NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Harvesters' Special Forecasts.

During tho harvest season last year tho Meteorological Office issued a special forecast daily for tho benefit of thoso harvesting crops in Canterbury. This was much appreciated, and at the request of a number of farmers is to bo repeated this coming harvest season. Tho special forecast will be broadcasted from the 3YA and 4YA stations at Chriatchurch and Duncclin daily at 12.45 p.m., commencing on Monday next.

Increasing Popularity of Railways.

Thcro was a good example of the iucrcasiitg popularity of tho railways as a means of transport given on Thursday, when tho train from the East Coast stations arrived in Napier, says tho "Telegraph." There were no less than 40 trucks and carriages attached, of which more than thirty were filled with sheep, and the remainder timber, etc This provides ample evidence of the manner in which farmers generally aro taking advantage of tho improved services offered for general transport.

A Strange Bird.

A stranger in tho shapo of an unusual foathored visitor has been engaging tho attention of tho signal station staff for the past two months, saya the "Gisborno Times." Tho bird is described as being about twice tho size of a blackbird. It ia groy under tho body and has.a light brown back. Thoro ia a bronze patch on tho bronst and a narrow collar nearly black. The throat is white, nnd over tho eyes is ;i brown mask. Dark feathers on the liead resemble a. skull cap. The bird lias black legs and is claw-footed, aud has a short swallow tail. It is a very rapid nior, and when running haa a nulok jerky motion. The cry emitted is like a short shrill whistle.

Moro Early Wellington.

Excavations at present bcing_ carried out in connection with a building adjacent to tho Dominion Farmers' Institute^ in Featherston street, liavo brought to light mementoes of early Wellington. Tho material that has been removed has left displayed part of an old breastwork, and further evidence of the site once- having had an intimate connection with shipping is given in the shape of a handspike and a ship's anchor which have been dug up.

Traffic Inspectors,

The subject of traffic inspectors was considered at a meeting of the Makara County Council yesterday, when the Hutfc County Council wrote with a view to finding out if it were possible to form a joint scheme and appoint oneor moro traffic inspectors, so that certain counties could take advantago of tlio subsidy now offered by the Main Highways Board. After discussion, the council appointed its chairman, as its representative, to confer with tho chairman of tho Hutt County Council on the subject.

Adding to the Park.

Lying between Tongariro Rational Park and the large tract of country in the Kairaanawa State Forest there stretches a huge area of undeveloped land. Although one of the most isolated districts in New Zealand, this piece of country is becoming increasingly popular with trampers who prefer the rugged, virgin land to the wellworn environs of the Park. This year two Palme rston North parties paid a visit to tho district, one from the Manawatu Tramping Club and the other led by Mr. C. T. Salmon. Discussing his trip, Mr. Salmon was enthusiastic about the possibilities of incorporating a portion, at any rate, of the area, now chiefly Crown and Native land, in the Park. At present, with the Dominion's population of about a million and a half, the National Park was probably sufficient, but in the future such a playground as this would bo of inestimable value.

Maoris Make Good Fanners.

The broad area of wheat and oat crops at tho Katana settlement near Wangunui looks particularly promising, states the "Tar'auafci Daily News." Cropping a lot off the same area two years in succession may mean a lighter yield, but at the samo time the results are expected to be particularly good. The Maoris undertook the clearanco of a big area of gorse, and a recent observer says they can show many pakchas points in cultivating. Immediately fronting the pa is also a big area of potatoes.

Maori Welfare.

As nothing has been done with regard to giving effect to the recommendation made by the commission of inquiry which last year exhaustively investigated the conditions of young Maori women employed by Asiatics (says the Auckland "Star"), it is maintained by the Akarana Maori Association that legislation will be necessary to enforce requirements. Einph'sis'is being "laid on the need for action. Another matter being considered by the association is a suggestion from the Ngapuhi Welfare League of North Auckland for a main central executive, an all-New Zealand Maori organisation, to link up the various Nativo societies now in existence.

Other Times, Other Manners.

A Maori of standing among his own pooplo and in politics was leaving Auckland by the morning express (states an exchange). Sovcral "kauniatnn" (old men) had come down to see him off, and tho dignified way in which they took leave of him contrasted strangely with the flippancy of the good-byea exchanged a few carriages further • down the train by a youth and a girl, also of the dusky race. The old fellows, with a grace as easy as that of tho Governor-General, made their farewells, and one of them rubbed noses with their distinguished fellow-countryman. They were obviously "early-Victorian" Natives, and their manners were correspondingly charming. In their own musical language they bade their friend haerara. On the' other hand, the two young people met with a self-conscious simper. They held themselves awkwardly (in strong contrast to the natural repose of tho Kaumatua), talking nothing but English of the slangiest kind, and finished up with, "Well, cheerio!"

A Valuable Exhibit.

Negotiations for tho acquisition of a valuablo Maori pendant mado from the riukahurangi type of tangiwai atone, which differs slightly from greenstone, have been completed by tho Auckland Institute and Museum. It was an heirloom of the Mauparoa family, beloning to tho Ngati-Kahungunu tribe living near the East Capo. During the early part of last century the chief Mau paroa became friendly with Pomaro, a lieutenant of Hongi Hika, and with him conducted several raids into the Waikato, Thames, and Botorua districts. Mauparoa married a Ngapuhi woman and when his son, Honi Hana, visited Mauparoa's people at the East Cape some years later he was presented with the pendant. The ornament will be housed in the War Memorial Mueeum.

Three Political Canoes.

Speaking to the Maoris at the centenary celebrations of the arrival of Samuol Marsden at To Waimate, the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates said that as a New Zealander he was proud to be a fellow-countryman of a man like Bishop Bennett and the Maori people. So far as politics was concerned, there were threo canoes, steered by Sir Joseph Ward, Mr, Holland, and himself. They were firing at on& another, but no shot would bo fired when any matter affecting the welfare of the Maori people was concerned, reports the "Northern Advocate." Sir Apirana Ngata and his colleagues were anxious, to help the Maoris, and the Eeform Party would help them in every way possible. Ho urged tho Maoris to select their leaders carefully and to discuss their problems seriously. If they did that, and brought their decisions forward, all parties iv the House would give them sympathetic consideration. Captain H. M. Kushworth, M.P., said Mr. Coates had roferred to thrco canoos. "I am not in any of them," he added, amidst laughter. "I am swimming in tho water, and I want help, too, but if 1 find one hand froe, and can help the Maori people, it is entirely at your service." (Applause.)