NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Shortening Childhood Days. "To my mind the danger of our present system of education is the feverish desire to hurry children through the primary school and to place upon them greater mental burdens than they were meant to bear, thereby depriving them in part of that glorious heritage, a happy, healthy childhood," stated Mr. C. C. Hills, retiring headmaster of the Longburn School, at a function, tendered to him. Within 48 Hours..

Postal ellicicncy in the discovery of an address wae strikingly demonstrated in the prompt delivery of a letter to a resident of New Plymouth the other day. It is 17 years since Mr. L. W. Oldridge lived at Timaru. and in the interim he has been at Wanganui and Palinerston North. Yet a letter from Australia addressed simply as "Mr. L. W. Oldridge, Tiniaru, New Zealand," was delivered to him at New Plymouth within 48 hours of its receipt at Tiinaru. American Scientists Leave.

The party of American students, headed by Miss Josephine Tilden, professor of botany at the University of Minnesota, who have been studying marine and fresh-water plant life in the Dominion, sail for America by the Mariposa to-day, taking with them a large collection of specimens. Miss Tilden stated yesterday that the study of seaweed was of vital economic importance, as not only did all eea life depend on it, but it was itself an important article of food in many countries, both for human beings am' for animals. . Hottest Month on Record. The. Government meteorologist, Dr. E Kidson, states that February wae the hottest month in the history of New Zealand, being marked by humid weather generally and heavy rain. The sunshine was below normal in most of the eastern districts, but above it in the west, and Hokitika had the remarkable record of 270.2 houre of sunshine. There were no storms of note during the month, but unstable conditions were shown by frequency of thunderstorms and heavy local downpours, with, in some localities, local Hooding. Olympic Games Training. "Pressure should be brought to bear right away to enable whatever New Zealand athletic team is chosen for the Olympic Games to obtain a full period of training in Berlin," said Mr. Norman MeKenzie, representing the Ilawke's Bay-Poverty Bay centre, at the annual conference of the amateur athletic centre delegates at Wanganui last night (states a Press Association message). Mr. L. A. Tracy, hon. secretary: "What would you call a full period?" Mr. MeKenzie: "At least seven weeks." Mr. K. O. Johnson (Otago) supported Mr. McKenzie, and said it was impossible for a New Zealand team to reach the top of its form in two or throe weeks after landing. If trials were to be held to select the team, they should be fixed early in the season.

No Salvage. A spot near the intersection of Dee and Spey Streets, Invercargill, was the scene of an unfortunate accident shortly after six o'clock on a recent evening, when a motor lorry proceeding south from the direction of the "wet" area lost portion of its cargo, a wicker-cased receptacle which bounced on to the street. The lorry driver pulled up with all possible speed, and was about to reclaim the errant merchandise when n motor car, swinging round t'.ie corner, struck the jar, which exploded, sending frothy liquid and earthenware in all directions. An aroma of hops pervaded the air, and the owners of cars in the vicinity had a busy time remuvin r traces of the accident from the of their vehicles.

The " Other Cheek." Laughter was heard in the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, on Saturday morning, and the magistrate, Mr. W. F. Stihyell, could not withold a smile, when William Tier, who had been assaulted by Terence James Rose, aged 32, a vulcaniser, on Friday, appeared with his eye heavily bandaged to plead for lenience in Rose's sentence. Sub-Inspector Roach said that a traffic inspector .saw a man lying on the ground in Egmont Street with a badly cut eyelid. Accused was standing over him in a threatening attitude, saying that he would like to black his other eye. It appeared that the two men had been friends, but had had a quarrel some weeks previously, and Rose was getting mmik- revenge, "lit , is not a bad sort of cobber,"' said Tier, as Rose; wae fined £1 and given seven days in which to pay.

Cumbersome Cargo. The sailing of the motor vessel Margaret W. from Gisborne for Auckland yesterday afternoon was delayed somewhat through trouble experienced in hoisting aboard the 18-ton mechanical navvy which is being returned to Auckland after having been used for road construction in this district (says the "Star" correspondent). It had been intended to ship the navvy in one piece, and with that object in view the machine had been towed to the wharf earlier in the week, UnV in itself being a long, arduous task. When an attempt was made to lift the machine on to the boat, it was found' too cumbersome to move safely with the hoists at the working party's disposal. Consequently the machine had to be dismantled. This presented some difficulty, but the work was ultimately accomplished, and the different sections were placed aboard.

