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Evening Star, Issue 23408, 27 October 1939, Page 6

Since the erection of two or three rubbish receptacles on the Museum Reserve quite an improvement has been effected in its general appearance, and no longer do sheets of newspaper litter the grass. The majority of those who eat their lunches there make Use of the containers, carefully t depositing their papers and scraps within. The general appearance is a considerable improvement on that prevailing for so long before the receptacles made art appearance, and it is now possible to walk across the grass without having pieces of fish, pies, and bread adhering to one’s footwear. And with the eye not attracted by unsightly litter one begins to realise that the Museum Reserve is really quite a pretty ground, being liberally planted in trees which, at this time of the year, are looking attractive in their spring garb. Ldvors of artras well as members of the general public will find pleasux’e and ?rofit in a visit to the exhibition of picures by Miss Kathleen Salmond in the Otago Art Society’s rooms in Lower Dowling street. The work of this wellknown local artist well rewards attention. In all, with the inclusion of unfraiuod sketches, the exhibits number about 100, and they cover a wide range of subject. Whether in landscape, seascape, portraiture, or still life Miss Salmond gives evidence of sound l drawing and a skilful application of colour. Familiar scenes of Otago form the subjects of the landscapes,itheso being admirably treated. Miss Salmond, as usual, reveals her skill and lesthetio taste in bor charming flower studies, which are among her most attractive offerings. The exhibition will bo open till November 1, The health of tho community is quite satisfactory at the present time, and for the week ended 9 a.m. to-day there have been no notifications of infectious diseases in either Otago or Southland. Tho district medical officer of health (Dr T. M'Kibbin) stated this morning that ho could not remember a previous period of a week passing without at least one notification. Ho described the health Of the public as “ normal,” and said there wore a few colds about, hut nothing in ahy Way serious.

Valuable additions to the Auckland Zoo will be made in about three weeks’ time with the arrival by the Tasman from Singapore of a number of birds and animals. The shipment includes an orang-outang, several Gibbon apes, a pair of golden cats from Siam, and a number of Argus and fireback pheasands. Of especial interest will be tbe orang-outang, a species which has not previously been exhibited at Auckland. Natural increase within tho zoo has resulted in further interesting exhibits being available for display. These include a dutch of seven paradise ducklings, said to bo the first hatched at the zoo. Recently a female pigtail monkey was born and is proving very popular with the children. This is tho second of this species born this year, the first having been sold to Melbourne Zoo. Another new arrival is a brush turkey chick, which has hatched from a great mound of loaves built over the egg by the male parent. A resolution of loyalty to the Empire was passed at yesterday’s meeting of tho Otago Provincial Council, Now Zealand Banners’ Union, and was couched in the following terras;—“ That tho Otago Provincial Council of tho New Zealand Banners’ Union desires to ‘place on record its unswerving loyalty to New Zealand and the Empire in the present war emergency, and pledges itself to do everything possible to maintain and, if possible, increase production, which is so essential to the successful prosecution of the war.” Boozer, as his name suggests, is perhaps not altogether responsible for his actions (says a recent Melbourne ‘ Ago ’). He is a medium draught horse and draws the fuel cart of his owner in parts of Hawthorn. Some time between Sunday night and Monday morning Boozer fell into the deep storm-Wnter drain which passes under Glenferrie road, and it was not until Tuesday afternoon that he was found. On Tuesday night men spent almost two hours leading him along the drain to Elgin street, where Boozer was fed with cbn(F. One of the resellers planned to lead him down to a point where tho drain enters the Varra and to swim him across to safety, but ids owner thought it too dangerous. A platform was therefore built in tho bottom of the culvert, and Boozer reached safety.

Stating that decrees for divorce were not handed out by the court like pounds of tea at a grocer’s shop, the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court at Hamilton, criticised the action of a petitioner in him* self'serving the papers on the respondent. “ You ask me to make an order on papers which were served by petitioner himself,” said His Honour, “ but I do not like it. My view is that the papers should be re-served by some independent person, who could then give evidence in the proceedings.” The case was held over for further consideration. Neither the heavy rain on the coast nor the light fall of snow inland has had any effect on roads in the Otago district, and motorists will find weekend conditions good for driving. The fall of snow varied from 2in to 3in, and was mainly in districts bordering on the Maniototo, but even from higher levels it is disappearing rap/dly. On the Main North road, a little this side of Hampden, a narrow bridge is being converted into a full-width one, and while this work is taking place motorists have to make a brief detour This detour is rough, and there have been one or two reports received by the Automobile Association complaining of broken springs received on the detour. For their own sakes, therefore, motorists are advised to take it carefully. A soda water spring has been discovered at Oromahoe, 12 miles from Kaikohe, on the Paihia road. While drilling for bridge foundations on the Pakaraka-Blackbridge road, the Public Works Department struck the spring 55ft under the bed of the stream. It rose sft above the level of the water with the casing still in the boro. When the casing was withdrawn the spring forced up through the stream. It is hoped to put a permanent casing in the bore and leave tho spring intact . At the riieeting of creditors at Wellington yesterday of Raymond F. Nelson it was stated by Mr M. H. Robinson, manager of Reuters Ltd. in New Zealand, that Nelson had been described in an affidavit in the Supreme Court ns advertising manager for Reuters.in New Zealand, whereas, said Mr Robinson, he was simply an advertising canvasser ;or salesman, with no managerial authority whatsoever.— Press Association.

