A CHINESE RIVER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 233, 14 September 1934, Page 13

A CHINESE RIVER

IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS. (By G.R., in Holiday Travel Papers.) Passing through the upper Isar Valley at the foot of the Karwendelgebtrgc, in the most beautiful part of th# Bavarian Alps, one gets n view of the Hwang-ho. Coming upon it without warning one might well be disquieted by the sudden fear that one’s memory has failed. Surely' tho geography shows the Hwang-ho, the great yellow river, as flowing through China.

So it does, and the river still flows there. What one finds in these Bavarian Alps, near Walchcnsee is merely a model stretch of the river, 100 metres long, built by the "Forschungsinstitut fiir Wasserbau und Wasserkraft” (research institute for waterways’ and waterpower) at the request of the Chinese Government to study ways and means of preventing the great floods and changes of course with which the troublesome stream so frequently afflicts China. The institute, which was founded by Oskar von Miller, creator of the famous German museum in Munich, is at present arranging and studying the material gained in its experiments of the last tew months, preparatory to making its report. The institute which possesses 25 acres of land and equipments enabling it to carry on experiments on a large scale, constructed the stretch of the Hwang-ho strictly according to scale, and then set about creating the same conditions as in tho river itself, especially as to the volume of mud carried by tho water aud tho amount deposited by it along its bed, both these being tho main factors responsible for the periodic inundations and destructive changes of riverbed. Tho water used to feed tho model stream was charged with a carboniferous mud of the same essential constituency as the llwang-ho mud, and tho volume of water was altered to produce all varying phases of tho river. After each spell of "high water” the riverbed was carefully studied to determine to bow great extent the Hwang ho can bo compelled to deepen itself by narrowing it and raising its banka. Those experiments aro but one phase of the work of tho research institute, which carries on a constant study of tho most important problems connected with regulating waterways and exploiting their powers. One of the institute's experiments has demonstrated, for instasce, that the usual method of constructing streets with asphalt can also bo used in the place of cement for lining the sides of canals. ESSAYS. SENIORS. Uno day, when 1 hadn’t much to do, I rode out to Fernhill to a friend , place. There were five puppies there—whippets —three brown and two black. I was very interested in watching their funny antics. Their chief occupation seemed to ho in having stand-up and Sltrdown fights. These were easily caused; ono puppy merely began to bite, scratch, or knock over another Co provoke a thrilling, if short-lived.

battle. Each puppy found amusement iu chewing my bootlace, aud each would go to great yaius to secure oue end. Ibero were some other dogs there, but these, vyith the exception of four, were kept ijisido a fenced yard. Ouo dog, tied up outside, had great hopes ot being Met tree, all of which camo to nought*. I could not help noticing that all, tho dogs were friendly with the cat, ajid I thought bitter experience had perhaps taught them not to meddle with Puss. Love to all. — Blue certificate to Busier Brown, aged 12 years, Hastings. (Puppies’ unities are so amusing, and one can be entertained by them fur a long time.—C.K.)

This week I shall tell you about Spring. It is the brightest season of tho year. Now is the time to see the young lambs frolicking about in tho green tnjds. The hills, too, are beginning to look green. The willows are a beautiful sight at present with tho branches smothered in small, soft, green leaves. Some fruit trees are out in blossom, pink and white, which look pretty at a distance. The gardens are also a sight. Violets are one of the favourite flower*, and they send forth their sweetest scents. Ireezias are now blooming aud they are also sweet-smelling. Beds of daffodils, jonquils and narcissi make a bright show.. Creepers such as smilax and clematis are entwining themselves up the trellis. Spring is now waiting for the warmer weather to come. —Red certificate to "Daphne,” aged 13 years, Hastings. (I think the fruit rees are a picture of loveliness, whether viewed from a distance or in close proximity. —C.K.) On Wednesday I went to Napier with Mother. Being Shopping Week, Napier was very busy. We left Hastings at half-past ten and arrived in Napier shortly after eleven. We sat on the beach till it was dinner time, watching tho sea and the people passing. After lunch we went up to the town and had a look in all the shop windows. I was not lucky enough to catch a balloon, but I did not worry about that. We had afternoon tea, and then we went up to my nunt’s place, where we slept for the night. With love. —Red certificate to Magnolia, aged 12 years, Hasting*. (A day by the sea makes a lovely break during the holidays, Magnolia. I am glad your outing was so enjoyable.—C.K.) THE SHOW. (Continued.) The merry-go-rounds and the high wheel, shooting galleries, and other amusements all combine to make the extra thrills, without which a show would not be complete. A few children look with longing eyes at the sideshows, wishing their meagre pocket money had not become exhausted so situated on the wharveso far. Being soon. This year’s show was one of the best I have seen so far. Being situated on the wharves, a day could have been most agreeably spent in a combiner! visit to both. —Red certificate to Ginger Meggs, aged 12 years ,Auckland. (Are you feeling tremendously proud, Ginger Meggs, that Auckland footballers won the Shield, or are your sympathies with your old district, Hawke’s Bay?—C.K.)

