NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

University Term. _ Next Tuesday, June 7, the Auckland L Diversity College will reopen for the second term after a tliree weeks' break. The university calendar states that the second term shall begin on the first Monday after June 1, but since the King's Birthday is being celebrated then the college will not open until the following day. The term ends on August 13. Magpies Numerous. Magpies are far too numerous in the Wellington acclimatisation district, and several complaints have been received about their hpving attacked women and children, states 1. lger T. Andrews, Palmerston North, in a report included in the annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. In the Feilding district in particular, the report states, magpies seem to be as numerous as sparrows,- and he is of opinion that something should be done to thin them out. Car Wreckers Busy. Car-wrecking firms in Wellington are entering on a period of full-time work as the approach of June 1 drives many old cars from the road. Owners of Cars that have seen long service face the expense of renewing- their registration and insurance with doubt in many eases, and the easiest way out is often found by selling the vehicle to the wreckers. Many and various •fates await dismantled parts of the ears. Many old chassis frames find their way into the country to become substitutes for five-barred gates. New Methodist Church. Plans are being prepared for a newMetliodist church at Mission Bay. A site overlooking the waterfront has been secured, and the financing of the building is to be a gesture from Auckland Methodists in commemoration of the bi-centenary of John Wesley. The nucleus of a fund has already been established, and contributions from supporters of the Methodist -Church are being invited. The chairman of the district, the Rev. F. Copeland, stated to-day that finality regarding the plans would probably be reached this week, and the design would be in accordance with other buildings in the locality.- There was at present a minister stationed at Mission Bay, and services were being held in a theatre. New Country Library Service. Designed to improve country libraries throughout the Dominion by interchanging among them well-selected and up-to-date books supplied from a central stock, the country library service was inaugurated recently by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, "at a gathering in his rooms at Parliament Buildings. The service is to replace the present system of subsidies to country j libraries. There Mrere present representatives of the Education Department, Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, New Zealand Farmers' Union, the Drama League and the New Zealand Library Association. The two vans which have been specially built for the service were inspected before the ceremony. One will tour the South Island and the other the North Island. Two trained librarians, members of the service, will drive them, distributing and later exchanging books. "Rugby Geysers" at Rotorua. The Rugby season is the winter of outdiscontent, and bringß sporting "incidents" which vex the souls of executives, and which are rare in the summer sports. In all parts of the land individual players are called upon from time to time to answer for infringement of the sporting rules, but at Rotorua this week a team of senior players who "walked off the field" on Saturday will have to be dealt with. According to report, early in the second spell of the match Rotoiti v. Okere an Okere score was allowed, and. a Rotoiti player who spoke to the referee on the subject was ordered off, whereupon the whole Rotoiti team withdrew, leaving the game to be awarded to Okere. At another match in the district the spectators became so noisy and critical that the referee took the name of one spectator with a view to later report. Apparently the thermal region has its Rugby geysers as well as its natural Outlets for volcanic heat and energy. Scenic Drive at Taupo. Formalities having almost been completed, a commencement will shortly be made by the -Public Works Department with the construction of a new road from Taupo township round the west side of the lake to Rangitira Point, i The road, which, at the request of the MinisI ter of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, was surveyed some time ago, while opening up an attractive scenic drive and picnic grounds, will increase the facilities for fishing in Western Bay,, one of the many beauty spots in Taupo. "The road passes through native lands," said Mr. Parry, "and it has taken . time to adjust matters preparatory to the work commencing. As a result of conferences during the iveek-end with the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, and the Native Minister, the Hon. F. Langstone, very little now remains to be done before PublicWorks men will be on the job. Plans have been already drawn up and equipment assembled." With the yearly increase in the number of anglers and visitors to Taupo waters, the Minister said, it was important that there should be an increase of facilities for their comfort and enjoyment.

