NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1932, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Good Taupo Easter. Our Taupo correspondent reports that the weather there throughout Easter was splendid, and that tho city visitors, though fewer than usual, enjoyed a perfect holiday, which included first-class sport among tlio trout. This news of freedom from the depressing rain drizzles of Sunday and Monday morning, which marred the Easter holiday in the city, was enjoyed also l>y the higher districts in the Waikato area. Steaming On Coal Dust. The steamer Hororala, owned hv the New Zealand Shipping Company, its at present en route to New Zealand from England. The Hororata was the second British ship to have her furnaces converted to burn pulverised coal. As the experiment was made in 1927, when Britain's prosperity was affected by the slump in the coal trade following on the use of oil as fuel in vessels, it was said to mean much to shipowners.

The Gold Quest. The prospecting business is booming 011 the West Coast. Quietly and unobtrusively men who have been searching for gold in the backblocks of the Westport and Buller districts arc_ making their way to Christchurch again, and buying tools for future work. There is a subdued satisfaction about some of these prospectors, and one prominent Christchurch builder has been heard to remark that he would not now take .€2OOO for the quarter-share in a claim that he took up a few weeks ago, and for which 110 paid £50. Sea-going Precautions. The pleasure craft Water Lily, a yacht which is 011 a South Sea Islands cruise and will aruve in Auckland from Wellington at an early date, was required by the Marine Department in v\ cllington to add to her equipment a lifeboat for use in case of emergency. Ordinarily the rules of survey respecting life-saving regulations do not apply to pleasure craft, but the scope of hci cruise brings the Water Xjily under these regulations, and the Department has insisted 011 adequate life-saving gear. Avocado Pear Trees. Recent reference to avocado pear trees growing in Auckland has brought communications from several correspondents pointing out that the particular tree will grow quite well in Auckland. A Point Chevalier resident states that an avocado plant set four years ago is now 10ft high. It is evergreen, but lias not as yet fruited. A College Hill resident has an avocado pear tree 7ft high. It was planted from seed brought from Samoa. Another tree of this variety, also brought from Samoa, is doing well at 054, Manukau Road. Outstanding Competitor. With one arm in a sling, a lad of 15 years, F. E. Watt, was an outstanding competitor at the Auckland Grammar School sports yesterday. He won two events, each at SSOvdfi, and not only did he start from scratch and concede substantial starts to practically all his opponents, but in one case lie also conceded many of them a year in age. Watt, with one arm swinging, ran solidly from the pistol, and gradually ran past his opponents till he took the lead over 100 yds from the tapes. He then finished strongly, tcceiving a great ovation from the crowd on the stand and banks.

A Submerged Forest. Mr. T. Delaney, a diver, recently made a descent to the bottom of Lake Waikaremoana, opposite the Hopuruahine arm, in search of an outboard motor that had dropped off one of the boats. When he got down about 40ft he came upon the remains of a forest, the trees practically standing as they had grown, only the tops and finer branches being missing. The trees were, anything from 40ft to 50ft in height. This bears out the statement of scientists and geologists that Waikaremoana is a drowned valley in contradistinction to those lakes that have been caused by glacial action. Girls, Please Note! An "ideal wife competition" wafl conducted under the auspices of the Waitara Cycle and Athletic Club recently. The competition was decided by popular vote, the participants having to vote for seven of the 20 enumerated qualifications which they thought constituted an ideal wife. The votes showed the following order of preference: —Faithful, 570; affectionate, 474; motherly, 383; cleanly, 3SO; domesticated, 304; cheerful, 300; honest, 255; thrifty, 253; homely, 209; industrious, 130; practical, 119; ambitious, 08; placid, 47; rich, 35; religious, 34; entertaining, 34; good-looking, 20; clever, 24; musical, 23; athletic, 11. Four-legged Runner At Sports. After the field in the 220 yds handicap (under 17) had got fairly away at the Auckland Boys' Grammar School sports yesterday forenoon, an under-sized fox terrier joined in the race. Amid cheers and exhortations from the spectators, the dog, with his ears well back, ran into a handy position behind the leaders, from which it seemed he could have put in a devastating finish. By this time the assemblage was overcome with laughter, and the humour of the situation no doubt appealing to the terrier, he kept his winning effort for some other occasion. There were several cameras with "eyes" on the field that recorded the canine effort to get a Grammar School place. Clearly Irrelevant. A silent but amusing diversion occurred at the Essendon Police Court, Sydney, the other day, while a larceny case was being heard. Therewas a slight movement in the body of the court. A piece of paper was passed around among the public, leaving a trail of arched eyebrows behind it. The paper gradually found its way to the front seat. Then it went to the Clerk of the Court, who grinned, thought for a minute, and passed it up to the Bench. Mr. 11. R. Donald, P.M., took the paper, and he, too, smiled. It was passed on to his six colleagues. They also in turn read it, and smiled —and still the evidence was uninterrupted. On the piece of paper was written: "Pilar Lap wins 'oy 5* lengths." Takapuna Water Discoloured. There was considerable discolouration of the water in the borough of Takapuna on Thursday, and for some hours yesterday, due to a break in the main near the pumping station at Lake Pupuke. A short while after the break was repaired yesterday, the water cleared. The discolouration was marked by the presence of fine vegetable matter and sediment deposited on the inside of the main. Many complaints were received, borough residents being anxious to know whether or not the water was safe for consumption. A sample of the water was shown to the Medical Officer of Health in Auckland, Dr. J. Lloyd, who stated that, although the water was not pleasant to taste, it was in no way dangerous. Complaints were usually received when this discolouration occurred, but there was definitely no danger. Affability and Forgetfulness. It happened in a restaurant, with all the smooth action of a comedietta. A man had been endeavouring to give the "affable unci"' to a party of people whom he knew, and who were sitting at a table a little distance away. He was at length successful, and he received recognition of /lis presence by affable nods in return. Having finished his meal, he made foi* the table where his friends were assembled, remained in intimate converse for a minute, and thjen edged towards the door, still exchanging remarks in affable excitement. So engrossed was he in pleasantries that chuckles arose from others in the restaurant when he found himself several yards outside the door witli his meal unpaid for. and the lady at the counter wondering if he would recollect that meals there were not free. Then he remembered his omission, and in his embarrassment forgot his friends. He dived hack through the door, paid his bill amid profuse apologies, and was then cheerily greeted by a humorous request from one amongst his friends to "be a sport and pay for us all."