NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

National Art Gallery. The Mayor of Wanganui, with several councillors, made a special trip to Wellington 6n Tuesday to visit the National ;Axt Gallery for the purpose of selecting pictures for the Sargeant Art Gallery, Wanganui. It was decided to buy the oil painting by Lucy Kemp-Welch, R. 0.1., "The Crest of the j Downs," which shows a team of horses and drivers on the top of a hill under a fresh and breezy sky. The visitors were much impressed by the Coronation picture, which was seen to advantage in Gallery B. The view of Wel-.j lington, under perfect weather con-j ditions, was much admired from the Art Gallery steps. There was a constant stream of visitors to the Art Gallery all day. Museum's Live Tuatara. After five years of solitary seclu-'.j sion in a spacious enclosure in the courtyard at the back of the building, the Dominion Museum's live tuatara lizard had its peaceful ruminations somewhat rudely disturbed yes- , terday. It was placed on public view in a specially contrived tank in one of the windows. What this reptile of ancient lineage had to say about the change is not known, as tuataras are not vocal. However, it continued its lifelong occupation of sitting, and perhaps thinking. Of interested spectators it took not the slightest notice: its only concern seemed to be its hipbath, in which it sat half immersed all through the day, an occupation which seemed entirely appropriate to the j weather. ■ Futile Gorse Grubbing. The Wellington City Council, suggests the Forest and Bird Protection Society, has spent many thousands of pounds on futile grubbing and burning of gorse on various parts of the hilly Town Belt during many years. Of course, thousands of seeds lie snugly in the ground, well protected from the flames, and up they come. Also many of ther old roots send up shoots, and soon there is another thorny cover on the slopes. A more economical method of conquering gorse would be the planting of suitable trees which will shade out the pest, for this weed needs sunlight to survive. In some localities ngaios can do this useful work. In other places the "hardy, quick-grow-ing tree-lucerne may be preferable. These trees can also act as good shelter for native trees, and the helpful nurses can be cut out when their term of usefulness is finished. While they are playing the part of protectives they have long seasons of blooming, and the flowers, rich in nectar, attract tuis and bellbirds.