TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 74, 20 December 1933, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS

There was a curious coincidence in a fourth grade cricket match played at Walker Park (Auckland) on Saturday L McDonald, for Y.M.C.A.. scored 103 not out. Balmoral were still at the wickets when stumps were drawn, without a decision being arrived at. In notching a century for Balmoral, Gregory’s figures were identical with those of his opponent, 103 not out.

The danger of lighting scrub or rubbish fires at the present time was exemplified the other day at Havelock where a rubbish tire got completely out of control, rapidly spreading up the hill at the back of the township and destroying some acres of native bush and pine trees. Toward evening the fire spread through the dense pine plantation, and fears were felt for the safety of the houses at the foot of the hill. Fortunately the wind dropped, and this, combined with the efforts of the citizens, who were working tor ;ome hours combating the fire, prevented what might easily have proved a disaster for Havelock.

Described as a bad and well-known Australian criminal, a man was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment at Dunedin on Saturday within twelve hours of stepping ashore from an overseas boat (remarks the “Christchurch Star”) He had agreed to sei a bicvcle to a dealer even before he had stolen it. and be turned up with the bicycle and a bogus receipt for it dated at Christchurch. This case is notable, not as a Press message suggests for the promptness with which this criminal was convicted of theft, but for he ease with which this “bad man” walked into New Zealand Intent on taking a living from Its hapless inhabitants, who have to carry their tinemnloyed as well as any industrious cri& trv X much stricter interpretation of the immigration restriction laws than this is necessary.

Gorse as feed for stock was a subiect discussed by the Wanganui and District Development League at its monthly meeting. A letter was received from a gentleman who stated that when cut up as chaff, gorse proved good feed for horses, cattle and sheep. He also stated that throughout one winter 26 sheep had been kept on four acres, chiefly overgrown by gorse. They had done verv well, and were a source of wonderment to the drover when he started on a journey with them /^rdmjr t<> the drover’s version, stated the letter, they were the. funniest mob of sheep he "had ever seen. They took little interest' in a good growth of grass by the roadside, and "all ot a sudden the whole mob bolted as if the devil was after them. They pulled up at a gorse bush on the roadside, and fought to get to it, some standing on their hind legs to reach over the others.” The writer did not advocate sowing gorse on good land, but considered where it was prolific the stock could be induced to become used to it.

A timepiece at present in the possession of Mr. E. J. Bradley, of u 9 Thackeray Street, Christchurch, is a str ’ testimony to the craftsmanslnp of the old-time watchmakers. One hundred and fifty years ago watches were built to last, and the most striking features of Mr. Bradley’s watch are ltS“he:tvy silver case and thick glass,/. It)' spite of their great age, the works are in perfect condition, and the watch still keeps good time. The mechanism is of an old-fashioned type, a thin, steel chain being twisted round a miniature arum turning the bands when released by a ratchet. Some fine scroll work 0B outside of the mechanism shows that the watch was evidently the work ot one man. The watch is the property of Mr. Bradley’s brother-in-law, who picked it up for a few shillings at an auction sale. The maker, whose name is inscribed on the covering plate of the mechanism, was Thomas Todd, of Berwick. A jeweller who examined the watch stated that it was about one hundred and fifty years old. He based his estimate on the jewellers* marks inside the lid.

With a view to improving the teeth of the boys attending the Southwell School, Hamilton, a special diet was provided during this year, and highly satisfactory results were obtained. An Auckland dentist examined the teeth of the boys at the beginning of the year, and divided the boys into classes. Fortysix per cent, of the boys bad first-class teeth and gums at the beginning of the year, while an examination conducted this month .showed that the percentage bad increased to SO. Milk was supplied as the principal beverage, and wholemeal bread was substituted for white bread. A larger ration of vegetables was supplied, and to those who needed it a concentrate of cod liver oil was given. Apart from tlie improved condition of the teeth, there was a distinct increase in the weights and the chest measurements of the boys, and an improvement in their general health. The experiment proved the value of plain, wholesome food, and regular meals, and the influence teeth have on the general health.

