News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 27 October 1938, Page 6

News Of The Day

Mild Weather Does Good. The light rain, together with humid conditions, which has been experienced in Northland during the past few days has been of great encouragement to farmers, dairymen in particular. The heavy downpour of 10 days ago served to penetrate the crusted surface of the ground, and the present mild conditions have brought the grass forward rapidly. Dairy production has increased appreciably during the past few days, and a continuation of the present weather will mean that at least some of the leeway in production [ will be recouped. Brynderwyn Slips. The slip near the centre of the Brynderwyn deviation was one of considerable magnitude, and workmen were still engaged removing the debris last night. By the nature of the country and the steep face of the cuttings, it is likely that further slipping will occur on this route, but engineers are watching the position carefully. « * * * Non-Committal. Once upon a time, they say a man invented a mouse-trap. He believed his fortune would be made by its sale if he could get President Lincoln to recommend it. After a long, persistent effort, he secured an audience with the President and received the following recommendation, which will apply to many things, besides mouse-traps: "For the sort of people who want this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing that sort of people will want.’*

Bayonet At Wedding. A bayonet is an unusual sight in the hands of a bride; but it was witnessed at a Bay of Islands wedding recently. The occasion was the marriage of a member of the Royal Marines, and the bride cut the threetier wedding cake using, her husband’s bayonet as a ceremonial knife. $ * * i- *

Paper Bags Replace Jute Sacks Brown paper bags of five thicknesses instead of jute sacks, contained a small portion of a recent cargo of Tasmanian potatoes to Sydney. The bags have been designed to eliminate damage from rough handling and water seepage. The bags were much smaller than the jute sacks, and could be handled comfortably without the aid of hooks, which had caused considerable damage in the past. Tests made in Tasmania before the potatoes were shipped illustrated the water-resistant quality of the paper bags. A garden hose was trained on them for four days and even then th& water had penetrated only two thicknesses of paper. The contents of the bag were quite undamaged. 1 '• ; : ! • * *■ * * Campers and Sandflies How can campers avoid the nuisance of sandflies in New Zealand? This was briefly discussed by the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury), when Mr G. S. Morris moved that the authorities at the Cawthron Institute should be asked if they could suggest any method of minimising or eliminating the sandfly nuisance. Mr Morris claimed that the attractions of camping places were lessened by the presence of sandflies. Citronella, lettuce water, and kerosene were among the remedies suggested by members of the council before it was agreed to adopt Mr Morris’s proposal.

Inspection of Aerodrome. By invitation of the district engineer, Mr R. H. Packwood, members of the Whangarei Borough and County Councils, together with the Air Force Authority, are this afternoon carrying out a tour of inspection of the work being done at the Onerahi aerodrome. Particularly interesting was the study of the work being done by the new machinery engaged.