GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1937, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Waikato Kffg Fool An cgtt pool is to be formed in Hamilton as a result of a decision made by the Poultry Producers' Federation. For years the price of eggs nas boon determined from week to week by the retailers, and the producers, dissatisfied with the prices fixed, have decided to take action. Under the system to be set up all producers will send their eggs direct to the pool, where they will be tested graded and sold by auction according to their grade. A competitive price, it is hoped, will thus be obtained, and producers by this means will be able to determine the surplus when eggs are abundant and io export accordingly. New Trainer Aeroplanes Although no advice nas been received that the four Miles Hawk trainer aeroplanes ordered by the Government have been shipped from England, it is expected that they will arrive shortly.

according to information received from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. The Government originally voted .-124000 for aeroplanes for loan to aero clubs, this being sufficient for only three Miles Hawk Trainers, but later it was decided to purchase four of these machines.

Interesting Biological Discovery

Visitors to the seashore are accustomed to seeing many of those dark spheroid-shaped objects which are me egg cases of the elephant fish. It is, however, extremely rare to find one that is not empty. A few days ago Mr 11. Singleton, of Seaclill', found one of these egg cases with a live einbyronic elephant fish inside it, and forwarded it to Mr David H. Graham for information and study (states the "Otago Daily Times”). Mr Graham states that although biologists knew that discoveries of this nature have been made, they are of extremely rare occurrence. Nothing is known as to how long it takes these strange eggs to hatch, but in the autumn large numbers ot empty cases are washeci ashore, filled as a rule, with sand. For some five years search has been going on in New Zealand for the embryonic elephant fish, but nothing of value has yet come to hand, so that this discovery is q 1 unusual interest. Wlicn tound by Mr Singleton, the iish was coilea inside and surrounded by yolk liuid. it continued to remain in its circular formation when placed in preservative The trunk from which the iish receives its common name, is plainly discernible. This specimen is an important biological addition to ichthyology, and in due course the specimen will find its way to Professor E. W. Edgeworth of the University of Bristol, who has been endeavouring to secure specimens of these embryos ever since 1912. l ike a Dentist "1 am on the right lines when I can come here and make a lot of you fellows squeal life that,” declared Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P. for Central Otago, in a retort to interruptions trom me Labour element at a meeting of electors lie addressed in Palmerston North on Saturday evening (reports "The Post”). The same section of his audience applauded when Mr Bodkin declared that the Hor.. Walter Nash had visited Russia to discover what mistakes the Labour Government of New Zealand had made. There was also applause from the back of the hall when nc stated that Mr Savage had made for himself a reputation, but there were cries of derision when Mr Bodkin, continuing over the interruption, declared that Mr Savage had taken more out of the pockets of the poor than any other man in the history of the Dominion. Mr Bodkin was met by further interjections when lie stated that New Zealand was definitely drifting to a Communistic state. “That’s the applause 1 like to hear,” he added. “What I have said makes you squeal. I am like a dentist drawing a tooth.” The speaker averred that the people of New Zealand were beginning to understand the drift of the political aims of theh Labour Party and that the National Party, m consequence, was winning recruits every day. Small Attendance As there were only three ratepayers present at the Foresters’ Hall last evening for a meeting to discuss the Roding water scheme, no addresses were given. The Mayor (Mr G. L. Page) and Councillor J. A. Harley had an informal talk with those present. Vital Statistics During the month of April 22 births, 19 deaths and 15 marriages were recorded at Nelson. For April last year the corresponding figures were 26. 19 and 14 respectively. Prayer for Peace The three-fold motto of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union is “For God, for Home, for Humanity,” while the three-fold aim is “Peace, Purity and Temperance.” All unions throughout New Zealand try to make the month of May a special time of Prayer for peace, many of them meeting on the first Friday. The Nelson Union will meet in Burrougii House on Friday next, 7th May, at 3 p.m., when all women will be welcome. A Bad Season "The Southland farmers have experienced the worst season for many years,” commented a Canterbury grower who has just returned from the south. He said that the bad weather conditions had seriously affected the oat crops, and in many paddocks there were big gaps where the grain was blown level with the ground.