LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 2 May 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An outsize in pumpkins has been grown this season bv Mr T. A. White, of Tasman The huge specimen, which is on view in Messrs G. P. Russell and Sons’ window in Bridge street, weighs 771bs and measures over six feet in circumference Big Bargains for 2/11 Duffy’s Sale To-morrow. See advertisement page 7.*

A kitten which lives in a wild state near the giant kauri in Waipoua forest, North Auckland, aroused the interest of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, when travelling from Dargaville to Opononi a few days ago. A note on a small box at the side of the road asks motorists to leave food for the kitten. The little animal, which was shy of persons wishing to approach it, was well provided for, there being ample milk and food placed in the box. In reminiscent mood Councillor G. Page entertained the large meeting of householders at Hampden street school with many incidents, not always pleasant to himself, of his early days at that school. He was probably kept a little in check by the knowledge that his one-time headmaster. Mr F. V. Knapp, was sitting alongside and that he also could tell tales. Mr Page suggested that the school might consider celebrating its jubilee and that there he a reunion of old hoys. li' there is anything in portents and native lore, Napier and the rest oi Huwkes Bay has the prospect of three months of sunshine between now and July. A Maori who visited Napier this week said the pohutukawas were again flowering —a most uncommon event —and many of the natives regarded this as an augury of sunshine for another three months. The pohulukawa flowered in November, its normal period, and the Maoris regard this autumnal outburst of bloom as a sure sign of happy days to come. The Nelson Harmonic Society held a most successful rehearsal last night and a delightful concert is assured for tomorrow evening at the School of Music A specially good performance may Lie expected from the large orchestra ot thirty-five members, Like all similar bodies th e society is having a difficult, struggle to maintain its existence in these hard times. It would be a great loss to tlie cultural life of Nelson if the society had to succumb to the effects of the depression, so it is hoped that its effort to provide music of ri high standard will “receive the support it deserves from the public. Four of the retiring vestrymen of All Saints Church expressed the wish not to he nominated again. Three of them, Messrs E. G. Wilson, 0. B. Pemberton and S- M. Wiggins have been vestrymen and churchwardens in several parishes for many years—Mr Wilson for over 45. The annual meeting, very regretfully, acceded to their request. Three new members—Messrs J. S. Joffray, C. Youngman and G. Coleman were appointed in their place. The fourth vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr N. Austin, was not filled, so that tho incoming vestry might he able to choose another member later on. Although women are eligible for membership on vestries the Vicar, the Rev. D. Haultain, has urged the appointment of men only, as women have so many other avenues of service to the church. The Union Steam Ship Company s new steamer Waitaki, which left Swansea on 24th April on her maiden voyage to New Zealand will load at several ports en route. She will make a cail at Safaga in the Red Sea to load phosphates for Bluff and Wellington, and then, proceeding via South Australia, she will call at Edithburg and Adelaide early in June to load cargo ior Bluff, Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Wellington She should arrive in New Zealand about the middle of June, and will replace the Union Company’s steamer Wainui in the Melbourne, Bluff, Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Wellington cargo service. The world having gone on much as usual and without any dire disasters, a number of people may be wondering what has happened to the sunspot about which American astronomers, according to cable news, got so excited (states “The Post”). This large spot, one of a group, has now crossed the disc of the sun and may reappear again on the eastern limb on 12th May if it does not disappear in the meantime. According to Mr G. V. Hudson, who regularly observes sunspot activities, this group of spots, which measured 100,000 miles across, has been steadily declining in extent. The large spot about which so much fuss has been made has also decreased in diameter, now measuring about 40,000 miles compared with the 45,000 miles when it was first seen. This is the largest group of spots seen on the sun since February of last year, and, after a. period of comparative quiescence, the last month has seen renewed solar activity.

A Wellington Press Association message received to-day, states that Lauri Aotos Groulund, the apprentice of the Finnish barque Favcll, who was transhipped in mid-ocean.to the liner Monowai, was operated on for appendicitis yesterday. His conditions is reported to bo satisfactory.

