The proposal in the Minister's mind is that the bursaries should be limited to those who, without further assistance, would be unable to attend the Medical School. Sons and daughters of parents who were able to provide for the education of their children did not, he said, come into consideration at the present time. Consequently, the competitive element had to be eliminated from the scheme, seeing that it would introduce a factor which would probably militate against success. At the same time it was desirable that the stigma of charity or pauperism should not be liable to be placed upon those who received the bursaries. The position was one that would require careful consideration at the hands of both the council and the Government. It was the Minister's opinion that for the first year the bursary should not go very far beyond the payment of the fees and the cost of necessary requisites, and on the results of the first year the bursary could be increased to an amount that would represent at least a portion of the cost of remaining at school during the second, third, and fourth years, leaving the candidate to obtain the full bursary of 100 during the last year. In conclusion the Minister asked for the assistance of the council, and said he would be glad to know what amount it thought would be necessary, based on the following payments:- First year, 25; second, third, and fourth years, 50; fifth year, 100. The letter was referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the Chancellor, Drs Ferguson and Church, and Mr Morrell to consider and report upon.
Driver licensing
The following resolution was forwarded to the Waihemo County Council by the Timaru Borough Council for an expression of approval:- ``That the Government be urged to amend the law so as to make it compulsory for all motor registering authorities to examine drivers and issue yearly licenses to competent drivers of motor cars and motor cycles; that the yearly license fee be fixed at 5s for drivers of motor cars and 2s 6d for drivers of motor cycles; that such drivers shall be licensed in the district in which they reside, and that any license so issued shall, during its currency, entitle the licensee to drive in any other district in the dominion; that the front and rear identification marks be made compulsory; that all registering authorities be requested to support this council in the direction indicated.
- The council unanimously agreed to support the clause in the motion relative to identification discs.
Potatoes on vacant lots
Some farmers are said to view the movement to encourage the growing of potatoes on small plots of vacant ground either in the householder's backyard or any other available ground without much enthusiasm. In fact, it is stated that the movement is likely to restrict the future efforts of farmers in this particular branch of agriculture. In reply to a question whether the plot growing could have any material effect on the New Zealand potato market, the representative of a big Dunedin firm said a surprisingly large quantity of potatoes would be produced in a season from the plots, and that this production certainly would have an influence on prices. Another agent said he thought the plot growing was a good idea - no one really knew how long the war would last. If some farmers considered that the growing of potatoes was to be unremunerative, from their point of view, they could direct their energies into other branches of agriculture, and the produce could be exported Home, where it would find a ready market.
Hard frosts at Strath Taieri
Last week was the most severe and unpleasant of the whole winter in the Strath Taieri district. Hard frosts, registering as high as 12 to 13 degrees, were experienced, and during the daytime the plain was muffled in raw, cold fogs, which the sun failed to penetrate. The week was, indeed, sunless throughout, but on Sunday a welcome change came, and bright warm sunshine was enjoyed. On Sunday night, however, snow fell, and the frost gave place to cold southerly winds. - ODT, 20.6.1917