Applications were invited recently for the lease of two _ sub-divisions of Hun 21313, Strath-Taieri survey district, which are under the control of the _ Otago High Schools Board. A special meeting of the board was held yesterday to decide the matter, and the successful applicants were Mr Daniel Gallagher and Mr H. G. Officer, both of Middlemarch. -Salvage gear which is being removed from the stranded Port Line steamer Port Bowen on Castlecliff Beach will be offered for sale by public auction in the near future. The New Zealand agents have not yet received advice from the owners as to the fate of the vessel, but it is not considered likely that any further attempts will he made to refloat her. Modern war conditions probably are the only ones wherein women display any aptitude for regimentation, but even in wartime, the modern woman demands individuality in at least her choice of hats. At least this statement would appear to bo borne out in a letter received by a local resident from Queensland yesterday. It states: “ Wh have almost as many women as men in uniform—including me. I am sending a snap of myself hi uniform, and please note the hat. It is the most useful thing-1 have ever owned. You can wear it back to front, inside out, upside down, or sit on it. It looks just the same. Rolled into a ball it makes an excellent pad for a broken collarbone. You can get a drink in it or give the horse one. I’ve even seen several vised as an improvised blanket! The only thing it cannot bo used for is becoming headgear. We all wear them at different angles, hut it does improve them on us.” Knitted socks and Balaclava helmets are not in such demand in the Australian Navy as punching balls, boxing gloves, footballs. ariH other sporting gear (says the Melbourne ‘Ago ’). Apparently the Jack Tar believes in keeping himself lit while patrolling Australia’s coastline. The Lord Mayor (Cr A. W. Coles) said that the Victorian division of the Australian comforts fund had also received numerous requests for indoor games, such as draught hoards, playing cards, gramophones, and a good stock of tuneful records. Tobacco, cigarettes, and pipes were also in great demand. ■

An example of remarkable longevity has ended with the death of Mrs Iria Tamati, of Okautote, near Masterton. Mrs Tainati, who for many years had resided in the Okautete pa, near Orui, lived to sco five generations of her family. Only an approximate estimate of her ago could bo made, because when she was born tho white man had yet to como to tho Wairarapa. It can be established, however, that tho youngest son of her family of 16, Mr Maena (Billy) Walker, is 86 years of age. The late Mr George Muir, of Masterton, who died 10 years ago, aged 92, know Mrs Tainati well and made several attempts to place the exact year of her birth. He stated on one occasion that Mrs Tamati was undoubtedly 12 years older than himself, which would make her age at death 113 years. Other estimates range from 112 to 118 years. What a small place this, world is has been exemplified in the Mildura district. In 1917 a Welshman and an Englishman wore prisoners of war in Turkey (says tho Melbourne ‘Age ’). One was captured when trying to run the blockade at Kut-el-Amara, tho other was taken at Gaza, and they mot at a place called Aflonkarahissar. After their release from prison in 1918, neither of tho men expected to hear or see of each other again, but a remarkable reunion has just taken place at Mildura. One of tho men is a resident of Dareton, and the other lives in Mildura. They also know an Australian living at Ned’s Corner, who was a prisoner of war with them. Quoting a recent decision., by the Chief Justice that a milk shake is not milk, tho technical adviser to the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council reported to the Milk Council to-day that control over the milk bar trade was in an unsatisfactory position. Samples taken from a suburban milk bar wore described as “ slightly dirty, dirtv, and t'ery dirty.” Owing to the legal position, even in this case the council could take no action. Tho council decided to draw the attention of the Minister of Health to the matter. Press Association.

Attention is drawn to the Railway Department’s advertisement in this issue announcing the running of a special train leaving Dunedin for Mosgiel at 2.10 p.ra. on Sunday, October 29, returning, leaving Mosgiel for Dunedin at 4.45 p.m.