NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 160, 10 July 1933, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Football Enthusiast,

A relief worker at To Kuiti la3t week made up hid mind to witness the championship matches at C'arlaw I'nrk ou Saturday, and lie duly took up his position on the terrace. He had cycled all the wav to (he city on Friday, the trip occupying ten hours. Conditions must have been rather unpleasant for his return journey yesterday.

The New Southern Cross. The motor ship now being built in England for the Molaiiesiali Mission is to *ail for -New Zealand on September 1(5, according to advice received by tlio local office of tlio mission to-day. Tlio vessel will bo dedieate.l by the Bishop ot Liverpool, probably two days before sailing, lie new ehip is being built to take the place of the Southern Cross which was wrecked on Aneityum Island on her liuiiden voyage to the mission tteltts a few months ago. Details of the vessel now under construction have not yet been received in Auckland, although it is-known that she Iβ to be larger than her unlucky predecessor. .

Trout's Fatal Meal. While a party of members of the Southland Acclimatisation Society wa« engaged in trouttaffßiiiff near the Fairfax Bridge, they noticed a dead trout in the water (eays the "Southland Daily News"). Mr. Bruce Henderson removed it from the river, and an autopsy was conducted. Inside the trout, which was a well-developed Sipounder, were found portions of the stomach of a rabbit and a quantity of phosphonsed oats. Mr George Jacquiery, who examined the dead trojit, eaici he had not previously encountered an instance of fish being poisoned in thie way. lie remarked that the throwing of offal, dead animals or any other polluting matter into rivers was an offence for which a substantial penalty was provided.

Hen Adopts Young Pigs. Many strange associations have been recorded in the animal Kingdom and feathered world, but one which can be seen at present on the property of Mr. W. Thorburn, at Tararu, near Thames, will take a lot of beating. J .here a Black Orpington hen is doing her best to mother a litter of seven pigs, the progeny of a \orkenire sow The mother of the young pigs seems quite content to hand over the care of the litter, who are taken for a constitutional by fostermother, though the latter findfl great difhe.ulty in covering them when perched on top. All the occupants'of the «ty lie down together in complete harmony. Another etrange feature of this most unusual association is that tlio hen had previously shown no indication of being broody. Now, however, ehe flies at any intruder.

Governor-General At Devonport. There was a crowded attendance at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Devonport, yesterday mornin- When the Governor-General and Lady Bledislo? were present. The Mayor, in his chains of See the borough councillor., the clerical and outside stair of the council were also present, also Mr Alex-. Hume, M.l\ the Hon. K W. Alison repwentativce of the Hospital Board, unite of the Navy, the superintendent ami memhen of the fire brigade, members of St. John \mlmlanco and boys' brigades. Lord Bledisloe read the lesson, and the Rev. W. Laweon MarSn, M \., conducted the service, preaching an eloquent sermon bated on the power of God to heal the vo UV" ills where men's efforts had failed and nr-'in" the need of personal religion amongst all km e H.yllU Tvo »a.. S theenlo. *or To-fiav." The National Anthem and kiplinga national hymn commencing, -Land of Our Birth, were sung.

Texas Cattle For Australia. Travelling to Australia by the /teamer Wnihcmo, which arrived at Auckland from the Pacific Coast yesterday morning, arc 10 head ot Zebu cattle from Texas. The animals, which are the humned-back Bos Indicus tropical type, are much favoured in tropical areas owing to their resistance to tick and tropical diseaecs. lhe eonsiffnment on the Waihemo, comprising ten bulls and nine heifers, arc being introduced into Australia by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and by a group of pastoral wts with cattle runs in tropical North Australia All the animals arc young, none being more than two years of ago. Included in the shipment is a red bull, the progeny of six generations of selective breeding on the King Ranch in Texas. The owner of thiri property claims that .since this type was produced the yearlings have increased 1501b in weight and the three and four-year-olds by as much as 2,301b.

Voluntary Salary Eeduction. "In view of the bad year wo arc experiencing, and the fact that Wβ will not be able to pay interest at the end of the year, I desire to make a further reduction in my salary to the extent ol £100 per annum till such time ae iinancial conditions improve," stated a letter from Mr. G. Mitchell, manager of the Wellington Show Association read at an executive meeting of the association' The chairman, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, said he had written to Mr. Mitchell thanking him for his unselfish offer, but added that he personally felt that the last thing that would be asked would be undue sacrifice on the part of one whose energy they relied upon to produce the finances which meet the debenture interest and other general expenses. The committee expressed appreciation of Mr. Mitchell's attitude and agreed to accept the offer for one year. Mr Mitchell was also granted leave of absence till November 1.

An Awkward Moment. Some amusement was caused at the opening ceremony of the Wanganui Public Library on Wednesday last week, when the front door refused to open at the critical moment (eaye the "Chronicle"). Miss M. Low, of Auckland, who represented the late Miss E. Alexander, who made the bequest for the building, received the key from Mr. C. N. Hood, the architect, to open the door officially. After a few vigorous turns ol the key the 'door still remained unopened, wJucn wae not unnatural, .seeing that the lock was Blubbed on the inside. Mies A. M. Blackctt, the chief librarian, realising what had happened, slipped round to the side door quietly and was followed a moment later by Mr. Hood, who after trying to assist Mtee Low, also discovered the cause of the. trouble. By this time the crowd had become aware of the position, and the tension wad relieved when somebody laughed. In a matter of moments the door was opened, and Mi«e Low received Via first book issued from Miss k. Connie, a member of the library staff.

A Dry June. Tho month of June was a very cold one, with a prevalence of southerly or south-easter y winds, report* the Dominion Meteorologist, in eastern and northern districts it was very dull and damp, with frequent showers of misty rain. The total rainfall wan, nevertheless, almost everywhere much below normal. The cold weather checked the growth of vegetation, but during tho last week mild and humid conditions permitted a resumption. The low rainfall and the absence of wind, especially in the South Island, enabled stock to get the full benefit of such irreen feed ae was available, mid they are reported to be in fair to good condition. The cold reduced tho activities of paste, and in Canterbury, for instance, saved the remains of the turnip crops from further'depredations. Few, if any, drier Junes can have been experienced in New Zealand than the one just past. The caeo ot Napier, where the rainfall was the lowest on record for June, was especially interesting. Rain was recorded on 11 days, but the maximum fall was 0.05 in, and the total only 0.24 in. In addition there were traces of rain on eight daye. Districts exposed to the eastward had much Ices than the average sunshine, Wellington, with 77.4 hours, faring the worst. In the interior and on the west ""coast condition* were much better. Tailranga had the splendid record of 199.4 hours, and Xc\v Plymouth, NeVon. Blenheim and Hokitika all had well above the average.