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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 46, 23 January 1939, Page 6

Centennial Museum. A centennial museum has been agreed upon at a meeting of the Akaroa Centennial Committee as the best way of commemorating the first 100 years of settlement. Bullocks at Work. One Hawke’s Bay contractor still makes use of bullocks as a motive power. A few days ago he had his team of five animals engaged in dragging timber alongside the main road at Waipukurau. Although slow, bullocks are recognised as being a very powerful and convenient form of farm traction. Fire Destroys Car. A motor-car belonging to Mr A. Ritchie, of Hukanui, near Pahiatua, was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday. Mr Ritchie, rvho lives at the dairy factory, returned home on Friday night and left the car parked near the house. It was not until he had risen next morning that lie discovered liis loss. The car is insured, but is reported to be a total loss.

Prisoner at Liberty. The young prisoner who escaped from the prison camp at Rangipo, near Tokaanu, on the night of January 1 or early the following morning, Robert Clarence Clarke, aged 19, has not yet been found. It is believed he escaped on one of the horses from the camp and rode about five miles along the. Waioura Road, which runs between Rangipo and Taihape. He made an escape on a previous occasion, on December 15, but was recaptured the following day while making his way through dense bush some miles from the camp. Pleasant Weather.

The first really pleasant Sunday since New Year’s Day, and one of the few fine Sundays of the present summer, was experienced yesterday, and roads leading to beaches and other picnic resorts carried heavy traffic. Those who could not join in the general out-of-town exodus enjoyed the bright sunshine in other ways. The Esplanade and Holcowhitu Domain proved popular for picnic parties, while swimming baths in the city were well patronised. The fine weather continued to-day and the Anniversary Day sports fixtures were held under perfect conditions.

Homestead Lost. The homestead of the McLean family, Moanui Valley, near Matawai, East Coast, was gutted by bush fire last week. Much station stock and household valuables were destroyed by the fire. The two sons of the house received burns trying to save the family effects. Minstrels’ Reunion.

To celebrate 40 years’ service to charities throughout the North Island the Napier Frivolity Minstrels are completing arrangements for a reunion of members since the inception of the troupe in 1898. it is possible that 10 of the original members will be present. Termite Menace.

The discovery of what are believed to be millions of subterranean termites has been made by a Mount Albert builder, Mr A. 'Watson, under an Auckland suburban home. Because of the widespread havoc caused by subterranean termites in other countries, it is felt that the pests discovered in Auckland may represent a serious menace.

Brilliant Rainbow. With the advent of rain toward sunset at Napier on Saturday evening, an extraordinarily 'brilliant rainbow appeared in the north-eastern quarter of the sky. The phenomenon, which lasted for approximately fifteen minutes, formed a complete half-circle across the heavens, with a fainter replica some distance from the outside edge. The colours in the inner rainbow were unusually brilliant, the edge of each being sharply defined. Draining Suits the Maoris. One of the State subsidised works put in hand by the Rangitikei County, that of widening drains in the Turakina, Wangaehu and Mangahoe Valleys, lias proved very profitable for Maoris who have been employed. The streams have been well stocked with eels and the natives have reaped a rich harvest. Maoris from Ratana Pa have been employed on the work, being transported to and from sites of the work at the exjiense of the county. Organised Labour. When the returns of organised labour throughout the world for 1938 are completed, it will probably ho found that New Zealand ranks among the leading countries in this respect. European returns for 1937 show that Sweden led with a total trade union membership of 840,234 out of a population of 6 284.700. equivalent to 13.4 per cent. Organised workers in New Zealand at December 31, 1937. represented 14.56 per cent of_ the population and approximately 37 per cent of the wage-earners. Growth of Unionism. Substantial increases in the memberships of Wellington trade unions are revealed in the returns being compiled for the Department of Labour. \\ hen the returns lor the whole of the Dominion are in, it is expected that union membership will surpass all previous levels, and that it will probably exceed the quarter-million mark. A feature of the upward trend in trade union membership has been tho creation of new and very |>owerful organisations, notably clerical workers. At December 31, 1936, there were 8825 members of clerical unions. At the end of 1937 the membership had increased to 19,461 due to the bringing into force of new awards. Treasured Souvenir.

A very interesting and treasured souvenir of the journeys along the Manawatu Coast and in the lower reaches of the Alanawatu River a century ago by Mr ltd ward Jerningham Wakefield was shown to a “Standard” reporter to-day by Mr A. (1. Roe, of Palmerston North. Some extracts from Mr Wakefield’s hook, “Adventure in New Zealand from 1839 to 1844,” appeared in Saturday’s evening’s “Standard” and -Mr lloe stated to-day that in all the journeys described the author was armed only with his walking stick and a pipe. The stick was given to Mr Roe’s father, the late Mr G. F. Roc, who in turn handed it on to his son. Mr Wakefield was an uncle of Mr Roc, junr. Two daughters of the intrepid adventurer are still alive, Miss 11. Wakefield (Christchurch) and Mrs Nina O’Connor (Auckland).