NEWS OF THE DAY

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1947, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

ORPHANAGE APPEAL Public response to yesterday’s street appeal for the orphanages was excellent. In Whangarei borough the sum of £l3l was collected. In Auckland £1419 was received. BRIDGE REPAINTED Now in the course of being repainted is the foot-bridge linking Central Park with First Avenue. The red priming coat has been applied this week. NO FOUL '

Mr E. Gilbey, replying to the toast “Kindred Sports” at the Northland Rugby League smoke concert last night told the story of the Irishman who was k.o.’d during a game. Coming to, he heard the cry'. “Foul, foul!” “Begorrah.” said the Irishman. "I thought it was a horse! ” CLOTHING REFORM

Three hot and sunny days in Kaitaia this week, beside heralding the approach of summer, have given indications of the growing Northland trend towards men’s clothing reform. Several businessmen appearing in kahki open-necked shirts and shorts were the envy of their less radical fellows, while in numerous cases coats, vests and pullovers were temporarily discarded for street wear. Indications are that there will be a rebellion against tradiional collar-and-tie garb when the really hot weather arrives. CAT’S ENDURANCE

Lost for eight days, a small cat has been found between the ceiling and roof of its owner’s house in Whangarei, where its presence was not suspected. How the animal managed to gain access to the roof is a mystei’y, but eventually it made its presence known and it was rescued. After eight days* without food or water, it was weak and nervous, but it is - making an excellent recovery. N.Z.’S FIRST OAK One hundred and sixteen years ago tomorrow the first oak tree was planted in New Zealand. In 1824 the Rev. R. Davis, of the CMS missionaries, planted an acorn near his residence at Paihiar Later his house was burned down but the tree was saved by being covered with wet sacks, and Mr Davis, moving later to Waimate North, took the tree with him and replanted it there on October 26, 1831. When the tree was some 20ft high, sheep pens were constructed round it and the sheep damaged the bark. In the hope of saving the tree’s life Mr Davis cut it down to about three feet. It then threw out several shoots which became i large lateral branches and this now accounts for the tree's present shape, for while the full height of the tree is slightly over 50ft, the trun£ measures only 7ft in height, with a girth of nearly lift. The outer branches have a circumference of over 200 ft. You cannot be a resident of Northland without knowing Henry Wilson’s, where drapery and clothing heeds can be purchased for less. At the moment the firm’s spring and summer display is attracting widespread attention. It is easily the best value portrayal of newest fashions and well worthy of inspection. r/wl