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Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 1, 29 November 1937, Page 6

Rubbbish on Roadside. “This offence is difficult to detect. A horse shied at this spot and threw a man. There was broken glass, tins and rags two feet from the road,” stated Mr L. C. Pickering, engineer for the Kairanga County Council, in the Magistrate's Court at Palmerston North, to-day, when K. W. Halley was fined £2, with 10s costs, on a charge of tipping rubbish on No. 1 Line, Kairanga. New Aircraft.

The annual report of the Manuwatu and Middle Districts Aero Club announces that, within the next two or three months, it is anticipated the club’s equipment will be increased by at least two modern aircraft. One of these will be the Tiger Moth which is being supplied on , loan by the Government, and in addition an order, is being placed for a cabin type machine whieu will combine comfort for crosscountry flying with general training service, “the greatest difficulty is ueiug experienced in obtaining delivery of approved makes of aircraft, owing to factory pressure through heavy demand at Home. Several times within the last few months orders have been placed for various types of machines, and in each case difficulties in production or delivery have intervened,’ 1 states the report. “The shortage of machines is a cause of much anxiety to the club in endeavouring to cope with the steadily-increasing demand for flying, and at the same time to provide for the necessary, overhaul, maintenance, and repair requirements.”

Popular Excursion, Another popular excursion was run by the Railway Department yesterday when approximately 300 persons took advantage of the opportunity to visit Hawke’s Bay. Nine carriages made up the total of the train and the fine weather experienced made the day all the more enjoyable. Clouds of Dust. The hot sunshine of Saturday had one bad effect. Although the track for the chariot racing at the Showground on Saturday afternoon had been well watered in the morning, the heat of the day had dried it to such an extent that the flying hoofs of the horses immediately churned up clouds of black dust, to the temporary discomfort of the front row spectators. Chariot Race Marred. The first heat of the Roman chariot handicap race held as part of the Grandstand Day entertainment at the Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon was marred when a horse owned by Mr Craw,'junr., of Linton, sustained a broken fetlock. It was examined by - a veterinary surgeon and had to be destroyed. The manner in which the accident occurred is not known. Raid Recalled, “I expected to hear the bursting of a bomb any- 1 moment,” remarked a returned soldier to a reporter after the demonstration of anti-aircraft fire and searchlights against aircraft staged in the city on Saturday evening. “All the time I thought the ’plane would start to smoke and then fall. It brought back many memories, but rather sent a cold shiver down the spine.” Grandstand Day Takings. Although there are still s.ome returns to come to hand, the Grandstand Day held on Saturday by the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association resulted in the taking of £913 11s 4d. The expenses for the high standard of entertainment provided were such that, of this sum, between £SOO and £6OO will go towards the fund. The amount taken just passes tlie one-day receipts record established when the Hell Drivers team visited Palmerston North in 1936. Warm Week-End Conditions.

Without wind to mar conditions, Palmerston North experienced a summerlike week-end. The weather was beautifully clear and warm, causing residents to make an exodus to rivers and beaches. The maximum temperature recorded ill the shade on Saturday was 76 degrees, and yesterday 78 degrees. However, the hottest day so far recorded this seaosn was on Tuesday. November 16. when the temperature reached 80 degrees in the shade. Today, though dull in the morning with a threat of misty rain, was again hot, with more brilliant sunshine. A Strenuous Tour.

Speaking of the strenuousness of the recent tour undertaken by the New Zealand cricket team, Mr N. Gallichan, who was a member of the touring side, told a “Standard” reporter that the worst section was when they travelled from Scarborough, on the east coast to Holyhead, to join a steamer crossing the Irish Channel. They boarded the boat at 3 a.m., after travelling since 11 p.m., arrived at 9 a.m. and went on the field to plav ai 10.30 a.m. In that match something of a record was set for it was the first, in first-class cricket, to be completed in one day, with both sides having hau two innings. Plant’s Death Sign.

Third of its species to act similarly in the Square gardens, in '-the last few years, an American aloe tree grow,-’ ing near the railway crossing on the western side is beginning to send up from the centre of its thickly fleshed leaves a tall heavy shaft like a spearhead. This is the prelude to flowering, which occurs only once, after which the plant, which may have a life of anything from ten to fifty years, dies. Non' shooting upward, the shaft will probably attain a height of 15 to 20 feet before sending out short arms with groups of greenish-orange flowers at the end. From then on, the plant will gradually wither and decay. Easily Earned Florin. One of the Cossack riders, on Saturday afternoon, at the Showgrounds had just performed the 1 difficult feat of climbing under his horse while it was at full gallop and regaining the saddle. When the applause had abated the announcer called on him to do it again. “For two. shillings/’ cried the Cossack. The announcer took him at his word, but had perforce to pay out, the horseman repeating his performance with the utmost ease. He collected his earnings and mightily pleased with himself rode up and down proudly flourishing it to the delighted crowd. He seemed quite willing to do the trick an indefinite number of times at a florin a time, but there were no further offers. "Air-Minded” Families.

The annual report of the Manawatu and Middle Districts Aero Club states that the total number of pilots on the membership roll is 70 of whom 00 have been trained by the club. “It is of interest,” adds the report, “that in two cases there are three pilot members belonging to one family. In one instance the family is represented by tho father and two sons, Messrs E. V., P. AV., and D. G. West, and in the other by three brothers, Messrs J. 8.. D. C., and AV. Smillie, whose father, Mr D. F. Smillie, has also rendered valuable service to local aviation development as the president of the Milson Aerodrome Society, which established, extended, and maintained the Milson aerodrome until it was taken over by the City Council this year.” Theft At Riveir.

Spending yesterday on the banks of the Manawatu River below Anzac Park, a party of picnickers had the outing marred by the discovery of a particularly mean theft as they were about to leave for home at 6 p.m. It was found that a purse, which had been placed in a suitcase, was missing, with its contents, which included about £4 in money. Nothing else was disturbed while the party were absent for a brief period earlier in the afternoon swimming, but, to add to their troubles, the purse contained the door and ignition keys to their car. They were stranded there until the services of a mechanic could be secured to start the vehicle. Had the doors been locked their predicament would have been even worse.

Modern Military Equipment, Considerable interest was attracted at the Showgrounds on Saturday by the equipment of the Fort Dorset con tingent that was lying in readiness for the aerial attack staged in the evening. This included two large anti-air-craft guns with a range of from 10,000 to 12,000 yards and a height range of 25,000 feet, a range-finder and a large searchlight whose strength is over 3,000,000 , candle-power. The glass of this latter is specially laminated as a protection against the fierce heat, which is said to have the power of burning paint from a surface at a range of a dozen yards. The party and their equipment were conveyed to Palmerston North in five big army transport lorries, whose size and strength gives them a towering; appearance. The officer in command was Captain C. J. Duff, R.N.Z.A., Lieutenant B. AVickstead being second in command.