Not Forgotten.

Auckland Star, Volume LVX, Issue 268, 12 November 1934, Page 6

Not Forgotten.

The lady members of the Navy League visited Waikumete Cemetery yesterday, and a wreath was placed on the grave of each of the naval men buried there. A wreath was also placed on the memorial cross in the cemetery. New Moth for Aero Club. After being thoroughly overhauled, the Moth aeroplane ZK-ADO, purchased in Sydney last July for the Auckland Aero Club, was flown during the week-end for the first time in New Zealand. The machine was piloted on Saturday by Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, •chief instructor to the club. Later the 'plane was flown by other pilots, and it will bo available for ordinary use after being tested. Not a Racing Man. "I note that your conference is very close to 'National Week,'" said the Rev. J. K. Archer, deputy-Mayor of Christchurch, when welcoming delegates to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Christchurch last week. Delegates stared aghast at such ignorance of the racing calendar, and the slip was not allowed to go unnoticed. "That was last August," said a delegate. Quite unperturbed by his mistaice, Mr. Archer explained that he knew nothing whatever of racing, but that even lie could not help knowing that some sort of racing fixture was scheduled in Christchurch. Christmas Mails Postages. A further opportunity for those intending to send a Brett's Christmas Number to friends abroad will be given by the mail which leaves by the Niagara to-morrow. It closes at the C.P.G. at 10 a.m., Riid half an hour later for late fee. The vessel is on her way to Vancouver, and mails dispatched by her arc scheduled to arrive in London on December 10. The postage charge, via Canada, is sd. To send an annual is a first-class way of advertising the Dominion, for the photographs which comprise it are thoroughly representative of Dominion scenery, and not only scenery, but Of the life of the people as well. Popular Holiday Resort. Holidaying by the inland lakes of Now Zealand is becoming very popular, and Taupo during the coming season expects many visitors. Many new summer residences have been added to the already large number near the Taupo township, and it is almost impossible to obtain a cottage for the Christmas vacation. In addition to the angling, one of the reasons of Taupo's popularity is the boating, which is becoming a favoured pastime with residents and visitors alike. Boatsheds have been erected on the banks of the Waikato River below the Taupo landing, and Bevcral fine launches have been added of late years to the already large fleet there. A Miniature Foal.

The grand parade at the Diamond Jubilee A. and P. Show at Wanganui on Thursday was watched by thousands of people from Wanganui and its district. Various beasts and horses were singled out for individual attention, and perhaps the smallest animal in the show, a Shetland pony's foal, caused as much interest as any in the parade. Very little larger than a big dog, the pony, which was untethered, caused some amusement by the way in which it ran around, frisking its tail and tossing its head as though it were just as important as the hunters. Another pany caused interest with its cover, which was made of ribbons won at many shows. The ribbons had been sewn together, and strctchod from the pony's mane to its tail. Memorial Altar. A memorial altar to the late Father O'Byrne, erected by parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church in Panff Avenue, Epsom, was dedicated yesterday by Bishop Liston. Appreciative reference was made to the work of the late father, who for 12 years was priest qf the parish. The altar, which was designed by Messrs. Glimmer and Ford, is constructed of Whangarei marble of different tones specially selected for beauty in colour. The front and ends have panels framed by inlaid bands of New Zealand greenstone. In the centre of the front panel is a Cross Alisee Patec in greenstone. The altar has been kept extremely simple in design, and strictly in accordance with the liturgical requirements of the church. The altar is in a temporary position only, and will later be moved. The brass work was executed by Mr. Theo. Meyer.

Development of Hastings. A statement that as a result of the transaction recently carried out with the Hawke's Bay Power Board, the Hastings Borough Council will have available for general purposes of borough development work a sum of £13,000 accumulated profits, was made at a recent meeting of the , council by the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Maddison. In addition to that £13,000, there is an accumulated sum of .€7OOO, representing the surplus in the general account of the borough. "It is a very satisfactory position,'" said Mr. Maddison, in speaking of the matter. Of the sum of £20,000, the amount set aside for roading is £5000, and a sum of approximately £iOOO from the total is being used for additions to the women's rest, and for a heating installation. In addition, it is not unlikely that the council will consider spending some £5000 or thereabouts on the erection of a new building to replace the library, which was destroyed by the earthquake. The Maoris and Mexico. A suggested connection between the ancient Maoris and Mexico, prybably centuries before the Maoris came to New Zealand, was mentioned by Professor R. Speight in a lecture on gems and precious stones at the Canterbury Museum. Amongst other countries in which jade was looked upon as a precious stone, Professor Speight said, was Mexico, and when Cortez invaded that country the Spaniards were attracted by the many beautiful objects made of jade. It was a mystery where the Mexicans obtained jade; it was possible that mines existed and that the original inhabitants had disappeared and the secret of the mines had been lost. Jade was consiaered by the Mexicans of the time of Cortez as really more valuable than gold. In New Zealand greenstone (nephrite) was used for similar purposes as those for which the Mexicans used jade, and was looked upon as a kind of precious stone. The tikis of the Maoris had their exact analogy in similar little figures made in Mexico of jade. It made one wonder whether there had been any real connection between Mexico and the Maoris. Precious Stones. Precious stones formed the subject of a lecture at the Canterbury Museum, the speaker being the curator, Mr. R. Speight, who said that he used the description in an extended sense to cover not only gems but also ornamental stones. He stated that the museum possessed a good collection of stones, although they were in the rough. He mentioned in this respect that a great deal of the cost of jewellery was made up of payment for workmanship and also sentimental considerations. He traced the use of precious stones as charms and articles of adornment from the earliest times. The shaping of stones did not come in until later, but with the institution of primitive means of drilling some marvellous work was done. The East was a wonderful storehouse of jewels, and in early times most of the gems travelled from there westwards. Russia built tip a great collection, and received stones from nil sources, one instance • being recorded of a man conveying a gem from India to Russia sewn up in the calf of I • Ins leg. j,