TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 92, 12 January 1929, Page 25

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

A few early mushrooms realised from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a pound at the Auckland City Markets on Tuesday (states the “Herald”). The . main crop should appear about March. A few of the early crop of figs were also sold yesterday, at prices ranging from 6s. to 10s. a case. Heavy supplies should be available early in March.

A Napier tourist says that the Waitomo Caves have been wonderfully popular this year (reports the •■Telegraph”). During a period of 12 days nearly 2000 sightseers were shown through the famous glow-worm cave. He states that the new hostel has proved deservedly popular, the accommodation being excellent.

Though it depends entirely on whether the current will be available, January 16 has been named as a tentative date on which the trial runs of the electric locomotives for use on the Christchurch-Lyt-telton line will be held (says the “Sun”). Work -at the substation at Woolstou is rapidly nearing completion, but the process of tuning in is involved before the current can be released for use. The last three of the locomotives to arrive are at present being overhauled in the engine-sheds at Linwood.

Thousands of sea birds flying over the bay or riding the waves formed a unique sight off the Marine Parade at Napier the other afternoon, the gulls being evidently engaged'in following a large shoal of small fish (states the "Telegraph”). The birds were evidently feeding on the fish, hundreds of which were washed up on the beach by the incoming tide. The fish appeared to be small herrings, about three to four inches long.

“There seem to be many avenues by ■which insect pests come into this country, but very few by which we can get them out,” said Mr. C. N. Smith, of the State Forest Department, speaking to nurserymen at their annual conference in Christchurch (says the ‘Tress”). He mentioned instances in which the giant horntail had been found coming to New Zealand in piano frames.

A start has been made with the strengthening of the railway bridge over the south branch of the Waimakanri River at Stewart’s Gully (states the Christchurch “Sun”). Similar work in connection with the bridge over the north branch has been m progress for some time.- The length of the bridge over the south branch is about 600 ft., and of that over the north branch 200tt. When the work is finished the train speed restrictions that have been operating lor some considerable time will be lifted, and the maximum speed of 50 miles per hour will be permitted. This will complete the Railway Department’s P«’g ram “ e .J“ bridge renewals from Christchurch to the Waipara.

“Suppose you took the influenza that is raging in America just now. M hat would the firm do then? They couldn t apply to Almighty God to let you off the influenza,” remarked Mr. G. Cruick shank, S.M., at Invercargill, when refusing exemption from military camp to an applicant, whose firm stated that work could not be gone on with in his absence. To this question no reply was tortlicoming (states the “News ).

In spite of the adverse season some fairly large drafts of fat lambs have been sent to the freezing works since the -New Year from the' Methven and Lauriston districts (states the Ashburton ‘-‘Guardian"). The largest draft so far sent from Methven was forwarded on Monday, there being 750 lambs in one hue from Mr. S. G. Holmes, Mount Harding. Mr. P. McNeill, Lauriston, also forwarded an exceptionally fine lot of 217 fat lambs out of a total of 300 off the mothers. Brices were very satisfactory to the vendors.

Christchurch pedestrians and cyclists do not find favour iu the eyes of Mr. Richard G. Brophy, second iu command of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. The other day he was in a hurry to get from Cathedral Square to the Christchurch Railway Station, so he told his taxi-driv-er to “step on it.” He (lid. but at the clock-tower corner Mr. Brophy reversed his decision. “Steady on,” he called, “I’m not responsible for anyone you kill.” “Some of these pedestrians of yours ought to go to Paris,” he told a “Sun” reporter. “Their lives wouldn’t be worth anything there.” The casual way in which walkers and cyclists meander over the streets was a new and not a pleasing feature of traffic to Mr. Brophy.

' The bird, stated yesterday to be an Esquimaux curlew, which was brought down by a party shooting godwit off Waiau Pa on January 1, has not yet been received by the Auckland museum authorities for identification (asserts the “Herald”). Its exact nature will probably remain a mystery, as it is questionable whether the bird will be recognisable now. The curator of the museum suggests that the bird might be an Australian curlew, as such visitors occasionally reach New Zealand.

