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Evening Star, Issue 22807, 16 November 1937, Page 8

A partial eclipse of the moon, visible in New Zealand, will occur on Thursday. The explanation for this astronomical occurrence is that the sun throws behind the earth a dark shadow of conical shape, this shadow reaching a great distance beyond the path of the moon. If it happened that the path of the moon lay precisely in the ecliptic, then at every full moon there would be a total eclipse through.the moon.passing into this shadow. Since, however, the moon’s path makes a small angle with the ecliptic, it usually passes a little above or below the conical shadow, and thus escapes the eclipse. Periodically, however, the moon is passing the ecliptic about the time when it is at its full, and then a partial or total eclipse occurs, visible over the whole of the earth’s hemisphere that is at the moment turned away from the sun and towards the moon. :

The Salvation Army Women’s Home in Caversham is to undergo a change. For many years it has been known either as the Rescue Home or the Salvation Army Industrial Home. It is now to be converted into a Home for Aged Women. Old-ago pensioners and others, who, needing a home and not wholly capable of caring for themselves, will be able to avail themselves of the accommodation which will be afforded. The building is at present in course of reconstruction, and will be equipped inside in a manner to meet the needs of elderly women, one or two of whom have already taken up residence. A coat hanging behind a door at the premises of Messrs John Chambers and Son, Stuart street, caught fire last evening, and two machines answered the alarm at 5.26. _ The cause of the outbreak, which slightly charred the door, is unknown. An outline of the situation in Persia during the period of the Great War was given to members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association at the monthly luncheon to-day by Mr S. G. Secular, who was one of a number of New Zealanders who were with the military mission despatched to that country. At short notice Mr Scoular took the place of Mr C. W. Salmon, of Wellington, who was to have spoken on ‘ A Trip Through the Mediterranean in Out-of-the-way Places,’ but who was unfortunately detained in Central Otago. There was a good attendance, Mr C. L. Calvert (president) being in the chair, and. on the motion of Mr W. Eaa-nshaw a vote of thanks was accorded Mr Scoular for his interesting talk.

In connection with the Red Gross Society’s appeal for the Far East Relief Fund, the Mayor of' Dunedin (Rev. E. T. Cox) has circularised a number of borough and county councils throughout Otago and Southland, suggesting that their respective districts and areas contribute their shares, and specifying what would be reasonable sums. In some instances, this has been interpreted to mean that the councils should contribute. This is not the case. The suggestion made by His Worship was that the money should be raised in the districts by public subscription, and that the various councils should cooperate by establishing organisations for this purpose.

A freak of Nature has come to light from Greenfield district in the shape of a two-headed calf. The calf, which is a large one, has two distinct heads, perfectly formed, and two tails. It has the appearance of two bodies down as far as the middle of the hack, and from there down is normal. In addition to the two tails, one of the hind legs shows front leg peculiarities. The calf was taken from the mother alive, but has since died.—Balclutha correspondent. A serious shortage of w-heat is expected next year. The area at present under crop is smaller than that of last year—even that area fell considerably short of the Dominion’s requirements—and it is reported that it will be comparatively light in yield, because of the prolonged dry weather in the principal wheat-growing districts (says the Christchurch ‘ Press ’). Meanwhile, the Wheat Committee is taking steps to ensure that there shall be no shortage of wheat in New Zealand for milling or fowl food. This month unusually heavy importations of wheat are being made, principally from Australia, and in the last 15 days of the present month a huge quantity was landed at Dominion ports—just under 600,000 bushels, or more than half the shipments imported for the whole of the preceeding 11 months. At present loading at Geelong, the steamer Harmanteh is to bring 6,000 tons (224,000 bushels) to Wellington and Auckland, and she will he followed from the same port on November 22 by the Harbledown with 8,500 tons (317,333 bushels) for Auckland. The Aorangi arrived at Auckland yesterday with 450 tons (16,800 bushels! of Canadian wheat, and the Hauraki is due in the Dominion with another 700 tons (26,166 bushels) from Vancouver. These four shipments total 584,299 bushels, bringing the importations to date up to considerably more than 1,500,000 bushels.

An unnamed peak about 7,000 ft high, in the Rolleston Range, was climbed on Saturday, probably for the first time, by N. Barker and B. Ward, of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, and A. S. Logan, of the Canterbury and Rangiora Mountaineering Clubs. The peak is at the head of the Kakapo River, a tributary of the Wilberforce. It has been suggested that it be called Logan Peak.

Once again Dunedin has been favoured by a visit from a wandering seal, but, unlike its predecessors, this one did not stay long. Having created a great deal of interest by appearing first on the rocks under the wharves, it contented itself with circling the harbour basin and then disappearing. It was discovered asleep on the rocks, and when disturbed took to the water, to make off towards the Birch street wharf. Midway it again _ broke the surface, and reappeared beside the pontoon by the Harbour Board building, almost under the feet of the persons following its progress. Then away it went, parallel with Birch street wharf, showing itself twice before finally disappearing. Xt was considered by those who viewed it to he a hair seal, about 6ft or 7ft long.

Waggie, the leader of a squad of four doga with whose aid Mr J. W. Miller, the Wellington City Council’s ratcatcher, has killed more than 20,000 rats during the last four or five years, was killed recently by a motor car. Some time ago one of the four dogs died through catching a rat that had been poisoned with cyanide gas, and a little later another fell ill. Until this dog recovers rat-catching with dogs will be at a standstill, as one dog cannot' do the work alone.

The increasing number of casualties on the roads is causing tb© authorities a good deal of concern, according to Mr B. Milligan, who has recently returned from a sojourn of 18 months in the Old Country. He stated that road accidents were'increasing year by year, despite all precautions, and the problem was becoming very serious. In January of 1936 the number so injured totalled 13,796, and the deaths were 448, compared with 521 killed and 14,081 injured in January of this year. The roads, he thought, were much too narrow to take the ever-increasing traffic, and much attention would have to be given to this aspect in the near future. A curious fact was the increasing number of casualties on roads where speed limits were enforced. The Minister of Transport was doing his best to lessen the toll of the road, but it was noticeable that where the roads were open accidents were decreasing.

Eye strain —for eye comfort, for better vision, consult Stunner and Watson Ltd., opticians, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.—[Advt.l

Particulars of J. V. Hanna’s course of special beep-fit exercises arc advertised. You are reminded that the Burns Club monthly; concert takes place in the Early Settlers’; Hall to-morrow night. A variety concert will be held to-morrow evening in'the Sidey Hall, Caversham; proceeds in| aid of the Caversham School piano fund.

,Patrons of Miss Wallace’s dance are notified die final dance of the season lakes place 10-nijjhtj