NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 39, 14 August 1940, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Day of Prayer at Seatoun,

Reference to the day of prayer and giving to be held by the parishioners of St. George's Church, Seatoun, on September 3 was made by LieutenantColonel E. M. Stace, speaking at a social function to the Rev. C. E. Willis, C.F., on Sunday evening. He appealed to those present to remember the day and to be as generous as possible, as the money would go to a worthy cause—the new church building. Another Bright Meteor. A very fine meteor was observed at 5.37 o'clock this morning. According to a Wellington observer it was about half the size of the full moon, pearshaped, and pale blue in colour. It fell very slowly across the sky from north to east, traversing a long path. It was visible for 14 seconds, which is an extraordinarily long time. There was no indication of any trail of luminous particles behind it or when it dissipated. Sun Again Active. After a period of comparative quiescence, the sun is once again showing signs of considerable activity. The Carter Observatory yesterday observed no fewer than six large centres of activity, two of them being of considerable size. Developments are being watched, and by tomorrow it should be possible to gain some indication as to the probable extent of the activity. Niagara Wreckage. As a result of the last storm on the east coast, a quantity of wreckage from the Niagara has come ashore, states a Whangarei correspondent. The two lifeboats that were cast adrift have come ashore. One boat is completely broken up, but the other does not appear to be greatly damaged. The heavy oil from the ship is still floating along close to the shore and in consequence the penguins are still suffering. Residents along the shore have attempted to rescue the birds, which are very tame, by washing the oil from their feathers. The Heron and the Chickens. A Waimea farmer was greatly interested a week or two ago when a white heron alighted on a chicken coop a few yards from the house and gazed pensively at the chickens running below. The farmer naturally thought the heron was taking a paternal interest in the chickens and let it go at that. Early one morning a few days later the heron arrived again and took up his position beside a stream near the house. When the fowls were fed he left the stream and walked among the fowls in a peculiar crouching position with his head and neck thrust out in front. Suddenly he made a lightning dart with his bill, and it was seen that he had impaled an unfortunate sparrow. After a considerable amount of shaking, and several unsuccessful attempts, the heron swallowed the sparrow, which could be seen slowly passing down the long slender neck. The farmer now understands why the heron was so interested in his chickens.

Objection to Hymns. The singing of hymns "of a crudely religious sort" by a party of young people who, it was stated, arrived unannounced in the McKelvey "Ward at the Infirmary on a recent Saturday during the visiting period was the subject of a protest received by the Auckland Hospital Board on Monday from the husband of a patient in the ward, states the "New Zealand Herald." "The intrusion spoiled this little piece of family life that remains for my wife and myself, and I know many patients and their visitors resented this breach of manners," the writer stated. "It is not the first time that I have seen bad manners justifying themselves by, say, such extracts from Scripture as 'Go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in.' The ward is my wife's home, and that home should be guarded against intruders." "I object to irresponsible people entering an institution and forcing their conception of religious exercises upon helpless victims," said the Rev. W. C. Wood. "Provision is made for the spiritual needs of patients by the proper people." On the recommendation of the infirmary committee, the board referred the protest to Mr. J. V. Macky and the medical superintendent of the infirmary, Dr. E. L. Fitzgerald, to deal with.

Paritutu Centennial Park. The work of preparing the Paritutu Centennial Park for the official opening in conjunction with the Taranaki provincial centennial celebrations in March of next year is making rapid progress, states the "Taranaki Herald." A scheme of roading access both to the park itself and to the beach fronting the park is now nearing completion, and in a short time cars will be able to drive to the park and to the nearest approach to the beach. The main approach is by way of a new road past the oil tanks, which is to be known as Paritutu Crescent. In pursuance of the move to make the park available to the public the New Plymouth Harbour Board and the Paritutu Centennial Park Committee recently let simultaneous contracts for the formation of the access roadway to the base of Paritutu and a continuation of the roadway through the sandhills to a point overlooking the beach on the western side of Paritutu. New Plymouth 'already possesses an abundance and variety of parks excelling that of any other town or city in New Zealand, but the Paritutu Park is different from any of the others. Its unique position gives an unexcelled view in every direction. Extensive tree planting has been undertaken on the reserve and most of the trees and shrubs are apparently growing well. Special fireplaces and sanitary conveniences have been provided for picnickers and visitors, and those people who are inspired with the desire may, in a few minutes, climb to the top of I Paritutu.