TOWN AND COUNTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 93, 14 January 1929, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE PROVINCES

Owing to the late humid conditions mushrooms in some districts have been growing to remarkable sizes. One obtained by Mr. A. Thomson, Waipara, from tussock country, weighed 360 z., and measured 13 J inches across.

Since January 4, fifty-three returned soldiers have Registered as unemployed at the '.Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association’s office. Five have been engaged by the Heathcote County Council, and on "Saturday seven men commenced work for the Waimakariri River Trust.

There is much speculation in Auckland as. to who will contest the Mayoralty next May. A number of names have been mentioned as likely candidates (reports the “Star”), but it will be some time before definite announcements are made in certain directions. Mr. W. H. Murray is the only person so far to state that he intends to contest the position. He has been prominent in connection with what is known as the “Murray charges,” of which much was heard last year.

A New Plymouth chemist is quietly laughing up his sleeve, according to a story told the “Taranaki Herald,” and if it is true a few sneak thieves must be feeling rather crestfallen. Like other chemists, he has a weighing machine just inside his door, on which numerous people test their poundage. Handy to the weighing machine is a pile of cigarettes, which have been steadily disappearing. The owner regards this with amusement rather than concern, since the cigarettes are merely imitations.

From December 14 to January 5, 99,916 passengers travelled on the .railways in the Canterbury-West Coast railway district. Those three weeks marked the principal holiday excursion period, and the figures include return trips. Last season’s total was 112,125. The falling off this year is explained by the very unseasonable weather that has been experienced.

After sixteen years’ service, Auckland’s veteran firebell, situated at the corner of Great South Road and Panmure Road, has been removed. It is now installed at the Otahuhu fire station, and will be used only in the event of the electric siren being out of order. The bell was made in Sheffield in 1883 by the firm of Vickers and Sons, Ltd., and was first hung in Albert Street, Auckland.

To tour South Africa in the wake of the All Blacks was the fate of a letter which was posted in Auckland last July and which reached the person to whom it was addressed four days ago. It was sent “c/o Thos. Cook and Son” to Durban, but by the time it reached that city the New Zealand team had gone. The letter followed by way of Kapstad, Kroonstad, and other South African centres, finally to be sent back to New Zealand. Considering that the address gave no obvious indication that the addressee was a member of the football party its safe, if belated, arrival reflects credit on the postal authorities of both countries.

An amusing incident occurred at the Auckland broadcasting studio the other evening, when four university students were debating for the benefit of listenersin, the evergreen topic of education (says the “Star”). To stress a certain point one of the speakers made the astounding statement, “You can’t have your soap and eat your bath”—a somewhat startling variation of a familiar saying. The mistake appeared the mote amusing by reason of the fact-that-the debater was speaking into the microphone, and laughter was strictly barred. However, a few subdued chuckles escaped those in the studio, and the outside world knew that the mistake had not passed unnoticed.

It is stated that it. is quite possible that unnamed paintings in the “Glover collection,” at present in Oamaru, niay be the work of John Glover himself or his friend J. W. Evans (says an exchange). Glover was an artist of high repute, not unworthy of taking a place with Reynolds, Turner, Constable and other masters of the 18th and 19th centuries. He was born in Leicestershire on February 18, 1767. It is interesting to note that descendants of the old master reside in Otago. Mr. F. IV. Clayton, of Dunedin (his mothers maiden name being James Glover), being one, while two members of Mr. Clayton s family are married to residents of Oamaru.

Owing to the favourable season that has been experienced and the improved pastures due to the increasing use of fertilisers for top-dressing, there is an abundance of grass in Taranaki this season (says the “News”), and there should be no shortage of hay or ensilage next winter. Stock are not able to present to keep the pastures down, and many dairy farmers who can spare the time are running a mower over thengrazing paddocks.

Although there are no bush fires in New Zealand, a heavy pall of smoke covered North Canterbury the other day, and from Rangiora it was impossible to see the hills (says the “Lyttelton Times ). The smoke haze also was marked in Christchurch, where there was a cloudless skv. but a heavy haze. The smoke obviously had been .blown over from Australian bush fires, 1500 miles distant.

The experience of several farmers in Taranaki is that the caterpillar which usually attacks ragwort has made its appearance earlier than usual this sea son, and that it is very much more numerous than for some years past. O e farmer says that in his district the /caterpillar is stripping ragwort of flonei and leaf.

It is probable that the selection of a candidate to contest the Chnstchuich Mayoralty against the Rev. J. K. Archer will be made by the Citizens’ Association at an early date (states the Lytte ton Times”). The selection is understood to lie between Messrs. E. 11. Andrews and J. Wj Beanland, two members of the present council. Mr. Andrews has not previously been a candidate for the M« y oralty, but Mr. Beanland unsuccessfully contested the elections in 1919 an I 1920. Recently Mr. H. Holland, M.P. foi Christchurch North, was asked to be a candidate for the selection, but he refused to enter the contest, on the ground that he is a member of Parliament. He was Mnyor of Christchurch from 1912 to 1919, retiring from the position in the latter year.

The proverbial bull in the china shop became a reality in Waitara the other morning (says the “Taranaki News ). A bull destined for the freezing works escaped from its drover in the main street. Espying an attractive and fragile display in a crockery shop, it stepped genteelly through the front door. Everything considered, there was no doubt that this was a well-brought-up bull, for it did not break more than a few things, in the course of its meandering inspection towards the back of the shop. Arrived there, however, one of those unfortunate accidents occurred that are said to be scattered like milestones throughout the histories of the best regulated families. It was not really the bull’s fault. The passageway to the back door was not wide enough, so what could he do but knock over a huge showcase that barfed his progress?