NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Elephant For Newtown Zoo The Newtown -Zoo expects 'to a big job on its hands sometime in October, when, if all goes well with shipping arrangements, an elephant from the Calcutta Zoo will be unloaded at Wellington. No information beyond the fact that the animal had been purchased is available from the curator, Mr. C. J. Cutler. Other purchases made by the zoo authorities are a male black bear and a cow bison, scheduled to arrive also in October, and two wolverines, which are expected in February. These four animals have all been ordered in Canada. Speedy Air Mails. Mails travel fast across the world in these days, as a Gisborne resident had , occasion to appreciate this week. A fortnight ago, while visiting Te Puia, a relative addressed an air-mail letter to family connections in London. In another letter to the Gisbornian, which reached its addressee on Tuesday .evening, the Londoner expressed the hope that “Jim was enjoying his' stay” at the coastal resort. Gone are the days when correspondents with overseas addressees hesitated to include references to family affairs on the grounds that they would be stale by the time they were read in England. Golf Ball Problem American golf balls which would retail at 11s in New Zealand if a license for their importation could be secured were mentioned when the executive of the Christchurch Metropolitan Golf Association discussed the shortage of balls. Canadian balls were not expected before September, it was stated, but Australian .balls, of which considerably larger supplies could be expected soon, had satisfactorily passed recent tests. At the same time, a cheap New Zealand made product which “looked like a golf ball,” which would probably sell for about 2s, and which would help in some measure to relieve the shortage, would possibly be on sale shortly. Motutapu as Farm . Formerly popular with picnickers, Motutapu Island, Auckland, has been handed over to the Lands and Survey Department for development as a large sheep and cattle run. Although still under the control of the Defence Department,. it has been decided that the excellent grazing land which Motutapu offers should be utilised to the full, in view of the serious world shortage of food. Already it has been stocked with more than 4000 sheep and nearly 1000 run cattle. Some half-dozen employees of the department who are living on the island are engaged in developing the land so that it will be possible to carry a great deal more stock. Gardener’s Dream To grow 161 bof potatoes (48 in number) from the one seed potato was the feat accomplished by Miss E. D. Killner, of Colombo street, Christchurch. Miss Killner won a competition started in early October last year, when, after a- lecture to a women’s meeting, those present were each given one tuber of an “unknown” variety of potato. The award was to be made to the one who produced the largest weight of potatoes and the one who made the best stage exhibit. Miss Killnor’s method was to sprout the tuber she was given, cut it in two, and soak for 30 minutes in a solution of nitrate of soda, 6oz. to the gallon. The two parts of the potato were then planted, - and the soil dusted with a light covering of artificial plant food. The potatoes were dug four months after planting. Progressive City References to Christchurch" as the most progressive city in New Zealand, in letters he has received from travel and broadcasting institutions overseas, have greatly pleased the public relations officer of the Christchurch City Council. Mr. T. H. Langford. While a great deal of this good opinion has been „ derived from the brochure on the city prepared by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Langford holds that the interest of travel and tourist establishments in particular has been greatly stimulated by booklets on the Summit road and the road to the West Coast, prepared by the Automobile Association “It is amazing how many people, even from Australia, know practically nothing about the South Island from a scenic point of view, ’ said Mi. Langford.