NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sydney's Aerial Pageant. An aerial pageant on a comprehensive scale is to take place to-day in Sydney, when the Royal Flying Club of Sydney will hold a gala day at the Mascot Aerodrome. The Sydney Aero Club s five Moth machines will be raced by aviators who have won the elimination tests out of a large number of entries. The big event will bo an aerial Derby, in which 22 'planes will take part. In the ladies' race at the gala there will be throe competitors. On Wednesday .Major cle Ha\ illand flow from Melbourne to Sydney in live hours three minutes, while another competitor flew across the continent from Perth. At the conclusion of the programme 30 'planes will take the air to welcome Captain Lancaster and Mrs. Miller, who are concluding a flight from England.

Minor Outbreak of Fire. An outbreak of fire occurred in a house situated at Xo. 38, Arthur Street West, Onehungti, yesterday afternoon. Painters were engaged in burning off when a lire started under one of the front windows. The flames went up through the lining to the roof, and slight damage was done to the ceiling in one room. The Onehunga Fire Brigade was summoned, and suppressed the outbreak. The house is owned by Mr. M. J. Moore, and occupied by Mr. J. N. Wyberg.

Primitive Conditions. An official of the Auckland Automobile Association came back last night after a trip through the Western Waikato from tho northern shores of the Raglan Harbour, through Te Akau, Waiuuii, i'epepe and Glen Murray. He described the metalling south of Glen Murray as the most vicious part of roadmaking he has yet encountered. Large spa wis measuring Gin ami Bin across have been thrown on the road. There being no side tracks, motor traffic was forced to travel over this primitive construction. After making inquiries, he was informed that no relief would be given until next summer, when the road will be branded with smooth material. Xew metalling between Glen Murray and Tuakau was also being carried out without any consideration for the comforts of the public. Lurge spawls measuring over liin are being thrown on the road and left in this condition while men with hammers slowly follow up breaking the metal into small sizes.

Whore the Maoris Lead. lu recent years investigations regarding tlie Maoris have proved several important facts. An examination of native school cliiklren away buck ni IDUS, with a view to comparing tliein with 1-iiropean children, showed that, age for age, the Maoris were heavier youngsters, und at the age of l.~> the difference amounted to about 141b, The native children were living on two meals a day— the usual native allowance. The whites were boys from King's College. As a result of the comparison it was made clear that the extra weight was not due to extra nourishment, but to racial characteristics. The Maori population under ]•"> years of age in IS'JI was 34.1 per cent of the total, but steadily increased to 40.75 per cent in 192 U.

"Where is Nelson?" Great amusement was caused at the Municipal Conference, held in Nelson recently, when delegates discussed the location of the conference for 19'2S}. It has hitherto been an unwritten law that the conferences are to be held alternatively in the North and South Islands. In defiance of tiiis understanding the Tiuiaru delegates pressed the claims of their own borough. When reminded tiiat the honour should go north nest year, Timaru's Mayor naively remarked that "the South always regarded Nelson as being in tho North Island." Such desertion by his°colleagues provoked a Nelson delegate to protest that the South Island without Nelson would be

"like a king without a crown, or a ring without a gem." Ultimately, by an eliminating vote, it was decided to hold the next conference in Wangunui early in March, 1029.

Discounting Testimonials. The value of testimonials as guarantees of an applicant's fitness for a position formed the basis of an interesting discussion at the recent Municipal Conference at Nelson. One delegate entirely discounted them. "1 will give you my experience, - ' said he, speaking with a strong Irish accent. "My borough wanted a librarian for otir public library, and we had shoals of applications with the purtiest of testimonials as ivtjr ye did see. But did we read thim? We did not. Wan little woman came along and said: 'Gintlemen, I know notliin' about libraries, but I'm willing to take care av the bilks and kape them elane, and 111 also promise to go down on my knees and kape the place well scrubbed out.' Needless to say we gave her the job." Amid the gaueral laughter of his fellow delegates at this choice of a charwoman for a librarian's position, the speaker was understood to condemn* "too much of this letter writin'''—he '"believed in deeds, not words!"

Tale About Trout. While members of local bodies are seeking water supplies on hills, in streams, ponds and other possible surface places, the geological mind turns in the direction of hidden flows. A theory - —perhaps advanced facetiously—was given by Professor J. A. Bartrum, Professor of Geology at the Auckland University College, at the Agricultural Science Club last evening. Should it prove to be a sound one, it will obviate the trouble of looking to the Waikato River, or to the lofty hills of Hunua, for a water supply, while Arapuni will indeed be a superfluity. Most Aucklanders are familiar with the rushing flow at the Western Springs, but they may be surprised to learn that there is a possiblity—probably rather a slight one—that they are in direct touch with spacious .Lake Taupo. Professor Bartrum said tßat Professor Worley caught a trout at Taupo and put a copper ring on its tail. After a period of expectancy, it became known that Mr. \V. E. Bush, city engineer, in the course of an afternoon's fishing at the Western Springs, had hooked the identical trout. Although the copper ring appeared much corroded as a result of the long journey underground, the trout showed no signs of having, suffered in the course of its migration. In suggesting the possibility of eigiiteen-pounders some day being hauled out of Western Springs, Professor Bartrum made no reference to the fact that Mr. Bush had committed a breach of the city by-laws in fishing in the municipal water supply.

Two Hundred Hop-Pickers. "Pretty full ship," remarked a passenger as the Arahura left Nelson for Wellington lust Friday night, with beds in the saloon and ip every conceivable corner. '"Yes, f hat'a go,' said the purser, '"we've got two h'-ipdivd hop-pickers aboard." Thifc marked the end of tl)e Nelson season for plucking the pungeut vines. 7or about a month t. ,! e pickers, mainly women ~nd girls, tour the district, working in gangs at piece rates oi threepence per bushel. It is not particularly lemunerative work, as the for a ten-hour day averages about nine shillings. This season lias only been fair, as there has been great decrease in hop acreage owing to the appeal of tobacco growing, which is stated in some cases to return as much as 100 per acre.

Irish Family Helped. Three months ago steps were taken to repatriate to the North of Ireland a family which was in distress on account of the mother's illness As a result of an appeal for funds, sufficient contributions have come to hand to book w e ,/ ail ! y y the K» a P<*u, which sails from Wellington next Thursday, and the Rev. Evau K. Harries, of St. James* states that a tew pounds are available for the needs of the family on the way from Southampton to their home. Special assistance in connection with the appeal was given by the Auckland Hospital Board the New Zealand Shipping Company and St' James' choir.