NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1940, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Unusual Clematis Blooms.

The popular clematis, which flowered with unusual freedom in its normal season from September to November last year, is now in some instances again putting forth flowers, states the "New Zealand Herald." Some fine sprays of bloom are to be seen in native bush near Titirangi.

Memorial to Te Wharepouri,

The City Council last night agreed to contribute £11 towards the cost of a memorial to Te Wharepouri, the paramount Maori chief at the date of the purchase of the lands taken for the settlement of Wellington. The memorial is to take the form of Te Wharepouri's canoe in stone, with a bronze plaque, and will be placed at the junction of the Ngahauranga Gorge and Hutt Roads, near the spot, in fact, in which the chief's canoe was beached when not in use at the mouth of the Ngahauranga Stream, then a much more considerable run of water. The total cost of the memorial will be about £50.

Can a Leopard Change to Spots?

Three leopard cubs have been born at the Auckland Zoo without spots, and that is altogether in order, for, said the curator of the Newtown Zoo, Mr. J. Cutler, today, healthy leopard cubs are invariably spotless and are more like tabby cats, with stripes and indeterminate colour, than any other animal until they are about four months old, when the stripes begin to break up into spots, but the distinctive leopard yellow does not develop until they are eighteen months or so old. Occasionally cubs are born with spots, but in every case that he had known spotted cubs had been unhealthy and had not survived.

Fine Vistas Lost.

The obstruction of fine views of Wellington from eminences by trees which had grown too high, was raised at last night's meeting of the City Council by Councillor M. Fraser, who, contended that opportunities for visitors of appreciating Wellington's beauty were being thus curtailed. Councillor R L Macalister said that he would be the last man to advocate the chopping down of a tree, but agreed that at some spots on the hills round Wellington fine views were obscured by trees. It was stated that the blue gums in Central Park cut off some fine views. The matter was referred to the reserves committee for attention.

'Ware Eels!

There are plenty of stories of bathers being attacked by eels, but most of them are put down as old wives' tales or small boys' fish lies, but there is one Wellington business man who knows first hand the truth of the eel attack story. He was swimming in a deep pool in the Mungaroa in front of his bach and was tackled when swimming under water on the inside of the thigh. How big the eel was he does not know except that it felt solid when he punched it off and left teeth marks over a gap of about three inches. He has been swimming since in the same pool, but has spent more time in gunning for eels with ripe liver and a gaff than in the deep water.

Hundreds of Dead Eels

Hundreds of eels have been found dead in the Hatea River near where it enters the salt water at Whangarei, states a Whangarei correspondent. At Mair Park swimming pool, employees of the Whangarei Borough Council have removed 50 dead eels from the river and bathing has now been prohibited in this pool. An inspection was made of the river by Dr. C B Gilberd* medical officer of health for North Auckland, and the borough health inspector, when it was found that the water contained iron to an injurious extent. Fifteen children bathing in the pool.at the time were examined and found to have inflamed eyes and dryness of lips and mouth Samples of the water and ot the dead eels have been taken for analysis.

Roofs Carried Away.

Accompanied by lightning and thunder a severe storm swept Westport in the'early hours on Saturday morning, states a correspondent. The storm broke about three o'clock, and, although it lasted only a few hours, widespread damage was caused. Iron fences wireless poles, and even electric power poles in some parts, were blown down. Verandahs were damaged and some houses lost a section of their roofs. In one part the roof of a sawmill was carried bodily some disstance across the railway line. A glasshouse and shed valued at £150 were demolished. The staff of the Westport Borough Council was hastily called, and live power lines which were in a dangerous position were secured. Poles displaced by the storm were reerected.

Homer Tunnel Piercing

Within the next few days the solid rock of the Homer Saddle will have been pierced for the entire length of the tunnel, which will eventually provide a road connection between Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau, states the "Otago Daily Times." A large amount of loose scree will then have to be shifted before it will be possible for the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) to fire the last shot that will enable access to be gained to the Milford end, but it is estimated by the district engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. p Keller, that it will be possible for this ceremony to take place within the next two to three weeks. When the piercing of the saddle has been completed there will remain to be carried out the enlargement of the tunnel to the full size necessary to take the motor road which is to be built through it, and the time when this will be done will depend on the extent to which it is found possible to pursue winter work in this region, in which fatal avalanches have occurred with devastating swiftness. Drainage will run towards the Milford end, where spoil from the enlargement of 'the tunnel will be deposited. It appears that the estimate of the Minister when he last visited the tunnel 'that the road would be ready for use by motor traffic within a year after the actual piercing of the mountain should be fulfilled without difficulty.