News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1940, Page 4

News Of The Day

Vacancy Filled. Shortly before he was due to leave with the rest of the volunteers for the Maori Battalion Camp at Palmerston North today, W. Heremaia, of Kaikohe, cut his hand rather severely, and had to be taken to the Bay of Islands Hospital. His place was taken by another recruit only too glad of the opportunity to serve earlier than expected.

“Presented With Twins.” “I have been fortunate enough to have my wife present me with twins,” read part of a letter handed to Mr H. A. Young, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch from a defendant in explanation of his failure to obtain a license for his radio, states the Fress. This was one of a series of incidents during the hearing of prosecutions for unlicensed radios which provided counsel and officials with some amusement. “Ip view of the twins, I think we might say the. your luck continues,” commented the magistrate, as he convicted and discharged the defendant on payment of the fees owing. “With two children in the house, I should hardly think you want a radio now,” he added, amid laughter.

Road to Proposed New Lighthouse It is expected that with the bulldozer which is on the job the new road between Te Pnki and Te Rcinga will be completed in about nine weeks. A mechanical shovel is also in use and all the Maoris in the district are finding employment on the job, constructing culverts and drains. The road leads to the site of the new lighthouse to be erected on the mainland, and for which plans have been completed. The formation work between Te Paki station and the West Coast has been completed, and the road is ready for metalling. V £ *.

Maize Crop Flattened. The wind during the weekend wrought havoc amongst the acres of new maize crops in the Whakatnne district. In practically all cases they were flattened by the wind. Where they had not started to cob the crops stood up to the wind better, but where the heads were heavy the plants trailed the ground. Farmers fear that unless the crops pick up, a heavy loss will result. The ground, however, has been heavily watered, and with the promise of fine weather tire maize may yet recuperate, though the setback must be reflected on the ultimate crop, * * * « Cruel Prank.

An attempt to cause serious mutilation to a prize ram owned by Mr C. L. Crooks, of Waipukurau, this week was foiled only by the timely discovery of the plight of the unfortunate animal. The ram was located in a paddock on the Takapau Road, and, .when found, was nearly dead, with 'thick string bound tightly about its body. That it was not the work of children may be deduced from the fact that it would take two strong men to throw the ram before affixing the string. The occurrence is all the •more serious in. view of the fact that it was perpetrated on the eve of the Waipukurau Show, at which it was to be exhibited.

Bird Life in Akaroa, Bird life in Akaroa is particularly interesting this year. The peninsula is one of the places where tuis do not take second place to starlings, thrushes and blackbirds. Usually in high summer the descendants of Jan birds which were brought from England many years ago do not sing, but tuis have joyful chants the whole yea; round. They have a habit of chortling while they are feasting on nectar or berries. In Akaroa the chiming o£ bellbirds can be heard through the long summer days. These concerts are given mainly in plantations of man—numerous gardens and orchards. There are clumps of bush which > may serve as occasional places of refuge for the native birds, but their principal haunts arc the orchards and eardens.

Boys’ and girls’ school clothes have always been a strong point with Henry Wilson. Ask the mothers of the district where they buy their children’s school clothes and they will invariably say, “At Wilson’s.” Quality, price and style all come to those who shop at Wilson’s!