News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1939, Page 4

News Of The Day

Poverty in Russia.

“When I was in Russia between 1930 and 1933 there was a good deal of poverty evident, but that was mainly because of the low standard of living which prevailed,” stated Dr. H. H. Mann, an English visitor to Hamilton. “The real poverty existed where the people refused to work and under the Communist system they were refused the benefits which were conferred upon their more 1 willing compatriots.”

Sterling Service to Sport. Reference to the devoted service given by Mr J. G. Draper was, made at the annual meeting of the Maungatapere Sports Club, when he resigned the presidency, a position which he had held for 10 years. When Mr Draper took over 'the reins, the,, club was experiencing a difficult period, and there was a suggestion that its activities should be suspended. Bringing vigour and enthusiasm to hia office, and securing the full co-opera-tion of the district, Mr Draper assisted materially in making Maungatapere Northland’s largest and most popular sports meeting. On relinquishing office, he leaves the club in a flourishing position, financially and otherwise.

♦ * • • Talking in the Rain. When in doubt as to what to do on a wet holiday, consult the .bowling fraternity. Members of this fellowship have been hard put to it to while away the dreary hours of a wet monday and, now, a wet Tuesday, They have come from all parts of the North to pl'ay bowls and now they can do nothing but sit down and tell yarns. No old bowling acquaintance is ever “forgotten,” and an occasion such as the local tourney is one for recounting innumerable early events bringing to mind former die-hards of the green. Outside and inside every hostelry in Wh'angarei they could be seen grouped this morning. Their talk was not of the political situation, of business, or even—strangely—of „ the weather. They were just old | bowlers talking bowls. ?

Entries for Auckland Show. Entries for the forthcoming Auckland Show close next Friday. There are special trophies offered for horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. The ring events will be an outstanding attraction, the whole programme being crowded with competitions of intense interest to the visiting public, including hunting and trotting events, woodchopping, dog trials, and Roman chariot racing. 734

Auckland Fruit Crop. 1 Smaller 'crops of apples and pearl than usual, but a very satisfactory supply of stone fruits, are being provided this season by orchards in the * Auckland district, where picking is now under way.

Kororareka Queen Carnival. The Sports candidate in the Kororareka queen carnival still maintains a lead, the positions and votes being as follows:—Sports, 5500; R.S.A., 4144; Maori, 2484. The total of 12,128 represents the sum of £ 151 12/-, which has been handed in to the central committee to date.

Peaches on Nectarine Tree.

The unusual occurrence Of peaches growing on a nectarine tree is reported by Mr J. A. Crockett, of Orini. Mr Crockett has four nectarine tree* in his orchard and three peaches, and one of the nectaririks, between two peaches, is this year bearing peaches. The tree had nine nectarines on it last year, its first bearing year, but this year it is laden with small peaches.

Radio-Receiving Licenses. A further satisfactory increase in the number of radio-receiving licenses in operation in th£ Dominion is re fleeted in the figures showing the position as at December 31, slates the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F, Jones). At that date the number ot licenses in force was 312,750, an inI crease of 34,700, or 12 per cent, above the number in force at the end. of 1937, New Zealand ranks very high in the list of countries showing the largest number of broadcast receivers in proportion to population, an international table compiled from particulars as at the end of 1937 placing New Zealand in fourth place with 17.42 licenses to 100 inhabitants. It is likely, however, that the Dominion now occupies a higher place, as today its density of receiving licenses is 19.4 per cent., or 83 for every 100 households.