TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS FROM NEAR AND FAR

A sparrow has made its nest in one of tho flood lights .at Freeman's Bay (says the Auckland ‘Sun”). It has hatched its young olid may be seen busily feeding the chicks with worms at frequent intervals.

When cattle are permitted to graze in tho Mong paddock” the owner takes a risk (states the “Northern Advocate”). It was exemplified recently, between Kamo and Wuaugarei, that the risk is greater when the i;oad happens to be a railroad. An express hit a white steer and cut off a leg. The beast was subsequently destroyed.

A large eel was captured in Boulder Creek, at Kaimai,' a few days ago (states the "New Zealand Herald's” Tauranga correspondent). The eel was sft. long, 18m. in'girth, and weighed 281 b. It was caught with a lasso. Previously in the same locality two large eels, one weighing 221 b., and the -other 241 b., were caught.

A resident of Timaru had an exciting experience when attempting to tip a load of rubbish into a pit the other day (states the “Post”). When backing the dray to the edge of the pit the ground suddenly gave way and horse and dray were curried into the pit. After much trouble horse and dray were extricated, neither suffering any apparent damage.

“The Maori people, have a song which makes reference to • the round bouse of Tigilau, and the origin of the song may have come from the same source as the first designers of. the Samoan house obtained their idea,” said Dr. P. H. Buck in the course of a lecture to the members of the Samoa Society (reports an exchange). Dr. Buck said that in the song of Tigilau there was a person called Kai, who was the same person as the Samoan Ai' associated with the song.

The first car to make the journey Via the new road through the Waipoua State Forest travelled on Christmas Day from Dargiiville to Opononi, on the Hokianga Harbour (says an exchange). It was driven by Mr. A. J. French, of Dargaville, aud there were three others ill the partv. The opinion of the travellers is that the road is easily negotiable by light cars, but it is not yet really for big aud heavy machines.

Those who arrived at the Whangarei bowling green enrly the other morning witnessed an unusual sight (savs tlie “Advocate”). A cat was there basking in the sun when suddenly a kingfisher swooped down and peeked, puss in the back of the neck. The cat became angrv, and the spectators were afforded amusement by her fruitless efforts to retaliate.

The estimated Chinese population of Christchurch and suburbs is 200 (states the “Sun”); There are only four Chinese with wives and families, the rest being old and young single nien. Most of them are laundrymen, fruiterers, gardeners, boarding housekeepers, and merchants.

It sounds incredible, but it is true. At Corsair Bay the other day picnickers were' startled by the sight of a pair of trousers, with braces attached, being wafted by a nor’-west wind over the hill (savs the Christchurch “Sun”). The owner was .blissfully bathing, in the sea. He had undressed behind some scrub. What happened when he returned to the spot where ho had left his clothes?

Reading has been a large item in tlie activities of all local bodies around Auckland in recent years, and the eighty miles of concrete roads provided at -a cost of almost ..£90(1.000. are an indication of the investment that has been made to secure immunity froni„ expensive maintenance (reports the “Star >. Mthonsh no definite assurance can be eiven by the exports as to tlie life of n concrete pavement, it is hoped, with some justification, that tho roads recently laid down, will be still standing up ,to'tho traffic after the lapse of 33 years.

Such-a rare coin in circulation is tha sovereign that it is alleged a lady clerk* at one of the ticket windows in the tolalisator house at the Stratford races on being tendered a golden piece in pay-ment-tor a ticket, immediately asked a totalisator manager if it should be accepted (says an exchange). “Certainly," was the reply, but the coin waa soon. reposing in the official's pocket and a pound note was passed over in exchange. '

Canterbury is the home of the blade currant growing industry (states aa exchange). The spring gave promise of phenomenal crops, but. the present weather conditions have changed the prospects, . and growers generally reort that the crops are below tlie average. Around Papaniii all labour .has been recruited to l>iek the berries, which have ripened rapidly. The crop which gave such promise will only -be small,- and -the season short. “ .-

Three sharks in the vicinity of the rocks at Thorne’s Bay, between. Takapuna and Milford beaches, caused excitement about 8 o’clock on a recent morning (says the “New Zealand Herald”). Using a shark-line, Messrs. P. Honkins and Parker Upton succeeded in landing one, after the bait had been, taken several times. The. shark was found to measure over Bft. in length.

A well-known Lepperton farmer, has for the second year in succession taken, his annual week’s holiday at the seaside 1 , ' New Plymouth (says the “News”). ■' On each occasion he has brought his herd of 28 cows with him. and, judging by the factory returns, they appear to have benefited by the change also. Needless to say, he does not. graze his herd on the lupins *but on a small suburban property of which he is the fortunate -owner. '""

South Westland is enjoying a “boom” time at present and, unlike many such periods of prosperity elsewhere, the progress seems destined not only to be permanent, but to increase .with the succeeding years (says the .Greymouth “Star”). It is doubtful if any other" part, of the. Dominion is in quite so happv a position. Tourists .and holi-day-makers are at last realising the scenic marvels and beauties South .Westland possesses, and Mr. Amery’s recent commendations have helped to emphasize the glad tidings. Once upon a time —and that not so very long ago—a motoring trip to Wailio was something of an adventure. Unbridged rivers and creeks, not too-well-cared-for roads, and indifferent hotel accommodation had to Ire placed on the debit side against tbo marvellous beauties with which Nature endowed South Westland, and the more timid of the travellers decided to seek loss attractive but “safer” places. All those drawbacks are things of the p.-t. To-day the beauties of South Westlan-1 offer no obstacle to the visitor. . The rivers and creeks are bridged._t he roads are good from Greymouth to Wailio, and even beyond.

Some 51 acres of tree-planting has been completed nt the headworks of the Wathopai hydro-electric scheme at Bonopai, bitt five acres represents* the 'filling of blanks, so that the actual area planted is I*l acres (reports an exchange). Macrocarpa, larch, Douglas'firm and a number of varieties of cucalypts- have been planted, and a repot* from .the Forestry Service. which cm 1 hut the work, to the Power Board state.! that, there was every indication of a good “take in all species. . During .the .meeting Mr. W Carr criticised tne expenditure on tree-planting, reiterating that it was the board’s duty to plant poles, not trees. The chairman (Mr. R F. Gouler) said that -after all £100:1 for tree-planting wag not much out of J13Q0.000, the total cost of the scheme, and. meant' only a- few shillings if . spread over everr ratehhy.er. He had ' no doubt the -hoard would be very proud of its plantation in years tn come; and. .when the trees were--'turned into timber it would,-, be found' they were a good investment.