NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Work on the Whau Bridge. Owing to unexpected delays in laying the water mains across tlic new Whau Bridge, it will not be possible to open it for two-way traffic quite as soon as had been expected. To-day the Mayor of New Lynn, Mr. G. Lawson, said that the contractor had been granted an extension of time, not to exceed two months. It was hoped that the new bridge would be opened for twoway traffic before Christmas. I Squeal Not Utilised. At a meeting of the One Tree Hill Borough . Council last night, a deputation was heard on the subject of establishing a bacon factory in Dunkerron Avenue, off Market Road. Mr. R. Slyfield asked one of the applicants present if there would be any refuse from the manufacture of delicatessen and sausages. "None whatever," he 1 replied. "The only part of the pig we cannot 1 utilise in this industry, and perhaps that is , unfortunate, is his squeal." The Child Mind. , A boy at a kindergarten in a Southern town was keenly interested in a visit by the Governor- | General and Lady Bledisloe last week. Encouraged by the gracious manner of her Excellency, he plucked her gow- and asked: "Are you Queen Mary?" "No," replied Lady Bledisloe, "but lam sent'by her to see children." "And where ifl King George ?" inquired the child. Her Excellency tried to explain, but the child did not understand, until the chauffeur was about to open the door of the car to allow Lady Bledisloe to enter. Then he called out: "That's him—that's King George— we've got his picture at home." Transport For Sports Dogs. There can be no doubt that some sportsmen are considerate of their dogs, even to the point of relieving them of the necessity of walking back from the scene of the day's activities. _ The other day one such sportsman was seen riding a bicycle along the Great South Road, with a full gunny-sack on his back and a rifle slung over his shoulder. There was nothing out of the way in that; but straddlewise, seated over the bar in front of him, on a thick piece of sacking, was a cocker spaniel. The dog evidently saw nothing unusual in the situation, for it was grinning in the way that dogs can. Birkenhead-Birkdale Cinder Track. References to the energetic and progressive character of the late Mr. J. H. Witheford were made at the meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council last evening. The Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhail, said that Mr. Witheford was one of the pioneer workers in the early days of Birkenhead. The first Mayor of Birkenhead, Mr. C. E. Button, assumed office in 1888, and on his resignation Mr. Witheford, though not a member of the Borough Council, was elected Mayor, on January 17, 1901. He continued in office till November 23, 1905, when he resigned owing to being detained in England longer than lie intended. A particularly popular work done in Mr. Witheford's term was the formation of a cinder bicycle track from the Birkenhead wharf right out to Birkdale. The roads were impassable for bicycles in those days, and Mr. Witheford, who represented Auckland City in Parliament, was successful in obtaining a grant for the purpose. Television. Present-day television experimenters are on the wrong track, Dr. ; Nikola. Tesla, the great inventor in electricity, is reported by the "Journal of Sciencc and Invention" to have said. "We shall see," he said, "in a future not distant, a very simple means of transmitting the living daylight image over a wire or by wireless, without the use of any scanning disc, special synchronising means and all the bewildering paraphernalia now employed to give an image the size of a postage stamp, and one that is far from satisfactory at that. I made discoveries many years ago which gave me every reason to believe that television of the future will have all the complicated parts located at the transmitting or central station. All the subscriber will need in his home or office to receive the repro- - duced linage will be practically nothing but a screen, together with a suitable wave or station selector." ( "Sean Triubhais." An explanation of tlu meaning and origin of the well-known Scottish dance, the "Sean . Triubhais," was given at the display by the Southland School of Highland and Classic Dancing when the principal, Mr. Alex Sutherland, mentioned that after, the defeat of Prince Charlie in j '45 an edict was issued forbidding the wearing of the kilt. Not until 50 years later was the '' ban lifted, but in the interval zealous Scots J evaded it by wearing the national costume, and 1 also carrying, slung over their shoulders, a pair i of old trousers. As soon as any strangers loomed 1 up on the horizon, especially iJ they were wearing j red coats, the Scotsmen quickly discarded their j kilts and donned the trousers. Later this action ( gave rise to the dance called the "Sean Triubhais," which means "Old Trousers," and illustrates ( in some of its movements the actions of a High- ' lander ridding himself of the encumbering and 1 hated garments. 1

Parihaka Raid Anniversary. To-day is the fiftieth anniversary of the Parihaka raid, when To Whiti and Toliu were arrested by the Hon. John Bryce, Native Minister, and his soldiers. One of the finest cavalry troops which went up the coast to the Maori stronghold was the Alexandra Cavalry from Wanganui, under the command of Captain Sommervillc. The company was 52 strong, and rode some of the finest horses ever seen in this country. They made Patea the first night, the settlers going over the bridge to meet them and then the whole inhabitants gave them a great reception when they halted in the main street. Next day they left for Opunake, thus covering 90 miles in two days, a most creditable feat. It is interesting to note that Mrs. Sommerville, widow of Colonel Sommerville (for he attained the rank of colonel in the South African War), is living at Stanley Bay, and that Major J. A. Sommerville, president of Jie Pukekohe Returned Soldiers' Association, is a son who is living at the town mentioned. Mrs. Sommerville was present with her husband in London at the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, where he was in charge of the New Zealand troops. Relief Work in Otahuhu. Ways and means of raising funds for the I relief of distress in Otahuhu were discussed at a meeting of the Otahuhu Social Service Association last evening, when it was reported that the many calls for assistance had diminished the general fund to £23. Mr. F. W. Grey said that efforts to raise money by means of concerts and card evenings had failed, and he suggested that tliey should consider organising Sunday evening concerts. Opposition was raised by the Revs. W. Gatiuan and T. H. Eccersall, who moved that the district be canvassed for subscriptions. Tliey offered to carry out the canvass personally, if need be. This proposal was adopted, and the Rev. W. Gatman and Mr. F. W. Grey were appointed to draft a block plan of the district in readiness for a canvass in the week beginning on December 7. The executive reported that the scheme to supply unemployed workers with seeds and plants had been successful. The allotments cultivated by the men had been inspected prior to distributing seeds, and had been found in excellent condition. One ton of seed potatoes, 323 packets of seeds, and SOOO plants had been supplied. The clothing depot had been closed, the balance of garments being held in reserve to meet special cases. Sinc-c July 21 the ladies committee had distributed 182 parcels containing clothing to provide for the needs of children of ali ages. Among the recipients had been theMaoris from the Pukaki pa, who had received liberal treatment.