NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Wellington Hissed Bradman. ■In a statement expressing regret at the nonappearance of Don Bradman at the exhibition of cricket given by Mailey's team at the Baein Reserve yesterday, the Wellington Cricket Association explained that the arrangement had been made late the previous night at the Australian Society's function that the visitors should give an exhibition. Bradman was not staying on the ship with the other members of the team, and unfortunately had left the city early the following morning by car before the Australian captain could communicate with him. No Canse Por Alarm. While the cruisers Diomede and Dunedin were carrying out a spectacular night shoot in the Hauraki Gulf on Monday evening, a small coastal steamer passed between the warships and the battle practice target, which was being towed by H.M.s. Veronica. Apparently the master of the coaster had no desire to watch the practice from "a front seat," for officers on the cruisers noted that he got all possible speed out of hie vessel until he was out of the line of fire. Actually, according to the naval officers, the coaster was perfectly safe. Colourful Lizards.. Two colourful lizards, one a bright yellow and the other a dark green with gold streaks, have been presented to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where they will be kept alive. The lizards were captured by Mr. E. F. Shadbolt and Master G. Denie while cutting tea-tree on a reserve at Blockhouse Bay. They were identified at the Mu3eum as belonging to the green lizard speciee. They arc comparatively rare, much for the reason that they keep out of eight. Variation of colour is a feature of the green lizard. In addition to some being bright yellow, others have .yellow spots. Services Appreciated. "He served the board faithfully and well for many years, and took charge of the infectious diseases ward when no one else wanted it. I don't think any man in the community could have served the board better. He was most sincere, and allowed nothing to stand in the way of his duty." So commented Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, in paying a tribute to the late Dr. G. L. Cawkwcll at the board's meeting yesterday. A motion was carried expressing appreciation of Dr. Cawkwcll's services and expressing sympathy with his relatives. Visit to Mount Victoria. The members of the Auckland Harbour Board paid an official visit to Mount Victoria yesterday, and were met on the summit by the chairman of the Devonport Domain Board, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, Mr. H. T. Hutcliings, and the clerk, Mr. A. E. Wilson. During the past three months correspondence has passed between the boards respecting certain buildings on Mount Victoria, the control of the signal station and a cottage, which had for the past 34 years been occupied by an official of the Harbour Board. A recent "Gazette" notice terminated the use of Mount Victoria a's a signal station, and therefore the cottage was not required by the board. The Domain Board requested that the cottage be handed over to it, the revenue from which would make provision for keeping the area in good shape. Mr. M. H. Wynyard stated that the board would consider the request. Promiscuous Poison-laying. It is becoming apparent that until stern official measures result in an abatement of the nuisance in Blenheim caused by dogs disturbing the peace, no dog is safe, for the poisoner is again abroad, and quite a large number of good dogs have fallen victims, states the "Marlborough Express." Last week a lady with a valuable dog on a leash discovered that ho had picked up a small piece of meat. She made him drop it, but almost immediately afterwards he was in distress, a veterinary surgeon diagnosing strychnine poisoning. The animal's life was saved with difficulty. A good deal of indignation is being expressed at the conduct of people who appear to be laying poison almost promiscuously, and it is known that the police have been making inquiries in some instances. Where is This New Zealand? Tales of how little known our country is abroad arc common. Almost everyone is used to hearing that New Zealand is somewhere near Australia, or even in that great continent; but perhaps the best story, or anyway, the latest, comes from the Olympic Games, and is told by Mr. R. Foubister, a member of the New Zealand team. It was not long before the New Zealanders made friends in Los .Angeles. They naturally drifted towards the Canadians, the Englishmen and the Australians, but some of the other athletes thought that New Zealand might have been in the middle of China. Imagine the pained surprise of Mr. Foubister, speaking perfectly good English, hailing from a country which has been called more English than England, on being told by an American, quite soriously, alnidst enviously, that "you have picked up English quickly since you have been over here."

A Costly Mistake. The story is told of a costly mistake made by a farmer in the Mossburn district (Southland). He had drained the oil sump of his car preparatory to refilling it with some fresli oil, which he had placed in a jug standing in a convenient position. Unfortunately,'a jug of treacle for the horses' chaff was nearby, and it was poured into the engine of the car. Its cffect on the interior of the engine was not so beneficial as in the case of the horses, for after covering a few miles the driver noticed a peculiar smell. Soon the engine refused to perform its functions, and seized up, selecting the vicinity of a hotel as its stopping place. After seeking solace, the owner made several attempts to start the car again, but with no success —it was completely gummed. An expensive visit to a garage followed, but even the skill of the mechanics failed to restore to the engine its previous power ami efficiency.

Hints Tor Picnickers. Now that picnicking in the country grows increasingly popular, it is to be hoped the picnickers will be trained in the best traditions, and that the countryside will not suffer from their presence. A few badly-brouglit-up people can cause terrible havoc in the scenery. One of the most serious causes of complaint against picnickers is that tlicy leave such a litter where they have fed; some people are incredibly untidy. The lighting of fires near bush is also a fault of the town people who wander into the country at the week-end. Picnickers should make certain that the fire is lit in a safe place, free from undergrowth, and that every ember is put out before the party leaves; it is no use merely dashing a cup of water over it. Many picnickers still have an insane habit of tearing up ferns and other greenery, and yards of lovely clematis are sacrificed annually—merely to die before the vandals get home. There is also a growing danger from people who have a craze for growing Xew Zealand plants at the expense of any bit of bush they come across, but these culprits are generally motorists. Trampers who go across country should remember to always respect the farmer's fences and close all gates that they find closed, and leave open those that are open; Town people cannot be made to understand that not only much inconvenience but actual loss to the farmer may be caused by open gates, and they cannot understand why the farmer is so bitter against people who are guilty of offence. It would be thought that people who have sufficient taste to like fresh air aiid the countryside would have manners t9 match, but unfortunately the two do not always go together.