General News.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19198, 3 January 1928, Page 10

General News.

Saturday was visiting day at the Scout Camp at, Chartens Bay, and about 250 parents and friends of the boys travelled to the bay by launches from Lyttolton.

Hordes of flies have invaded Auckland (says the "New Zealand Heiuld':). Every summer they arrive in their millions, but this year, aided by the long period of hot weather, tliev have come in greater numbers, and tliev constitute a serious pest, chiefly because they include numbers of large blowflies.

Speaking at the Seventh Day Adveutist camp at the Epsom Showgrounds, Auckland, Pastor \V. M. H. iScragg said that the Church was started in New Zealand in 1885. Thero were no>v 1314 members in the North Island, and 26 churches in the Dominion. In addition, a large eollegt had been built at Longburn, where S4 young men and women were being trained for tho work of the Church. Dr. Bradshaw will hold a trial of boys' voices at the Cathedral on Tuesday, February 7th, at 10 a.m., to till three or more vacaut choristerships. Choristers receive free education at the Cathedral Grammar School so long as they remain in the choir, and for a further period of two or more years subject to' the continued approval of the chapter. They receive also a musical training which should be of value in after life.

About midday yesterday a black and tan collie dog was knocked down by a taxi at the intersection of Colombo and Armagh streets and received injuries which necessitated its removal for veterinary treatment. The driver of the car made no effort to dp anything for the wounded animal and left it lying between the tram rv.ite. whence it had to be removed by uie driver of a tram before the car couia proceed on its way to the Square.

"I certainly think that when a man is known to be a New Zealander ho is extremely well received at Home," said Dr. C. Coldicutt, on his return to Auckland after a tour abroad. The doctor said that it was remarkable how little New Zealand was advertised compared with other countries, and that was a matter that should be remedied, particularly in regard to its products and tourist attractions. Ho said that he met many people who were anxious to glean information in regard to the Dominion.

The household of James Anderson, dairy farmer, of Waihi Plains, had a thrilling experience during the heavy thunderstorm which visited the Waihi district a few days ago. Harvesting operations had- been temporarily suspended, and the family and their helpers had assembled indoors, when the house was struck by lightning. It burst through the room with a deafening report, thoroughly alarming alt present. Two holes were torn near the roof. The lightning had struck a telephone post some distance from the house and split the wooden crosspiece, and ran along the wire and entered the building.

It is hard to believe that a parrot could he so tame and "knowing" as to fly alongside its owner's car whenever it leaves home, alighting every now and then for a rest on the' hood or bonnet. Yet this is what a white parrot belonging to a settler at Oeo does (says the Hawera "Star"). The other day, when it went with him to the calf-judging at Auroa it flew round and round over head; but when the party was ready to leave: the parrot mistook his owner's car for another, and flew away with it for several miles. It seemed quite reconciled to the change, and had to be sent back by a man who knew the bird. "A portion of the late Sir Sidney Colvin's library was offered at Sotnebv's this week, says our London correspondent, writing on November 25th. Various Stevensouia were catalogued, including the Edinburgh edition of 28 volumes (1894-8), in Sutcliffe and Sangorski bindings, which realised £lO6 (Maggs)—the highest price of the day. The same bidder also gave £3l for one of 45 copies printed from the Widener manuscript, Stevenson's "Memoirs of Himself," issued at Philadelphia m !*■; "When Colvin was a boy of seven, living at Camberwell, Mrs Ruskm presented to him a copy of her husband s "King of the Golden lliver," 1851; this fetched only £3 10s. A rather amusing faux pas was made by Mr J. H.. Kirk when presenting the trophies at the conclusion of the lawn tennis championships. "The meeting has been a most successful one in every way," said Mr Kirk, "and as president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, I wish sincerely to thank all those who assisted in the running of the tournament. ... I wish to mention, too. the assistance given to us bv the Christehureh newspapers, and i"sympathise with the reporters, who have been kept tied down to the table in the tent yonder, missing all the fun and the excitement of the matches. . . ." A laugh went njp, and some one was heard to exclaim: "Good for the reporters."

Before petrol pumps have been officially tested, it has been found that some of them are by no means accurate in their measure, and in this respect a good story has been told in connexion with a certain guardian of a pump in a small country district not very remote from Poverty Bay. The local storekeeper, who, in s«ch places, usually has charge of the "village pump,'' was confronted one day by a strange motorist, who asked for a "fill." "Right, oh," said the storeman, "back your car up to tho pump.'' "No," returned the stranger, "I would prefer to have it in here," at the same time producing a gallon measure from his car. On this point they argued for a few moments, until at last the storeman agreed to release the benzine into the gallon container, and in doing so, it was found that the measure was about a pint short of the accurate amount. The stranger was annoyed at having to accept short measure, and told the storeman so, adding also that he would refuse to pay for the short quantity. The storeman was equally adamant; the pump showed that a gallon had been issued, and the motorist would have to pay for that amount. "And it's been tested, too," he added impressively. This statement, however, did not impress the stranger, who was examining the pump carefully, and remarked quits casuallv that it had not been passed by the inspector of weights and measures. "No. I'm just waiting for him." was the storemnn's explanation. "Then, here he is," announced the stranser, rather dramatically. "I'm the inspector." The pump was then tested without delay.

Spend a pleasant halfhour wandering through our new upstairs showroom. Over 600 feet of space laid out with the most attractive display of goods all recently opened. Camping and travelling requisites, picnic hampers, tricycles, toys, brass and copper goods, and England's best china and crystal in great Goods will be set aside if desired. Mason, Struthers and Co.. Ltd. —6

"Things are very difficult to what they used to be" is a common saying, but is nevertheless true. This is conspicuous in the case of Christmas gifts. 1P27 will be a Radio Christmas, and all your requirements are obtainable at J. i. Smail, Electrical and Radio En-

gineers. Carey's buildings, Colombo street (The Pioneer Firm'). _6

Before buying a Hay Sweep be sure you see our improved rear hitch folding pattern, reducible in two minutes from thirteen and a half feet to nine feet. The only important improvement made in hay sweeps in the last twenty years. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street, Christchurch. —6