NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 102, 2 May 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

White Heron at Taupo. A white licron was eccn several times on Monday close to Taupo township. In the morning several people gathered on the lake shore to see tlio unusual visitor in the shallow water, and in the afternoon it again aroused interest near the wharf at the outlet. It staved for a while on some rocks jutting into the lake, and did not appear disturbed by the passing of launches. City's Inertness. That there was a "dopey-ness, an inertness, a deadness and a muetiness" about Chrlstchurch city was a declaration by Mr. L. C, Walker in" his election campaign speech on Saturday night. He said that if only that [mistiness could be thrown aside and money spent in having experts plan a new and better harbour in the Sumner Estuary; there would be a much brighter future for the province. A Converted Shop. It came as a sliock to the Pabnerston North City Council to learn that a shop had been converted into living quarters, so that there were neither windows nor direct ventilation to two bedrooms, while a lavatory opened directly on to the kitchen, reports the ."Manawatu Times.'' The council is demanding that the partitions be pulled down and tlie shop repartitioncd in accordance with its building by-laws. Cancer Treatment. "Koeent advice with regard to the treatment of cancer indicates that far greater voltage than that at present in use in most hospitals is giving n uch better result*," stated the report of the hospital committee which was received at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. "The committee is not at present making any recommendation to the-' board, as the whole matter will be considered at a conference which is to bo held in Dunedin in May. when full information will he available to the committee, and possibly a recommendation may be made to the board." Telephone for Bayswater. Advice has been received from the Post-master-General by Mr. A. Harris, M.l', for Waitemata, that "the public call telephone booth for Bayswater approved last year will be erected at the corner of King Edward's Avenue and Belfour Street in a fortnight's time. The Kiosk will be in concrete and equipped with the latest type of telephone, which is now in course of construction in Wellington. Bayswater up to the present has been without slot telephone, the nearest booth being a mile away, at Belmont, and the decision of the Department to provide the facility results from a petition to Parliament last year by Mr. K. L. Usmar, of Bayswater, supported by representations by Mr. Harris. Farmers Under Fire. Something new in the way of reports was put before the Peria Babbit Board recently, when, in reply to a member as to the attitude of a farmer who had not destroyed rabbits to the satisfaction of the board, the inspector stated: "Oh, he came at me like a gentleman and promised to do the work in three days." Referring tofanother ratepayer, a member remarked: "He is prepared like a Yank, but he will not get into the fight. However, I believe if the rabbits tackled him he might show light." The final pointed remark came in a reply from another member when the defaulters' list was being perused. He was asked, "He's sound enough, isn't he?" "Yes," was the answer in dreamy tones, "except in one place." Merely a Relic. A £1 note issued by the Darlington Bank on August 27, 1814, was shown to a member of our staff recently, the owner of this curiosity asking whether it is to-day of any money value, states the Dunedin "Star." The only way to answer such a question is to refer to the "British Banjc Almanac and Year Book," and, having consulted t!<ie latest edition of that work, we can say that no such bank is at present on the list; therefore the note is merely a relic of 121 years ago, the year before the Battle of Waterloo. The signature is that of Mowbray Hollingsworth, Wctherell, Shield, Boulton and Company. Maybe those names will stir up recollections in the minds of some of our English-born citizens. Central Swimming Pool. The possibility of the establishment of a central swimming pool in Auckland was mentioned by Mr. Ernest Davis, Citizens' Committee candidate for the mayoralty, at his Epsom meeting last night. Mr. Davis said that gradual pollution of the harbour from various sources had probably acted as a deterrent to many to make as free use as formerly of the beaches of the city. The City Council had three swimming baths within its territory, but he thought that in future consideration might be given to the construction of a large swimming pool in a central position on the most modern lines, with particular facilities for high diving and the provision of Turkish and hot plunge bath's. If such a bath wen; made absolutely hygienic, it should become so atirncnve as to be a source of revenue and not a burden. However, the fullest inquiry into the suggestion would be a starting ponu.