A large pontoon is being built on the Hokitika river bank at present, destined to b e towed to Bruce Bay with material for hutments, etc., fortho sawmillitrg company shortly to start operations in that locality (says the “Guardian”). The pontoon will bo decked over after being loaded, and is to be towed to its destination by the m.v. Gael. The milling enterprise is considerable, large stands of inillable timber having been acquired from Maori owners, and also private settlers’ holdings. The industry marks an important stage in the future development .i the far south district, as its great timber asset is brought into use. The fire plugs in the city have been painted white. A reminder is given to motorists that it is an offence to park cars over the plugs. The Riwaka. Croquet Club will hold one of its popular dances in the Riwaka Hall on Friday evening, when novelty and competition numbers will be included in the programme. A _ good home-made supper and good music will be provided. In connection with the renewal of motor drivers’ licenses in the Waimea County, attention is drawn by advertisement to the alteration in the dates on which the traffic inspector will attend at Wakefield and Tapawera. H e will bo at Wakefield on Tuesday, Oth hist., and at Tapawera on Thursday, 10th inst. The attention of members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade is drawn to nil advertisement of a special meeting. The business to be discussed is of nil important nature and it is hoped that all Divisional members will attend. Fancy Diagonals, Donegal Mixtures, Boucle Coatings. Face Cloths all includ rat in the smartly tailored and English Model Coats, selling at 75/-, 95/-, 105/jVjcKay’s Coat Week.* Men’s Coats, Ladies’ Coats, Girls’ ('oats all included; McKay’s Coat Week.* Duffy’s 2/11 Sale Starts ’ To-morrow. See advertisement page 7.* The Stoke members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union invite all ladies of the district to a meeting to be lield at Mr Stephens’s, Woodstock, on Saturday next. It’s “Coat Week” at McKay's! Special purchases by our London Buyer al end of London season prices. 100 Smart Coats grouped into three attractive prices for quick sale. 75/-, 95/ . 105/- * Coats worth 95/- to 105/- are being sold this week at 75/-! McKay’s Coat Week. Hugj assortment of good coats fn popular colours and materials, richly fur trimmed.* I

No dancing in the big hotels,- no liquor sewed in restaurants after o p.m., 90 per cent, of city cafes closed on Sundays. This is a picture of Melbourne’s city life in which Centenary visitors, used to the gaieties of the Dorchester and the Trocadero, will he asked to join during the forthcoming celebrations (writes the “New Zealand Herald’s’’ correspondent). Local regulations, “the most stringent in the world,” are blamed by Melbourne hotel managers for the deficiency. Comments on the lack of ball-rooms in leading hotels, made by the new manager of one of the hotels on his arrival from England, raised a sympathetic chorus of complaint to-day from other managers. ‘ What is the uso of ballrooms ” one of them said bitterly. “We would not be allowed to use them.” No dancing is allowed on licensed premises in Melbourne without special permit. This applies regardless of whether or not the management wishes to serve drinks at the dance. The permit can be obtained in certain circumstances by application by a. hotel guest or a charity organisation. Because of the expense and lormalities, however, it is seldom feasible to take advantage of this concession. “We are hoping that the authorities will grant us a little more latitude during the Centenary,” said the owner .of another hotel.' “Otherwise our visitors are ’- a for a dull time after nightfall. Although it has a population of neai ly a million, Melbourne is hot a metropolis in the overseas conception of the word. There is more life in a big English provincial town than in the capital of Victoria.” Because of the lack of regular dancing, it was pointed out, hotel managements had great difficulty in building up good orchestras and engaging them regiuarly. The prohibition against serving drinks in restaurants after 8 p.m. v regarded as another severe handicap m •making Melbourne a brighter city. The Bishop of Melanesia is arriving in Nelson to-morrow morning and will give an address in the Marsden Library in the evening. s At a recent meeting of the Executive Council of the New Zealand institute of Horticulture, it was Redded to refer to the Government Entomologist suggestions from the Auckland Distuci Council regarding the control of the white butterlly and to request his further advice. Whilst earnestly desirous of Arbor Day reinstated, the Council was unanimously of the opinion that the time was not yet ripe for national action; A sub-committee was set up to deal with horticultural show questions arising from resolutions passed at the recent Horticultural Trades Association’s Conference. It was reported that first drafts have been made of syllaoi covering the course for examinations toi florists and seedsmen’s certificates. At the annual meeting of All Saints parishioners held on Monday evening Air A. Douglas spoke at length on the great amount of work which had been accomplished by the vicar the Rev. Donald IlaUltain. Although the vicar had been single-handed during the yeai. no branch of the parish work had been neglected. The Vicar’s Churchwarden (Mr B Tomlinson) in thanking flic various church organisations for their lcvm support made special reference to tlio untiring assistance given them by Mr* Haullain. At tile conclusion alengthy and important meeting, a very enjoyable supper was provided by luwives of the vestrymen. The world, so long in the doldrums, is beginning to sit up and take notice again. At long last it looks as if there really is a good time coming. One infallible sign of returning prosperity is the increased demand for tobacco. Smokers are like that. Whpn a chap is down on his luck and feeling as cheap as; fourpence ha penny be craves tor tobacco to buck him up. Wlion the clouds start to roll by ne wants to smoke like billy o’, be s so jolly glad, and feels justified m spending a bit more on the weed, lhats the explanation of the milk in the coconut, and of the extra run upon, the five favourite brands: Cut Plug No. 1 (Bullshead), RiVerhead Gold, Cavendish, Navy Cut jNo. ,3 (Bulldog), and Desert Gold. Full of delightful fragrance, and quite harmless because toasted and thus practically free from nicotine, they possess an irresistible attraction for smokers. So good are they that they rival the choicest imported and come considerably cheaper! But see that you get the genuine toasted!*