NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1927, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Those Wicked Bowlers.

How many of tlie hundreds of bowlers from' all parts of New Zealand who are at present in Auckland are aware that, not so many centuries ago, the game of bowls was prohibited by Act of Parliament, and declared to be a game "alike dishonourable, useless and unprofitable?"' Such however, was the ease in medieval times, when "bowling alleys'' became so popular with the English yeoman, to the detriment of the practice of military cxercises, that they were placed 011 the black-list, and offenders summarily fined or imprisoned. Possibly the genesis of the pre-sent-day Christmas tournaments is to be found in the fact that the prohibition on bowls was relaxed at Christmas time, when play was allowed under certain conditions, but at no time could one "play at any bowle or bowles in open place out of his garden or orchard." The Elizabethan forerunner of the modern bowler had a lot to answer for, that delightful story of Drake and the coming of the Armada notwithstanding. Harken, ye people, to Stephen Gosson, a chronicler of the sixteenth century, who denounces bowls in tho following scathing terms: '"They aro as privy moths that eat up the credit of many idle citizens, whose gains at home arc not able to weigh down their losses abroad, whose shops are so far from maintaining their play that their wives and children cry for bread, and go to bed supperless many times in the year." A Tragic Blunder. Tragedy stalked in the wake of an irate suburbanite in the early hours of this morning. The midnight amours of Tom and Tabby on a nearby fence had reached a stage at which human nerve could stand the strain no longer, and a long-sustained crescendo of feline waitings brought a sleep-sodden householder out of bed with curses on his lips and murder in his heart. A minute later a scantily-garbed citizen might have been seen in the moonlight stealthily creeping along the rear of the family demesne, armed with a pea-rifle that had proved its worth in days gone by amongst the clan of Brer Rabbit. Outlined against the moon, the target presented reasonable prospects of success at close range, and the object of his attention was too much occupied with his nocturnal serenade to his lady love to realise the danger. A sharp report rang out, and the midnight lullaby was stilled. Thereafter, there was peace in the land, and an equally long-suffering neighbour heard the story of the midnight raid with whole-hearted approval. I A mutual desire to inspect the results (or remains) of the previous night's shooting disclosed a tragic sequel —no man likes to admit that he has shot his own cat by mistake, especially when lie has already boasted to his neighbour that the aforesaid animal is of pedigree status, and worth many golden shekels. The Sun Cure. At the special meeting of tho board, held at the Auckland Hospital yesterday, members were much interested in the number of patients, of all ages, who were undergoing the sun cure. Some of the younger patients were having their whole bodies erposed to the sun's rays. The medical superintendent explained that this stage of the cure was only reached by a gradual development, whereby a little more was uncovered each day till tho patient wag able to stand the whole body being exposed. Most beneficial results had been gained in some ailments, and there j was no doubt whatever about the effectiveness of the treatment for many complaints. To Make the Morgue More "Attractive." The question of improving tho morgue and providing a small mortuary chapel where relatives could pay due respect to their dead prior to burial is under consideration by the Hospital Board. Dr. Gilmour has made certain recommendations, which have been endorsed by the medical superintendent. The land on which the morgue stands is held in fee simple by the- City Council, but while it is used for its present purposes the Hospital Board has a perpetual right to it. Efforts will be made to improve the vehicular exit from the grounds, which has got into a very bad state of repair, also to improve the general surroundings of the place, especially the banks of clay, which could be covered with grass and shrubs, and made much more attractivelooking. The City Council will be asked to allow more space for turning motor vehicles and to allow of hedges being planted on the ground adjacent to the roadway. Trial "Feeder" Service Approved. A trial "feeder" service to the Edendale trams has been approved by the City Council. If a license is granted by the No. 1 Licensing Authority buses will run through the populous district beyond the Edendale tram terminus, and the residents of such thoroughfares as Richardson, Vincent, Highland and Mount Albert Roads should find them a great convenience. Some time ago, 200 ratepayers petitioned the Mount Albert Borough Council for a bus service between the city and their district, via Edendale, and the decision of the City Council is in response to their representations. Auckland Speed Boats For Wanganui. Three speed boats were entrained for Wanganui yesterday to take part in the race for tlie Masport Cup, which is to be competed for on the great river to-morrow. The boats are Fleetwing 11., Spot 11., and Hobo. It is considered that they will have a difficult task to hold their own against the defender of the cup, Kotuku, which has recently been equipped with a 330 li.p. engine. Challenge Per Canoe. Early dippers at the Parnell liaths this luornj ing were hailed by a valiant paddler in a canoe, who had crossed the harbour in his frail craft to deliver a challenge. Ho was a man-o' warsman from 11. M.s. Diomedc, and he called for tbe keeper of the baths. To him he delivered the challenge, which was from the water polo team of the warship, demanding that the Parnell team should meet them in a battle with the ball at an early date. Having discharged his warlike mission, the messenger started on his long paddle back to the North Shore. The challenge will, of course, be accepted, and tho match is to be arranged for as early a date as possible, City Council Workmen Praised.

The manner in which officials and workmen of the City Coimeil went to work in effecting repairs to the breakdown in the water supply during the Christmas holidays is referred to in terms of praise by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. J. A. Warnock). Early on the morning of Sunday, December 20, he was called up on the telephone by the acting town clerk (Mr. Melling), and, on arrival at the area affected by the heavy storm, at 9 a.m., found gangs already at work. Mr. Warnock, stressing the loyalty and efficiency of everyone concerned, at last nig'ht's meeting of the City Council proposed a vote of thanks to those responsible for carrying out the work during the holidays. His remarks were heartily supported and the motion was carried with unanimity. New Use For Wireless Aerials. Recently a resident of Mount Eden installed a radio set at his home. Though he is dissatisfied with the standard of entertainment broadcasted from the Auckland statioii, lie savs he lias received his money's worth in the salvation of a raucli-prized peach tree. The tree was badly afflicted with leave curl, but, after the installation of a copper *wire aerial right overhead, the tree began to improve immensely, and it is now quite itself again. The gentleman referred to dissented most emphatically from the suggestion that perhaps the tree had benefited from the IYA programmes, pinning his faith in the efticacv of copper as a cure for the parasitical disease's of plants. His confidence in this respect is to some extent borne out by a resident of Green Lane, who declares that he has effected a complete "cure" in the case of tomato plants badly affected with blight l>y sticking copper tack-; in their stems. "And why not he asks. "T-; not sulphate of copper used as a spray lor plant disease J : '