NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Porpoises in Harbour

Passengers on the BayswaterAuckland ferry this morning were entertained by a small school of porpoises. The fish were not as playful as usually, but it was a novel sight to see them so far up the harbour.

Birds Eat Fruit Thrushes and blackbirds are blamed by orchardists for the destruction of fruit, but Auckland observations go to show that sparrows and starlings are also troublesome, although their diet may to a large extent consist of insects. There have been instances, however, where both sparrows and starlings have been seen boring holes in apples and causing the fruit to drop from the branches.

Apostleship of the Sea In the past year it is estimated that just on 10,000 seamen have visited the Apostleship of the Sea, and 10,853 lunches, teas and suppers were provided. Seamen who received hospitality in the homes of members numbered 1183. Seventyfour visits to men in hospital were made, and knitted comforts, personal gifts at Christmas and gramophone records were provided. Fourteen travel outings and 112 special entertainments were arranged. Sacred Heart Sisters Safe News has been received in Sydney that all the missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Kensington) who were engaged on mission work in the Gilbert Islands, and who had been in Japanese hands for the past two years, are now safe and well. After many perilous adventures when in enemy hands the sisters at length reached Tarawa (having escaped from Apaiang), and were there when the American troops arrived.

Prophecy Not! Fulfilled A prediction by the late Hon. W. Pember Reeves, when he sponsored the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill in Parliament, in 1894, was mentioned by Mr. Justice O'Regan to-day in a talk at the Catholic Men's Club luncheon. The Chief Justice, said his Honor, appealed against the bill on behalf of the judges, who feared they would be overwhelmed with work. Mr. Reeves mollified those who shared this apprehension by a prophecy that only 1 per cent of the industrial disputes would reach the Court. He predicted that the great majority of the disputes would be settled in conciliation. "We know now," said Mr. Justice O'Regan, "how far astray Mr. Reeves was in that prophecy." Shot Through Legs

While five boys were gathering wood a .22 calibre single-shot rifle was discharged, the shot going through both legs of one of the boys, who was in hospital for five weeks. These facts were given by the police in the Children's Court in Christchurch, when one of the boys faced various charges. The sergeant said that the boy charged had pointed the rifle at one of the other boys, at the same time saying, "You are my prisoners," and working the bolt. The rifle had discharged and wounded the boy. "You are very fortunate, and I hope you realise it, as you might have been facing a far more serious charge," said the magistrate. The rifle was ordered to be confiscated, and the boy was admonished and discharged on the other counts.

Swap on Wheels A good deal of attention was attracted by an ancient car—a make that has been off the market for years—touring the city yesterday morning. But it was not the car's mellow vintage which drew all eyes. On the back was a large cardboard notice: "Newly wed; will exchange car for twin pram."

Oystermen Busy The weather at Bluff recently has been ideal for oystering, the boats having remained in port on two days only since the opening of the season on February 15. There seems to be an unusually large quantity of crayfish in the Foveaux Strait this year, and some exceptionally large ones have been caught during dredging. Oysters are plentiful and the demand is as great as ever.

Tribute to Home Guard "Another thing the public did not know was that had anyone come our way the people who were going to take the first kick, who were going to have to hang on until the rest of the Army could find out where the strength of the attack was coming from and push in -a solid blow, were the Home Guard. It would have been their job to take the first crack, and I know how they would have done it—they would have done it well." This tribute to the Home Guard was paid at a smoke concert by Brigadier A. C. Nathan, who commanded a mobile brigade in Marlborough after Pearl Harbour.

Government and Petrol "While the Government has been imposing restrictions over all these years petrol has been too lavishly used by those people who have been preaching economy," said the chairman, Mr. E. A. Batt, at a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Wellington), when petrol rationing was being discussed. "I hope, taking all the circumstances into consideration and the possibility of the Western Front being opened at any time, that the Government, Ministers of the Crown and members of Parliament will set an example they should have set years ago."

Irrigation in Central Otago In reply to representations which it made on the subject of irrigation in Central Otago, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has received a letter from the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple. "You ask for my assurance," the Minister writes, "that the question of irrigation in Central Otago has been scheduled by the Government for early action. I wish to say that, subject, of course, to the limitations and restrictions imposed by the war and its immediate aftermath, I regard irrigation as one of the most important post-war works, and it will be placed ii> a position of high priority on the rehabilitation programme."

Cultural Urge In congratulating Lieut.-Colonel B. G. Ball and the Army Education Welfare Service on the good work it was doing, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, speaking at the opening of an art show in Wellington, said that this was borne out by the fact that there were 500,000 books borrowed last year. There had been 9372 enrolments for the A.E.W.S. courses and the effective enrolments for university courses numbered 1600 There were 43 film projectors in operation, 15 musical groups had been formed, and 24 play-reading groups hud sustained interest in die drama.