NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 30, 6 February 1933, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Population of New Zealand. The Government Statistician estimates the population of New Zealand proper, including Maoris, to be 1,533,705. He estimates the Maoris I to number 70,670. The population of the dependencies are estimated to be: —Cook Islands, 15,310; Tokelau Islands, 1048; Western Samoa, 46,663. M.P. No Sailor. "I confess right away that I'm not a good sailor," said Mr. J. McCombs, M.P., speaking at a civic welome to Sanders Cup crews and de e at Lyttelton. "Five hundred miles away are the Chatham Islands. They are part of,? 116 Lyttelton electorate—why, I don't know. When. I ko there I just get into my bunk and hope it will soon be over. So you see I wouldnt be much good as a yachtsman." Buried At Sea. In accordance with her wish, Miss Caroline Mary Bucknill, aged 69, whose death occurred at Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, on Wednesday, was buried at sea on Thursday. A launch left Mount Maunganui wharf at iu o'clock, and three miles from land the body was committed to the deep. The service was conducted by the Anglican minister at Tauranga, the Rev. M. E. Holmes. The launchman and an undertaker were the only other persons on board. Power Not Unlimited. "People give us credit for a great deal more power than we have," said Mr. P. L. Porter, manager of the Christchurch branch of the Bank of New Zealand, when replying to a toast at the annual meeting of the Christchurch Diainage Board "They also give ue credit for fathering diabolical schemes," he continued, "but we are like others —hero to do our job. Moneylenders in times of depression have always been unpopular. Hundreds of years ago the moneylenders, who were mostly Jews, were burned at the stake." The Oyster Derby. Wednesday was the most important day in the year to the fish merchants of fnvercargiH, for the Bluff oyster fleet then commenced operations for the 1933 season. The same day the Derby" was held. The race commenced at Blutt on arrival of the oyster fleet from the beds and was won by the firm which first delivered the shellfish to Shaun O'Sullivan, of the Southland Times," who inaugurated the race. Rivalry always runs high among the Invercargill purveyors of fish in their endeavours to secure the laurel crown. Sea Elephant at Bluff. A rare visitor to Bluff Harbour was seen on Tuesday, states the "Southland Times,' when a large sea elephant made its appeaiance and cruised about the two wharves, an object oi creat interest to watersiders and casual onfookers. Several of those on the wharves had seen seals and sea lions, but not a sea ele P hl *"[> and for a time the stranger remained unidentified. Later a motor launch pa-rty attempted a closer inspection, but the visitor immediately dived, and when next seen was making for the open water past the heads. An effort by the launch party to head the elephant off failed, the boat coming a poor second in the race. A "Live" Tooth. To receive an electric shock cvety time she put a fork into her mouth has been the unpleasant experience of a young an e - resident of Greymouth, who now resides in Canterbury, says the "Grey Star. _ there is, course, an explanation, but it is unusual, and has nothing to do with the power board. Consulting a dentist in Christchurch, the patient was informed that she was getting an electric shock, caused through two different amalgams having been used in the filling of one of her teeth, and the tooth being extra sensitive. It always make, me sit up when I put a fork in my mouth was her description. The dentist stated that it was only the second case of its kind he had known in 20 years. Commemoration of Tasman Flight. Commemoration of the flight of the Southern Cross over the Tasman Sea in January has been considered by a sub-committee of the New .riy-l mouth Aero Club, and presentations are to be made to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Lady Smith and Charles Arthur (the baby) and thej members of'the crew. The presentation to Sir j Charles will take the form of a table cabinet in mahogany, containing crystal decanters and beakers, with an inscribed silver plate containing representations of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Southern Cross and Mount Egmont. A laige framed photograph of Mount Egmont, with the Southern Cross shown in flight in the foreground, is to be presented to Lady Smith. A silver mug will be presented for Charles Arthur. Where the Sun Shines. Sunshine figures for 1032 prepared by Dr. E. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, show that of all the recording stations in the Dominion Nelson most deserves the epithet of sunny. During the past year it enjoyed just over hours of bright sunshine, which is an average of over seven hours per day throughout the year. Auckland could boast of only 2202.h0ur5, which after all, is no mean total, as it works out at a little over six hours per day. Other totals for the year in hours, disregarding fractions, weie: Blenheim, 2436; New Plymouth, 2324; Napier, 2261; Rotorua, 2144; Masterton, 2057; Wellington, 2054J; Christchurch, 1940; Palmerston North, 1897; Invercargill, 1753; and Timaru, 1733. For the "Tail-waggers." Prince, an Alsatian dog owned by Mr. P. R. Wingrove, secretary of the Tail-Waggers Club of New Zealand, lias been in Napier during Carnival Week, accompanied by his master. Prince has an interesting history. He was alleged, in June last, to have bitten a man, but the Tail-Waggers' Club defended the case on behalf of his owner, and it was dismissed. Prince was then trained by his present owner as a collecting dog. He lias been very successful, a na has brought in quite a large sum to the club's | funds in. aid of stray and injured dogs. Many people will remember the collecting dogs seen at the principal London railway station —Paddy, an Irish terrier, who worked at Paddington station, collected over £4000 during his eleven years of activity. Deserved a Better Fate. Reports of big deals by telephone and wireless are common in these days of mechanical advancement, but bidding at a public auction bv telephone is still rare. It actually happened in Thames last week. A lady who resides at Turua had recently set her mind on acquiring a bed which she had seen advertised to be sold at public auction in Thames. Being unable to be present at the auction sale, she conceived the idea of getting in touch with the auctioneer by 'phone and bidding' for the article of furniture when it was offered. A call wa3 put through and the arrangements made, an attendant standing at the 'phone and announcing to the; lady the: progress of the bidding. The enterprising lady was oijt-. bid for the bed., ; . ( . Bain Affects Cricket. : . . ; The heavy rain on Friday night and early hours of Saturday morning had a marked effect on the club cricket matches" on Saturday afternoon, throwing a big advantage to the sides which had the choice, on the spin of the coin, of batting or bowling first. In every case the winner of the toss, sent the .other side out to bat, and. in each case .at Eden Park the decision was justified by; . Bowlers had a field day, and in the -Parnell-Y.MJC.A. match' the Parnell slow bowler, A. W. McCoy,, did the "hat trick." His wickets fell to the last ball of one over and the first two balls of his hext over. At Devonport, where the wicket drains quickly on account of a sandy subsoil, the home team did not get the expected advantage by putting, their opponents in JSrst. ~ o : J