NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Caledonian Finance.

Appreciation of the fact that a certain contract had been secured at less than half the expected cost was expressed by members of the Auckland University College Council yesterday. "I can give an explanation for that," said the president, Sir George Fowlds. "There was more than one Scotsman present when the contract was arranged." The Shouter Went Short. When Auckland scored the first try on Saturday afternoon there was one old gentleman who was so elated that he pulled a bottle of whisky out of his pocket and, with a "Here you are, boys, have a nip," passed the bottle to the man next him. The invitation was cordially accepted. "Pass it along," he urged, and it was passed with such success that the try was very well christened. The owner got the bottle back —the bottle only. Fine Arts Building. A report from the City Council that the old Grammar School site is eminently suitable for the purpose of a fine arts block, which might also be a home for the cultural and aesthetic societies in the city, was received at a meeting of the Auckland University College Council last evening. The meeting approved of the further suggestion that the college should arrange for a joint deputation from the University and the City Council to wait on the Minister of Education and requesj; that the necessary steps be taken to vest the site in the college and the City Council for this purpose. Mysterious Discovery. The discovery of a length of 200 ft of plaited flax rope, such as was used by the Maoris before the coming of the white man, at the spot near Wairoa where a moa skeleton was found recently, has caused considerable interest. The rope is very old, but, of course, was not contemporaneous with the moa. There are all sorts of conjectures as to what it was used for. Probably it was left there by an exploring party, or else was used as a means of escape for some hard-pressed tribesman in the Pakeha-Maori War. Sir T. Mackenzie's Memory. "The death of our late president, the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, has been very unfortunate," says the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, in its annual "It was at his suggestion in 1922 that this society was formed, and during his lifetime, and including the time when he lay on his deathbed, his great activity and zeal in the interests of our native birds had been marked. 'Your executive consider that the society should head an effort suitably to commemorate his love for our native birds and his lifelong efforts on their behalf. A recommendation to this effect is made to the incoming council." Mullet Catch at Stanley Bay. A big haul of mullet was made this morning by a couple of professional fishermen, who had set their nets at low water near the end of the ferry tee at Stanley Bay. Schools of mullet have been seen in this locality on various occasions during the past few weeks, but it was not until yesterday that the fish appeared in large numbers at a time when tho tide was suitable for their capture. The fishermen went over from Auckland yesterday afternoon, and speedily satisfied themselves that the rumour of a big shoal was well founded. They spent the night in their boat, and between eight and nine o'clock carried out the "big offensive." Two long nets were set, and the fishermen entered the inner enclosure in their punt, disturbing the fish and driving them into the meshes. The succeeding haul was very successful, and. the fish were of exceptional size and quality. The First Opossums. A "Star" reader wished to know when the opossum was introduced into New Zealand. According to the Hon. Geo. M. Thomson, one of the leading naturalists in New Zealand, it was first brought to this country from Australia just over CO years ago. It is said that the first opossums were liberated at .Riverton, Southland. About the same time, and again in 1870, the Auckland Acclimatisation Society and Sir George Grey introduced a considerable number from Australia, and at one time Kawau was over-run with them. The Wellington Society liberated 10 Tasmanian black opossums in the ranges behind Paraparaumu in 1892, and the Otago Society liberated some silver-grey specimens from Gippsland in 1895, and let them loose in the Catlins district. According to Mr. Thomson, the animal lias increased in most wooded parts of the Dominion.

"Where Do They Lie?" In answer to "Old-timer's" communication in this column last night, "Shellback" writes: —• "Thanks for the information re the Bella Marina and John Knox. I knew they were somewhere about, but could not place them. Two others I knew in the old days are resting their bones in the Hauraki Gulf, the G. M. Tucker and the Examiner, barques, but where I do not now remember. After the Examiner went out of commission, she was used by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company as a hulk, so she is probably on Brown's Island. There are no remains there, however, that can be positively identified with her, as far as I know. The G. M. Tucker is probably in the Pine Island boneyavd. Another thing I would like to ask of 'Old-timer/ as a fellow veteran. What became of the scow Waipu? She had the wheel out of the Stanley, with my initials carved 011 one of the spokes— a little bit of work that would have cost me a few inches of skin if it had not been in an inconspicuous corner."

Farewell to Rhodes Scholar. Arrangements were finalised at Northcote last evening for a public farewell to be given next Monday evening to Mr. P. C. Minns, one of the two Rhodes Scholars for New Zealand for 1930. The Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, presided. The function has been organised by the Northcote Borough Council, assisted by a large committee representative of the social, educational and other activities of the district. Sir George Fowlds, president of the Auckland University College Council, wrote regretting his inability to attend, but stating that Mr. M. B. O'Sliea, registrar, would represent him personally, and the College Council generally. The Professorial Board will be represented by Professor E. M. Algie, who, as president, with Mr. L. E. Brookcr (club captain), Mr. A. A. Bodley (chairman of committee), will also represent the University Football Club. Mr. ll'. J. D. Malion, headmaster, will represent the Auckland Grammar School, and Mr. W. J. Wernliam, headmaster, the Noi-thcotc District High School, at which Sir. Minns gained the Junior National Scholarship in 1920. Mr. Minns leaves Auckland on Friday, August 1, for Oxford University.

Aid for the Workless. • TlieS scheme under which the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union is providing provisions for its unemployed members out of a fund subscribed at the rate of 1/ a week by members in permanent employment has been in operation for six weeks. Such is the state of conditions in the industry that the union has found it necessary for the first time .for four years to come to the aid of its members in this manner. Mr. R. F. Barter, the secretary, stated that he had 850 members on his books, and on an average there were between 100 and 200 men out of work. The union office looks like a miniature grocery shop, bags of flour, suga«r and other necessities being stacked about. Each week the wives of members of the executive assemble and make up parcels for distribution on Friday evenings. Every applicant for assistance, providing the case is deserving, is then, aiven Gib of flour, 41b of rolled oats, a tin ot condensed milk, a tin of jam, tea, sugar and bak'iig powder, ] 21b of potatoes, currants oi raisins, lib of butter, a 41b loaf of bread, and 21b of mine; or sausages. The scheme is working v-ry saM .frctorily, and it is proposed to rarrv It .on for. the remainder of the winter,