NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 85, 12 April 1939, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Small Birds Needed The policy of killing small birds was a wrong one, Or. George Murray suggested at the monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council when the buying of sparrows was mentioned. The time had come, ho said, when small birds should be encouraged because of the increase of insect pests. Not Appreciated ■The white posts that are being erected along many of the highways, as guides to motorists at night, arc not appreciated by those who ride horses or drive gigs. Faced with brilliant car headlights, those on or behind a horse frequently travel off the bitumen as a safety measure but frequently fall foul of the posts as a result. Heavy Traffic Over Easter Evidcuco of the tremendous volume of traffic using the roads in the viciuity of Palmerston North during the Easter holidays may bo gauged front the fact that a motor-cyclist proceeding between Mt. Stewart and Sandon on Monday evening was passed by no fewer than 24.5 vehicles whilo traversing the three or four miles between" the two points. Outsize iu Pears. The attention of passers-by was taken by the sight of four pears of exceptional size in a Dunedin fruiterer’s window. They were pears of the Doyenne du Comiso variety, and their combined weight was 41b. 9loz. They were grown in Mr. A. .7. Hinton ’s orchard in Earnscleugh, Alexandra, on a graft, only three years old, and it is suggested that the fruit secured the whole benefit of the root system of the mature tree. The Doyenne du Comise commands a high value, as a table pear, on the Home market. Joke of the Week A Palmerston North party of holidaymakers at Manawatu lieaas decided on roast leg of pork for Sunday’s dinner. It was duly stuffed and ppt m the oven and everyone enjoyed a rioeral helping. A chance remark led to the discovery that a bottle belonging to another member of the party, and containing laxative herbs almost identical in appearance to the ordinary culinary herbs, had been u_ed for seasoning. The stuffing was a nico rich colour, and tasted practically the same as usual, but the result can best be lert to the imagination! Bather Rendered Assistance The bathing season at Foxton, which closed at Easter, has been free from serious mishaps. Three members of the life-saving team on Saturday, however, were called upon to render assistance to a youthful bather who had been seized with cramp and who was unable to reach the shore unaided. A line was promptly run out from the auxiliary reel, Stan Wright, a new member, taking the belt, with V. Howlands on the line and Claude Rowlands on the reel. The patient was rescued without any effort and beyond a fright was none the worse for the experience. Africa Awaits All Black* South Africa was eagerly awaiting the visit of the 1940 All Blacks, said Mr. P. L. Flanagan, chairman of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, while iu Christchurch. “It will dc difficult for the Springboks to field a peak team such as the one which toured iu 1937,’’

ho said. “There will bo only three or four of these plaj-ers left when your team comes across. South Africa will miss master packmen like Philip Nel and ‘Boy Louw.’ It is unlikely that they will have such a magnificent Test pack as that fielded in New Zealand. The star backs of 1940 will probably be G. P. Lochner and T. A. Harris.’’

Alarm at Increased Drinking Concern at the increasing amount of drinking by young people was expressed by delegates attending the 19th annual conference of the Churches of Christ of New Zealand, at Wanganui, when the following resolution was carried unanimously: “Tliat.wo view with alarm and deep concern the increase of drinking amongst young people in cabarets and dance halls and licensed premises, and call upon the Government to take steps to curb this practice by the enactment of such legislation as will remove from us' this curse, which has been a dark blot on the escutcheon of the fair Dominion. ’ ’

Gin Distilling Plant Application for a license to erect a gin distilling plant in New Zealand has been rejected. This advice has been received by Nil*. H. Grinstcad, honorary secretary of tho Palmerston North division of tho Now Zealand Alliance, from headquarters, which had boon advised by the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash. Mr. Grinstead said, in an interview, that the Minister had given no indication of the Government’s policy regarding tho import of distilled liquors generally, neitner had he been advised of the attitude of tho Government to the establishment of distilling businesses in New Zealand. Tho only information he had concerned the refusal of permission for tho establishment of a gin distilling business.

Minor Mishaps to Launches Mr. O. Jensen and a companion occasioned a little anxiety at Manawatu Heads on Saturday evening when the launch which thoy were bringing from Wanganui stranded at the bar. Owing to tho trip taking 13 *iours, it was becoming dark when the mouth of the river was reached, and with tho tide right out the channel was missed. The launch stranded for some hours, but the crew were in no danger. Just before dark on Sunday evening a launch was noticed iu difficulty at the bar, through the ongine failing, but the crew managed to get the craft over safely. Captain Bald took tho pilot-launch out and towed the disabled launch to its moorings. A mishap which might easily have ended in tragedy, however, occurred oil Sunday, when a party of youths who were fishing from a “flatty” were capsized off the ocean beach. The sea was calm and they were able to swim to safety.

Glasses need not be conspicuous. Lens shapes can be designed for individual faces and mountings fitted to conform with facial symmetry. N. C. Holland, F.8.0.A. (Honours), F. 1.0.

(Eng.), Consulting Optician, Comnier cial Buildings (upstairs). Square.*