NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1933, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Big Tree. A largo Wellingtonia gigantia tree which lias been growing, next to the Ashburton County Council offices was taken down last week. The small space available ruade it necessary to bring the tree down in sections, and when measured on the ground it was found to .be Olift in height. At a distance of 4ft from the ground the trunk had a diameter of 3ft. The tree wad planted 50 years ago. Date of Arbor Day. Arbor Day in Auckland this year is likely to be observed the second Wednesday in July. The Internal Affairs Department proposes that it should be observed on July 23, but, as that day is a Sunday, and the observance of Arbor Day principally affects tho schools, the secretary of the Institute of Horticulture, Mr. N. R. W. Thomas, is making arrangements, which it it> hoped will be finalised next week, for observances jon July 12. ( St. John's Busy Day. ! Saturday was a busy day for the St. John Ambulance in Auckland. Their cars carried 37 patients during the day, from as far out as Pokcno, Takanini and Clevcdon. Four trips were made to the North Shore. The patients included nine football accident victims and one from a street accident, and nine theatre and massage cases transferred at the Auckland Hospital. Approximately 380 miles were covered on the runs. Yesterday the cars made ten runs. Gift From China. An interesting gift has been received by Bishop West-Watsoa from China in the shape of the coat-of-arnis of the diocese of North China, worked in silk and making a striking display. Bishop West-Watson announced the receipt of the gift when speaking at the Missionary Market at Christchureh to raise funds for the Melanesian and North China fields. He said that the gift came from Bishop Mowll, and lie purposed having it framed and hung in Church House, together with an explanatory letter which accompanied the coat-of-arms to Christchurch. Main Highway Danger Spot. Reference was made at a meeting of the Waitonio County Council last week to the dangerous hairpin bend on the main New Plymouth Road, about four miles from Te Kuiti. It was pointed out that there had been several accidents there lately, and the bend constituted a danger to traffic, particularly people passing through w*ho were not familiar with the road. The engineer pointed out that it would be difficult to increase the visibility to any great extent, and that the width of the corner was sufficient for three cars. It wa6 decided to refer the matter to the Public Works Department. Laughing Jackass In New Zealand. Although the sight of the Australian kookaburra is thought to be without precedent in the Gisborne district, one was seen by Mr. C. Ivess at his home in Waitangi Street last week. The bird, which is drab in colour but not unlike the kingfisher in shape, although possessing a larger beak and being larger in size, was perched in one of Mr. Ivess* cabbage trees. On referring his experience to Judge H. Carr, he was informed that in the bush near Tolaga Bay a number had been seen in the past. A District Without Cows. Most people would hardly credit that any place in the Auckland Hospital Board district is so isolated that cow's milk cannot be got within reasonable distance for feeding babies. When inquiries were made into a case where parents asked for baby food because milk could not be obtained, it was shown that there were no cows in the district- where the settler and his family were living, and that to get milk they must make a considerable journey; • Auckland Province has for years been becoming, like Taranaki, "a cow country," but the wild pig still reigns alone in isolated parts, and real civilisation will only arrive when the cow becomes a permanent resident. Prejudice Difficult To Overcome. Displacement of Danish butter on the British market would be more difficult than wan often made out, said Mr. C. ,P. Agar, in an address to farmers at Leeston, in Canterbury. In the Midlands and the northern territory of England particularly, the people weve accustomed to a full, high, lactic flavoured butter, and it was impossible for dairymen at this end of the world to produce such an article, because of its poor keeping quality. Though the food value of our pas-ture-produced butter was greater, the prejudice which existed would be difficult to overcome, and tho process would be a long and slow one. Propaganda and judicious advertising were the means to establish New Zealand butter in tho portions of England mentioned.

Taken Down. During the recent deliberations at the interprovincial conference of the Farmers' Union at ilastcrton, a remit was presented with the object of sonic provision being made by Parliament so that people should be protected from exploitation in taking tip shares in doubtful companies. One hard-headed fanner o])posed the remit, and remarked that if people desired to have a gamble in wild cat schemes they should be at liberty to do so. He admitted that lie had been taken down in this manner. Another'member remarked that seeing that his farmer friend had admitted being taken down, it would bo no use passing the remit, for any person who could take thir< farmer down would certainly treat others in the same way in spite of all the protective legislation. Street Meetings Not Allowed, ,Aii ; attempt to'hold a meeting of unemployed in Quay,street yesterday afternoon, was. prevented' by. the police. After the Salvation Arrny Ba:nd : concert-had closed, a small platform was produced among the considerable number of men nearby. Thereupon' Inspector J. W. Hoi)is, wh'o was present with a largo detachment of, police, informed the leaders and others that if they did not dispense they' would be,'prosecuted for obstruction. The gathering quickly• 'broke up, a dozen or so of the spectators .following the leaders to Victoria Park, where meetings are .permitted. "The,police attended, to show the'official attitude toward street meetings," said the inspector later. "Free speech may be enjoyed in a public park,'but obstruction is not permitted on streets-arid footpaths." 1 - ' Mission Ship's Anchor Chain. ..There.has been .quite -a keen demand for the anchor cable from the old Melanesia]! Mission steamer Southern Cross, which is at. present in the hands of the shopbreakers at the Western viadfict. The vessel .carries (500 fathoms of chain, mostly one and.a quartor inch, and an inspecti.om lias/ fili'own .t-hafc" there v is comparatively v " little wear in the "nips"—the places where the links rub', and where weaknesses usually first, appear. Various harbour boards in New Zealand have purchased a quantity ' of ' the while ' 30 fathoms of it, after being, treated,in a tar fire to have all the scale'removed from .it, will be put aboard. the new schooner yacht which" was recently bifilt at Stanley Bay for Mr. J. AV.'S. JlcArthur. .

A Neat Quip. \ Replying to tho toast of the Auckland team at the,dinner tendered by the. Auckland Rugby League to the Taranaki team on Saturday evening, one of the local selectors made'rather a neat point. Reference had been made to fixe euccces of the Auckland hooker in the match that day. Mr. Ash'er said in that respect the visitors liacl a definite advantage, because they had "two hookers" —one pn the field and one off. Applause greeted ..the remark, as.it was realised that the speaker was -referring. t® Mr.. Gordon .Hooker, manager of the Taranaki team and a star .player in his day. "But he's only a babe!" chimed in sonic wit, fo cause greater laughter. It happens that Mr. UooVt popularly goes under the pseudonym of "Babe/ 3 . j