General News

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 12

General News

Order of Pages This morning cable news appears on Page 16, and commercial news on Page 17. The Duke is Amused "That's jolly good!" remarked his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester at the river carnival on Saturday night, as the boat representing H.M.A.S. Australia passed the dais. He laughed heartily as he noted the unconventional spelling of' the cruiser's name. Another exhibit which aroused the Royal visitor's interest was a boat completely canopied with crimson and gold muslin, and hung with balloons. As this craft passed the dais the canopy was violently agitated by the unseen rowers beneath. "I should like to know what is going on inside!" the Duke told the Hon. J. A. Young. Still another cheerful moment. was provided by the sudden collapse of one of the fireworks stagings. His Royal Highness showed himself no less human than other onlookers, in that the spectacle of someone extricating himself from the debris afforded him considerable amusement. Uninvited Guests Uninvited guests at Saturday night's river carnival were a w,ild duck and four of her progeny. Just as the Duke of Gloucester's barge began its voyage up to the Carlton Mill bridge, Mrs Duck and her family swam past the dais. The glare of the electric lights on the Royal barge the ducklings, sending them scattering in different directions. Shortly afterwards an obviously worried mother duck swam wildly about in search of her missing family. Having at last found them, and having, presumably, counted heads, she continued her placid way down stream, the ducklings strung out behind her in a little formal line. "Not to Speak to" A small girl visitor from Wellington, who wished to see the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester in Christchurch, was reminded by a mother unwilling to face another crowd that she had already seen the Duke. "I know," was the small one's reply, "but I only saw him once and then not to speak to." Wreaths at Bridge of Remembrance The wreath which was laid at the Bridge of Remembrance by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester on Saturday was removed by officials of the Returned Soldiers' Association that evening for safe keeping. The wreath that the Duke laid in Wellington was so mauled by souvenir hunters that it was decided to see that nothing of the kind happened in Christchurch. The wreath will be put back in position this morning at 10 o'clock. There will be a man to guard it while it is there, and later it will be taken to the Returned Soldiers' Association rooms. The wreath that General Sir Alexander Godley will lay at the Bridge of Remembrance at 11 a.m. to-day, has been fashioned by a local disabled soldier, and will be made of poppies and laurels. Historic Bible When he attended the church service at the Cathedral yesterday morning, the Duke of Gloucester used a Bible which is said to have an interesting association with the English Royal family. In 1842 Queen Victoria presented this Bible to a Miss Hannah Hobbs, who is believed to have been a domestic at the Royal Palace. The Bible bears an inscription on the front cover indicating that the gift was from her Majesty, and inside is written Miss Hobbs':: name and the signature of the Queen's Lord Chamberlain. The Bible was brought to New Zealand by relatives of Miss Hobbs, and w s lent to the Cathedral for the use of King George when he attended divine service while visiting Christchurch as the Duke of York. The use of the ffiible by Prince Henry, one of the King's sons, has forged another dink in this interesting chain of associations. Cook Islands Fruit The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) is taking his position as Native Minister and Minister for the Cook Islands very seriously. .Ie said on Saturday that he intended to visit some of the native settlements in the North Island this week, and that he was doing his best to introduce order into the affairs of the Native Department. He was also considering the possibility of encouraging the natives of the Cook Islands to produce and market their fruit' in a more satisfactory manner. The island oranges, he said, although different in type frdm those impdrted from Australia, had many points in their favour, and there should be a good market for them in New Zealand if the growers shipped them in good order. The Cook Islands plantations had suffered recently from disease and old growth, but if the people could be brought to use scientific methods and improve their output, they would find the New Zealand consumer actively sympathetic. Mr Forbes regretted that the remoteness of the island group made it difficult for him, as Minister, to visit them. ' Total Eclipse of Moon The total eclipse of the moon, which took place early yesterday morning, was not visible from New Zealand throughout its entire duration, as the moon had set before the final stages were reached. However, various phases of the eclipse were, visible from shortly after midnight until 5.30 a.m., although conditions were not always favourable, as there was a fair amount of cloud in the sky.

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Surprises are in store to those interested in the Taxi business, so watch our next move also note that the fares of the Gold Band Taxis Private hire cars are only half the price of other taxis and even cheaper than trams for 5 passengers and luggage, so don't be foolish by going elsewhere and paying double. Spend a penny in the slot •phone box and save your money, 'Phone 33-477. Thank you. —2