NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 142, 18 June 1929, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Merely British. . One seldom heard of New Zealanders boasting of their nationality, while Australians were very assertive and proud of their country, said the Rev. Charles Perry at .the meeting of the Historical Association at Canterbury College the other day. New Zealand was very loyal, but had not yet developed individuality, declared Mr. Perry. The other Dominions, while loyal to the Empire, were essentially individualistic in outlook. Blind Musicians' Trip. The band of the Jubilcie Institute for the Blind returned yesterday frcon a very successful and enjoyable visit to Rotorua, where the members were the guests of the local Rotary Club. The band played at a number of functions and visited the Blue Baths at Wliakarewarewa and other scenic resorts. There "was a very large attendance in the Majestic Theatre on Sunday evening, when a concert was <_rivcn. A brief outline of the work of the institute was given by ilr. A. J. Hutchinson (chairmaji). The Mayor of Rotorua (Mr. T. Jackson) presided. Appreciative Resolutions. Resolutions expressing appreciation of services of the executive of the Council of Christian Congregations were passed at last evening's meeting. One concerned Mr. W. E. Bush, city engineer, who has gone to Brisbane, and the other the Rev. A. W. McMillan, of the Green Lane Congregational Church, who has been appointed inspector of schools in Fiji, where he previously spent three years representing the National Council of the Y.M.C.A, He leaves to take up his new post on July 30.. Marama Delayed. The intercolonial steamer Tflarama, which arrived at Auckland to-day from Sydney, was several hours late in berthing owing to the fog which overhung the upper harbour. She was due in the stream at seven o'clock. At 5.30 she reached Tiri, and anchored there, being unable to proceed further until the worst of the fog had lifted. It was half-past eight when the vessel came opposite the city waterfront, and she berthed at Queen's wharf shortly before ten o'clock. Misty Morning. An unusually heavy mist envclcrped Auckland Harbour during the early hours of this morning, and it was not until well after nines o'clock that the atmosphere cleared sufficiently to enable the ferry steamers to travel at their usual speed. The "business boats" were a few minutes later in reaching tlie city from the North Shore, but the delay was not serious, and 110 mishaps occurred. Many passengers commented on the careful and efficient manner in whiclii the skippers piloted their vessels under difficult condi-' lions. Carillon Broadcasted from London. Coming through the air from Jjonrton, the chimes of tlie Wellington memorial carillon, at present housed at the British Industries Exhibition at Neweastle-on-Tyne, were clearly audible to a listener-in at Auckland this morning. The bells have been lent to the authorities for six; months before they come finally to their, home in Wellington. Notice was given yesterday that the carillon was to be broadcasted lasrt evening by the fdiort-wave station fiSW, Chelmsford, and would thus be available for New Zealand listeners this morning. Floating Coffin. A few days ago some people on the Aramoho Bridge, near Wanganui, were surprised to see a coffin floating placidly down the river. It is presumed that it was a coffin containing the remains of a Maori dislodged from some burial ground upriver. No doubt it has been washed oirii to sea, where it would soon be knocked to pieces by the waves. Some years ago a slip at a Maori cemetery uprivcr left the end of a coffin sticking out on" the face. Later a swarm of bees :found a convenient hive in the coffin, and, as none took a. particular liking to the honey, the bees remained iu possession of their unique home for years. Plea for Ex-Servicemen. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has issued a plea on behalf of ex-servicemen that they should be given preference in employment. Employers arc reminded that durr.og the war all sorts of promises and prospects were held out to men to induce them to enlist, and asks that these undertakings should be fudfilled. It is admitted that in the main these war-time pledges have been generously redeemed, and that there aro ox-servicomcn who have forfeited their claim to further consideration. * But it is contended that employers arc tending to forget the special claim of ex-servicemen to consideration, with the result that many competent men are seeking work. The association therefore requests employers to continue to give preference to ex-soldiers for any vacancies that may oticur. Replaced the Stockings. The age of chivalry is not dead. In the crush 011 the gangway of a North Shore ferify a well-known retired resident of Stanley Bay, in changing his walking stick from one hand to the other, accidentally hit a lady on the leg aaid made a small hole in one of her stockings. Seeing what he had done, he raised his hat, apologised and asked the lady to go along with him to a well-known drapery establishment. He explained that he only hud 7/0 in his pocket, but as .he had an account at the shop lie would esteem it an honour if the lady would allow him to ma&e amends for the damage he had done. The lady duly selected a pair, and to show that he d.kl the tiling handsomely one has merely to say that when asked afterwards by a friend as to the price of the stockings, he said: "I really don't know." A Much-reduced Allowance. It is a sad fate that lies in store for anyone who kills the goose that lays the golden eggs. There is in Wellington the son of a London millionaire who is endeavouring to make a living as a salesman (states the "Dominion"). A few short years ago this young man .announced to his father in London that he desired to get married. "Bless you my son," said the father, "get' married as soon as you please, and call upon me for everything you require." The wedding was duly celebrated, but imagine the father's feelings when he discovered that he had to pay out £10,000 for the happy young couple within 18 months. He called his son into his countinghouse, and said: "This condition of affairs cannot continue. I am going to pay the passage money for yourself and your wife to New Zealand,'and set aside a sum of money which will bring you in exactly £5 a week." Upon this modest income the young people, who so recently had silver spoons in their mouths in London, have now to do the best they can iii Wellington. Aucklanders in Califc Three former residents of Auckland who have not forgotten their friends in this part of the world have been met with in California by Mr. Robert Wilson, while on his way to England as a delegate from New Zealand to the international .conference of Reehabites. In a letter to a friend in Auckland, Mr. Wilson states that the visit of himself and his wife to San Francisco was made memorable by the kindness which was shown by Mr. Will J. French, at one time a member of the "Auckland Star" staff, and by a further day of sight-seeing with Mr. John Stuart as guide. In Los Angeles they were met by Dr. Florence Keller and motored to many, places of interest, not omitting Hollywood. "We were also the guests of Dr. Florence Keller at' the Glendale Sanatorium, where Dr. P. M. Keller is principal," the writer states. "The latter, however, was away on vacation. Dr. Florence is head of the White Memorial Hospital. Her daughter, who is also a doctor, is the wife of Dr. Harding, a nephew of the former President of the United States. Dr. Florence Keller considers Auckland the most beautiful city in the world, and with her husband hopes to visit New Zealand towards the end of the year."