Wheat-sowing Operations. Grain merchants in Christchurch were kept very busy meeting demands for seed wheat during last week. Autumn sowing operations are well forward, and farmers are making the most of the fine weather conditions at present prevailing. It appears as if the area town in wheat this autumn will be up on last season's acreage. "I'd Throw Up My Hands 1" Some frank admissions on the part of a female witness amused the Paeroa Magistrate's Court in a motor collision case. "Don't : take my word," she began, when giving her version. "I'm only a woman." When questioned later as to what she would have done if she had seen that the collision was imminent, the inquiry concerning the braking of a car, she replied: "I'd throw my hands up in the air, of course." A Pasture Fungus. A curious mould, which appears to bt composed of myriads of small insects, has made its appearance on pastures in the Mata- | mata district, and has caused some concern, among farmers, many of whom thought it might have some bearing on the scourge of facial eczema. A sample was sent by Mr. W. j D. L. Mac Donald, inspector of stock, to the Department of Agriculture, and the mould has now been identified as Badhamia calvesce'ns, a common slime mould fungus which is prevalent when humid conditions prevail in the autumn. The report stated that there has been no indication that it is harmful to stock. . " A Prehistoric Ambulance.** "I waited and saw him put as comfortably as possible in the ambulance, but I must say it was a prehistoric ambulance," stated a witness at the Supreme Court yesterday, in giving evidence of having rendered first aid to an injured busliman nearly two years ago in the Clevedon district. "I hope that does not refer to the Auckland Hospital ambulances," commented his Honor Mr. Justice Fair. "Oh, no, the Auckland ambulances are splendid," replied the witness. "It is a thousand pities," he added, "that the Thames Hospital has not a better one. Of course, it may have by now, for that was two years ago, and I understand the hospital district has been changed since then." A Motor Truck's Past. A motor truck, now in the possession of Mr. R. Van Ascli, of Havelock North, has an unusual history. The truck, one of a shipment of 60, was consigned from London to South Africa. During the voyage the ship was torpedoed by a. rebel Spanish warship off the coast of Spain, near Corunna. For weeks the truck, with other cargo, lay at the bottom of the Atlantic, until efforts at salvage inaugurated by a British insurance company were successful. The salvaged machines were taken back to England and thers stored in a London garage. Mr. Van. Ascli was on a visit to England, and his motor developed engine trouble outside the garage to which the salvaged trucks had been taken. He purchased j one of them, and on his return to New Zea- j land shipped it here. It was reconditioned in Hastings, and is now in use. Underground Cables. In view of the number of times on which the footpaths of some of Wellington's main streets have to be disturbed for renewing or repairing cables carrying electricity, the general manager and engineer of the electricity department of the city corporation, Mr. M. Cable, is giving some attention to the system employed in some overseas cities, notably in Montreal, Canada. By this system, looking well ahead, nests of conduits are provided under the footpaths, with manholes here and. there to give ready access to the conduits. Under this system an addition to the power cables can be made at any time with the least possible disturbance to traffic. All the services are provided for in this manner, so that the continual digging up of the streets is avoided. At present the Wellington Has Company's mains run under the roads, not the footpaths, although they cross under the latter to reach each building that is serviced with gas. Colonel Bell on Home Defence. Exception to criticisms of New Zealand's defence programme by people writing to the newspapers "without real knowledge" was taken by Colonel P. H. Bell, officer commanding the Southern Military District, when he replied to a toast at the annual reunion of the Veterans' Association at Christchurch. He said suj-li criticism wan disheartening to the young men of the country, who were as willing as ever to do their part in the defence of the Dominion. "What I really want to do is to say something about the army." said Colonel Bell, "and I am very glad to lie speaking to men of your discretion and experience. There has been a great deal of criticism of the way in which the New Zealand Forces are being reorganised. Everyone seems to know what the country needi-. But it must be remembered that the reorganisation programme was framed after very great consideration by the Government, after taking the best advice obtainable in New Zealand and in the Mother Country. It is my conviction that ultimately we shall produce a very good show," Colonel Bell continued. "All the young men in this country want to know is that they are wanted. When that is clearly shown to them they will come in. If the young men knew that the whole country, with the Government behind it. wanted a defence force, they would do their part. The young men are as good as ever."