NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Rata in Bloom. Every vantage .point in Wilton's Bush was occupied by picnic parties yesterday afternoon and, although the whole bush is looking well, the open area midway along the main track is given added attraction by a large rata tree near the stream. This tree is a blaze of crimson blooms and another higher up the slope towards the city is also coming into flower and should make a beautiful picture in a few days. Horse's Life Saved. By a few minutes a Napier motorist saved the life of a horse which he found in distress near Tangoio 'a few days ago (states an exchange). At first glance the horse, which was tethered to a fence, but which was lying motionless on an area of sloping ground, appeared to be dead, but a closer inspection showed that it was alive. The animal had apparently slipped and fallen, and its halter had become entwined round its forelegs, with the result that its struggles to regain its feet had only caused the rope round its neck to tighten. The horse was undoubtedly within inches of death when a slash from a razor severed the rope round its neck. Motor Party Saved. Narrow escapes from death were experienced- by Mr. and Mrs. C Foskett, of Te Puke, and their five-year-old daughter, Betty, when the •motor-car in which they were driving towards the Waikato left the road on a high cutting on the Kaimai Range, about 20 miles from Tauranga, on Friday, and commenced the plunge several hundred feet into the ravine below. After falling about 20ft, how.ever, the car was caught in some trees, and the occupants were rescued by Dr. F. D. Pinfold, of Hamilton, who mived a few minutes later. The girl suffered fractures of the left thigh and ankle and the mother head injuries j Mr Fosbett escaped'with slight head; injuries. None of the victims is in a, serious condition. Strange Companions. A cat, a hen, and! a hedgehog are a strange trio to have as gardening companions, yet this is the experience of a New Plymouth resident a keen gardener, who lives in the heart of the town but spends most of her time m nef garden on'a small section (states a New Plymouth correspondent). The cat and a bantam hen have been household pets for three or four years and have been regular companions of the housewife during her gardening. It is, however, only during the past few weeks that the hedgehog has joined the pair. No doubt the nedgehog was first attracted by a saucer of milk l«*t out regularly for the cat, which apparently raised no otyection to the intruder sharing its fare. It seems rather, to like the newcomer, indeed, as amusing interludes of play indicate. Attacked by Bull. A possible fracture of the neck and injuries to the back were received by Mr. Thomas Dent, aged 53, farmer, of Kauroa, Raglan, when he was attacked by a bull on Thursday morning, (states a Hamilton correspondent). Mr. Dent had finished milking and was returning to his house, when the bull, a 13-months-old Jersey, rushed at him. Although Mr. Dent tried to avoid the animal, he was overtaken and knocked down. In falling, he struck his head and back violently on the ground. The bull did not attempt to gore Mr. Dent. It had not previously shown signs of viciousness. The injured man was removed to the Waikato Hospital in a St. John ambulance. The full extent of his injuries will not be known until an X-ray examination has been made. His condition is fairly serious. South Westland Mail Contract. The contract between the Government and Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., for the carriage of mails in South Westland has been renewed for another year. In making this announcement on Friday evening the managing director of the company, Mr. J. C. Mercer, said that the weekly mail load has continued to show a steady increase (states the "PreSs"). During the week ended December 19 a record was established when the company's aeroplanes carried 11501b south. Last week that record was beaten, the load comprising 28 bags containing 11801b of mail. The return load was also a record—3solb. Passenger traffic was also heavy last week as many Public Works employees leaving the camps for the Christmas holidays travelled to Hokitika by air. With the tourist traffic to South Westland now approaching its zenith the company's aeroplanes are likely to be particularly busy for some months. Theft Mystery. Inquiries relating to burglaries which have occurred in the National Park area indicate that inmates of the Rangipo and Whakapapanui prison camps, and not those at Hautu, are implicated (states a Taumarunui correspondent). Detectives While, of Hamilton, and Murray, of Wanganui, and Constables Christmas, of Tokaanu, and Breed, of Raurimu, found that the doors of the Rangipo and Whakapapanui camps had been tampered with and could be removed after they had been barred for the night. Articles taken from Mr. W. J. K. Taylor's fishing lodge at Turangi were found at the Rangipo prison camp. A jemmy with which the prison doors had besn prised off was also found. It belongs to the prison authorities. Equipment stolen from Mr. T. McKee's store at Owhango, including a cash register, was found near the Whakapapa-iti Stream, where a prison quarry is located. The investigations of the police are completed. Further action rests with the authorities in, Wellington. '■■■•:, ■■

Mr. C. A. Berendsen. Permanent Plead' of the Prime Minister's Department, who accompanied the High Commissioner (Mr. W. J. Jordan) to London and later to Geneva, returned to Wellington today by the Awatea. He was accompanied by Mrs. Berendsen,