NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 94, 15 January 1936, Page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF

Tramway Short-cut

The proposal of the M’elliugton City Council to provide a short cut for trams through Bowen ‘and Sydney Streets to Tinakori Road lias been placed before the Government, which has also been supplied with figures bearing on the •position. So far Cabinet has not had much time to consider local questions, but it is anticipated that the question will come up for decision within the next month. One advantage is that the new Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, is intimately acquainted with the situation.

Whale at Bathing Resort. During the recent rough weather in the Bay of Plenty a large whale was sighted near the beach between Ohope and Ohiwa. The ’moustor was so close to the shore that a number of Ohope residents thought it had become stranded in tlie breakers and went along the beach to obtain a closer view, but after spoutiug in the vicinity for a short while the whale made out for the open sea.

Kingfishers in Auckland. Kingfishers are particularly plentiful about Auckland city area at present, and are daily to be seen perched on the tops of telegraph poles or on overhead wires, giving full vent to their monotonous piping, consisting of three or four similar notes in rapid succession. The bluish green back, chestnut breast and long beak render the bird very conspicuous. Flags Well Placed. “M’e in Sweden usually follow the lead of England, and in the present situation Sweden is supporting the view of Mr. Eden.” This statemen: was made by Mr. J. Sigfrid Edstrom, the prominent Swedish visitor, at a civic reception accorded to him yesterday in M’ellington. Immediately at the back of the Mayoral chair was the Swedish flag—a blue flag with a cross of gold—on either side of which was a Union Jack and a New Zealand ensign.

Fame for Arapuni. Arapuni is famous for more than the crack in the spillway canal, according to Mr. J. S. Edstrom, of the Swedish firm which supplied equipment for the power works. Speaking at a civic reception given him iu Wellington yesterday, Mr. Edstrom said in his native town, Vesteras, Arapuni was very famous. The town and Sweden had appreciated the honour of supplying equipment for the power works. Indeed, so famous was the New Zealand name that at one of the hotels customers could obtain an LYrapuni cocktail.”

Picturesque Chinese Names. English-speaking people probably lose a good deal in picturesqueness by not applying to their children, as the Maoris and many of the Easterns do. names that have a meaning of their own. In Auckland the custom is well illustrated in the family of the Rev. Y. S. Chau, the missioner of the Presbyterian Church to the Chinese in New Zealand. His older boy, boru before he left China, is named Chouug Shang, or “Born In Dr. Sun’s City.” Next comes a bright little two-year-old, Sun Shang, whose name conveys the information that he was “Born in New Zealand.” The little daughter, just a few months old, has a name with a double meaning, Wah Ying,’ which is either “Beautiful” or “A Chinese Girl Born in an English Land.”

Farm Hand Poisoner]. A farm hand. Ernest Lines, of Edgecumbe, aged 17, has suffered an unusual poisoning accident which leaves both his arms powerless. About a week ago, while feeding pigs at Messrs. Holdsworth Bros.’s pig farm, he cut himself on the palm of the hand. After he had milked that night he felt a pain in the hand, but took little notice of this until he lost the use of his left arm. He then consulted a doctor, who immediately ordered him to the Whakatane Hospital, where now he will probably be for some time. The poison has travelled through both arms from the hand to the elbow. It is considered by doctors that the trouble is due to the cow he milked being in bad health or attacked with .some disease. Are Dogs Cowards?

The general opinion that dogs are fearless creatures, particularly that pugnacious representative of the species, the fox terrier, was confounded the other afternoon, when a terrier at New Plymouth was utterly routed by a hen. Walking boldly through a front gate, one of those pert little dogs unexpectedly met with a fine pullet of the'Black Orpington variety. The dog displayed interest, the hen was merely bored. At last, however, the fowl was enraged by the temerity of the dog's advances and flew wildly at him. Without more ado, his courage completely evaporated, that brave little dog turned and fled.