LOCAL & GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 106, 18 April 1933, Page 6

LOCAL & GENERAL

The Wangauella, from Wellington, arrived in Sydney at 6 o’clock this morning. Although, official figures are not yet available there are many indications that the number of weddings m Auckland this Easter was exceptionally large. “I have never before seen so many wedding cars on the streets as there were last Wednesday,” said the manager of one of the largest taxi companies. lie said that his taxis had been engaged for 35 marriages in the month to date and he estimated judging from averages in the past, that a further 30 weddings had been dealt with by other firms. The peak day. as far as he was concerned, was last Wednesday, when he supplied cars for 11 weddings, all being at night. He had dealt with three on Saturday and a further fnur were booked ffir ywterd»y.

A general meeting of the Celtic Football Club will be held in the Favourite Hall, Hastings, to-morrow evening. The Canterbury Rugby Union has again banned the broadcasting ot matches played under its control during the coining winter, according to information given to reporter of “The Press” by Mr E. C. Hands, general manager for the Broadaesting Board. An old ship’s boiler, which has been lying for several years on a site near the Onehunga railway station, has been sold by the Onehunga Borough Council to an Auckland firm, which, it is stated, intends to consign it, with other scrap iron, to Japan. Several shipments of scrap iron have been made to Japan recently. Mr. F. H. Bastin, who has announced his intention of standing as a “practical candidate” at the forthcoming municipal elections in Hastings, has resided in Hastings for the last ten years and has carried out several construction works, including the new bridge at Havelock North, to the value of approximately £30,000. Since coming to Hastings he has been engaged as overseer and now as clerk of works by the Hawke’s Bay County Council, but prior to that he was overseer, in turn, to the Wellington City Council, the Mokere County Council and the Mananui Town Board. He comes from an engineering family, his father ' being city engineer at Palmerston North for many years and later a councillor. A honey bear is the mascot of the Norwegian motor tanker Usthay, which arrived at Auckland Horn Singapore on SatuiUay. lue animal, which is about the size of a lox terrier, is a native ui the Straits Settlements and was purchased at Singapore. It is a pretty little animal with a thick coat of black fur and it has very sharp claws about two inches in length, to enable it to climb trees for honey. It is housed in a kennel inside a large wooden cage and is led on milk and anything containing sugar. Captain S. Hansen, the master of the vessel, is accompanied by his wife and three-year-old gjrl. The child and bear are great friends and • play together inside the cage. The bear, however, is very destructive and for that reason it is not allowed at large. “Foremost among the society’s objects is the protection and preservation of our native birds ” states the annual report of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. “Unfortunately, all shooters are not imbued with the protective spirit, but any information regarding offences in this direction will be welcomed and endeavours made to punish the offender. New Zealand at one time had a greater variety of bird life than any other country in the world, but through carelessness, wanton destruction and failure to preserve sufficient forest areas, the native bird population is fast disappearing.” The report suggested that lighthouse-keepers should be given wider powers to ensure the protection of seabirds on various outlying islands, especially during the breeding season. The mushroom and “canvas town” at Bcatson’s Park, Hastings, have much in common. They both are seasonal matters and each springs into prominence over night. During the holiday period the camp site was a miniature suburb, the population being in the vicinity of 250 every night. Over 50 private tents were pitched each day amid the beautiful surroundings that have done so much towards making the camp one of the most popular in the North Island, and though this number is slightly less than last Easter it is most satisfactory in view of the fact that the holidays are three weeks later than last year. Judging by the manner in which thqj camps were laid out, it would seem that for the most part the visitors were seasoned campers. The opinion that a complete overhaul of the public art galleries of New Zealand was long overdue was expressed by Dr. E. B. Gunson, in addressing the Overseas League, states the “New Zealand Herald.” Dr. Gunson said that culled pictures might in some cases form the basis of exchange or, indeed, go to the formation of a nucleus of a collection in towns not at present possessing a public gallery. The appointment of a representative Dominion body of accepted authority to advise upon art resources and activities in the Dominion would also bo of Value. Such a body could operate advantageously with respect to the requirements of the smaller towns by selecting a national loan collection for exhibition in such centres, and in arranging an interchange of important pictures as loan exhibits between New Zealand and Australia. That there are ideal picnic spote and camping sites to be found along the banks of the Hawke’s Bay rivers has been appreciated locally for some time, but that these places are familiar to visitors from outside the province is not generally known. During the holidays there were four parties camped near the Tukituki in the vicinity of the Black Bridge at Haumoana. One of the families came from the Wairarapa and were making their sixth annual visit- to these parts. A party of five from Hamilton were snugly accommodated along the turn-off to Craggy Range, near the Tukituki bridge, and the menfolk, who are ardent anglers, were amply rewarded with good bags. A car load of Palmerston North people found a delight,ful site about 400 yards up the Ngaruro’ro river from the Pakowhai bridge, this being their second visit to the locality within three months. Eighty-two years ago yesterday an incident known sometimes as the Mechanics’ Bay raid, marked a critical point in the history of Auckland City. On the morning of April 17, 1851, 250 warriors in a fleet of war canoes landed on the beach near the site of the Parnell railway bridge and the Maori hostel. The natives were members erf the Ngati-Paoa tribe, which lived on Waiheke Island, and their visit was to avenge an alleged insult paid by a native policeman to one of their chiefs. The Governor, Sir George Grey, by his masterly handling of the situation, averted a terrible massacre in the town. He massed strong bodies of regular troops and military pensioners on all the hills overlooking the bay. and had the guns of H.M.S. Fly and those of Fort Britomart trained upon the beach. He met the Maoris at 1.30 in the afternoon and addressing them sternly, told them that the policeman had only done his duty and that it would be the worse for them if they did not leave. .After a wild demonstration the natives rushed to their canoes, dragged them io the water, and departed.

