NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 149, 25 June 1937, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A donation of £1 Is was mado to the King George Memorial Fund last night by the West End Progressive Associa- . tion. A New York cable announces that Starling Childs, a New York banker, has given 10,000,000 dollars to create a research foundation for the cure of cancer. At the Citizens’ luncheon to-day, Mr. Roy Priest, president of the club, will speak of his recent adventures deerstalking on Stewart Island. Mr. P. 9. : Larcomb will be in the chair. That the Manawatu was becoming . one of the best pheasant-shooting areas in New Zealand, was the opinion expressed by Ranger T. Andrews at last evening’s meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Acclimatisation Society. The representative Rugby lixture, Hawke’s Bay v. Manawatu, will now be played upon July 24 instead of on July 31, as formerly arranged. At the request of the Manawatu Union, the Hawke’s Bay Union decided to agree to the change, owing to tho fact that Manawatu’s match with South Africa falls on August 4. Heavy and steady rain fell In Hastings on Wednesday and throughout the - night and yesterday morning, with the result that tho ground has been given a very thorough soaking, and yesterday’s indications were that there was further rain ahead. Over the 24 Hours ended at 9 o'clock yesterduy morning, 1.15 inches of rain have been recorded, and yesterday morning found an exceptional amount of surface water lying about. One of the new English three-penny pieces recently came into the possession of Mrs. Cranston, Milverton avenue, Palmerston North. The coin is larger than a sixpence but smaller than a shilling, the King’s head being on one side and three roses rising out of a crown on tho other. So that it will not be possible to tender a halfsovereign in mistake for three-pence, tho new coin is twelve-sided, but being bronze might easily be mistaken for the more valuable coin. *1 have represented three different governments,” jocularly remarked Mr. L. H. Collinson at yesterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Fire Board when advice was received from the Department of Internal Affairs that Mr. Collinson had been re-appointed Government representative on the board. Mr. Collinson said he did not know how many years he had been on the board “You have a distinction which not many could claim,” remarked the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, of Mr. Collinson’s remark that he had represented three governments. Mr. Collinsou was congratulated by the board on iiis re-appointment. One of the methods of destroying rabbits is to scatter phosphorised pollard, but, unfortunately, not only rabbits get caught. Tho Palmerston North branch of the Acclimatisation Society is bewailing the fact that pheasants are also among the victims. At last evening’s meeting it was reported that, in the Tangimoana Crown area, a large number of dead birds had been picked up and it had to be remembered each bird cost 17s 6d. The meeting recognised the efficacy of pollard poisoning in the destruction of rabbits, but decided to bring the mattei of the pheasants to the notice of the Wellington Society to see it anything can be done. Since the appointment some weeks ago of an almost now executive of the Bov Scout movement in the Dominion, the reconstruction work has been steady, giving tho controlling officials cause for 'satisfaction. Mr J. H. Cook>ey, acting Dominion head of training, was in Palmerston North for a short time on Wednesday, when he conferred with Mr N. I>. Stubbs, Manawatu commissioner. He stated that Mr D. Christie, acting-Doniinion chief commissioner, and lie were engaged in an extensive tour to see the various districts and explain the new position. They had found the material excellent, but there was a need for co-ordination. It was hoped to effect this essential linking up, and to this end both officer.* w r ere concentrating their efforts. Recently the question of hybrid ducks spreading throughout the country was raised amongst sportsmen and the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society was asked to look into a report that tho Palmerston North City Council periodically liberated surplus clucks in tne Square lakelet at Tiritea. It was thought that many of those ducks might bo the undesired hybrids. To last evening’s meeting of the branch Ranger T. Andrews reported that at a recent inspection ho had counted between 60 and 70 ducks in the {Square lakelet and, except for three or four, ah were beautiful specimens of Mallard duck, which flow to and from tho 1 lakelet at will. He would not advise anything being done until after the ' season was over, lie fancied ftiost ot the Mallards would then have left the 1 pond and the society could then seek ! permission to shoot off the three 0 r four 1 undesirables.