Last Friday my brother and I walked to the Peak. It was an ideal day for hiking, the sun was shining brightly and tho birds were twittering merrily. We started at half-past one and soon arrived at Havelock, then we continued on up the middle road and among the hills until we came to To Mata Park. As we toiled up tho hillsides the lambs frisked out of our way and we did not notice how near we were to the Peak. We carved our names on tho trig station and had a rest and viewed tho panorama until it was time to go home. It was easier coming back because we ran down the hillsides a different way from which we had come and we soon reached Havelock township. It was growing dark quickly, so we hurried home and came just in time for tea but we were very tired. With love. —Bed Certificate to “Liana,” age 14 years, Hastings. (A climb to the Peak on such an ideal day would compensate you for the tiredness you may later have felt.— C.K.) I aro going to tell you about our school picnic which was held on the camping ground last year. When we reached there, there were many ladies busy findiug wood io light tho fire. The lire place was beside a river which different campers used. Wo children helped to find some wood. At last all the wood put together made up a great amount which lasted all the day. After tho picnic was over wo went in ears to see the warship 11.M.5. “Diomede,” which was anchored in tho bay. As wo were travelling towards the “Diomede,” we were all trying to describe her. When we reached tho last hill, one of i-iv friends noticed tho ship anchored beside the peninsular. When tho car pulled up at the wharf we all jumped out. and ran to get on board tho ferry boat, which was about to leave tho wharf. We waited and waited for our turn to come, pushing our way as we went, but when our turn did come it was too Into as tho ear that wc camo in was going to leave as soon as we were ready. Wo did not mind ■is wo saw tho boat clearly from the — Rod Certificate to “Rifleman,” age 12 years, Morere. it would have been interesting to go over the Diomede. “Rifleman.” but better luck next time T hope.—C.K.) The Bell Bird is noted for its singing. It? note- resemble the chimes of bells, lint ahis th s bird is rapidly dying out. are olive green, liek. The newt is '■etw■_ fori; of tow branches.

It is usually made of grass, twigs and gay feathers, and in it the female bird lays three or four eggs which are usually white or crcatu, with brown spots towards tho larger end. The bell-bird dwells in Now Zealand and the Chatham Islands and it is not a migratory bird. It commences breeding at the end of September and has two broods a year.

—“Top Knot,” age 11 years, Hast-

( this essay, like that of Linda Leo’s, does not strike an original note.— 0.K.)

Under the heading of insects we have an innumerable family. In fact this class includes mure species than all the groups of laud animals put together. Their body is divided into three distinct parts, namely, bead, thorax, and abdomen. Ou the head are a pair of antennae, two large .compound eyes (very noticeable in tho common house fly) and jaws which differ greatly in character. The thorax boars three pairs of legs and generally two pairs of wings. Tho insect breathes through air holes which aro arranged along the segments of the body. A beautiful butterfly common in New Zealand is tho “Red Admiral.” its bright scarlet and black wings are very conspicuous as it flits from flower to flower sipping the sweet honey therein. Yet look how wonderful have been the changes in its life, (To be Continued). —“Linda Lee,’ age 13 years, Hastings. (This is all interesting “Linda Lee,” yet it is surely the repetition of a nature lesson rather than an original essay.—C.K.) My cousin and I went around the cow farm. We had a pleasant walk. As we were walking along slowly we heard a little bird making a noise around its nest. We Went to see what was disturbing it, and found another bird eating its dear little eggs. We chased the big bird away and the goldfinch had peace. Later we went away up the paddocks to bring the cows home. —M. Gilmore, Nuhaka (no age). (Was it a minah or a magpie having that stolen feast? I hope it has not come back to eat the rest of the eggs. You continue to omit to state your age, Molly, and this debars your essay from any award.—C.K.)