Items of Interest From All Quarters

“Your township bus a name all its own, I think,” said Mr. W. A. Banks, speaking at the reunion celebrations or the Prebbletou School. “The names of many other Canterbury townships are fairly common in other parts of the world, but Prebbletou was called after the brothers Richard and William Prebble, and has a ’pure’ name of its own.”

Two tboughts-uppermost in a schoolboy's mind when the year was drawing to a close, apart from anticipation of the joys associated with the holidays, were referred to by Professor T. D. Adams at the break-up of John McGlaslmn College at Dunedin. According to an English professor, remarked the speaker, the definition of examinations was: “Those who don’t want to know asking those,who can’t tell.” Another definition was relative to speeches: "Those who didn’t want to hear had to listen to somebody who didn’t want to speak.” (Laughter).

A trouble of recent origin to growers of vegetables is that bumble bees are infertilising the broad beans (remarks the Dunedin “Star”). Commonly regarded as an emblem of foolishness, the bumble bee has found that he can get what he wants from the flowers by boring into the base of the petals—a quick and easy entrance by which the flower is made unproductive. A Dunedin botanist, consulted on the subject, recommends spraying with a quassia bark solution or water that is slightly tinctured with tar.

“Australia has; often been criticised over the harshness of her tariffs, said Mr. D. Reese, of Christchurch, speaking on returning from a business trip. “While it may be proved in individual cases that some of their CBStP -® s charges are excessive, it has to be conceded that the Australian schedule is built entirely on an Imperial basis an gives definite and important . P r ®,®£; ences to other parts of . the Zealand participates in these ad J ant ages to a>i extent which must prove very beneficial to the timber and other industries able to export’

A strange fish which had beea J ’ ed up alive on the Ocean Beach Whanga rei was found recently by Mr. •n • a. Given,\ teacher at the Whangara High School. The fish was less than 3in. in length and was relatively broad and very flat, and the. markings were brilliant silver and bright azure blue. The specimen was sent to the Aucklam Institute and Museum for identihcatlon, and Mr. Given has now received a letter from Mr. L. T. Griffin, assistan director, thanking him for sending the snecimen. The letter states:— The tisn constitutes a new record to our New Zealand fish fauna, this particular species never having previously been Included in our list of fishes. It is known as the raft hsb, schedoph lus maculatus, and, although very occa sionally washed up on the New SoutJ Wales coast, it is considered rate It is a pelagic, or open ocean fish, and as far as we know rarely exceeds -lin. in length.”

The Canterbury Automobile Association has announced that an agreement has heen reached with garage proprietors to. help in the formation. of a comprehensive road service to give assistance to-motorists in.distress;'. It.is the association’s aim to appoint roa “ service stations' where possible in all the country districts of Canterbury and the M’est Coast. The service will be open to all financial members. The service does not cover ordinary repairs, but is limited to emergency roadside repairs and adjustments, and will consist of the provision of expeditious mechanical assistance within a radius of twenty miles by road from the contractor’s place of business. The contractor will be required to re-start the vehicle within tin hour, or, if necessary, to tow it to the nearest road service station. If the car owner’s place of residence is nearer to the scene of tne breakdown than, the service station he will have the option of being towed to his home. So far twenty-five road service stations have been appointed, and these range from Kaikoura in the north to Hinds in- the south, and there are also stations on the West Coast.

“Imported hardwood polos are a means by which Australian wood-boring insects regiflarly reach New Zealand. An examination of practically any shipment as it is unloaded in New Zealand will reveal hundreds of grubs under the hark, and at the same time afford a striking example of the urgent need for an adequate port inspection and plant quarantine service in the Dominion,” stated Dr. D. Miller, of the Cawtbron Institute, to a Hamilton resident. The deterioration of hardwood poles was a question of considerable moment to power boards, continued Dr. Miller. In this these imported insects were now playing a leading part, shortening the life of poles in an alarming manner and necessitating their frequent replacement all over the country. “Such waste is fundamentally responsible for adding to the cost of our hydro-electric and other services in which hardwood poles are utilised.” added Dr. Miller.