NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Reafforestation Plan. The Auckland district council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture lias decided to bring under tlie notice of the general manager of the Tourist Department the desirability of beautifying the surroundings of the Huka Falls, on the Waikato River. A suggestion has been made that there should be extensive tree planting in the locality. Soldiers and Census. Special efforts were made to have disabled soldiers employed during the taking of the recent census, states the annual report of the Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment League, and more than 400 of these men were given temporary employment. The report expresses appreciation of the sympathetic attitude of the Pensions Department. Coin In Hen's Egg. Regarded as a unique discovery, so far as the Waikato is concerned, a penny was found in a hen's egg at a Frankton residence last week (reports the "Star's" Hamilton correspondent). The egg, which came from a Te Rapa poultry farm, was being broken for a meal by Mrs. J. Cook, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Halcrow, of Frankton. The coin was dark in colour and dented in the centre. Mrs. Cook states that the egg was of ordinary type, but was discoloured inside. A Notable Cricket Hit. Last July H. B. Cameron, the South African cricketer, hit a ball from Verity in the Yorkshire match at Sheffield over the boundaries towards the pavilion roof. The ball never dropped. People looked for it but could not find it. During the winter Cameron died. The ball was found recently in a gutter at the far end of the pavilion roof. Cameron's hit that July day was prodigious —one of the biggest ever made. A Te Aroha Tribute. "More credit has been awarded me than I am entitled to," said Mr. A. F. Burton at a complimentary farewell function- on Wednesday evening. "One speaker has said that I was largely responsible for planting the trees in the Te Aroha streets when I was president of the Beautifying Society. The work, however, was more due to Dr. Kenneth Gordon, now of Auckland, who took the greatest interest in the work, and personally saw that many of the beautiful shrubs which are flourishing to-day were planted."

Not So Good. Except for the first week or so, the bags secured by sportsmen (luring the present shooting season, which ends on Tuesday next, have not been nearly as good as in previous seasons. The opinion is general with men who have been shooting for years. Ducks have been particularly scarce, and many attribute this to the long spell of dry weather, which affected the Whangairyarino swamps. Pheasants have been fairly plentiful, but quail have not been observed in anything like the large numbers of previous seasons, and it is thought these birds are now keeping more to the bush. A Quick-Witted Farmer. A farmer near Temuka, Canterbury, recently noticed that a crop of swedes near the road appeared to be diminishing. He raked the ground close to the crop smooth in order to make sure, and on the following morning found footprints. Satisfied that his efforts would not be unrewarded, he sat up through two fruitless nights, and on the third night the marauder came,' filled up a sack with swedes and prepared to depart, when the farmer saw him and shouted to him to stand. The thief dropped the swedes and set off over the fence and down the road. It looked as if he would make an easy escape. The farmer was alone, unarmed and a slow runner, but he stopped his man instantly with a shout of "Shoot low; don't kill him; get him in the legs." It was a very disgusted thief against whom a charge was later made at the police station. Shortest Possible Wait. How quickly can a telephone be f/istalled? Post Office experience is that, when a new customer wishes to join the rapidly-growing army of telephone users, there is the keenest anxiety to have the instrument installed as rapidly as possible. The Post Office endeavours to make the waiting period the shortest possible one under the circumstances. Careful check is made of the times usually taken, and it has been found that, during the last six months, the average time elapsing between the application and the actual installation has been 3.1 days in respect of the four main centres, and 2.0 days at 14 centres outside the four chief cities. Wellington leads for expedition with 1.9 days. These results have been obtained in respect of exclusive connections; party lines involve- ipaking arrangements, which take more time.

