NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sale of Contraceptives. Replying to objections made by Auckland taxi drivers to a lcttrr which she recently wrote, Mrs. Ruby K. Watson has written to the tnxi drivers of Auckland: "Lest the public should think I was in any way referring to taxi drivers of Auckland re the sale of contraceptives, I wish to flay that such an impression would be entirely erroneous. I make no reflection on Auckland taxi drivers in this matter. I would like to tell them that I often taxis, and have found the drivers fair in their charges and most courteous in their behaviour. Many I know are of very fine character. I take this opportunity to completely withdraw the reference made to them in my previous letter, and I must apologise if they think I refer r ed in my letter to any Auckland taxi driver." Japan's National Day. To-day is Japan's national day—the birthday of the young Emperor, Hiro Hito. In Japan to-day a general holiday will 'be observed, witlt the country en fete in honour of its ruler. With two Japanese ships in port to-day Auckland had a special interest in the day, as both were well beflagged. Doing—in New Zealand—what the New Zealanders do, however, both were working. The Japanese flag was flown from the Consulate, and during the morning the acting-Consul for Japan, Mr. Trevor Davis, received calls from members of the Consular Corps. Trout from Blue Lake. The popular belief that the Blue Lake between Rotorua and Lake Tarawera contains no trout, or, at least, no trout of any size, has been dispelled by an angler, who last week brought in three excellently conditioned fish, all over 51b in weight, taken from this lake. Various liberations of trout fry and smelt have been made from time to time, but for some reason the fish did not appear to take as they have done in other lakes-. Recently, however, it was reported that large shoals of smelt had been observed around the lake margins, indicating that the fish food, at least, was established. The fish taken had obviously grown fast, and their condition indicated that there was no lack of food. Northcote High School. Five nominations were received last night by the chairman, Mr. X. J. Campbell, for the four seats on the Northcote District High School Committee to be filled bv representatives of parents and pupils. The candidates are Mrs. Violet M. Blake. Messrs. F. Tothill, James Triekett (sitting members). Sydney T. Carter and F. P. Tack. The envelope system is to be used in the election, equivalent to a postal ballot. The votes are to be counted next Wednesday evening. The respective five committees of the primary schools of Birkenhead, Xorthcote, Birkdale, (ilenfield and Albany are each to appoint one menilier, makning a total of nine' members. "Must Look to Otago." "In the event of any political or economic crisis, the Dominion must look to Otago for a new leader," was the opinion expressed by Colonel S. J. Closey,' who has spent the last six weeks in Otago addressing the farming community on compensating prices (reports the "Press"). "I have noticed during my tour," he said, "that Otago possesses a high proportion of competent leaders in its farming community. This may be due to the system of rotating the upper offices in local organisations or to the many different branches of farming carried out in the province. Whatever may be the reason, Otago has leaders superior in quality and numbers to those in any other province."

State Farm Pheasants. "There have already been several liberations of pheasants from" the State game farm at Rotorua," remarked the Hon. W. E. Parry this morning. The Minister said that obviously a greater number of the birds reared at the farm would be given their liberty at the close of the shooting .season than before it commenced. Horses Bolt Through Hamilton. Three trotting horses, one of which. Master Hamilton, was attached to a sulky, broke uwav from the Claudelands training track yesterday and dashed along Grey Street, over j the traffic bridge and through the town ofj Hamilton. Their wild career was eventually! stopped at Frankton, three miles from the' point from which they started. The horses j were owned by Mr. E. R. Smith, of Frankton. j Ihe sulky was damaged. Aurora Australis. The brilliant phenomenon of the Auroral Australis was witnessed in several parts of; the Auckland Province last evening in the j southern sky. It was first noticed at Papnkum about eight o'clock, and was thought to be the glare of a distant fire, but this impression was soon dispelled by the way the lights travelled across the cold, clear sky. The display continued till about 10.30 p.m.. and shortly before it disappeared several brilliant auroral streamers flashed across the red background of the beautiful Antarctic lights. Cheap Pianos. A number of old pianofortes came up for sale at an Auckland auction room a few days ago. They had been stored for many years, and were badly damaged by borer and moth. The condition they were in is attested by the prices realised, for six sold for .£•">. and one made only 11/0. Nevertheless, there were j bargains among them, for some of the walnut and mahogany timber had resisted the attacks of the borer insect, and was undamaged. When one of the most decrepit of the instruments was '•'under the .hammer," a wag among the buyers bid 1/0. "Don't be too rash," was the auctioneer's reply. Tobacco Exhibits. Under a system made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, the various New Zealand museums exchange exhibits. The Dominion Museum has just received the third such exhibit from another city, this one being a display of New Zealand tobacco, from the Nelson Museum. The exhibits show the picking, grading and manufacture of the leaf, the insect pests that attack tobacco plants, and samples of suitable soil. The exhibits will be on view in Wellington for about two nionths before going on to Napier. The Bulb That Bounced. Householders are so accustomed to cutprice electric light bulbs that "go phut" if they are so much as dusted that the experience of a contingent of them on a westwardbound tram at 5 p.m. last night seems almost incredible. As the tram proceeded up Queen Street in the usual 5 o'clock manner—a tramly version of the stage walk defined by the immortal Vincent Crummies as a stride and a stop alternately—a loud bang was heard, and simultaneously one of the frosted electric light bulbs along the middle of the tram's ceiling was seen to fall to the floor, bounce, roll, then lie inert. It was retrieved by a tall passenger, examined and the glass found unbroken, then replaced. It immediately lit tip. There was a general movement of householders' eyes roofwards to note the variety of this indestructible bulb. Wavy Lines for Safety. "Safety First" writes:—Wavy, wriggly lines, painted on the centre of the highway to warn motorists of busy intersections "and danger spots, is the latest idea for safety developed by traffic engineers. The new highway safety idea is attributed to Mr. Ralph Dorsey, city traffic engineer of Los Angeles, and motorists are enthusiastic about it. In addition to watching wayside warning signals, drivers have always to keen an eye on the white line which marks the centre of the highway, and, according to doctors and psychologists, drivers follow it automatically. Hence it is reasoned that if drivers are given an added safety reminder by the white line, it should provide an excellent supplement to other safety signals and caution warnings. California traffic authorities say that scores of congratulatory comments on the new device have b?en received. It is an unfailing warning. Tiie plan mav be worthy of consideration of traffic authorities in New Zealand. Iron Shooting Boat. An up-to-date iron shooting boat has just been constructed at Pa pa k lira by Messrs. •I. Richardson and W. Kitson. The boat is unique in that the frame., are of angle iron electrically welded together, and this has been covered by IS gauge iron welded in the same manner. The deck is of wood and arched, then covered with sheet, galvanised iron. The length is 14ft with a Oft beam, while the side frames are 3ft Gin high. The boat is driven by a 7 h.p. motor ear engine. Two hatchways are provided on the deck for use as shooting platforms. Along the deck are rails through which willow branches can be interlaced to turn the boat into a modern maiinai. The cabin is a revelation in finish as rcrards the comfort of the shootists. Tt is lined with three-ply wood, and painted artistically. It is lighted by electricity, and lias sleeping accommodation for four adults, and is complete with all the necessary cooking uteivsils. Ventilation for the cabin is obtained from four ventilators on deck, r.nd this lias caused the boat to be nicknamed the R.M.S. Oueen M«irv. The boat will be launched to-night on the Waikato River, where it will be used this season.