News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 28 January 1939, Page 8

News Of The Day

Publication on Monday. The “Northern Advocate” will be published as usual on Monday, Anniversary Day. # * « * Kaitaia’s Water Supply. Throughout the long spell of dry weather Kaitaia’s water supply has proved its adequacy. Without restrictions on householders, the reservoir has remained full and the supply has been well in excess of requirements. The dry weather has • noticeably improved the purity of the water. • * • • Budgerigar Knows Name. Mrs. Greaves, of Pinfold Lane, Darfield, Yorks, was very upset when she lost her budgerigar, Billy. But she had faith in Billy, She had taught him to say his name and address. Ten days after Billy vanished, Mr. Greaves heard at work that a bird had been caught in Brampton, two miles away, which recited “Humpty Dumpty,” and said “Billy Greaves of Pinfold Lane.” There was soon a joyous reunion in which 12-mon!th-old Billy gave recitals of “Ba Ba, Black Sheep” and other nursery rhymes he has learned.

« ♦ ♦ ♦ V'■• '• ’ • ■ ■ ' i • Interest in Tuaiaras. Keen interest in the tuatara lizards at the Auckland Zoo was shown by members of the expedition from the American Museum of Natural History, Ne\y York, during a visit at the weekend. One of the party who has discussed the tuatara in lectures over a period of mafiy years had never seen a living specimen, having handled museum exhibits only. He hopes to secure permission to take a live one back to the United States. Including one captured at Northcote recently, the Auckland Zoo possesses three of these rare New Zealand reptiles. Few Overseas zooS have them, the sole speciman at Regent’s Park Zoo, London, for many years being one presented by Sir George Grey in 1868. It was still alive some years ago.

Kaitaia Fire Brigade.

The depot for the newly-formed volunteer fire brigade at Kaitaia is being prepared to house the plant. ‘ Mr J. T., B. Taafle has generously made able part of a building, which fs partitioned off and provided witlC double doors. With the exception the .reel, all plant and, gear has arrxVJ ed, and the brigade is,now in.a posh* tion to function should necessity arise. It was considered advisable, to procure new equipment, instead ,qf secondhand, as was first intended.

Getting the Best of the Heat. Many and varied were the means employed by people in Australia in order to keep cool during- the recent heat wave. Writing to a friend in Auckland, a resident of Sydney, an elderly woman, said that she did not think she could survive such intense heat again. After that the temperature soared still higher, and she is still alive. • The method, she employed to keep cool was to sit in the bath at her home with the shower turned on. Her son meanwhile lazed around in the scantiest of attire in front of the electric fan. !

Fall From Pataua Cliff. Mrs G. F. Wight, of Sandown, Huntly, suffered a fracture of the right wrist and extensive abrasions to the face and legs, when she fell over a low cliff on to the rocks below at Pataua, near the Whangarei'Heads, on Thursday. The injured woman was. admitted to the wftangarei hospital.