NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Rare Cross,

Some years ago a chestnut-breasted teal drake arrived at the Newtown Park Zoo of its own accord, and took up its abode on the lake. Last' season he took unto himself as a wife a mallard duck, with the result that the parents are now proudly convoying their unusual progeny—a family of one. This young bird is a male, with his father's characteristic colouring on his head and breast, the other portions of the body resembling the mallard. In size this unique bird is larger than the chestnutbreasted teal, but f smaller than a mallard. That it will be content with its home on the pond at the Zoo is probably an event to be hoped for.

Bomney Sheep.

The export of Eomney sheep from the Dominion increased by over 50 per cent, last year, according to the annual report of the New Zealand Eomney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association. The number shipped to overseas was 475, ,the figure being made up of 136 stud rams and 330 stud ewes, some of which fetched very, high prices The number of registered sheep in the Eomney flock book is now 126,867. The association has in preparation a booklet on Eomney Sheep in New Zealand. This will be published in both English and Spanish, the latter for circulation in South American countries with a view to bringing the claims of tho New Zealand Eomney sheep, before flock-owners in that part of the world.

Quick and Daring,

Quick action and good horsemanship was witnessed at the entrance to tho Wanganui town bridge on Wednesday last, says the Wanganui "Herald." A drover was in charge of a mob of cattle and when near the bridge one of tho beasts separated from tho mob, lowered its head, and made straight at a woman. She stood helpless. The drover took in the position at a glance, and, spurring the horse, dashed in between beast and woman, and tho oncoming bullock put a horn on each side of the horse's neck. While the stock whip was being vigorously applied the woman got clear. ,"'

An Archbishop's Opinion,

"Revering Justices of the Peace and order as I do," said Archbishop Julius at the justices' social last night (telegraphs "Tho Post's" Christchureh correspondent), "I only wish that some of the plenipotentiaries, some of tho bigwigs, wno manago the affairs of tho world in general were placed in duiance vile and that the Justices of the Peace were allowed to govern the world. I believe that if. the late Emperor of Germany had been given soven days' imprisonment without the option of a fine there would^have been no war."

Hataitai Next.

■ The electrical change-over is proceeding very satisfactorily in the Karori area, and within the present month the men will probably be moving on, this time to Hataitai. It was not originally intended to deal with Hataitai straightway after Karori, but as tho broadcasting station is to be supplied with powsr at 230 volts, necessitating a good deal of new main laying, it has been decided to go ahead with the district ns a whole. The Lighting Superintendent, Mr. G. Lauchlan, will probably arrange to meet residents of Hataitai shortly to explain the general principles^ of the change-over and to clear up any points upon which householders are in doubt.

Down on the '' Rec.' '■

In its present inchoate state the Thorndori reclamation is not to be included among |he beauty spots of' Wellington, yet it Undoubtedly possesses attractions for the youthful and the adult fossicker. Heaps of old masonry and bricks that have done good service in the days of the city's more primitive architecture, piles of "junk," the remnants of former sturdy baulks of timbers, discarded sacks, old bowler hats, "bell-toppers," tins galore; and old iron—what a glorious field in which to search for the thing which might be useful if only, it. can be found. In some respects, Thorndon reclamation might be regarded as Wellington's old curiosity shop, both from the point of view of its oddments and its odd habitues. A stroll over the reclamation will often disclose sights pathetic, but not without their side of humour. You may see an aged figure' struggling under the weight of a wooden burden which by its appearance gives evidence of once having been part' of a wharf; if its finder can get it safely to his humble abode it iyillserve to provide winter warmth. Even the piles of the old breastwork staging which have been retrieved,from the sea depths _by the floating crane Hikitea have their uses.

The Hulk Prince of Wales.

The Union Company's hulk Prince of Wales, which was .beached yesterday at Kaiwarra, was refloated and berthed at No. 6,. Queen's 'Wharf, late in the afternoon. The Terawhiti stood by all night, and in the morning the hulk was brought round to discharge her coal into the Manuka, which was lying at No. 1, South Queen's Wharf.l The' water in the hulk is not gaining, but it 'will not i)o. possible to discover the cause of the- leak until the coal has Jaeeiv unloaded, ___ _",_| [^