He urged that one way to provide work for a large number of returned soldiers would be in the establishment of a fishing village in Queen Charlotte Sound - the beginning of a sound fishing industry for the benefit of the whole community. He referred to the loss suffered by the neglect of the wealth of the sea, and the wastefulness of the present methods, in which there was no provision for the treatment of offal.
At present this material, instead of being turned to advantage, was dumped into the sea, and became a nuisance. Some of the trawlers that had been used in the war should be obtainable for New Zealand at a reasonable cost.
Automatic piano
Messrs C. Begg and Co. have installed in their piano saloon, Princes Street, an automatic piano, the ''Ampico'', that plays by itself, and will give demonstrations to all who may be interested.
The ''Ampico'' reproduces the exact duplication of the world's greatest pianists' individual interpretation of the works of the greatest composers, by means of a master roll. The motive power is electricity, and whatever the current is available the instrument can be used.
The ''Ampico'' requires no attention beyond the insertion of the music roll. The piece plays itself to the set time with such expression, light, and shade as may be desired, and when the piece comes to an end it is automatically rewound and begins again.
By means of the records, one may at a moment's notice provide the best of music for an impromptu dance, without human effort, attention, or guidance.
Maori hakas, dances to be filmed
Recently the Hon. A. T. Ngata, M.P., brought under the attention of the Government the desirability of supplementing the work which has been done by the completion of Williams's Dictionary of the Maori Language by long phonographic records made of the spoken Maori tongue.
Mr Ngata also suggested that kinematograph pictures should be taken of Maori hakas, dances, pois etc., for the benefit of future generations.
Arrangements have now been made by which Mr J. Macdonald, of the Museum staff, Mr Elsdon Best, the well-known Maori ethnologist and author, also of the Museum staff, and Mr J. C. Andersen, who is in control of the Turnbull Library, will visit a big Maori gala on the east coast for the purpose stated.
Risk in 'bullocking' work
''Any man of 50 years or over who does 'bullocking' work takes a risk,'' remarked Dr E. A. Walker, medical superintendent of the New Plymouth Hospital, when giving evidence before the Arbitration Court on Friday in a case concerning the death of a man aged 55 who had been handling quarters of beef (weighing about 170lb) in a freezing chamber.
The doctor added that no man should stoop for a long time, and that no man over 50 had any right whatever to exert himself while stooping.
- ODT, 27.2.1919.
COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