Anti-Ragwort Campaign. Concern expressed by the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union that legislation had not been initiated this session to deal with the ragwort menace during the months of June and September has evoked a reply from the Minister of Lands. The Hon. W. Lee Martin has replied as follows: "In reply to your letter I beg to state that there is no need for concern on account of the fact that no new legislation dealing with noxious weeds has yet been introir.ced. Arrangements are already well in train for a very energetic campaign during the co ning spring months, and I hope to be able to announce details at an early date. At the moment 110 'additional statutory powers appear to be necessary, but if any are found to be required you may be assured that they will quickly be taken." , An Honoured Servant. Messenger at the Suva branch of the Bank of New Zealand for over 30 years, Rupeni Semi Tabilai, died suddenly (reports the "Star's" Fiji correspondent). Smart and dapper, Rupeni was an excellent and trustworthy sergeant in the Fijian company of the defence forces. He had the efficiency medal and clasp, and at the time of his death was looking forward to receiving the long service medal. At a parade on a recent Thursday night he complained of not feeling well, and on the following day he was dead. There was a large attendance at the funeral, and a firing party, with reversed arms, lined the entrance to the cemetery. After the Rev. C. O. Lelean, chairman of the Methodist Mission, had referred to Tabilai's sterling qualities and to his services as steward and treasurer of the Jubilee Church, a native minister spoke in Fijian. As a -final tribute three Volleys were fired over the grave. Maori Railway Poster. The issue of a railway poster in Maori in connection with the Maori gathering at Waitara this week-end breaks new ground for the Railway Department. It is learnt that the "New Zealand Railways" in Maori is "Niutireni Reriwe." Mr. James Rukutai, the wellknown Maori interpreter, was responsible for the Maori translation. Unfortunately the effect is somewhat spoiled, for tinderneath is the English translation. This reminds one of an incident which occurred when the Chinese Soccer footballers were here some years ago. The Chinese, were being entertained at dinner, and some of the visitors were making speeches in Chinese. One member of the team was asked what the speaker was talking about, and to the amazement of the questioner came the reply: "Oh, I don't know; he conies from a different part of China." Asked how members of the team made themselves understood, the Chinese smiled and answered: "Oh, we talk in English." So it is to. be supposed that at least the young Maori understands only English.

The Budget Leakage. The tremendous public interest taken in the Budget leakage proceedings in London was noted by Mr. C. E. Jones, of Christchurch, who was a passenger by the Mataroa, which arrived at Wellington from London' the other day. Mr. Jonas, who resigned from the Christchurch City Council early this year because of ill-liealth, said vast crowds gathered outside the Law Courts, anxious, to glimpse anything to satisfy their curiosity. ; Excursion Train. To enable people to visit the ceremony of unveiling the memorial statue to the late Sir Maui Pomare, which took place at Waitara to-day, the Railway Department ran an excursion train to Xcw Plymouth last evening. The train, which comprised seven carriages, including the Governor-General's car, left Auckland at 7.18 p.m., and it will leave New Plymouth on the return journey at 7.10 o'clock to-morrow evening. It is due to arrive back in Auckland at G. 38 a.m. on Monday. Trees in Wellington Streets. Four hundred trees were planted beside the Hutt Road by members of the Wellington Beautifying Society last week, when the planting season was officially opened. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, planted the first tree. The Mayor said he counted it a very great privilege to be present at the second annual planting organised by the society. Due to its activities, thousands of trees had been planted on slopes that would otherwise have been bare, and it was certain that their work of giving a robe of trees to the hillside would give beauty to the approach to Wellington. Doubled Business. For the four weeks ended June 6 parcelpost business has been almost doubled at the chief post offices of the Dominion, compared with the normal volume last year. Particulars from the four" principal chief post offices are:—Auckland, 32,70."); Christchurch, 18,325; Dunedin, 14,037; Wellington, 42,235; total postings, 107,902. These figures do not includeparcels handled at suburban offices, nor any of the business originating in all other post offices throughout the Dominion.

