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Evening Star, Issue 23208, 6 March 1939, Page 8

The postal authorities advise that the Empire air mails despatched on February 11 reached London on February 28. The ‘‘pillion riding is safe ” demonstration which was to have been carried out by about 30 Christchurch motorcyclists and pillion riders last week-end did not extend, as was originally intended. to Dunedin. The riders were to give demonstrations at the various towns through which they passed, on their way to Dunedin, but it was eventually decided to proceed only as far as Timaru and return. Notification that goods imported in five vessels may be admitted under licenses issued in tho first period has been received by the Customs Department. The vessels are the Sussex, sailing from the United Kingdom about the end of May, and due in New Zealand on July 6; the Coptic, to leave on June 1, and due of July 13; the Mataroa to leave on June 1, ,and due on July 13; and the Rangitiki and Tongariro, due about June 28-29, but which may not arrive until after June 30 owing to delays. Goods arriving in July by any of these vessels must be included by importers in their importations prior to June 30, when making future applications for licenses.

“ The pea-rifl© is one of the most dangerous weapons,” remarked Captain Sanderson at a njeeting of the executive of the Forest and Bird Protection Society. He said that the pea-rifle was the main arm used for poaching birds, particularly native pigeons. There was not enough restriction in the issue of licenses, which could be granted to any boy or girl of 16 years or over. It was decided to make inquiries to ascertain whether the nuisance could be abated. A first offender was fined 10s for drunkenness at the Mosgiel Court on Saturday. Mr A. Steven, J.P., presided.

Contracts have been placed by the directors of the Centennial Exhibition for the lighting of buildings and grounds, schemes on which will depend much of the spectacular nature of the nocturnal effects. The tender of C. L. Dent-ice and Company has been accepted for the interior, that of the British General Electric Company for the exterior lighting. The exterior lighting (says the ‘ Dominion ’) will be most elaborate and will involve a comprehensive scheme for the floodlighting of buildings and tower with changing lights, for a background of radiating lights behind the tower, and for the gay and novel illumination of fountains, gardens, and grounds. When first outlined it was described by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, chairman of directors of the exhibition company, as an outstanding scheme which would convert buildings and grounds into a veritable fairyland by night. An order for a wonderful ornamental fountain, throwing a jet of water 70ft into the air, has been placed with Messrs. Turnbull and Jones. It will comprise 150 lesser jets besides the main one, the smaller ones rising 20 to 30ft and constantly altering their combinations and patterns. By night it will be illuminated with changing colours, and it will be possible to arrange for a sequence of 96 different and entrancing effects, in a cycle lasting more than an hour before any single combination is repeated. The fountain, with the exception of the English pumping plant, will be locally manufactured. The opinion that .if New Zealand were nearer to England little would be heard of Switzerland is held by Mr Edward Gray, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., London, who is visiting Wellington in conducting an English party of 12 through the Dominion. Mr Gray has been conducting world tours since 1919 and has made many visits to New Zealand. Travel was still in its infancy and New Zealand with its variety of scenery had a great future as a tourist resort, h© said. At present people in Europe were nervous of travelling because ot the international situation, but that -was only a passing phase. The New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau in London was spending more money and New Zealand was becoming better known every year. Mr Gray is an advocate of leisurely travel and deplores the way in which so many tourists are rushed through New Zealand. About 75 per cent, of the people who visited New Zealand saw only the North Island, he said. It was not a question of one or other island having the better scenery. They were entirely different from each other and both should be seen. It took a good six weeks to see New Zealand properly. Modern inventions have been largely blamed for the disappearance of the romantic and picturesque, but there is always the exception that proves the rule. It happened in a northern town. Five o’clock, and the spray painter on the factory roof was making preparations for departure. Ha was attired in gumboots, and his mask was perched on top ot the strip of cheesecloth folded bandanna-wise about bis hair to keep the paint off. In his band he held his spray gun. and he was talking to his mate, similarly attired. Over all was a fine coating of red paint. Suddenly a child’s voice piped up from amongst the passers-by; “Look, mummy- real pirates I”

An indication of the extent of aerial defence activities in New Zealand is given in the latest issue of the ‘ Gazette,’ which publishes details of tenders accepted recently by the Public Works Department for the construction of. buildings at three Air Force stations—Wigram,' Hobsonville, and Whenuapai. The total value of eight fenders accepted is £241,218. The biggest contract is for the construction of two hangars for the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Whenuapai, near Auckland. This aerodrome is nearing completion, and the two hangars are to cost £153,080. The contractor is Mr R. A. Cornish. The contracts involve work at Wigram costing £56,326. Broken • shells from Spirits Bay,, most northerly of the accessible beaches in New Zealand, are to be used for rough-casting the garage and paths at the Wellington home of the Hon. 11. Semple. When the Ministerial party visited the beach recently they were impressed by the deep banks of shell, highly variegated in colour, which add greatly to the picturesquesness of this remote but beautiful spot. Nine inches deep, acres of broken shells stretch along the whole five-mile sweep of the beach, with here and there perfect specimens of rare shells. Possibilities of* the material as an ornamental facing, h&th novel and effective, were at once recognised by both Mr and Mrs Semple, who gathered a sackful, which they are taking back to Wellington.

An unusually large number of mosquitoes has been noticed in Wellington this summer, among them a species uncommon locally, states an Association message. Dr F. S. M’Lean, of the Health Department, said the mosquitoes caused only irritation and there was no fear of disease from them. The department and the city engineer’s department had been hunting out “he breeding places. Dr .Maclean said the uncommon species was apparent only in small numbers.

The number of men put in employment by the Placement Office for the week ending March 4 reached a new record of 240. An additional 35 men who were not entered- in the report for that week, although engaged, brought the complete total to 275. Under private employers 12 men and five youths were placed in permanent positions, 20 men and two youths obtained temporary work, while casual work accounted for 186 men and four youths. Three stillengaged men were enabled to better their positions, and eight men obtained Government jobs. The employment of 57 clerks by the City Council accounted for a large proportion of the increase. The only application to he heard at the quaterly meeting of the Dunedin Licensing Committee held to-day was for the permanent transfer of the Excelsior Hotel from John Trongrove to James William Young. The committee granted the application, no objections being raised. The chairman of the committee (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) presided, and the members present were Messrs J. S. Douglas, J. R. Drearer, V. S. Jacobs, F. W. Knight, W. R. Brown.

The large crowd that gathered at St. Clair beach yesterday afternoon had several attractions to occupy their attention. Apart from the call of the sand and surf, there was a demonstration by the Sumner and St. Clair Life Saving Clubs, and there was also an unexpected “ turn ” provided by a large sea lion which, after moving around in the water off the baths, made its way towards Second Beach, where it came ashore. Here it remained for some hours, attracting much attention, the spectators obtaining a grand-stand view from the road above. The creature was of rather an unusual colour, creamy fawn, and its lightness was emphasised because of the grey nature of its surroundings. In the evening the sea lion returned to the water and travelled round to the main beach, but the big crowd which immediately gathered at the water’s edge appeared to upset the creature, which did not land on the beach. However, it later climbed on to the rocks near the baths, and was quickly surrounded by interested persons. The sea lion did not remain there long, and eventually struggled back to the water and once again took up quarters on Second Beach, whore it still was when darkness fell. The sea lion did not seem to possess a great deal of life, and was probably in sick condition.

The drawing of “ "Pleasant Surprise " art nn : oii >s to taVe nlaee at tin' Masonic Hill The Term;?. Wellington, this evening, cuminere rg at b (mu.