NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 49, 27 August 1934, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Cow in .Harbour. While being disembarked from a vehicular ferry at Devonport, Auckland, aboutx seven o 'clock on Friday morning one of a herd of cows was attacked by another and fell from the wharf into the harbour, states the "New Zealand Herald." Two men who were fishing from the wharf borrowed a dinghy from a scow lying alongside and followed the cow down the harbour, but, aided by tho outgoing tide, it managed to keep ahead until past North Head. It was then caught and towed ashore, little, the worse for its immersion. Pronunciation of Ski. t A discussion on tho pronunciation of tho word ski occurred at the annual meeting of the Euapehu Ski Club, hold at tho Chateau (states tho "New Zoaland Herald"). Tho secretary, Mr. J. C. Bennie, read an opinion from Mr. 11. Selignan, editor of tho Ski Club of Great Britain's publication, "Ski Notes and Queries," in which it was stated that tho word should bo pronounced "she." Tho word was borrowed bodily from tho Norwegian and should be pronounced as in Norway. If ono wcro to sound tho k, to be logical tho word must bo pronounced "sky." Mr. B. Symo said it was absurd to claim that the Swiss pronunciation "skce" was authentic, because tho sport had been introduced even iu. Australia before Switzerland. A resolution was passed that tho club affirm tho correct pronunciation of the word to bo "slip." Thanks from Admiral Byrd. In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Ford at his leeturo "Scott's First Expedition" delivered before the Now Zealand Antarctic Society on Friday, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, chairman of tho society, read a wiroless message which was sent on August 1-1 to Admiral Byrd at tho Boiling advance base: "Council and members New Zealand Antarctic Society thank Providence their tense anxiety rclievod now you safely delivered from your lonely vigil. Warmest regards and sincerest good wishes for complete restoration to health and success your future plans.—Leigh Hunt, chairman." The following reply, which vas relayed from tho Boiling baso to Little America, has boen received:— "Leigh Hunt, chairman Antarctic Society, Wellington, N.Z.—Thank you and through you the Antarctic Council for your cordial message. Warmest regards to you and other members of the council.—B. E. Byrd." Health in tho Solomons. Health conditions in tho Solomons were referred to by Dr. H. B. Hethorington, sonior British Government medical officer of tho Solomon Islands, who arrived at Auckland by tho Monteroy on Saturday and is returning to Canada on furlough, accompanied by his wife, states the "Auckland .Star." Ho has been stationed for tho past seven years at Tulagi, whore there is a hospital run by two Australian qualified nurses. Dr. Hetherington is assisted -by a junior medical officer, who tours tho outlying districts in an ambulance cutter and brings in serious cases for treatment at tho baso hospital. There arc also two missionary doctors in the Islands. Among the prevalont diseases that have to bo treated are yaws, leprosy, and malaria. "Nobody escapes malaria in the Solomons," remarked the doctor; "even tho natives get it. There is no effective antidote. Some people take quinino in an effort to keep it off. AVc tako special precautions to reduce the numbers of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. All swamps, lakes, and stagnant water in tho vicinity of Tulagi are sprayed with kerosene and <jrudo oil." Purchase of Golf Balls. A case of particular interest to golfers was heard at the Timaru Magistrate 's Court on Thursday before Mr. C. E. Orr-Walker, S.M., when Joseph Shortland, a second-hand dealor, was charged that on July 25 ho rocoived from Eileen Mary Dawson IS golf balls, valued at 18s, the property of a member of the Highfleld Club, and two members of the Glcn-iti Club, and other persons unknown, knowing the balls to havo been dishonestly obtained, reports an exchange. Tho ov-idence allowed that a boy had found tho balls and taken them home to his paronts, who had sold them tp tho accused for 2d each. A number of tho balls wero branded with the names of players. The Magistrate said that, leaving out tho question of branded balls, ono had to consider whether Shortland, who knew that tho found balls did not belong to the finder, asked himself whether they wero stolen. The parents of tho boy had encouraged the boy to bring homo more and rnoro balls, and it was reprehensible conduct on tho part of tho parents. Tho balls should havo been returned to tho secretaries of the clubs or handed to the police. In his opinion, Shortland committed an offenco in knowing that tho balls were dishonestly obtained. Ho added that when an article was found that could bo identified it was tho finder's duty to hand it to the police. In convicting and lining tlio accused £2 and costs, tho Magistrate said ho hoped that it would put an end to the* purchase of golf balls from boys. An order was made for tho return or' the branded balls to tho owners, ami the Magistrate also made an order disallowing cxpon«.cs to ilio ]>yrents oi' the.)n»y.

Officers as Deckhands. Eighteen men classed as able seameu, who ura housed in tho forecastle of tho Commonwealth and Dominion Lino ; motor-ship Port Gisborne, which av-1 rived at Dunedin on Friday afternoon from London, via Curacao, Panama Canal, and Auckland, have all served ;is cadets with tho company, reports the "Otago Daily Times." Each man has his second officer's certificate. Hundreds of masters and officers in Great Britain are unablo to obtain employment in their correct ratings owing to the large number of vessels laid up, and many have been going to sea as members of crews until something bettor offers. The Port Gisborne's^ seamen have all been certificated officers for j nearly four years now, and some of them in that period have remained with the,'vessel for eighteen months.