NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 260, 2 November 1929, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Rabbit Fur Industry. A Chinchilla rabb'it pelt, stated to be the first to be grown, tanned, and dressed in New Zealand, was forwarded for inspection at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday. It was stated by the president (Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell) that rabbit classes would be included in the autumn show in order to encourage the fur industry in the Auckland Province.

Winter Exhibition. The Auckland A. and P. Association and the Auckland Manufacturers' Association jointly control the Winter Exhibition. There has been some trouble in the past, but a satisfactory agreement was come to prior to the last exhibition. The manufacturers wish to reopen the matter, and they have written to the A. and P. Association asking that a special committee bd set up to confer with four of their members. The subject was discussed by the A. and P. Association yesterday in committee, and it was decided to defer it for further consideration.

Penny in the Slot. Once the fee was 3d, later it was 2d, and now !it is to be Id. Advice has been received from the Postmaster-General that Ellerslie is to be brought into line with other street telephones with a penny charge. Ellerslie's sole public telephone is somewhat antiquated, and the good residents there have to turn a handle when they wish to <jet the exchange. The third reduction in the Ellerslie telephone fee will cause the local residents much satisfaction. The automatic operation of the 'phone will also be a distinct improvement. Auckland Cornish Association. Over 50 Cornish folk living in or near Auckland responded to the call to form a Cornish Association, and a very successful meeting was held this week to inaugurate the new body. The singing of the old song, "One and All," was a feature of the gathering. A strong committee was appointed, and the following were elected vice-presidents:—Mr. Grosvenor Earle, Devonport; Mr. George F. Williams, Greenhill; Mr. J. W. Cocks, town clerk of Birkenhead; Mrs. Hughes, of Newmarket; and Mrs. Ralph Jackson, of Kingsland. The oflice of president was left in abeyance awaiting the reply • of prominent Cornishmen. The Rev. Tremayne Thomas, of Birkenhead, was appointed lion, secretary and treasurer.

Zoological Broadcasts. At a meeting of the Auckland Zoological Society, held this week, it was decided to make application to the Radio Broadcasting Company for permission to give addresses on natural history subjects from IYA. The sketch of a crest adopted by the society (showing a tuatara lizard) has been redrawn by the hon. editor (Mr. Griffin), and a half-tone block has been made for use on the society's stationery. The original drawing is to be framed and preserved with the records. The society now has a membership of 73, and a drive for increased membership is to be undertaken. A circular letter is to be sent to about 800 persons who are likely to be interested in the work.

Financially Sound. Financially the Auckland A. and P. Association is on a very sound footing, and its future is assured. At a special, general meeting of the society yesterday afternoon it was decided to confirm the sale of;a property of 37 acres at Otahuhu owned by the association to the Challenge Phosphate Company. The price agreed upon was £15,000, and this was considered an excellent one from the association's point of view. During a discussion on the disposal of the money several members considered that it should be set aside for the purpose of a showground and exhibition buildings. It was decided to refer the matter to a special committee for a report. Maori King's Visit. In the old days when a Maori chief travelled to the Queen City he came by fully-plumed war canoe, accompanied by warriors bold. These infrequent arrivals always created public interest and curiosity, not to mention a kind of national pride in the dignity of the Maori people of those times. The same esteem of the race persists, but the natives, except on very special occasions, now seldom make an entry to the city with any pomp or circumstance. Yesterday Rata Mahuta, "King" of the Maori people, and fifth in line of succession in the royal house at Waahi, Huntly, came to Auckland by service car. Except by a number of loyal "subjects" in Auckland, his visit was unnoticed. A man of quiet and unassuming personality, he commands the highest respect of the Maori population.

Developing Swamp Land. Settlers in the Whangamarino swamp area have requested the executive of the New. Zealand Land Settlement and Development League to use their influence in opening a block of approximately 2000 acres of Government land between Mercer and Huntly. A road frontage is urgently needed. The area could be subdivided into 100acre blocks, and it is estimated that it will support 200 families when fully developed. The secretary of the league (Mr. N. G. Gribble) described the 2000 acres as among the best undeveloped land which remains available for settlement in that part of the Dominion. The meeting was of opinion that the development of the area would provide suitable unemployment relief work. It was decided to seek fuller information from the Government as to the possibilities of the land available.

Brighter Employment Prospects. A decided improvement was noticeable in" the unemployment list handled by the Relief Committee of the Hospital Board at this week's meeting, when grateful appreciation was shown by large numbers of men who had been helped by the board for weeks, and in some cases months, and who now had got work. The relieving officer was able to report that some men who had not been able to. leave the city had found work near at hand, and there was the genefral feeling that things for a time at least would be much better, and that few men willing to work would have to look for jobs in vain. The most difficult class of men to place in employment were those suitable only for light work, and these were the sole applicants for relief on the special out-of-work list. Some concern was shown lest the "rest home" which it was hoped mi' Hit hp this year down the harbour somewhere by the Government to take in "perpetuate" might have to wait for Parliamentary sanction till next session on account of the desire of M.P.'s to close down at an early date.

Ship Name Puzzles. As mentioned in the account or the new motor ship Eangitiki, the spelling perpetuates the mistake made when the first ship of that name was christened. In the old days the pakehas were not certain about the proper way to spell Maori names, a fault that was even more marked in the South than in the North. The sailer Eangitiki was a successful craft, and so sentiment attaches to her name; thus it has been bestowed on the latest addition to the fleet. Misspelled names are quite common among ships on the New Zealand coast, and most of them embalm the weird way the Southern people think Maori looks on paper. The Kurow does not appear to have a Maori name, as all Maori words must end with a vowel, but if you spell it correctly, "Kurau," you see how the mistake happened. The Kartigi is an even more glaring example of murdered Maori. "Katiki" is the correct spelling. There used to be a steamer running between Auckland and Sydney called the Ihumata. Properly the name is Ihumatao, the name of the point of land running out into the Manukau from Mangere. The name means "cold nose," which may be figurative or it may be the name of some celebrated old chief bestowed on the spot.