Pennies for paper

A novel method of cartage: loads of straw totalling 21 tons were carted to Dunedin by car from...
A novel method of cartage: loads of straw totalling 21 tons were carted to Dunedin by car from the Taieri. - Otago Witness, 18.8.1915.
The Otago Education Board yesterday received a letter from the Hawea Flat School Committee protesting against the discarding of slates in school work and the instituting of paper below Standard IV as being wasteful and causing unnecessary expense to parents.

It was stated that no slates at all were in use in most schools, but that teachers could not compel anyone to use paper.

Chief Inspector Richardson said that the department discouraged the use of slates.

The chairman (Mr Israel): ''So does the board.''

Mr Richardson explained that slates were objected to on sanitary grounds, and it was also pointed out that paper enabled the work of the children to be followed much more carefully.

The letter was simply received.

• ''I have found that whilst there is full credit to be given to some men of large means who have contributed in a right spirit to the patriotic funds, and whilst the mass of the people of small means are contributing freely, there is still a large proportion of people possessing considerable means who are not contributing to the extent that they ought to contribute,'' said Mr D. McLaren to a Wellington Post reporter yesterday after an organising tour of the North Island.

''Special efforts,'' he added, ''are being made to induce those people to recognise their responsibilities, and in conversation with very large numbers of people I have heard the views expressed that it is time the Government imposed taxation on those who really are shirkers, in that they are contributing neither themselves nor their money to the national needs, whilst they are receiving ample protection, and many of them are benefiting considerably.''

• Lessees of lands in the Steward Settlement, on the south side of the Waitaki River, are complaining that the river is eating away their holdings, towards the river mouth, and that the Land Board will not listen to their complaints.

At an indignation meeting last week it was stated (says the Timaru Herald) that 700 acres of valuable land were threatened and many acres have been swept away.

One settler has lost 15 to 20 acres, others have had their holdings severed by the promotion of new streams.

Miles of fencing have been carried away or buried, and the Oamaru fishing reserve has disappeared.

The surveys, it is said, were taken too close to the river in the first instance, and what the settlers are now aiming at is that the surveys be put back and the areas and rents reduced accordingly.

The settlers complain that they get no sympathy from the Land Board.

• Sheffield (England) is a gigantic arsenal, where work is carried on continuously day and night.

The silverware trade has been stripped of men, who have gone into the munition works, but a large volume of employment has been found in the trade itself for the production of sword handles, scabbards, and badges.

The cutlery trade is making swords, bayonets, knives, and other cutting tools.

The production of munitions is undergoing an enormous expansion.

While operations are being greatly extended for making shells, many new shops have been built on a large scale.

These are not yet all working, but they are gradually being equipped.

Hitherto but few women have been employed, because the work is too heavy.

They can manage an 18lb shell, but the next size - 4.5in - is too weighty for them to lift.

They, however, are beginning to be employed filling shrapnel cases and making fuses. - ODT, 19.8.1915.

 


• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ


 

 

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