NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4404, 13 October 1934, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The formal and unconditional cession to Queen Victoria of the Kiji Islands was made (10 years ago on "Wednesday. At the time a provisional Govermnent was in operation. The first Governor appointed by Her Majesty, Sir Arthur Gordon, arrived at Levulka in H.M.S. Pearl in June of the following' year, 1875, and on September 1 formally assumed administration of the Government of the colony. Apart from a few spasmodic outbursts of unrest the natives soon settled down to the new order, and to-day are law-abiding and peaceful citizens, who, in numerous ways during the Great War, gave practical evidence of their loyalty to King and Empire. A new industry which employs boys or men knocking down cones from pine trees to collect seed, has been undertaken by a Christchurchman. He applied in a letter received by the New Brighton Borough Council at its last meeting for permission to gather cones in the Pleasant Point Domain to collect the seed for planting. He required 300 sacks of cones and offered a royalty of 4d a sack. The Mayor explained that the cones were knocked down with a hammer; no damage would be done to the trees at ah, nor would future growth bo affected. Several councilloi's, however, said they foresaw large numbers of persons helping themselves after seeing the man collecting his cones. As 300 sacks at 4d each would bring only £5, the council decided to refuse the request.

By pressing an electric button at White House 21 years ago on Wednesday the -then President of the United States, Mr Woodrow Wilson, exploded a huge charge of dynamite 4000 miles away aud thus removed the last natural harrier in the Panama Canal works separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The waters of the two oceans were not united until later, as further work had to be done, but the great explosion permitted the waters of Gatun Lake to flow into the Culebra Cut, making the cailal navigable from the Gatun locks to the Pedro Miguel locks, about two-thirds of the entire length of the canal. The occasion was celebrated throughout the cities on the Pacilic Coast of America, and by Americans in London, and was the last major chapter in a chronicle of achievement which rendered possible a direct steamer service to London with which many New Zealanders are familiaa\

Within two or three generations it is stated that chemists throughout the world will have learned secrets by which synthetic supermen will come to life. New drugs will so develop the spiritual side of man that hatred will be banished from the human heart —to mention but one important claim. This is excellent food for thought, and even if it will not come about in our lifetime, we have a compensation in considering the wonderful progress which has been made in recent years in so many matters affecting our health and happiness. Excellent examples are Red Shield (Dar|kj) and Blue Shield (Medium), which may well be described as New Zealand tobaccos at their best. Perfectly manufactured under ideal conditions in New Zea-

land’s largest and- most modern tobacco factory, they offer a delightfully wholesome and satisfying smoke. If you have not yet enjoyed the very real pleasure of these deservedly popular tobaccos, buy a tin to-day. 2oz. tins arc 1/7, and 1 11). canister will be found even more economical in price. Ask for Rcdl Shield (Dark) or Blue Shield (Medium). —56.