected by the proposal to abolish the exemption from income tax of farms with an unimproved value of less than £3.000 was made by the Leader of the Opposition Mr Hamilton, during the Budget debate in the House of Representatives last night. All farmers now would paydouble tax. he said and it would be particularly serious for many small farmers, particularly dairy farmers, “Land tax should be abolished.’ said Mr Hamilton. “This party is no* against income tax as a tax. but the cost of collecting the levy from the small farmers will be enormous. Il will probably need another Social Security Building to house the extra staff. The benefit to the State funds is very doubtful, because an income oi £365 where there arc two children will produce only £1 10s 2d. and many farms do not show a profit as great as that. The cost, of collection will behuge, and the trouble to the farmer enormous.” The monthly gathering of the St. Andrew Society will be held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday night, commencing at 7.45 o'clock. The Mastcrtoi\Towns\vomen's Guild will hold a social evening in the Savage Club rooms tonight, commencing at 8 o'clock. All members and friends are invited, to attend.