NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Anzac Day. The "Star" will not be published to-morrow (Anzac Day). Maori War's Youngest Veteran. To be the youngest surviving veteran of the Maori War of 1809 is the claim of Mr. W. Delany, now 75 years of age, who proposes to be present at the Anzac Day service to-morrow afternoon. Bugler Delany was attached to the Xew Zealand "Native Contingent, and was in action, at Xgatapa, when he was 11 years of age. Mr. Delany, who has a vivid recollection of his soldiering days, made a call at the "Star" office to-day. Shorter Duck Shooting Season. The shooting season will open on May 1, and ciose, for cock pheasants and quail, on June "30, but for dticks on June 14. Ducks are reported to be fairly plentiful, but it has been necessary to adopt a conservative policy, in order to prevent the stock from being unduly thinned. At the last meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, the president, Mr. F. E. McKcnzie, said it was hoped to have good duck shooting for the next 20 or 30 years. Utopia Not Here Yet. '•It is essential that our members should light against the curse of apathy so prevalent in our country, and realise that it is their individual duty to do all in their power to support the activities of the Navy League," declared Mr. A. G. Lunn, president of the Navy League, in a report at the annual meeting last night. It was essential to bear in mind that our country was ?till dependent on measures of defence, since we ha 1 not arrived at that Utopian period when military and naval material might be safely converted to agricultural and pastoral uses. Welcome Home. Arrangements have been made by Auckland yachtsmen to welcome the crews of the yachts Teddy and Rangi when they return to Auckland from Sydney. The Teddy is now due, but the winds have been light, and so far she has not been reported off the coast. If the Teddy shows up off Auckland, k is proposed to tow her in, but until the vessel has been cleared by the Customs she cannot be boarded by visitors. It is proposed that the Rangi shall call at Russell on the way down the coast to be cleared. A party of Auckland yachtsmen intend to go to Russell to welcome the crew. Sixty Years Ago. To-day is the sixtieth anniversary of the constitution of Auckland as a city. Prior to 1871 local government in the colony had been of but little importance, but from that date onward the municipality began to grow. The boundaries fixed in the proclamation were Stanley Street, Symonds Street, Karangahape Road and Franklin Road, enclosing a total area of 623 acres. At a meeting on May 22, 1871, the old City Board of Commissioners was formally merged into Auckland's first Municipal Council, and Mr. P. A. Philips, who had been chairman of the board, was elected as the city's first Mayor. Navy League Membership. It was disclosed at the annual general meeting of the Auckland branch of the Navy League that the total membership is 4(578, of which 568 arj adult members, 190 girls, and 3923 from the schools. The balance-sheet showed an excess of expenditure over income to the extent ,of £25, but the position was regarded as satisfactory in viiv of the fact that a £48 deficit was recorded the previous year. The president, Mr. A. G. Lunn, presented to Commander E. L. Berthon, commander of H.M.s. Philomel, a silver cup for athletic competition among the boys of his ship. Coi.imander Berthon. in acknowledging the gift t.) his "boys," said that competition in the N'avy was the breath of life. Poppy Day. Memories of the war days were revived in Queen Street to-day by the annual sale of imitation Flanders poppies to raise funds for helping ex-soldiers. Although it is over twelve years since the Great War ended, the profound impression it left on the community is shown by the ready way in which everyone buys the red emblem that was so closely associated with the men who fought and died. Some 64,000 poppies were made by disabled soldiers in Auckland, and of these 40.000 were being sold in the streets to-day, while the balance has been sent to other parts of the province. Stalls in Queen Street were under the supervision of Mrs. A. D. Campbell. who had, as usual, a most willing band of helpers. Of the money that will be brought in by the sale of the poppies. 10 per cent will go to the Veterans' Home, and 1,") per cent to the Returned Soldiers' Association, and the remainder will be administered by trustees for the reliet of distress among ex-soldiers and their families. Sir James Parr's Message. An inspiring call to optimism was made yesterday by Sir James Parr, former High Commissioner for Xew Zealand, who was welcomed by the business community of Auckland at the luncheon meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. "With first-hand knowledge of European conditions," he said, "I can assure you the Old Conntry is a good deal worse off than we are. After only a few days back, in New Zealand, I naturally cannot offer an opinion as to the state of the country, but I am convinced there is no reason for the pessimism I have met in some quarters. Xew Zealanders are so close to their own achievements that they do not realise them fully. Surely there can be no fears for the material success of a country that has increased its dairy output 500 per cent in 30 years. Xew Zealand has the best climate, the best soil, and the best farmers in the world. If we face our difficulties courageously we shall come through stronger than ever." Little-known Native Birds. A valuable part of the work of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society is the protection of small native birds, as well as the game varieties. Some interesting notes on the lesser-known species are contained in a report by Dr. H. A. Chatfield. Referring to the North Island tomtit, he writes: "This beautiful little bird will probably become extinct, although it is still not uncommon in the Htiirau Ranges, and also around Waikaremoana and Waikari-iti. The tomtit is a charming little companion. Another rare bird is the 'white head'- of the South Island, a most inquisitive little creature that seems to take an intelligent interest in newcomers to the forests. The whitehead, which is really a yellow-head, is also found in the Huirau Ranges and in other remote districts. The 'rifleman,' New Zealand's smallest bird, is found in the solitudes of the thickest forests. It is an insect feeder, and may sometimes be seen hopping along the boles of trees and searching the crevices." Unemployment Board. Interesting developments are likely to attend the resignation of Mr. W. Bromley from the Unemployment Board, as the unions affiliated to the Alliance of Labour and Trades and Labour Council Federation intend to insist on being given the right to elect a representative to till the vacancy. A prominent Auckland union secretary stated this morning that the present system -of appointing members of the board was very unsatisfactory. Nominations were forwarded from the various unions to the Government, but apparently scant consideration was given them. He understood from a reliable source that one of the present Labour representatives, when the last nominations were received, was supported by four unions only, whereas another _ nominee, who had the endorsement of 55 unions, was ignored. Both the Alliance of Labour and Trades and Labour Council Federation, he added, were insisting on being given the right of nominating and electing members of the Circulars had been issued appealing for nominations to fill Mr. Bromley's position, but it was probable that many unions would refuse to take any notice of the matter unless the method of election was .amended,