Stock and Transport on East Coast. Owing to the easier travelling conditions for motor lorries since the Waioeka Road was opened between Opotiki and G-isbome, fjit stock is now being sent to Gisbofne for slaughter, writes the 'Star's" Opotiki correspondent. Previously all the pigs, fat sheep and cattle were sent to the Waikato and Auckland. Practically all the fat cattle from the Opotiki district ie etill being sent to Auckland, sea transport being used for carriage. As pigs and sheep are easier to handle on lorries, this method is being wholly used for cartage of pigs and fat sheep ' for ' both the railhead at Taneatua and for transport to (iisborue. Hundreds of pigs have been sent to Gisborne during the last few months, and small numbers of lambs have also been forwarded. The journey to Gisborne only takes between four and five hours, and it is expected that next year even larger numbers for freezing purposes will be sent to the Kaiti works at Gisborne.

Tepid Baths for Wellington. At a special meeting of the reserves committee of the Wellington City Council, the proposed tepid baths for the city came up for consideration. As a result a motion is to go before the council on March 14 recommending that an application be made to the Government Loans Board for sanction to borrow the sum of £30,000 for the purpose of tepid and slipper baths to be erected on a site to be arranged approximately in the centre of the city. This decision scarcely means that topid baths are to be erected. In the first place, the City Council is calling by advertisement on persons who object to the application goingforward to the Loans Board. They are to submit such objections in writing not later than March 13. The council will by this means ascertain in some measure the opposition likely to be encountered in regard to the proposed loan, and similarly ,the objections which may be lodged against the proposal when it reaches the Government Loans Board. Tt proposes to secure the loan by striking a special rate of 30-Uood in the £] on the unimproved value of all ratable property in the 'city of Wellington;

Brilliant Meteor. From a number of the Auckland suburbs people noticed shortly before nine o'clock last evening a brilliant meteor travel across the sky at what appeared to be a low altitude. The flash of light attracted immediate attention, and then the meteor sailed like a rocket at great speed until it disappeared. There was a final flash of light, but it was not so bright as the earlier one.

Onehunga Electors' Roll. The Onehunga district electors' roll, which closed on Thursday, contains 4502 names. The supplementary roll will close on April 3. The total number of electors on both rolls last year was 55.37. Tt is expected that about 50 ratepayers and their wives will be added to the supplementary roll from the western portion of Mount Roskill, which has been transferred to Onehunga as from March 31. the end of the financial year. This should show a considerable increase in the number of electors eligible to vote at the municipal election to be held on Wednesday, May 1. Eggs for Jamaica. A suggestion that eggs should be exported from New Zealand to Jamaica was made at a meeting of the Sprcydon branch of the Xew Zealand Poultry Federation. It was stated by one of those present at the meeting that he had sold eggs in Jamaica for 5/ and (>/ a dozen. The main supply came from Canada at famine prices. Aβ vessels from Xew Zealand to England called at a Jamaica port, he thought it would be possible to land some eggs there, and obtain good prices. The population was nearly 1,000,000. Decorations Wasted. "The parks committee will be rather disnppointed that their display is wasted," said the Mayor, Mr. O. W. Hutchison, yesterday, epeaking at the civic welcome to Lord Nuffield. He was referring to the fact that, as too many people wanted to greet Lord Xiulield to be accommodated in the council chamber, the welcome had to be changed to the concert chamber—and it was the former room that had been most tastefully decorated in the guest's honour, while the latter was bare, although filled with enthusiasm. The Mayor added that the fact that it had been thus necessary to change the locale of the welcome was a matter of congratulation to Lord Nuffield, because it was the first time in \ ears that the room chosen had been too ; small, while on previous occasions it had been int.hor too large.