xfie annual chrysanthemum show at Gi'eenmeadows will be held on Thursday, April 20. Entries close to-mor-row, April 19, at 5 p.m. with the secretary, Miss K. Cullen. Mr J. Muggeridge B.Sc., Government entomologist, will give an address on the biological control of insect pests, followed by an address on farm crop diseases, by Dr Cunningham, Government Mycologist, at the Maiaekakaho Hall on Thursday, April 20. Smith Mackwell, aged 60, a crockery dealer, was fined £75 and costs on a charge of keeping a gaining house at Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch. The police visited the premises yesterday and found betting paraphernalia and betting slips, with a telephone handy.—Press Association. The New Zealand University tournament was continued in Auckland yesterday m fine weather. A large gathering watched the athletic sports at the Domain. Canterbury dominated the position, winning the shield in this section by scoring 23 points. Victoria College was second with eight points. Auckland scored seven points and Otago six. The only two events in which Canterbury men failed to obtain points were the mile walk and the relay. There was an excellent attendance at the Hastings Trades Hall old-time dance and card tourney on Saturday night and the function was easily the most successful held this season. Mrs Hearne's orchestra was responsible for an excellent musical programme, while Mr A. Butcher made a capable M.C. the Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss Aiding and Mr Spears, with Miss Pine and Mr Adam second. In the card room the results were, as follows: — ladies: Mesdames 'Charles, Cameron, Smith and Overend tie for first; men’s Messrs. Garvey and Forest. “Well, Hawke’s Bay certainly did treat us to good weather,” remarked a visitor from Wellington to a “Tribune” reporter at the railway station this morning when about to return after spending the holidays in this district. “The weather man was out in his report over the air on Thursday when he said that rain might be expected in Hawke’s Bay,” commented the visitor, who expressed the hope that now the holidays are over there would be plenty of rain, as he thought the countryside could do with it to restore the pastures. Late on Sunday night the Los Angeles radio station, KFI, sent out special Easter greetings tp Australia and New' Zealand, and though probably not many New Zealand listeners were tuned into the station at the time, those who were heard the messages very well. Among the speakers and performers were Nola Luxford, Bathie Stewart, May Beattie (who said that she had come from a rehearsal of a new play specially to speak to her New Zealand friends), and Colo: el Baillie, a member of the Geographical Society of Australia. The programme included several Maori songs, violin solos, and other musical items. Two places of special interest that always appeal to visitors and local residents alike are the Gannets at Cape Kidnappers and the remarkably fine panorama that is afforded from the Peak at Havelock North. Though there are only a few birds to be found at this time of the year, a big number of people undertook the trek to the Cape during the holidays and found it an interesting trip. The climb to the Peak was also a popular undertaking, scores of cars taking people as far as the well-formed road would allow. Fortunately the weather was favourable and the undoubtedly splendid views obtained made the visit well worth while. Last night in the Trades Hall the Hastings Registered Unemployed Association held a grand Easter plain and fancy dress old-time dance and enbbage tournament and it proved a most successful function, there being a really good attendance. > Although the fancy cotumes were not numerous, what there were were really good, the judging resulting as follows: Best fancy costume, Alias Brunton “Early Victorian Lady”; most humourous, Miss N. Knuckey and Mr Boyle, “Dad and Alum.” Excellent music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs Hearne’s orchestra, while Air Stuart Divinie made a most efficient M.C. The Alonte Carlo waltz was won by Mi's Jillings and Air H. Summersby, while a special Easter Alonte Carlo was won by Aliss Al. Burchard and Air L. F. Taylor. In the card room the cribbage tournament was won as follows: ladies, Mrs Corcoran 1 Airs Ward 2; men’s: Air Clark 1, Mr Robinson 2. An enthusiastic farewell was accorded the Ashburton Salvation Army Band on its departure from Hastings yesterday morning. The band had an exceptionally busy time in Hastings during the week-end and actually made six public appearances. At all the functions there were splendid attendances aud the visitors were delighted with the warmth of the reception accorded them by the townspeople. Perhaps the most successful function was that of the massed bands demonstration at Nelson Park on Sunday afternoon, when the Hastings, Ashburton and Christchurch Salvation Army Bands and the Hastings Citizens’ Band were combined with remarkably fine effect. Each of the bands gave two individual numbers. Throughout the visit the Afayor (Air. G. F. Roach) was closely associated with the band’s activities and at the railway station he and other citizens expressed their appreciation of the visitors’ efforts in Hastings. After an intensive organisation campaign extending over the last two months the New Zealand Legion will hold a massed meeting in the Wellington Town Hall and Concert Chamber to-murrow evening. The energy put into the early organisation of the Legion has attracted attention in all parts of New Zealand, and the travelling done by some of the organisers must go close to breaking records fol distance covered aud utilisation of aeroplanes. Dr K. Campbell Begg has himself travelled nearly 5000 miles by aeroplane in about two months. At the meeting to-morrow an explanation will be given of the aims and objects of the movement and the activity of recent weeks will be outlined. It is intended I hat the speakers should deal also with misunderstandings which may have arisen. Since accommodation is not expected to be equal to the demand, admission will be by ticket. In accordance with the Legion’s policy of extending no preferences, no seats will be reserved. The speakers will include Dr Campbell Begg and Air Evan Parry, L.L.B. At the conclusion of the meeting opportunity will be given for enrolment.