NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 94, 22 April 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Broadcasting for Farmers. The Broadcasting Board will shortly receive a request from farmers' organisations in the Manawatu to extend the breakfasf musical session beyond the present closing time of 8.30 a.m., states "The Post's", Palmerston North correspondent. . Their request-is based on the fact that many farmers with large herds do not sit down to their morning meal till 8.30 a.m. and later, and would like'a little musical accompaniment. ■■ > ■. A Nonagenarian Climber. "This will not be the last time," was the cheery assurance given by an Auckland nonagenarian, Mr. Alder Fisher, when he returned to Auckland from an ascent of Rangitoto on Friday, reports the "Herald.'V Mr. Fisher, who was 94 years old on Wednesday, has made a practice for about fifteen years past of marking his birthday by climbing Rangitoto. Although he is now an inmate of the Institute for the Blind, Mr.-Fisher walked the entire distance from the ferry to the summit ' and back again unaided and appeared quite full of vigour at the end of his self-imposed task. Mr. Fisher used to be accompanied by the late Sir George Fowlds. Mr. Fisher, who was born in London in 1841, worked his passage as fourth officer in the ship Agincourt from London to Australia, arid crossed to New Zealand in ,1882. In 1865 his father, a medical practitioner, arrived from London and commenced farming at Port Albert, later going to Matakohe. Mr. Fisher joined his father, and, with his family, subsequently went to Auckland, to live. A Good Recovery. There has been a great improvement in the appearance-of the Blenheim district asa result of recent rains, according to the Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. R. McGillivray, who has returned to Christchurch from a visit to the district, reports the "Times," Mr. McGillivray said that good rain had been experienced in the Blenheim district about! ten days ago, and the whole country was looking remarkably green. A certain amount of sowing of autumn green feed'had taken place, and this had struck well. - Various crops, however, were not up to the usual standard so far as yields were concerned^ and the hot dry summer weather had resulted in very light yields of peas. In one or two cases on native, land recently reclaimed/near Blenheim, the yields of peas had been good, running out at fifty bushels an acre. In other cases, however, 'the yields had been as low as ten and twelve bushels to the acre. In some of the heavier land the wheat crops were good considering the season, and the quality of the grain was satisfactory. Comfort Before Convention. With experienced trampers comfort is of far greater importance than adherence to conventional of attire, and this rule was acted upon by a number of the young women who made the walk over Arthur's Pass to Otlra on Friday, states the "Christchurch Times." Girls in slacks, riding breeches, and even shorts no longer appear tobq attired in unusual fashion when seen against a mountain setting, but variety was introduced into Friday's excursion as a result of contrasting colours in the mannish forms of drees. Wide shorts of flimsy and brightly-coloured materials worn by some of the young women seemed to denote a new and attractive development in tramping attire. Men also turned out attired for comfort rather than appearance, and some of them with their 'heavy boots, shorts well above the knees, and shoulder pack, looked very business-like trampers as1 they set out on the journey. Unexpected Accident. When, working on the side of the road mending a puncture a motorist scarcely expects to be involved in an accident. However, that was the experience of lat least one motorist on Friday,' states the "Press." He was drivirig through the Otira Gorge when he picked up a nail in a front tire when travelling near the Bridal Veil waterfall. On a straight section of the road the motorist stopped and hoisted the motor-car with the jack. Har.dly had the jack been raised when another motor-car turned the corner and could not stop in time to avoid bumping into the parked; vehicle, which jumped off the jack and started to roll towards the road edge and the river-bed below. The driver, with great presence, of mind, jumped on to the running board and guided the motor-car, with its passengers, into, the bank on the other side of the road.