NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 283, 26 August 1944, Page 8

NEWS IN BRIEF

“Spare That Tree”

The future of a fine Magnolia Cam'pbelli tree, situated on or near to the proposed extension of the Waterloo railway at the end of Cottle’s Laue. Lower Hutt, is a matter of concern to horticulturists in the Hutt Valley. It is believed that the land on which the tree stands has already passed into the hands of the Government. The tree is about 70 years old. and came from parent stock . introduced by the late Mr. Mason, after whom Mason’s Gardens were named. The mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Andrews, is taking steps to see if it can be preserved.

Aviation Scholarship. Two donations of £lOO each have been

made to the scholarship fund inaugurated by the Air Pilots Guild iu memory of Captain J. C. Mercer, a pioneer of New Zealand aviation. They are by Air Travel (N.Z.). Limited, and tbe Canterbury Aero Club. —P.A. Post-Primary School Teachers. A motion expressing Hie desire..of members of the /Secondary Schools’ Association that means be found for amalgamation of that body with the Technical School Teachers’ Association was approved by the conference of secondary school teachers yesterday.

Sneak Thief. “This mini has been iu the habit or stealing men’s socks from stores and selling them iu hotel bars,” said SeniorSergeaut G. J. Paine in the Magistrates Court. Wellington, yesterday, when Francis Edward Thornton, _ pensioner, aged 66, pleaded guilty to having stolen a pair of men’s hose, valued at 4/11. from a department store on Thursday last. Mr. Stout. S.M.. sentenced him to seven days’ imprisonment.

No Permit Pleading guilty in the Magistrates’ Court, Lower Hutt, to having carried a camera on an aircraft without a permit and to having taken a photograph of an aircraft. William lan Corbett was fined 10/- on each charge. His solicitor, Mr. N. T. Gillespie, said the offence was committed unknowingly. Defendant was on leave from active service. He had frequently taken such photographs before the war and had acted quite openly. Returned Teachers.

A motion calling for an early statement by the Minister of Education of the department’s policy in regard to the reinstatement in post-primary schools of teachers who have returned from service overseas was approved by the Secondary Schools’ Association conference in Wellington yesterday. It was stated that two cases were known of returned men whose reinstatement took little recognition of their services.

Lambing In VVairarapa. Lambing operations iu the Wairarapa are in full swing, and generally are very satisfactory. The ewes have, come through the winter in splendid condition. In some areas there are cases of bearing trouble aud mortality from pneumonia, but in others no trouble with the ewes has been experienced. On aTe Ore Ore farm nearly 11 the lambs are twins, to the delight of the farmer. The recent cold snap was a setback, but the weather is now beautifully fine, and prospects for further lambing are excellent. Laughter Is Infectious. That laughter begets laughter was amply illustrated at (a Wellington tram terminal recently. Tlie tram was about to begin its journey when a soldier, very happy but very drunk, appeared on the footpath. He was trying to open a bottle, and his failure was causing him to emit deep and prolonged bellows of laughter. Again and again his roars echoed across the street, till all in the tram, in spite of themselves, were laughing with him. When at last the tram began its journey all on board were in high good humour. Trials of Londoners.

A cable message expressing admiration of the courage and fortitude of the citizens of London in their renewed sufferings caused by the attacks of the flying bombs was sent recently by the Londoners’ League. Wellington, to the Lord Mayor of Londou. The following cable in reply has been received :—“I send expressions of deep gratitude for kind thoughts and sympathy with us in these days of severe toil. Most grateful for generous promise of help for London institutions.”

Family’s Sacrifice. The three sons of Mr. and the late Mrs. 11. T. Coombe, Wanganui, have all been reported killed in action witbin. the last few weeks. First Sergeant Malcolm Coombe and Flight Sergeant W. Coombe were reported killed, and now Lieutenant J. B. M. Coombe. The lastnamed fought with the New Zealand Division in Greece and then from El Alamein on to tbe conquest of Tunisia. He was commissioned in the field. Returning to New Zealand with the first furlough party, he later rejoined the Division in Italy. In civil life he was employed 'by tlie Ford Motor Company, and represented Wellington at hockey for several years. His wife is Mrs. Margaret Coombe, Wellington.

Harbour Board Employees. The eighth annual conference of the N.Z. Harbour Board Employees’ Union began in tlie Antipodean Hall, Cuba Street, yesterday, and was presided over by Mr, G. R. Phillips (Auckland). Delegates attending are: Messrs. W. Ashton S. Billman, J. Hamilton (Auckland), D. M. Walker (Napier). G. Thomas (Gisborne). C. Adams. G. Martan. M. Baker (Wellington). K. C. Sinclair (Manganui), D. P. Fitz Patrick (New Plymouth). S. Westrupp (Nelson). J. Halton (Greymouth). S. W. Lane (Lyttelton). D. D. Macdonald (Timaru), J. R. Kenvon (Otago). T. Finnerty (Bluff). The Oamaru. Whakatane. Patea. Hokianga, Hokitika and Wairau branches are represented by officers of the national union. Among subjects for discussion it is hoped that the conference will come to some method of closer organization with the rest of the transport workers on the waterfront. Finger-Bidding. Few voices are raised at the flower market in Wakefield Street other than that of the auctioneers. As a rule only tiie first bid is vocal. Others who desire to purchase tbe line of flowers under offer simply raise a finger, and keep it raised, as the auctioneer bids up among those people with upraised hands. Gradually as the price rises those tell-tale fiugers are lowered till only one remains. th"t of tlie buyer. It is a simple and expeditious way of bidding, and infinitely less noisy than other methods. Three auctioneers operate at once on busy mornings. and buyers have to ‘move round a hit to get what they want. Prices are tall in these early days of spring with the scene gay with narcissi, anemones, freesias. hyacinths, poppies, borouia. violets. polyanthus and primroses. As much as 25/- was paid yesterday for a gross of “King Alfred” daffodils, and narcissi of lesser glory brought 18/- and 19/- a half-dozen bunches. Most of the superior daffodils and freesins during August for tbe Wellington market come from Auckland. Violets aud poppies appear to thrive in the Otaki district. The bulk of the Hutt blooms come to hand in September.