NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Working Holiday. Members of tlie Auckland District Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture spent a busy day eradicating botanical pests on Rangitoto Island yesterday. The party was led by Mi. R. W. Thomas, and the Rangitoto Domain Board was represented by Mr. G. Falla. The morning was devoted to tiie inspection of private gardens, and a visit was paid to Islington Bay in the afternoon, while a section of the partv climbed to the crest. With the aid of a troop ox Xorth Shore Boy Scouts, a large number of undesnable plants and weeds were removed. Cycle Racing on Foot. There was a remarkable finish to a cycle lace at Papakura sports yesterday afternoon, one of the competitors emerging from a heap of fallen cyclists to run over the finishing line carrying his machine, thus winning the race. The race was at its most exciting stage when the wooden rim of front wheel of one competitor's cycle collapsed, just as the rider was making a spurt to get into first place. His fall brought down two other competitors, and one. Mr. W. K. Francis, jun., of Papakura, was slightly injured. The 1 ider whose machine had collapsed gathered up the broken cycle and ran with it to the finishing line, being awarded first place. 1 A Remarkable Accident. A couple of weeks ago, or a little more, Mr. 1 Jiomson, head teacher of the Sawani Provincial Native School, Fiji, was disturbed by a number ot native boys assembling outside his door. On investigating, he found that one of his pupils had literally ''kicked off one of his big toes." He had been playing football with his bare feet, as is the custom with all native players, and the toe was hanging by a thin piece 'of skin. He cut this oft and bandaged the toe. Two weeks later he found the boy again playing football with the foot still bandaged. Shoals of Dead Pish. When the Union Company's ferry steamer Tamahine was crossing Cook Strait on her way from Picton to Wellington, she passed through a huge shoal of dead Jish for a distance of two miles. Owing to the roughness of the sea it was impossible to make an estimate as to the area of the shoal. The fish, which were drifting across the lamahine's bows in huge patches, appeared to be blue cod. A submarine disturbance may have been the cause, but the Government seismologist, Di. Adams, was unable to give any explanation. It may be recalled that shortly after the Murehison earthquake several steamers encountered similar shoals of dead fish near the Xew Zealand coast. Record Starfish. A staiJish, stated to be the biggest specimen seen locally, was found by an Otago resident when he was fishing for blue cod at Half Passage Beef, between four and five miles from the New River Heads. He felt a heavy weight on his line, and pulled it up to find that the starfish 1 had attached itself with a powerful sucker grip, lhe fish, which was on view in a shop window, attracted quite a lot of attention. Although starfish are not uncommon, this one is much larger than those that are usually found. It measures l!Jin from point to point, and weighs 211b. Of a reddish brown colour, it has seven ''legs" or feelers, and on the under-side there is a mouth resembling, a small but powerful suction valve. Rangitoto's Exotic Plants. Referring to the visit which members of the Institute of Horticulture paid yesterday to Rangitoto Island, Mr. X. R. W. Thomas said the exotic plants on the mountain could be divided into three classes. The first class .comprised plants that should be completely exterminated, such as foxglove, blackberry, poppies and inkweed. The second division included plants such as lilies, daffodils and cannas, the growth of which should be checked and their introduction prohibited, rhe third category consisted of a comprehensive variety of plants which should be permitted to grow only iu private gardens. The result of the visit should prove useful to bach owners who have gardens, as it will give them a lead in the cultivation of suitable plants and trees. Rise of the Palolo. The palolo, that mysterious coral worm which makes its appearance in Samoan waters once a year, is expected to rise this week, states the "Samoa Guardian." The palolo rises first in Savaii waters, and a month later in Upolu. Palolo ] fishing attracts both Samoans and Europeans, who make great preparations for the catch. The tiny creatures appear on the surface in countless myriads, and are scooped up with implements shaped like a tennis racquet. The netting formerly used by the Samoans was made of laua'a. the fibrous substance which grows round the base of the coconut leaf, but of recent years buttercloth or fine •• netting has, displaced it. Palolo. is a great delicacy, and is cooked in various ways, sometimes with coconut cream. Value of a Volcano. An eruption of the volcano Kilauea and the presence in the territory of over 2000 tourists— a record number for the summer season —have combined to cause rejoicing among those interested in the tourist industry, states a message from Hawaii. Kilauea is considered one of Hawaii's greatest assets, and its quiescence during the past five years has been a matter of concern to the residents. When the volcano came to life, inter-island ships were re-routed to carry tourists to the island, and facilities at Volcano House, which is situated on the very brink of the crater, were extended to the limit to cater for the throngs who went there to do homage to the j lire goddess Pole. Dr. Jaggar, of the Kilauea Observatory, says the outbreak presages increased activity in the future, if theories concerning the volcano are correct. Mauna Lou, the other volcano. is also expected to become active next year. Samoa's New Society. t . While matters in Samoa are quiet oil the surface, there -is considerable movement among the natives, reports, the "Star's" Fiji correspondent. But the Europeans are not going to allow the Samoans to have all the fun of society promotion. .A new society has been formed, from which native Samoans are to be rigidly excluded (which, by the way, is hardly a good method of bridging .over the present ill-feeling). It is called the Sons of Samoa Welfare League. Its object is_ the advancement 'of locally-born Europeans, with no political axe to grind. The society has adopted a rather depressing title in S.O.S. It is to be hoped that the name will never be synonymous with the spirit of the 'well-known S.'O.S. call. It. is hoped that it may'help' to' foster the spirit of-advancement for all, Samoa. Mr..S. H. Meredith is the first president. ' A Resourceful Barrister. : .. " - •

A good, story, illustrating the versatility of an eminent K.C., who had to appear before the Court of Appeal, was told by Mr, C. G. White, president, of the Wellington Law Society, at the annual dinner of the Real Estate Institute. The K.Q. had been so busy that lie had not had an opportunity of. perusing the brief. Belying on. his memory of his original opinion,-lie .commenced to address tlie Court with great • ejnphasis, and quoted, numerous authorities: , with . remarkable -facility. ■ It- took-liis .unfortunate junior fifteen .minutes ; .b.ef.ore,he. could attract the K.C.Vattention sufficiently to let him know* tlmt * 'lie w;Vs arguing for the opposite" side. Without a moment's hesitation,--the K.C. recommenced: "Your Honors, I.'have been quoting voir tlie authorities upon which" the respondents must necessarily rely. I Yproppse- to show you the fallacious nature of relying upon, these authorities." With such success did the K.C. argue the. case from his o'wii side that.the good impression he had made at the start was taken away sufficiently to obtain a verdict for his client.