Earlier electoral days in Australia are recalled by an interesting little document which found its way into the Auckland “Star” office. It is a voter’s ticket for one of the Sydney divisions, dated February 6, 1901. Printed on watermarked paper of the finest quality, it is headed, “New South Wales, Elector’s Right, Residential Qualification,” and sets forth that "the holder hereof (name and address follow), whose name is signed hereunder, is, if enrolled, entitled to vote at elections of members of the Assembly of the above district, being qualified in respect of manhood and of residence in such district.” Voters’ tickets of this type had to be presented before the elector could record his vote.

The death of the late Mr. James Wilson, of Auckland, recalls to Mr. Walter Delany, who knew him well, his tragic experience at the Poverty Bay massacre in November, 1868. Mr. Delany—who holds the distinction of being the youngest of the Maori War veterans, having been in action as a bugler at the tender age of 11 years—told an Auckland “Star” representative how young Jimmy Wilson escaped by the back door when Te Kooti’s men raided his father’s house and captured both his parents. The father was killed and the mother terribly wounded, and the little boy (he was seven years old) lay hidden in the flax. After the Maoris departed Mrs. Wilson was left for dead, but Jimmy kept her alive for several days, bringing her eggs for food. Finally he got assistance from the township and his mother was rescued, but she died from her injuries.

The repeated breaks in the weather are causing Wairoa farmers, gardeners and orchardists some concern (says the “Star”). Very muggy conditions have prevailed during the past week, greatly increasing the possibilties of fungus troubles. There lias been a surfeit of moisture and a spell of dry weather would be welcomed. Hay-making has been greatly retarded, while potatoes and onions, especially the latter, have been much damaged. Onion crops are becoming affected by the saturated conditions, and are showing indications of blight as well as presenting an unhealthy colour.

Mr. J. Langridge, curator of the Wellington Zoological Gardens, in a private letter to Mr. W. W. Adams, curator of the Hastings public reserves, says that lie expects the Hastings collection of birds and animals for Cornwall Park to 1 arrive about the middle of this month. The collection includes four monkeys and specimens of bird life. Th? monkeys are small brown-skinned little animals, strong aii'l !■ "dy. slid stavl-r to tlriso v. iiieli tlr ive s i well in Wellington (says the “Tribune”).

Large consignments of fat lambs are leaving Takapau. No fewer,than 40 trucks were consigned to the various works on one recently (states the Napier “Telegraph”).

Harvesting operations are in fuJI swing on many Hawke's Bay farms, and immense crops of hay are being garnered on the plains, save the Napier “Telegraph.”

Several instances of the theft of handbags from women have been reported in Christchurch (states the “Sun”). These thefts are carried out by a cyclist, who rides up behind women and snatches their handbags from them. A couple of years ago there was an epidemic of this sort of thing.

The small winged devils known as mosquitoes, ravenous and untiring, are making their aggressively unfriendly way into' the family circle in Christchurch (says the “Sun”). Plenty of dampness and heat favours *the incubation of the mosquito, and the conditions are now ideal for the spread of the pest.

It is reported that several sharks have been caught recently along . the coast near Oaniaru (says the “Mail”). Among them was oue measuring over six feet long, which was landed from the Oamaru wharf.

What is claimed to be an unusual type of sweet pea, grown by a Lindisfarne resident, was brought into the “Southland Times” office on a recent evening. Of the ordinary pink colouring there are six separate blooms on the one stem.

When an Invercargill motorist went to enter his car the other morning, he noticed a small sparrojs clinging tightly to the radiator and pecking at it. It was not until he was within a few steps from the car that the bird would relinquish its hold, and it did so even then with reluctance. A closer inspection showed that it had been feasting on numerous moths and bees that had become caught in the meshes of the radiator (states the “Southland Times”).

Quite a number of unemployed workers are looking forward to an opportunity for employment on the railway construction works in and near the Buller Gorge this year (says the Grey River “Argus”). It is stated there is a likelihood of work being carried out at the Murchison end of the line from Nelson, while Reefton representations- are to be made in favour of work being also carried on at the Inangahua Junction end of the route of the line to Westport.

