NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22888, 7 March 1949, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Fire From Unusual Cause. A fire from an unusual cause occurred at a house in Lower Hutt. A mattress which had been standing on end, across the switch of an electric heater had turned it on, and the heater ignited the mattress. Butterflies at Opotiki

The spell of warm weather has resulted in a great increase in the number of while butterflies, states the Opotiki Nows. It was thought a while ago that the butterflies had been permanently reduced in numbers but at present there is little to bear out this theory. Monarch butterflies have also been seen about lately in fair numbers. Memorial Garden Contest-

An ideal site for the Garden of Remembrance had been made available in the Botanical Gardens and if it were properly laid out it would be a most appropriate memorial to Wellington’s war dead, said Mr, C. A. L. Treadwell at a meeting of the Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial Committee. Following his suggestion, the committee decided to pay a prize of 150 guineas to the successful competitor in a contest for the best design, and a second prize of 75gns. Potato Growers Complain

A strong protest will be made to the Marketing Division against the short payment made under the contract system, it was decided at a meeting of potato growers, convened by the Waimate Potato Growers’ Association, as the result of complaints of underpayment for the surplus potatoes taken over last October by the Government. The resolution also recommended that growers write individually to the department, making application for the amounts due to them. Native Thrush Seen in 1912

Learning of the search made ina Taranaki State reserve for the New Zealand native thrush, now thought to be extinct, Mr. M. H. Burrell of Auckland, wrote to the Auckland Star to say that he saw a pair of thrushes in a bush area south of Opotiki in 1912. Mr. Burrell was engaged as a survey cadet at the time and his party saw the birds every morning at sunrise. He says that the area was gazetted a scenic reserve and is probably still just as it was in 1912. 1949 Souvenir Crowns

Crowns pieces that were struck for the Royal visit this year are expected to be released through the banks in the near future. This was stated at the inaugural meeting of the Auckland branch of the Royal Numismatic Society It was mentioned that the aoutn African Government had issued 300 000 souvenir crowns for the Royal visit. The crowns were possibly a source of doilars. All f previous crown issues naa rapidly gone out of circulation 1 and it was expected that the 1949 issue would follow suit.

Wellington’s Trolley Bus Service Wellington’s first trolley bus on Wednesday went from Kilblrme tramway workshops through Hataitai to Roseneath and down Carlton Goie road to Oriental parade. It was then turned round, and went back again to the workshops. It is expected that the new trolley bus service from Aotea quay to Roseneath will start in about six weeks- The bus was towed over the route at walking pace by a council road grader, in a test of its ab ility to negotiate difficult corners. It passed all tests with ease. Sale of Businesses

“Mv husband and I worked hard for many a long year to save enough to go into business," writes a correspondent to a Wellington paper. “Now, when he is in his 60th year we decided to sell out and buy a small home of our own. We find now that under trie Government valuation in connection with this new Tenancy Act, we will be left with just about enough to buy a section and erect a dog kennel. It would not have been so unjust if we could have asked for the same money as we paid, although we have made improvements. Quick Turn-out

When a fire inspector from the State Forest Service visited the Eyrewell State Forest recently he was given an excellent opportunity of seeing the fire unit in action. An alarm was sounded to demonstrate to the inspector the facilities available for fire-fighting and, while the siren was still being sounded, a genuine alarm was received from the cookhouse, where some curtains had caught fire. Those in the cookhouse used fire extinguishers on the names, and the fire unit, which had already assembled, was on hand within one minute. It had the fire under control before much damage was done. Novel Layout of Summer Blooms.

A novel layout was used for the Wellington Horticultural Society s summer show,. In place of the quadrangular effect formerly achieved by a phalanx of stands at right angles to the walls, the centre of the Town Hall was occupied by a long platform leading out from the stage, flanked by decorative plants. On this platform mannequins in up-to-date summer costumes paraded, exhibiting bouquets for all occasions, and showing how they should be carried. On either side of this long platform were the flower stands, rather smaller tfian have been customary, and set at a fishbone angle with the main platform, removing the stolid effect of the former layouts. “Radar” in Birds Theory

The speculation in the Lancet that the feathers or other characteristics of birds might constitute a naturally sensitive "radar,” enabling them to find their way home over great distances, was an interesting new theory, said Professor R. C. Murphy, chairman of the department of birds at the American Museum of Natural History, in Christchurch. Before publication of toe cablegram from London, lie had not heard cff much distinctive research in this field, he said. Only the bat was definitely known to possess a natural “radar.” Professor Murphy said. Membranes of the bat s wings detected differences in the atmosphere by which il found its way though its eyes were sealed. The membranes gave a highpitched squeal, which was reflected like radar, assisting them ill their com sc.