NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 83, 10 April 1939, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

No Buns for Greymouth,

This Easter, for the first time for many years, no hot cross buns were on sale in Greymouth, in accordance with a decision of the West Coast Master Bakers' Association. The price of the flour received from Canterbury, £15 a ton delivered at the bakehouse, which is higher than for many years, together with the high lost of overtime payment to employees, are factors which influenced the decision.

"Being Bled to Death."

"The characteristics" that made this country are being ignored. The man who stepped out and paddled his own canoe is being bled to death today." Such was the comment of Councillor C. V. Kirke at a recent meeting of the Mackenzie County Council when a councillor remarked that not much interest was being taken in the Centennial celebrations in the Mackenzie, although the county had been closely associated with pioneering families.

Swimming Instruction,

The keen interest displayed in Wanganui schools in the swimming instruction films which have been screened by means of a projector lent to the Wanganui Swimming Centre has encouraged the latter body to explore means of procuring a projector of its own, states the "Wanganui Chronicle." It is estimated that this would cost in the vicinity of £130, and probably the centre will make an appeal for funds during the winter recess.

"Goosed."

Easter finds a demand for poultry that is greater than the supply can cope with, but the really determined lover of Easter poultry is at times not bound by convention or by law in his efforts to provide for his table, says the "Timaru Herald." Recently an intruder entered the grounds of the convent in Craigie Avenue and stole five geese, apparently stunning the birds with a stick before removing them. But every crime has its punisrjr.ent, and if it does not come through the activities of the police who are investigating the case, it will probably come in the form of a broken jaw. The age of the geese varies from one to ten years.

Bravery Recognised,

In December, 1937, Miss Frances Coley, who was working as a waitress at a Taihape hotel, saved from drowning a young man, D. Vaughan, »who had got into difficulties in the Hautapu River, states "The Post's" Palmerston North representative. Her rescue was a fine one, and when I. W. Mudford, of Foxton, Miss Coley's home town, found that nothing was being done to recognise her bravery, he communicated with the Royal Humane Society, and as a result that organisation has decided to grant her a framed certificate. Intimation of the society's decision was received by Mr. Mudford on Saturday.

Maori Meeting House.

A meeting house serving the Maori sub-tribe of Ngatihau is nearing completion on Taikatu Road, Otakeho, under a grant of £550 from the Taranaki Maori Trust Board, says the "Taranaki Daily News." Commodious and well planned, it is to be named Okara, and features will be carving in the ceiling plaster and at the front of the building. The meeting house will be 50ft long and 40ft wide, with 1750 square feet of floor, space divided into hall, supper room, kitchen, and pantry. Built of wood on concrete piles, it is situated in a section of 1£ acres, which is to be planted with trees and shrubs. The walls and ceilings are being finished in white fibrous plaster.

Future of Rural Towns,

Rural towns ultimately are going to be the salvation and solution of the problems- of the land, said Mr. D. Jeune, Mackenzie County Engineer, at a valedictory gathering at Fairlie, reports the Christchurch "Press." "If we provide modern amenities in the rural townships they will prove attractive centres for the rural working population, who will be able to live in these townships and to go to their work within a ten-mile radius," he said. Development of this kind was being studied closely in Cambridgeshire and Somerset, and the "green belt" areas of America were providing planned industries and amenities for rural populations.

Mud Wrestling Banned

Mud wrestling as a novelty event in the programme of the Te Kuiti Amateur Sports Club on Saturday was banned by the Commissioner of Police (Mr. D. J. Cummings), states a correspondent. The event had been advertised by the club for many weeks. Special mud, free from stones .and sand, had been mixed and the wrestling ring prepared. The event was to have been contested in a sea of mud. The committee of the club was up in arms at the-decision being given at such a late date. The president (Mr. L. R. Decastro) telephoned the Commissioner in Wellington, seeking an explanation of the decision. The Commissioner, however, was adamant, and said that in no circumstances would mud wrestling be allowed in New Zealand.

A Vacation School

A vacation school for correspondence school pupils is to be held in New Plymouth from May 8 to May 20. Both the Girls' and Boys' High School will be utilised for accommodation. So far over 150 pupils have enrolled for the vacation school, a good attendance and a good school being thereby assured. Pupils will have the opportunity, denied them when being by themselves at home, of carrying out all kinds of concerted activities, and every opportunity will be afforded for doing practical work. New Plymouth and its environment presents many opportunities for nature study rambles and for historical and geographical excursions. Motion pictures will be widely used for instructive and " entertainment purposes, and this new development in the activities of the Correspondence School promises to be one of great importance and interest.

Damage by Keas.

The Mackenzie County Council in the first few days of this month has committed itself to a greater expenditure on the purchase of kea beaks than it spent all last year, according to a statement made at the monthly meeting. Last year £10 5s was spent on the purchase of beaks, and already this year the council has committed itself to the expenditure of £15. "Where is this going to stop?" asked Mr. C. V. Kirke. "I understand the damage they are doing, but the amount we are spending gets bigger every year." Mr. G. Murray said the amount should be doubled. The council should do all it could to eliminate the pest. Mr. Kirke: We have got to cut things fine this year. Mr. Murray said that the policy of killing small birds was a wrong one when the question of purchasing sparrows was mentioned. The time had come when small birds should be encouraged because of the increase of insect pests. "I think, however, that we should fight the kea, and I will move that we pass £30 for the purchase of beaks this year." It was decided to spend £20.