Line fishermen operating at Port Ahuriri lately have been securing good hauls of kingfish, according to the reports of one angler (says the Napier “Telegraph”). He landed two large fish the other morning, <Tpd a companion hooked another, which, after a struggle, got away, having broken the line.

All indications point to an early harvest in the South this season. Already two large fields of oats have been reaped beside the Main North Road, near Temuka, and stocking is keeping a number of workers busy (says the Timaru “Herald”). Considering the amount of rain that has fallen recently, crops generally are in a very healthy condition, and on all sides there is promise of very satisfactory yields. Near Geraldine, two large oats crops have been “laid,” but few other, crops in the. district are down.

Many people have cursed the rain that fell during the holidays, cursed it bitterly and with deep feeling, but the State Forest Service has not worried (remarks the Christchurch “Sun”). “Let it rain,” has been the cry in the service, for rain at this time of the year means protection against fire in the plantations, and a better “strike” in the very dry areas that have been taken over for planting. Rain has caused the plantations under cultivation to look exceedingly well, and has given the year’s work a splendid start.

A bright exception to the slackness prevailing in many trades just now is the baking trade, which is very prosperous at present (says the Christchurch “Sun”). The day of the baker's cart is rapidly passing, and firms are acquiring smart motor-vans in ‘ ever-increasing numbers. This is a fairly reliable indication that trade is flourishing. The tendency is for the large firms to absorb more and nxore of the trade, and the small men are getting squeezed out. Many of them are going to work with the large firms for wages.

Two interesting sets of specimen gold and silver coins of the reign of King Edward VII and King George V have been presented by Mr. Moss Davis to [the Auckland City Council, which has handed them to the museum (says the “Herald”). The gold coins are five sovereign, two sovereign, sovereign, and half-sovereign pieces, and in silver are a crown, halfcrown, florin, shilling, sixpence, fourpence, threepence, twopence, and a penny. The principal feature of the crown jn the set of King George’s period is a large Imperial crown. A complete set of plates in an excellent state of preservation of Captain Cook’s voyages has also been presented to the city by Mr. Moss Davis.

A fine old fig tree on the property of Mrs. James bcott at Mahurangi Heads is becoming famous among visitors to those parts for the enormous size of its fruit (reports the "Auckland Star”). Although it is yet early in the season for figs, tire tree has produced some record fruit. Five figs picked at random weighed altogether 21b. 20z., the largest tipping the scale at 9oz. Unfortunately' tue opossums are quite as fond of the fruit as are human beings, and they frequently raid the tree, eating all the ripe fruit and destroying much of the unripe. Two traps set .under the tree have collected a number ot possums, and also the family kitten, which, however, is now convalescent, and progressing favourably.

“The time is opportune for the formation of au aero club iu Timaru,” said the Mayor (Mr. G. J. Wallace) to a Press representative. “it is the intention of the Borough Council to convene a meeting for the purpose in the near future.” Mr. Wallace was of the opinion that Timaru should keep abreast of the times iu the matter of civil aviation. There were two good lauding grounds in the vicinity of Timaru oue at Washdyke and another at Otipua Reserve. The latter could be made into one of tue best lauding grounds in the Dominion, he said, for it was level, ajid occupied an area of over 100 acres. Mr. Wallace also intimated that he would interview the Rev. C. Carr, M. 1., in regard to obtaining assistance from the Government.

During the holidays a number of business men from Weli.iUgtoii representing, it is understood, 1 financial interests, were inspecting A,... sou’s flat and surrounding districts with a view to mining, timber and other developments (says the Wr .tport ."News”). It is predicted that a big mining revival will take place at Addison's in the near future. Iu the past, large quantities of the yellow metal were obtained there, but in some of the operations a difficulty was found in treeing the gold from the cementy substance adhering to it. Experiments are being carried out with a view to overcoming this difficulty. Once this is achieved, mining activity will be renewed.