" Retired Murderer." A theoretical, police force that should keep peace among the nations on behalf of the League of Nations, outlined to a public meeting by Air-Marslial Sir Robert Clark-Hall, came in for some strong criticism from a questioner. He said that to call such a force a police force was an insult to the police. The civil police ensured the peace. A force of soldiers would bring disorder and bloodshed. It would be more suitable to call the force "international murderers." "Ah, well, you see, I am afraid I am a retired professional murderer mysaif," answered Sir Robert Clark-Hall with a smile. A "Mystery" Foundation Stone. The old post office In Shortland Street has been levelled nearly to the ground, but as yet there is no sign of the foundation stone. It is still a matter of conjecture whether such a stone exists, though the discovery that the keystone of the main front arch was marked 1870 (evidently the year of building) indicated that there might be further "finds" when the structure was pulled down. There still remains the solidly-built front wall," just above the level of the Shortland Street pavement, and the long-expected discovery of a formal foundation stone may yet be made. Incidentally the work of demolition has shown that the lower part of the old post office appears to have been built at an earlier date than the main block higher up the street. It is somewhat singular that official data regarding the early days of the building is so meagre, and also that none of the old-timers have come forward with definite testimony regarding any foundation stone-laying ceremony that may have taken place. After all, it was one of the moot important buildings in the town over half a century ago. New Industrial Laws. i On July 1 the Factories Amendment Act and the Shops and Offices Amendment Act, with the exception of clauses dealing witii the introduction of the 40-hour week, will become operative, while, in addition, the restoration of' wages to the 1931 level to workers bound by awards and industrial agreements will become effective as from that date. The increased wages need not necessarily be paid on the first pay day after July 1, and it is sible that in many cases retrospective payments will be made from reserve funds created for the purpose by employers after the legislation dealing with the subject is dealt with by the Government. The main features of the amended Acts are the provisions for increased minimum wages and noon closing on the statutory half-holiday! In the past the commencing wage has been 10/ a week, with annual increments of 5/ up to 30/, while the new order provides for 15/ for the first six months, with increments of 4/ each six months until the third year, when the rate becomes £2.

Traffic Outlet Completed. Work on the new traffic outlet to New North Road liy way of Upper Queen Street, which lias been carried on during the past few months, is -now almost completed, the tarsealing of the footpaths being practically all that remains to be done. A great deal of labour has been involved in the reconstruction, several houses having to be dismantled and removed, a high bank cut down, a largo hollow filled in, arid stone retaining walls built. Upper Queen Street now joins up with Newton Road just below Exmouth Street. Widening of the/ latter street, which runs from Newton Road to New North Road, was completed some time ago. Access to New North Road in almost a straight lfne from Queen Street is now possible, and should be the means of diverting a good deal of traffic from Synionds. Street. Even during the time the work has been under way the new road has been used more than formerly, and when its time-saving advantages become more widely known its popularity as a short cut is'likely to increase rapidly., A Maui Pomare Anecdote. The great gathering of Maoris at Maiiukorilii pa, which culminates to-day, when the memorial statue of the late Sir Maui Pomare will be unveiled and the memorial meeling house will be opened, pays tribute to one of the greatest and best-loved leaders of the Maori race, writes a correspondent. Sir Maui, through his father, Wiremu Naera Pomare, and his mother, who was a cliieftaincss of the Ngatitioa, was connected with most of the West Coast tribes. During his first visit to Auckland as Minister of Health in 1923 he met the members of the Hospital Board, and in a jocular way, when he was replying to the chairman's welcome, said that he was glad to know that most of the members of the board were Scotsmen, although they had not all got Scots names. He alluded to the North Shore representative as a case in point, because he knew Jris father and mother, who were Highlanders of the first water. The clan element of the Scots was very similar, he said, to that, of the Maori-, and while he was very proud of his own lineage, which connected him with..the leading tribes in Taranaki, he also wanted to claim kinship with the Scots Highland people, and that claim was not hard to prove because he was a . Scot by absorption. The -proof was that one of his ancestors, not further back than a grandfather, had helped to eat an early Scot who came to .this country before it came under the sway of the British Crown. His ancestor had beaten the Scot in a quarrel, and had eventually killed and eaten him. If that did not prove he had Scots blood in his veins he did not know what would. Later the members of the board were photographed with Sir Maui, who said lie should have stipulated that they should all be clad in Maori mats or.Highland costume before they faced the camera.