NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 81, 30 December 1940, Page 3

NEWS IN BRIEF

Christmas Day Missed Because the American Clipper of Pan American Airways crossed the international date line between Canton Island and Noumea, on Christmas Eve, those aboard missed Christmas Day altogether this year. In a moment the Clipper flew from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, and Christmas celebrations were over at Noumea by the time the flying-boat alighted there on Thursday afternoon. An informal celebration w;rs held, however, to mark the unusual experience. Laurel Wreath at Mast. To celebrate the marriage in Auckland on Saturday of the third officer of an overseas ship in port, it laurel wreath took the place of a flag at the foremast from 8 a.m. and remained there all day. It is an old naval custom to hang a laurel wreath at the foremast on such occasions, and the vessels of several shipping companies have adopted it as a way to honour their officers on their wedding days. Unique Poker Game.

Five Christchurch men are prepared to back a chain of high hands .in a poker game against anything the world can produce. One of their number startled the Saturday night school by producing a royal routine. But there were more startling things to come. The “tiger pot” was won with four aces, the resulting “ace pot” was won with a full hand, and then to cap the sequence four fives were the winners in the “jack pot.” As a climax the subsequent “ace pot” went to a player with a full hand. These were all successive hands. Incidentally, the first player bought three cards to build up h’is “royal.” Captain Cook Memorials.

When Captain Cook inspected the coast line and various places in New Zealand, lie sailed up the Waihou River, Thames, as far, it is believed, as Kopu. Under its scheme to commemorate places associated with the visit, of tlie gretrt navigator, the Centennial Historical Committee intends to erect a cairn, with a suitable plaque, at Kopu, close to the bridge near the roadway. A similar cairn is to be erected at Mercury Bay at the place where Captain Cook observed the transit of the planet Mercury. Trade in Bomb Splinters.

How Egyptian villagers had started a brisk trade with New Zealand troops in splinters supposed to have come from Italian bombs which fell near the soldiers’ camp, is described in a letter from a Dominion soldier. It was the troops’ first bombing experience, but tlie only damage was to the adjacent village. The soldier states that “local inhabitants, having suffered, casualties, both human ami donkey, probably felt justified in disposing of imitation splinters, which rumour claimed were being rapidly turned out in a Cairo factory. We estimated that sufficient to make up ID bomber loads were bought by our men, and these are probably now back in New Zealand as proofs of the narrow shaves experienced by the senders.” The “Conversion Table.”

An Aucklander, now serving with the N.Z.E.F. "somewhere in the desert,” writes: “This week's joke. .It was payday. The paying officer was struggling to convert, piastres into sterling, but without success. Finally he sent a soldier to the for a ‘conversion table.’ Five minutes passed and tlie soldier returned. carrying a six-foot mess table. The olliger is stated to be still recovering from his flt of laughter.” Sheet Music Shortage.

As a direct result of the war, music teaehers, choirs and orchestras in Auckland expect a shortage of sheet music, ami it is reported that scholars have had to search, for second-hand copies of works they needed. When the annual conference of New Zealand music teaehers is held in Auckland next month, emphasis will be laid on tlie need for easing the restrictions on imported, music and musical instruments, ami for the publication ol: uucopyriglited works in the Dominion. Many Auckland churches are finding it difficult to maintain supplies of anthems ami hymn books. Shortage of Pipe Cleaners.

Though of no importance to nonsmokers, a shortage of pipe cleaners is causing some concern among those who prefer a pipe to cigarettes. Many tobacconists have been sold ouj of this small but necessary article for some days and hold out little hope for further supplies in tlie near future