NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

White Butterfly Pest. A reply from Mr. J. Muggeridge, entomologist of the Plant Research station, Palincrston North, to a letter in reference to' the white butterfly pest, has been received- by the, Tauranga County Council. Mr. ■ Muggeridge stated ho regretted that he had not sufficient parasites for general distribution. "Airthe material we have at present is being concentrated in selected localities near Hastings, the main object at present being to ensure the establishment of the parasites," he said. "Once this is accomplished it may be possible to.niako an artificial distribution of the parasites to different centres, from which centres they should spread naturally." Holiday on Horseback. On the last lap of a three weeks' 500 miles horseback holiday at a cost of 30s each,, Mrs. A. Smith and MissE. Glasgow, of Turakina, passed through Wanganui a few days ago. They had a bright story to tell of their experiences and said the holiday had been "simply marvellous." Taking the whole of the trip, -the riders averaged about forty-four miles a day, but on their first day in the saddle they-rode for 18 hours, from 6 o'clock'until midnight, to-coyer sixty-four miles. Their route lay through Mangamahu to Kangiwaea, to National Park, Taumarunui, Ongarue, Te Kuiti, and Hamilton! Thence they rode thrqugh Piopio, Ohura, AVhangamomona, Stratford, .Hawers, AVaitotara, and thus home. Historical Relic. After lying neglected in an obscure corner of Seymour Square, Blenheim, for many years, Blinkinsopp's gun, one of the most interesting historical relics in New Zealand, is being mounted and will be-set up on a small grass plot near the Plunket Society's rooms in High Street, Blenheim, states an exchange. In/1831 Captain John Blinkinsopp, of the whaling schooner Caroline drew up a deed with the Natives under which he became the owner of the Wairau Plain, the "consideration" mentioned in the document being the gun. Subsequently Te Rauparaha and other chiefs repudiated the deed, alleging that all that they had granted the captain was the right to wood and water for his ship-and other facilities. The gun waa retrieved many years ago from Port Underwood; where the Maoris had left it, and brought to Blenheim. Aeroplanes for. Defence. "I think it is the most important ■statement that has been made in the history of New Zealand-," said Mr W Draffin at a meeting' of the Wanganui and District Development' League last week, when referring to the Statement made by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at Levin that New Zealand should establish a fleet of 500 aeroplanes Mr. Draffin pointed out that at present New Zealand was without a defence, and said that if the Dominion had a fleet of aeroplanes no navy would care to attack it. He understood that 500 aeroplanes would be no more expensive- than a battleship. It was decided that the statement made by Sir Charles should be brought to the notice of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce and sister development leagues. Shipment of Tomatoes. A bos of tomatoes was recently shipped from the Dominion to England by the Mahana with a view to obtaining data as to the possibility of building up an export trade iv tomatoes. Iho tomatoes, however, did not survive the trip very well. The smaller ones, shipped green, of course, had coloured up, but 70 per cent, of the slnpment had rotted. The larger ones with a corrugated surface were still green, but it was doubted whether they would ripen up. normally. Even the smaller ones which had ripened lacked the normal deep red colour • looked for in a ripe tomato. The market opinion was that none of the tomatoes would be fit for sale, not even the larger green ones which conceivably might have ripened up. However, further shipments are to be arranged, an d with the- experience gained it is hoped to achieve something better. At the same time that the New Zealand shipment arrived at Lovent, Garden an experimental shipment of tomatoes came from South Africa. These seemed to hold out more promise for the future than did tho Dominion consignment. Birds at Farewell Spit. A letter from Mrs. Moncrieff on behalf of the Nelson. Bush and Bird Society was received at the meeting of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society yesterday asking if the society would co-operate in an effort to get Farewell Spit declared a sanctuary. Godwits and turnstone make Farewell Spit a place of departure from New Zealand. It was said that Farewell Spit has come in,for' attention from sportsmen during the- last few years, and many black swan have been shot there just prior to Christmas and sold in Nelson. One party alone has taken thirty-five swan at Z a v Wo]e^ pit- ? h * secretary (Captain E. V. Sanderson) and Mr. J. C Andersen were appointed a sub-eommitteo to deal with the matter, ~ -.«»"'

Weasels Migrate. Since birds have become scarce, weasels have been conspicuous by their absence in the district from Paremata and Paraparaumu, states a correspondent. A general exodus appears to have come about last autumn, and the weasels have been reported moving further north in numbers. The full extent of the country vacated is not known. Orphan Travels to New Zealand. Among the third-class passengers by the Rangitane from London was an eleven-year-old girl, K. Weedon, who has lost . her parents. The child travelled to New Zealand alone, and after the first day on the vessel was quite at hj)nic. She was under the charge of the matron, Mrs. Lee. The Kangitane berthed at Wellington this morning, and the child, who is an English girl, will be placed on the Limited express for Auckland this evening. She will be jnet by her aunt in Auckland. Plague of Caterpillars.' A green caterpillar is severely attacking the lupins north of Plinimorton, leaving the plants almost bare of leaves. No cause eau be assigned for the extraordinary spread of the caterpillars, which exist in great numbers, unless it is that birds have not been plentiful in this district for the last two years. It is reported from Wauganui that portions of CastlecliS are at present being invaded by armies of caterpillars. It. is impossible to keep them out of the houses, and when windows and doors are closed they find their way under the doors. When residents retire the caterpillars are there in bed to greet them.' One Tesident burned off an area of lupin, thinking to cheek the pest, but another army from the lupins on the other sido of the road immediately invaded his house. Another resident found healthy specimens behind the glass on the face of an alarm, clock. A Water Supply Problem. The only resolution submitted at a public meeting at Birkenhead, in connection with the water supply, was that moved by Mr. J.. Macdonald, and seconded by Mr. J. Tremayne Thomas, that a telegram be forwarded to the Prime Minister stressing the urgency of an early start being made with the Auckland Harbour Bridge (states the "Auckland Star"). This was carried without dissent. "But'who.is to pay for the telegram1?" asked- • the perplexed chairman. "The mover and seconder," suggested a ratepayer. Loud laughter was the only response made to the anxious query: "Are- we to wait till these pipes are fixed on the harbour bridge until we get a remedy of the present condition of the water supply?" The Deer Menace. The views of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society towards the deer menace were- expressed at a meeting of the society yesterday, and the following resolution wa's passed: "That this society views with grave concern the application of the- Wellington Acclimatisation Society to the Minister of Internal Affairs to have a season for deer restricted to licenceholders" in tfte place of the present decision, which is intended to combat this national menace. It congratulates the Minister of Internal Affairs on his refusal of the request."