TEA TABLE TOPICS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 September 1924, Page 4

TEA TABLE TOPICS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “M.”) The district round Manaia • is indissolubly associated with ambergris; in fact the place even now seems to reek of it. In view of the prospect of many visitors to the western side a suspension bridge has now been erected across the Kaupokonui Stream. Whether the bridge will bear the burden of the quantity of ambergris that may be taken from the beach is another matter In the unfortunate event of any misconception. arising as to what ambergris really is the following definition may prove interesting. As a matter of fact whale blubber has been mistaken for ambergris at times. But here is Dr. Webster’s definition: “Ambergris (-grees) n. A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating on the Indian Ocean. In colour it is white, ash gray, yellow, or black.” It should be distinctly remembered, however, that the smell of decayed whale blubber is very similar to. ambergris and that there is a material-difference in value. Ambergris is worth a considerable amount, but' on the other hand whale blubber is considered to be good manure for potatoes. “H.M.S Victory has been saved. To date £7B,(XX) have accrued to the restoration fund from subscriptions,” says a London message.; It might be a better paying proposition, in view of the world’s desire for peace, for Britain to build another submarine with the money. ‘

The sun is just about crossing the Line. Stated in exact terms, the sun has reached one of the two points. in which' the ecliptic and celestial* equator intersect. This means that if weMivide the time by halves the Southern Hemisphere is now in its six months’ period of greatest sunlight. At the equinox the days and nights, are of equal length in all parts of the world) It is commonly believed that strong winds prevail about the quator at the time of the equinox. This is disproved by recorded observations. In New Zen. land:’ however, north-westerly high winds are prevalent at any time of the spring. • -

' A certain daily paper waxes quite in r ' dignant in its headings to-day oii the question of preference. Several of the headings .run r “Labour’s policy,” Refusal of preference,” “War help forgotten,” “Dominions neglected.” Had the sub-editor only considered a little he would have wondered why it is. that, for instance; the boot manufacturers-in Britain, who also did a little bit in the war; have to pay a heavy duty before their foremr comrades can even wear their boots which come from the Homeland. , ,