NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

The Shortest Day. Tomorrow, June 22, the sun starts on his return journey from the north, and therefore tomorrow, in this hemisphere, is regarded as the shortest day. As far as the time between sunrise and sunset is concerned, a whole series of days on either side of June 22 are of approximately the same length, the sun being above the horizon each day for nine hours and twelve minutes. In Wellington the sun rises-tomorrow at 7.16 a.m. and sets at 4.28 p.m. Thereafter it sets a little bit later each day, but it does not start rising any earlier until the first week in July. Most people are glad when the shortest day is left behind and the days begin to increase in length again, but experience shows that the shortest day does not synchronise with midwinter, more and worse winter weather being experienced as a rule after the shortest day than before it. It will be time enough in August to talk about the passing of winter and the coming of spring. Those who are prone to grumble about the scarcity of daylight at the time of the shortest day should bear in mind the fact that, whereas in Wellington on the shortest day the sun is above he horizon for several minutes over nine hours, in London on the shortest day, with sunrise at 8.6 a.m. and sunset at 3.51 p.m., it is above the horizon for less than eight hours. Excursion to Chateau. Skiing, under the Austrian instructor, Ernst Skardarasy, tramping, and golf were indulged In by over 100 excursionists at National Park during the weekend. They left by special train for the Chateau on Friday night and returned to Wellington yesterday morning. Another excursion to the Chateau is to be run on July 1. High-priced Onions, Pukekohe onions have hardened in price this week, there being a good demand, while stocks are shortening., Values reached £15 a ton, as againstj £14 last week. At this time last year the price was £11 10s. / Baths for Badminton Players. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. K. Parry) caused some amiisement at the Ministerial reception to/the visiting Australian badminton ;"te|am yesterday when he mentioned th'at/the Government wanted the team tio have a good time in New Zealand. ("There is one thing that we can give tbte team going to Rolorua," he said, "#nd that is a real good bath." (Laughter.) Sport and Champions. "We are not concerned with the production of champions, as getting all people to play sport," said] the Minister of Internal Affairs (th/e Hon. W. E, Parry) at a Ministerial/reception to the visiting Australian badfminton team yesterday afternoon. 'STf/ we can get 100 people to run out /oil, 100 it is better than getting two o/r three champions. We are concen/ied more with play and recreation than with producing champions, which/,is quite incidental," he said. Tribute to the Government. Appreciation the Government has done forfhis fellow-country-men who are living in New Zealand was expressed by Professor Jagan Nath, M.Sc, manajger of the Prince of Manavardar's Indian hockey team, at a social i£uhction/-on Saturday evening, reports the Wanganui "Chronicle." Pro- ; fessor Nath said that he had had the opportunity of .conversing with a number of his iCOMntrymen, particularly in Wanganui, and they had informed him that Mr. Savfage and his Government were helping everybody. They had asked him to express appreciation on their behalf/ and had lavished praise on Mr. Sava'ge and his Government. '. / ! J.P.S on Bdnch. ; Tor the/first time for many months :' traffic oases were heard before Jusi, tices of the Peace in the Magistrate's J Court At present the Courts are ' being iaken by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., fend Mr. A. M. Gottlding, S.M., ' and ais'both were busy in Civil Courts i this morning the assistance of the Jus- . ticea was sought. Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., I is shortly to arrive at Wellington to ' commence regular duties here. ( Aißoyal Charter. .. J!M the monthly meeting of the New . Z'ealand branch of the Institution of '.' (Afutomobile Engineers, the chairman, 1 JMr. Duncan F. Bauchop, announced i ItTiat the King had been pleased to a Royal Charter of Incorporation jj to the institution. Such charters for ''[institutions and societies are extremely rare, ancl it is particularly noteworthy t that the 1.A.E., being formed as late 3 as 1906, should, in its comparatively , short 'life, have been considered worthy of this very signal distinction. The 2 meeting was very gratified at the ani nouncement.