LOGANISMS

Evening Star, Issue 19199, 16 March 1926, Page 4

LOGANISMS

Otago visitors to the Southern Lakes recently cannot but be struck with the large number of tourists from the North Island and from Australia who are experiencing the delights and appreciating the beauty of the scenery there for the first time. Invariably the remarks passed by our northern friends indicate high appreciation of, and even astonishment at, the wonders revealed to them. “Wo never dreamed there was anything like this down here ” is typical of their remarks. X * * * Mr J. W. Collins (New Zealand Commissioner) is in Dunedin again and attending at the Government office at the Exhibition. Mr Collins’s stay, however, is likely to be a short one, his duties requiring his presence in Wellington again before long. * -x- * * The in the Australian Court were busy this morning on the verk of rearranging the new stand that is to reveal more of the products of the Commonwealth. It promises to be highly attractive. Bumper houses were again frequent at the Government Cinema yesterday, and the fine films presented were greatly enjoyed. To-day’s programmes includes ‘The Port of London,’ ‘Production of Basins and Currants in Australia,’ and*‘ Napier, the Capital City of Hawke's Bay.’ * * x * Not a few visitors to the Exhibition have suggested to Mr Horton (the officer in charge of the Government Cinema) that the interest taken by the school children in the pictures screened at the Exhibition is so manifest and their educational value so great that steps should be taken to have them shown at intervals in all the schools throughout the dominion. Tho suggestions made referred not only to the pictures of New Zealand industries and scenic beauties, but also to fhe fi.ras relating to tbo other overseas Uumm, ions and to Great Britain.

Tlio Inigo tooth of a prehistoric shark >s to be seen in the handsome cabinet in the Fiji Court containing specimens of tortoiseshell ornaments, etc. The tooth, which is roughly inangilar in shape, measures some 4in at the baso and from 4in to sin from_ die centre of the base to the apex. '1 ho cutting edge is very sharp, with small serrations all round it. ' The ‘hark itself is computed to havo been no toss than Soft in length. .> * « * The beautiful panoramic frieze and the photographs of tho Marlboro igh Sounds have been very much admired by visitors to the Marlborough Provincial Court. So much so, in lact, the Commissioner in charge (Mr IS'. Patou) informed a ‘ Star ’ representative today, that they and the handbooks distributed at the court havo decided quite a number of people to iclnrn to tlio North Island by way cf Marlborough, instead of by the Lyttelton ferry steamer.' » * * * Tho matured cheeses in the Marlborough Court have attracted vciy favorable notice during tho pust Jew oays, and quite a number 01 orders l ave been placed, both locally and among north-ern-visitors, by the Commissioner. A number of cheeses have been posted to Nelson, and some as far north as Wanganui. Tho Marlborough nines - have also attracted considerable aitcuiion. This, states Mr Patou, is proof positive of tho great value of the Exhibition from a business point oi v.’cw. * * * * Great interest is aroused by tho two huge moas on exhibition in tlio Education Court. _ The moa, long ago extinct, is believed to have been the largest bird that ever lived. It was entirely wingless. While the date of its extinction is not known, it piobably became extinct m the South Island about 300 years ago. In every part of New Zealand its tones havo been found. In some places, indeed, veritable moa cemeteries containing in an incredibly small space hundreds of almost complete skeletons, have been discovered. How so many moas came to die in one place is a mystery. 'There were many different kinds of moas, ranging from 2-U't to J2fb in height. Some were short and dumpy and others tall and thin. The eggs were as largo as a medium-sized football. Only three complete eggs are known, and of these two are in the Otago Museum. These three eggs wore all obtained from the Clutha Liver. * * * * It is stated by a member nl tho Southland Court Committee, who has just returned from Queenstown, luat iio found that forty out of the sixty visitors staying at one hotel there had come from Auckland. They had amo down primarily for tho Exhibition, but had taken advantage of tho opportunity of seeing tho Southern Lakes district while down here. » # * « The children still come trooping to the Exhibition, in the courts of which swarm largo number of eager youngstors, notebooks and pencils in hand, observing and noting and laying up knowledge that will no doubt_ serve them in good stead in their studies and in later life. Further contingents of school children will arrive from outlying districts during tho week. * Si- * ■» Tho Government Cinema in the New Zealand Court received its full quota of visitors yesterday. An interesting programme has been arranged for today, the subjects being ‘ Port of Loudon,’ ‘ Production of Haisins and Currants,’ and ‘Napier.’

SPANISH GRANDEES

A " HEAD COVERING " CEREMONY Early this year in the royal palace at Madrid there will take place the “head covering” of the grandees of Spain, a ceremony usually _ held every two or three years. It is tho only Court in the world whore such a privilogo exists. The class known as “ Grandees of Spain ” was founded in the sixteenth century, when Emperor Charles V. substituted it for that of tho “ ricoshombres,” or ancient peers, and from this class are nominated the high officials and others attached to the palace. Tlio principal privilege enjoyed by this class is that of covering their heads before the King. The grandees, dressed in accordance with their rank, military, noble, or gentle-, who have already performed the ceremony, assemble in tho chamber, where those about to have audience with the King await admission and remain standing around the hall. When_ tho King enters, attended by his suite and hy the majordomo of tiro royal household, the company remove their hats. Tho King sits on a raised scat in the middle of the hall and says: “ Cover your heads.” They do so, and the ceremony begins. One of the heralds of the royal 'household goes ‘to the ante-ehamhor,' and on proclaims: ‘‘The Duke, Marquis of So-and-So.” Tho person announced enters, his sponsor at his side. The latter is also a grandee of Spain, usually the head of the illustrious bongo which is associated with him in all ceremonial proceedings. They bow once to the King and onco left and right, and their greeting is returned hy the whole company. They then approach the King, who savs: “ Cover your head and speak.” The now grandeo then covers his head and reads a speech, telling tho story of Ids ancestors, and in particular the deeds which earned them their privilege. On the conclusion tho grandee falls on one knee, and His Majesty addresses a few words to him, after which he takes his place behind all the rest and his sponsor returns to his allotted position. This ceremony is repeated until all the neophytes hare been presented. Some grandees act ns sponsors to several newcomers, and tho order of entrance is strictly according to seniority of title. Any doubt or difficulty arising, as is often the case, is settled hy a previous meeting of sponsors in the majordomo’s apartments.