Levin Daily Chronicle MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1939. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 October 1939, Page 4

Levin Daily Chronicle MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1939. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Authentic records loaned to the Westbind .section ol: the Centennial executive indicate that Abel Tasnian, the noted Dutch explorer, sighted Mount Cook as his first landfall in picking up the coast of New Zealand. Tasman then voyaged north, passing Okarito, Hokitika and Greymouth, and anchored at the Steeples Rocks near Westport Harbour. These facts were recorded in the ship's log. The Chatham Islands have already arranged the programme for their part in the Centennial celebrations. The Canterbury Centennial Council was informed by the committee in the Chatham islands that the celebrations would be taking place about March 16th, when it was hoped that the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) would attend to open their Centennial Memorial Hall. An indication that the Government will consider applications by importers for permission to obtain from countries than the United Kingdom essenti.-> 1 goods not obtainable from Home because of the war, has been given to the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand by the Minister of Customs (Hon. W. Nash). "The Government recognise the necessity to provide for such cases, and in any cases where it is established that the goods cannot be obtained from the United Kingdom immediate consideration will | be given to the question of permitting imports from other sources. The position with respect to each class of goods must, however, necessarily be considered on its merits," stated the Minister. The holiday season is approaching and everyone will be thinking of something new in wearing apparel. Davie's offer an exceptionally choice selection of frocks, costumes, coats, millinery, gloves, handbags, etc., at attractive prices. See the special window displays.

No recruit is taken for service with the special military force now being formed unless he is prepared to undergo vaccination and inoculation as considered necessary by the director of, medical services. In a list of instructions issued to those volunteering for service, it is stated that in the interests of himself and of his comrades no recruit will be accepted if he does not agree to this course.

The attention of all. cricketers and those interested in cricket is directed to a meeting to be held in the band-room on Wednesday evening, 18th inst., at 7.30 p.m. The objects of this meeting are to endeavour to find some way to keep the game of cricket going in Levin. This year only three teams, Levin, Weraroa and Shannon have entered teams for the competition and unless another team can be found locally the executive fear there will be no competition. The meeting mentioned ■will be presided over by His Worship the Mayor, Mr. P. W. Goldsmith, and all those even remotely interested in cricket are urged to attend.

A remarkable machine, described as a turf aerator, is included in £ISOO worth of mechanical plant lately acquired by the Hastings Borough Council for the maintenance of its parks. Believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand, the machine is towed behind a tractor at speeds up to eight miles an hour. It can pierce six acres of turf with 750,000 holes 2in. to 4in. deep in one Irour. This improves drainage in wet weather by allowing surface water to escape. The process also admits air, moisture and fertilisers to the soil and softens areas hardened hy rolling.

A former New Zealand journalist, in a letter to a Dunedin friend, makes some interesting comment on his observations of tin hare racing in Australia. "There is no need for me to emphasise the enthusiasm which Australians take in greyhound dog meetings —tin hare racing," he writes. "This has become a craze which, if not checked, will develop into a national hysteria. To the uninitiated it is an extraordinary sight to see men and women clamouring to lay their bets at the best odds in the ring. I have seen bookmakers knocked over by stampeding women in their efforts to catch the highest price. If the favourite runs poorly they will demonstrate in no uncertain manner. 7 '

Famous writers and their pipes: Priestly (author of "The Good Companions") smokes a briar; so does J. M. Barrie; ArnoM Bennett liked a calabash; Tennyson and Carlyle smoked penny clays; Thackeray putted a meerschaum; Mark Twain loved a "corn-cob," Jas Payne, the novelist, preferred. a| "hubble-bubble." As for tobacco, Bar-: rie's favourite blend is of His own devising; Payne smoked nothing but latakia; Conan JDoyle, of Sherlock Holmes fame, smoked common Shag! No accounting for tastes! Most literary celebrities (generally heavy smokers) like a medium strength tobacco; something they can keep smoking for hours. Our famous New Zealand brands with their exquisite flavour and fascinating aroma, leave nothing to be desired in that respect. You can smoke any of the five favourites: Kivcrhead Gold, Desert Gold, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish (the popular sporting mixture), or Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), rich, mellow and full-strength, with comfort and safety; because, deprived of practically all their nicotine, they are just as harmless as they can be.