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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 6

Over 1600 bicycles have been stolen in Sydney and "suburbs since the beginning of this year. A fossilised shark’s tooth was found recently in hard sandstone formation at Pipiriki, Wanganui ltiver. The tooth is three times larger than the teeth found in the biggest shark of to-day. Measuring 4in along the base, and oin high, it must have helonged to a monster.

During the week-end SquadronLeader White added yet another pioneer flight to his already long list by landing a passenger from Timaru within live miles of the Hermitage, this being the first occasion on which an aeroplane has visited the Mount Cook district.

The Otago Daily Times reports that a fish new to Otago waters was caught recently by Mr James Smith, of Port Chalmers, and was sent to Mr David H. Graham, who has identified it as golden schnapper. This is the first record of a golden schnapper being caught south of Cape Campbell (Cook Strait).

Probably one of the most unusual visitors that have been seen in the Otago Harbour for some years was found below the Birch Street wharf. This was a tiny dead turtle, measuring about six inches in length by three inches in breadth. The Otago Daily Times says it is a mystery why the turtle strayed so far from its tropical haunts.

The appointment of Mr G. C. Godfrey. at present Commissioner of Unemployment, as Secretary, for Labour is being considered by the Service Commissioner, telegraphs the “Standard’s” special Parliamentary representative. This announcement was made in the House last'night by the Minister of Labour. In reply to a question Hon. A. Hamilton said that the appointment had not yet been definitely made. Steady improvements are being made to the Central School grounds and along the Aroha Street frontage there is now a noticeable difference from former conditions. All the area in front of the wooden school building has been regraded and put down in lawn, and large rockeries planted with donated plants have been established. They are looking well. Degrading of strips of the whole of the school grounds is proceeding as tune and finances permit.

When the Supplementary Estimates were under consideration in the House of ltepresentatives yesterday, Hon. W. Downio Stewart was asked whether any of the money involved in the defalcations in the High Commissioner’s Office had been recovered. He said that none had been recovered up to the present, but it was hoped it would be possible to get something back in connection with the superannuation payments due to the officers concerned. He could not say whether legislation would be necessary to enable this course to be taken.

On Sunday afternoon a special service was held in the grounds at Miss Maxwell’s residence, Tauranga, the old mission house, in commemoration of the introduction of Christianity to the Bay of Plenty and surrounding districts. It is 103 years since Archdeacon A. N. Brown landed iri New Zealand, and he was largely responsible for the establishment of the Christian mission station in Tauranga. The Bishop of Waiapu (Dr. H. Williams) referred to the remarkable work done by ltev. Samuel Marsden, who was the father of missionary work in New Zealand. Marsden first visited this district in 1823, but it was not until 1834 that a permanent Christian settlement was made under Archdeacon Brown,

The Milford track was opened last week for the 1932-33 season. There was another frost in Hamilton yesterday morning, when the recording at the Ruakura Farm of Instruction was 1.5 degrees (grass temperature).

Students already enrolled for Massey College courses in 1933 number 17 for sheep farming and 17 for dairy farming, making a total of 34. The enrolments for the 1932 courses were 20 and 12 respectively. The fire in the Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine at Hikurangi is gradually being suppressed. The dewatering of tire flooded area beyond the fire will commence soon, provided the motors have not been covered by the water.

When she was playing at her home yesterday afternoon, Doris Coley, aged 12 years, of Shannon, fractured her left forearm after slipping. She was conveyed to the Palmerston North Hospital by the Free Ambulance and passed a good night. A large sunspot was reported yesterday by Mr G. V. Hudson, of lvarori, Wellington to be visible on the eastern limb of the sun. It should be favourably placed for observation at the week-end. The sunspot, Mr Hudson says, is evidently' a return of those observed during the third week in November.

Appreciation of the reports in the New Zealand Press on the Eucharistic Congress was expressed yesterday by Rev. Father H. I’. Holbrook, of Auckland, who returned this w r eek after an extended trip abroad during which he attended the congress. “On this occasion the New Zealand Press Association seemed to excel itself,” he said.

Mr W. Walker’s motor vessel Tamaliae visited White Island from Tekaha, a few days ago. An Opotiki resident, who was a member of the party, states that considerable changes nave taken place in the formation of the island. A portion at the back of the crater, which was previously cold, is now very hot and sulphur fumes are issuing freely from the rocks. Trawling in the Wanganui River is becoming quite an occupation. One recent evening several boats were to be seen out in the vicinity of the Town Bridge, and long after dark men were working at their nets. On another evening several men were noticed below the Dublin Street Bridge working with lights. Some fair catches have been reported. When it was announced that the third prize 'winner in the Lucky Day Art Union had taken a ticket under the name of Alice it was naturally assumed that the fortunate investor was a woman. It is now revealed, however, that the winner of that £2OO prize is a native of Whnngara, East Coast, Dan Tamararo, who took a ticket in the name of his daughter, whom he considered lucky.