Honey and the Cyclists. Delivering a large can of honey to a wellknown lodging house in Christehureh, the representative of a supplying firm dropped the container as he was taking it from his motor lorry. Honey soon smeared nearly half the street surface, reports a Christchurch daily. A cyclist carrying a patio of glass, proceeding merrily up the street, performed an involuntary and unattractive broadside. The wheels of his machine went from under him, and the pane of glass went into pieces. In about a quarter of an hour seven cyeliste seeking to pass the place came to grief. Finally a postman mounted guard while the delivery man went away and told the civic authorities about it. Sand was spread over the honey by council workmen, and the street was safe again for the pedal pushers.

Byrd Expedition's Loss. Provision was made by the Byrd Expedition, in the event of the death of a member of the party, to embalm the body in order to convoy it back to America, and two beautiful copper caskets were stored on the ships for this purpose, writes the "Star's" Dunedin correspondent. However, it was scon fit under the circumstance.* of the death of Mr. Ivor liiigloff in Dunedin to cremate the body and eopvey only the ashes to the man's relatives in Boston. All members of the Byrd Expedition paid final and pathetic homage to their only lost comrade when he was cremated at Anderson"e Bay crematorium yesterday. He was given a military funeral, the coffin being covered with the Stars and Stripes. The service was conducted by the Rev. Allen Stevely, who earlier had had the happier duty of marrying another member of the expedition upon its return from tba Antarctic not throe weeks ago.

Loose Decking Causes Trouble. Loose decking on the Xrurutmingi bridge, between Inglewood and Stratford, was responsible for an unpleasant experience thi't befell a party of bowlers en route to Xew Plymouth from Stratford on Saturday, reports the "Taranaki N'nvs." A car driven by Mr. P. Douglass, Xew Plymouth, was just leaving the bridpe when a'piece ~f loose dec-king 2ft long, lipped up by the weight of the cur, was propelled by the right rr;\r wheel between the wheel and the mudguard, where it became lodged momentarily. The passengers- in the rear scat were thrown up against the hood as the car dragged for 50ft or (iOft. The rear wheels and the brake became locked, but the driver controlled the vehicle well under the circtiiuetancee. Fortunately, after 20ft, the obstruction became dislodged, and the car ran on and came to a standstill. The differential was thrown ljin out of alignment, the mudguard bracket twisted, and the tyres badly damaged.

Maori's Frozen Eel Proposal. An application for £00 was received from a Maori at Little River by the Disabled Soldiers" Civil Re-establishment Committee recently to enable him to send a trial shipment of two tons of frozen eels to England. After receiving reports from Mr. W. E. Leadley it was decided to decline the application, as it wa<3 considered that the proposition did not seem to be a, lucrative one. Mr. Lendley said that there was an abundant supply of eels at Lake Forsytb, over which the .Maoris had lights. The applicant considered that if he could send a trial shipment he would receive (id a lb, and might start a new industry. The difficulty seemed to be that the shipping companies could not take eels with other frozen cargo. Further, a new industry bad started some years aero at Oreytown, where the eels were canned. Mr. teadley stated that he had written to the manager of the company asking if he could give an idea of what price eels would realise in London, and whether he thought the proposition would pay. He had replied that the shipment would be a failure, as the price obtained would not recompense the cost incurred. It was also pointed out that the frozen eels would lose 80 per cent of their food value.

Mystery of the Lost Tribe. One of the most interesting stories of early Xew Zealand concerns what is known as "the lost tribe," mention of which is made by a writer in "Touring." The Maori was naturally a lover of the sun, and sought those portions of the country for his home which provided sunshine and warmth in abundance. It is surprising, therefore, to learn that Captain Cook, during oiie of his earliest voyages to New- Zealand, found several Maori families living in the Dusky Sound area, in the far south-west. Clothed in dense forest, and swept in winter by fierce storms, this country ie just about the last place one would have expected the warmth-loving Maori to choose, yet here Cook found them, a shaggy, wild and primitive-looking tribe, living in rude huts made of branches. Later explorers also found traces of this wild region being inhabited by Maoris, but the mystery of their origin has never been solved. The only deduction that seems to lit the case is that they belonged to a tribe which was so harassed by inter-tribal warfare in the more favoured parts of the island that they were forced to seek refuge in the wilds of fiord hind, where their fate remains buried in, the impenetrable forests and gorges.