Rangitoto and Botanists. "[ cannot agree that Rangitoto Island should 1)0 preserved entirely for botanists," said Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, chairman of the Rangitoto Domain Board last evening, at a meeting of the board. Ife referred to the statement which lie said had been made rceentlv,. that the island was being quite commercialised. "That." lie said, "[ think is quite unjustified. There are only about 70 shacks on the island, occupying a total approximate area of 10 acres, while the whole domain comprises 0000 acres." The shackowners provided the best safeguard against fires and the destruction of bush. The suggestion was made by Air. E. Aklridge that the statement'that the island was being commercialised might have arisen from -the fact that a number of shack-owners were letting their property for a substantial rental, which was against the conditions of the tenure. It was decided to investigate this report. The hoard refused permission to the Boy Scouts' Association to light a bonfire on the summit of the island on the night of May 0, in connection with the King's jubilee. It was considered that the risk of the lire spreading was too great. Te Awamutu Farming District. In this year's agricultural statistics the following figures bearing on the immediate district 'of Te Awamutu represent the agricultural district of an area of something like 100.000 acres, of which from 8000 to 10,000 acres are- in Otorohatlga County and under 5000 acres in Raglan County, representing 527 holdings. In that area there is a total of lt)7 acres of pintls insignia and eucalyptus. There arc 7."> acres of orchards, computed from areas of not less than a quarter-acre. Among the crops the figures supplied show that 17:1 tons of potatoes were gathered during the year ended March 31, 1035. One hundred and forty-live acres of maize was grown and led oil' or cut for green fodder. The area in turnips (including swedes) totalled 0571 acres. Turnips or swedes and rape mixed represented 107 acres, ami mangels 80 acres. The total area of territory not in cultivation, such as tea-tree bush, fern and barren, and unproductive lands, is 17,10.") acres. Hay and ensilage represented 018:$ acres, and lucerne a further 4(1.") acres. From these areas were produced approximately 22,021 tons of hay or ensilage and 1552 tons of lucerne hay. as distinct from meadow hay. The total number of cattle (cows, heifers, bulls and steers) was not available, but the area contains 21,170 cows and heifers in milk. Furthermore, there are 1241) draught or spring farm horses, 447 hacks i and 130-thorougkbreds.

Business in Australia. The people of Australia aro spending money freely, and consequently business is booming there, said Mr. E. Riddiford, who returned to Wellington from Sydney by the Monowai on Monday. Mr. Riddiford said that he had been in Australia for fourteen days onlv, but during that time ho had seen many indications of prosperity, and he was given tho impression that more circulation of money in New Zealand would improve conditions here. Extension of Putaruru Venture. With the intention of using the land as a run-off for the Bryant House farms, two largo areas of farming country in different parts of the Putaruru district have been purchased by the Bryant House Trustees (says tho "Starjs" correspondent). The larger portion comprises 1320 acres at the top end of Hildrcth Road, off tho Arapuni Road, and the other is 3.')0 acres on the Tirau Road. It is reported that the latter property will give an access road through to the Arapuni Road. Pig's Ruse That Failed. While a Putaruru carrier was carting pigs through the township on his truck, one of his charges managed to make a dash for liberty. The driver set off in pursuit, and aa the pig approached a blackberry bush ho got a firm grip on its tail. The pig tore through tho bush, and the'driver, noting that some onlookers were waiting for tho pig on tho other side, kept his hold and rocketed through the thorns also. The pig was held on the far side', the capture being made at the cost of a number of cuts on the driver's arms. Unofficial Harbour Swim. \ correspondent reports that the feat of swimming across the Waitemala Harbour from the launch steps at Mechanics' Ray-to the bank near the naval wharf, Devonport, was accomplished recently by two Pa moll youths, Lisle Camplan and Max Hannam. The 'informant does not state the date of the swim, but says the day was cloudy and the water very rough near the ship Recorder, and that the young men had no intention of crossing tho harbour wheji they entered the water, ami consequently wore 'unaccompanied, and had no boat, lie adds that no time was taken of the swim, but if was estimated at about 50 minutes. Mayor Satisfied. "It is indeed a compliment to both myself and the councillors that we are being reelected unopposed to the new council. - ' said the Mayor, Mr. I. Goldstine, at the opening meeting of the One Tree Hill Borough Council last evening. "In the past we have made the utmost