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Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 4

Twp kittens playing with each other in the window of a Wellington furnishing store caused considerable amusement for passers-by on a recent evening. The kittens created minor havoc, knocking over showcards and small articles on display, and when they nonchantly capered among part of a porcelain teaset plated in 22-carat gold, people gasped. No damage was done, but if they had landed among the cups and saucers the result might nave been different. When last seen one had its head wedged beneath a low bed-end, and the other was happily biting the captive's tail. The chief librarian has accepted for the archives of Auckland Public Library about 12 sheets of typed material, being copies of, or extracts from, some of Judge Mailing's letters from Hokianga to his relatives in Tasmania between 1840 and 1860. The donor is Mr F. D. Maning. The records have come through a friend and correspondent, Mr C. J. O'Keeffe, of Mount Eden, who comments:— " Mr P. D. Manina:. a muchrespected resident of Hobart, is grandson of Henrv Thomas Maning, youngest brother of-Judge Mailing. The Maning family emitrrated from Dublin' to Tasmania in 1824, and founded the very earlv shipbuilding firm of Maning Bros., Hobart Town. Thanks are due to Air Mailing for his courteous gesture in sending these records. He was for | some, years resident in the South Island !»atul fought in the last war with the Qtago infantry.."- v

The beach -patrol at the St. Kilda Beach has issued a warning that bathers should exercise extreme care and keep between the flags, as there is a dangerous hole outside the flagged area. A thoughtless practice has been adopted bv some bathers of tying their towels to the life-saving reel, and, as this might occasion delay in the event of a run-out beina: necessary, it is desirable.that the practice should be discontinued. At St. Clair and Tomahawk the surface of the beaches is in reasonably good condition, but in both cases the" patrols urge bathers to keep within the marked areas and avoid risking their own lives and those of others.

Large iiumbers of children, ranging in age up to 12 years, have taken advantage of the organised recreational activities which have been conducted at the children's playground at St. Kilda by the physical welfare branch of tho Department of Internal Affairs. Each fine afternoon from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock Mrs. Wilson, of the physical welfare branch, has arranged 'balk games, skipping, and other recreational activities. The scheme will be continued throughout the school holidays. Railway traffic continues tinder holi-day-period pressure, and bookings at the Dunedin station for the next few days are fairly heavy. To-day all trains arriving and leaving here have been filled to capacity, and, of course, the race trains to Wingatui were crowded. A special express will be despatched for Christchurch to-morrow at 10.50, while on Monday and Tuesday there will be three trains for the north—at 8.45, 1.0.50. and 11.35 a.m. '

The only business before the Police Court this morning was the hearing of a charge of drunkenness against aman,, a first offender, who pleaded guilty and was uned 10s, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Mr H. J. Dixon was the presiding magistrate. A small party of sick aud wounded soldiers, also repatriated" prisoners of wqr, forming the draft that recently returned to the Dominion from the Middle East, arrived from the north by the express yesterday afternoon. The men were welcomed on the Dunedin Railway Station by relatives and friends' as well as by representatives of the Army, patriotic organisations, and civic authori'jes. Four members of the draft went on to Invercargill. Some glass show cases in Wellington fish shops appear to act as fly traps than as a means of protecting the fish from the flies' (says the 'Dominion') Only last week the glass case of a city fish shop was simply alive with blowflies, while there did not seem to be many outside. The use of these glass cases in summer time is required by by-law to prevent the *fish being exposed to flies and the ordinary dust and grime of the open air.' But'if they admit flies, indeed imprison them, the intent of the regulation is negatived. American visitors have expressed surprise at the manner in which New Zealand fish and meat are left exposed for sale in shop windows in sultry weather. The presence in New Zealand during the past year of- the United States Marines Corps and the brief but significant visit of Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt would both leave a lasting impression on tho people of New Zealand, said Mr A. Leigh Hunt, chairman of the executive of the British-American Cooperation Movement, in a review of the movement's activities. Other events of significance to the movement during the year, said Mr Leigh Hunt, were tho visit of Dr Allan Nevins, of the United States Office of War Information, the establishment of an American library in Wellington, visits by the women' members of the movement to the United States navy hospital near Wellington, and a programme of lectures given by prominent citizens belonging to the movement. Mr Leigh Hunt said that other important steps were -being taken to further the cultural relations between the two countries. The movement could look back on an active and successful year, but the approach of peace was bringing with it wider and more vital' problems of world reconstruction.

A Jersey steer recently provided an unenviable experience for Mrs T. \y Maclean and her two small children, of Waimumu (Southland). While paddling in the Kelvin creek with her son, aged four years, and her daughter, aged 21 months, she was rushed and knocked down into the water by the steer.., Calling to the little boy to run lor his life, she frustrated the animal by divesting herself of her frock and throwing it over the horns of the steer which continued to toss the dress. Mrs Maclean, although in a bruised condition, was able to make her escape with the little girl. Sir Pelham (" Plum ") Warner, in a letter to ' The Times,' London, recalls a witty remark by the Test captain G. 0. B. Allen's father, the late Sir Walter Allen, when watching Don Bradman's great Test innings of 254 at Lord's in 1930. Sir Walter was sitting next to A. C. Maclareu (old-time Test captain), who continually said: "Yes, I know he is pretty good, but he has got a lot to learn." Finally Sir Walter said: " Look here, Archie, if he learns much more he will ruin the game.'' Sir Pelham adds that Sir Walter Allen took the keenest pride and interest in his son's cricket, but that ho suffered agonies watching him play in big matches.

As a sequel' to a raid by detectives on premises in Auckland oil Christmas Eve, James Ernest Boreham, aged 4U, was lined £SO by Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., for using his premises as a common gaming house. Of the 2b' other men found on the premises, all of whom, it was stated, would be charged with being found in a common gaming house, four appeared and wore fined £3 each. It. was stated by the police that complaints had been received, mostly by letter, from wives whose husbands played at this gaming house.

" The iposition has now became so serious that the_ Internal Marketing Division has decided to take drastic action against those engaged in the ' black ' marketing of eggs," stated Mr C. Ferguson of the Central Egg. .Floor,'Ohristchurch. From Monday all eggs distributed on the Ohristchurch market through the legal channels would be stamped with the initials ot the Central Egg Floor. This meant that traders in eggs not bearing the stamp would be liable to prosecution and to have their eggs confiscated. It was the intention to change the colour of the stamp on the eggs each week. That would enable the Central Egg Flooa' also to cope with complaints about eggs being stale. A novice at the Alexandra Park trots, a service girl, had the usual beginner's luck. Induced to put 10s on Hilda Potts, her delight at the [prospect of a dividend turned to disappoint'-, ment, when, on her horste [running second to Highland Scott, it was pointed out to her that she had backed the horse for a win and not for a place. So she tore up the ticket and threw it down. Then Highland Scott was disqualified, and Hilda Potts placed .as the winner The service srirl and friends made a frantic hunt for "her torn-up ticket and managed to retrive the pieces. To her surprice the totalizator paid her twice the amount she had expected. She had picked up and pieced together not her own 10s ticket, but someone else's £1 ticket..