NEWS OE THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume 105, Issue 4, 6 January 1928, Page 6

NEWS OE THE DAY

Snatching the Opportunity. A new industry has sprung up iv Tamnarunui (reports the "Auckland Star"). It is the building of rowboats and flatties for those enthusiastic young mon who tako the train to Tnumarunui and travel by river down to Pipiriki or Wanganui. This year there will bo many such camping parties, and the new trade should do well. Too Many Varieties. Too many varieties of apples ;ire grown in Now Zealand, declared Mr. T. W. Atwood, president of the Fruit Growers' Federation, at the conference of New Zealand nurserymen Inst evening, lie understood that about 1250 varieties had been introduced, but he ventured to say that at least 1200 were of no use. If he had his own way he would cut the varieties down to eight. Regatta Wrongs. Strong complaint was made to a "Marlborough Express" reporter regarding the alleged exploitation of visitors to Picton on the occasion of the regatta. For a start, all train passengers to Picton, whether interested iv the regatta or not, found the railway fares increased by one shilling, this sum being handed on by tho Railway Department to the Regatta Committee. So that motor-car passengers might not escape, a toll was collected at the Picton borough boundary. Actually, this was a voluntary toll, and travellers could pay it or not as they chose, but it is said that the collectors stated, or led people to believe, that a halfcrown toll was enforceable, and many paid up under the belief that there was legal authority for the collection of the toll. Apart from this, it is alleged that shopkeepers in Picton charged outrageous prices. As an instance, ono shilling was charged for a teapotful of hot water, while a Wellington visitor was charged 19s for eight gallons of sec-ond-grade benzine, when tho price should have been 14s, and there are other instances of Is per quart being charged for milk. If these allegations are correct, and nothing is done to put things right in future years, the Picton people will find that their regatta is likely to be carefully avoided. Only the Flood Stopped Him. Among tho visitors to tho'races last week at Omoto was a pioneer who, during the past fifty years, has missed but ono meeting, and who intends to see the trots to-day, although 93 years of age (says yesterday's "Grey River Argus"). This resident is Mr. Thos. Bundle, who came to Greymouth in 1866, and may fairly claim- to be now the oldest resident, with the exception of ono or two who wero born in the town. Mr. Rundle was for many years a storekeeper and miner at Notown in its palmy days, and the only race meeting missed by him was one taking place when floods prevented people in that locality from reaching Greymouth. Advising the Tourist. The enterprise of tho Railway Department in appointing a representative to travel on the liners plying be'-i tween America and the Dominion has been greatly appreciated by Visitors to our shores (says the "Auckland Star"). There, was a chorus of praise from passengers on the Niagara with regard to tho foresight' of the Government in providing travel information. The special representative, Mr. W. W. Cummings, had a busy time in making out travel itineraries and giving advice about the scenic attractions to be visited. "Ho has saved my wife and family a whole heap of trouble," said an American visitor, "and I.can assure you that th^. innovation is much appreciated." Penny a Glass. Owing to the great discolouration of the Waikato River water, due to its impregnation with pumice as the result of Arapuni operations, spring water is being retailed in shops at a penny a glass (states an Auckland telegram). The long spell of dry weather has aggravated the situation, as many tanks holding a reserve supply , have run dry and pure water is at a premium. The town water supply is so dirty that people are eschewing baths, and as the river is unfit to swim in there is a general rush to the lake, which is low and is also being well ehurncd up. There is no fear of a shortage of water, but municipal filters are unable to cope with the great weight of impurities. Washing day is definitely off in Hamilton till the water clears. It is absolutely impossible to attempt to. wash clothes in a tub; of what looks like swamp water, so' that until some effective step to improve the supply is taken the possibility of keeping really clean is remote. Holiday Seas. Napier . has experienced rather puzzling sea conditions during the holidays. According to the "Daily Telegraph," while holiday-makers basked in hundreds under the almost windless sunshine of Marine parade, an exceptionally heavy sea was running in the Bay, and quite spoilt all chances of surfbathing. During Sunday night the swell increased, and the Martaban, of 3000 odd tons, loading wool at the Breakwater, put out into the roadstead early on Monday morning to face the weather. She did not berth again until Wednesday morning. The contour of Napier's beach and other shingle beaches to the northward was appreciably altered by the heavy swell. It is considered that a heavy storm must have been raging many miles off the coast. Napier's Gannets. - Although tidal conditions were not too favourable for tho making of the journey, a considerable number of travellers made a visit to the gannet Tookery at Cape Kidnappers during the New Year holidays, says the "Napier Daily. Telegraph." The birds (those who went to' the sanctuary report) are still in thousands on the peculiar saucer-like declivity at the end of the promontory, most of tho chicks being in the pieturesq'uo "downy" stage, Some of the birds, however, are still or. the nest. Frequent and bitter complaint is still mado on the state of the last piceo of track leading down the cliff face to the nesting place. The opinion is expressed that some effort should be made to improve the track, which one or two people who have been over it do not hesitate to label as unsafe. "Very properly," said a visitor from Wellington, "Hawkes Bay people are endeavouring to popularise the gannetry, but visitors can never be expected to make the trip facing that track." His suggestion was that a charge should be made for the permit that is necessary to enter the enclosure, and this money-could then be used in improving the track. , Nine descendants ' of the Hon. James Crook, whose ship, the Lord Nelson, was' seized by Americans two weeks before the declaration of the war of 1812, are still awaiting settlement of tho claim for compensation entered by their ancestors (states a Canadian paper). The ship, flying thfe American flag, was sunk by the British, after the official opening of hostilities. The owner of the ship entered his claim shortly after the end of the war. Several years ago, the United States Government ordered the claim to be paid, the award amounting to 23,644 dollars with interest. According to Mr. A. D. Crooks, Toronto barrister, who represents the heirs, no intimation, official or otherwise, as to immediate payments, has been received. Those who claim the ripht to share in the money are: William Servos, May B. Servos, Grace, Servos, Dr. W. R. Feast, and Charles Servos, all of Hamilton; Alfred Feast, Baltimore; Mrs. A. B. Smith, Burford; Miss M. K. Feast, Brantford; and .Mrs. Leslie Currie, Los Angeles,