endeavour to administer the affairs of the borough to the best of advantage to ratepayers. At present we have two distinct objects in view, one the improvement of borough property and the other to do our best to reduce the 'present rales. Cur term of ollice allows us to continue the policy we have pursued in tho past, and I earnestly hope we can continue to maintain the borough affairs without the use of any loan moneys." Film Censorship. The attitude of the Wellington Film Institute towards the censorship of films was touched on by Mr. W. A. Armour, the president, at the "annual meeting of the institute. "The idea of many of us." said Mr. Armour, "was that our main efforts should bo in the direction of censorship. We did something along tho line of censorship, but we found that this problem was a much more difficult one than we anticipated, and we also found that there were many points on the side of tho industry that we were not cognisant of, and we found that if we took up an attitude entirely of criticism wo were not going to get verv far." Mr. Armour then went on to refer to the good will existing between the society and the film exhibitors and distributors. Geography by Moving Pictures. Education in one school in Auckland has advanced to the stage where geography is taught by the aid of a moving-picture machine. "To supplement the oral teaching of geography, a moving-picture machine has been purchased out of school funds," stated the report of the headmaster of the Kowhai Intermediate School, Mr. J. E. Wells, presented to the householders last night. "Films depicting the various industries and scenic attractions of New Zealand and overseas countries are in this way presented to the children, who get tho nearest approach to first-hand knowledge of the lands and activities of other peoples. Their views of the world and its peoples aro thus clarified, strengthened and made more realistic and true to life." The machine is now in use at the school, where it is a normal part of the lesson. Making His Own " Sleeper." A man who obviously appreciates comfort above all things—above even the embarrassment of his fellow passengers —entered a Wellington-Auckland express carriage on a recent night and began to busy himself with some planks and a parcel be had brought with him. Neatly and with the greatest aplomb he arranged the planks between a pair of unoccupied seats, and briskly he opened the parcel, and gravelv he began to blow through a rubber tube. The blowing process continued for many minutes before the nearby passengers discovered that a large "lilo" bathing mat was being inflated. When it was ready the man placed it on the boards, went through the usual train toilet, and -curled no on his bed under some rugs. It was «nfortunate that at the first sharp turn made by the train he and his bed shot off into the aisle, but he took this calmly, rearranged his bed safely, and quickly went to sleep.

Not Wanted Abpard. It is no uncommon thing for Lyttelton yachtsmen to find, when heaving in the anchor at Diamond Harbour, or Ripa Island, that much exertion is needed to bring it to the surface, and it is found to be festooned with a length of old mooring chain or to have picked up an ancient and barnacle-encrusted anchor lost by some other vessels long years before. Mr, K. Beaumont, a member of the crew of the launch Dorothy, thought he had made a catch when the "pick"' seemed very reluctant to leave the bottom. Finally it came clear and was brought to the surface, but there it was allowed to hang, for the baleful eyes of a large octopus, with tentacles as thick* as a man's arm wrapped lovingly around the anchor, mot the surprised gaze of Mr. Beaumont. Efforts—from a safe distance —were made to kill the creature, but finally it dropped away and slink to the bottom. General Booth's Hymns. General Evangeline Booth, world leader of the Salvation Army, visited the Wellington War Memorial Carillon yesterday and heard two of her own compositions —"1 Bring Thee All" and "The World-wide Crimson Sea" — played on the bells (states the "Post"). The General was accompanied by Colonel A. Cowles, president of the Wellington U.S.A. and chairman of the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society, Messrs, J. I. Goldsmith and R. Johnson, members of the society, and Lieutenant-Commissioner F. 11. Adams, head of. the Salvation Army in New Zealand. Colonel Richard Griffith, of London, and Colonel W. B. Mabee, of New York City, General Booth and her party did not attempt the ascent of the flights of steps in the tower, but went out on to the terrace in front to hear the bells more clearly. Before leaving General Booth and the ofucers accompanying her signed their names in the visitors' book, the General's entry being as follows/: "-May there be no more war; but peace for our home and lands. —Evangeline Booth, General." A number of Salvationists and a party of Lifesaving Guards from the Newton Corps, Auckland, also visited the carillon and inspected the- General's message.