GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

The Passing of a “Moa” The “oldest living moa” has recently died. Many travellers have passed the spot where it stood on a hillside, beside the Christchurch-Blenheim road south of Ward. It was always pointed out by bus drivers as “the only living moa.” But drivers report that the gaunt figure is no longer recognisable It was not in actual fact a moa, of course, nor even the skeleton of a moa It was a tree presenting a peculiarly lifelike appearance of the giant bird Mr J. \ Pollard I'irector of the South Islands of New Zealand Travel Association, had intended to have a photograph taken of the “moa,” for use in a tourist booklet. However, he was told this week (says “The Press”) that the “head” and "tail” were now missing, having apparently been torn oil' by wind.

11.M.5. Wakakura’s Visit The minesweeper Wakakura, which arrived at Nelson on Monday last with a detachment of Royal Naval Volunteer Reservists aboard, sailed this morning for Wellington. The Wakakura spent Tuesday at practice in the Bay. Novel Letter A novel anonymous letter rolled round nine tail feathers of pheasants was received a few days ago among the rrail of the Hon. W. E. Parry, who, as Minister of Internal Affairs, was responsible for the establishment of the State game farm at Ngongotaha, Rotolua (states the “Star”). The letter read: “To William (Pheasant) Parry—w ith the compliments of the four of us U ds. We had rattling good sport out beyond—where the scrub is good and birds a-plenty. T'.veen the party, we settled 24 beauts, and the handful of tails (enclosed) is our token with cheers. But why not put a ring on the game farm birds; ’twould help, as the him stars say, ‘on location.’ ’’ Commenting on the letter, Mr Parry said that members of the Government occasionally received anonymous letters—mostly words in a different tone from the one under notice. He was pleased to hear that his correspondent had had good sport. The curator of the game farm, he said, was averse to placing rings on the legs of young pheasants, as they injured the birds.

Catholic Centenary Celebrations

Headed by his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Panico, a strong Australian delegation will arrive at Auckland for the New Zealand Catholic Centenary celebrations on the morning of Saturday, 26th February next, the day befox-e the official programme opens (states the ‘Zealandia”). Within the last few days, it is added, arrangements have been completed tor an alteration in the schedule of the motor ship Wanganella to allow of her leaving Sydney on Tuesday, 22nd February, so as to arrive immediately before the beginning of the centenary It is anticipated that large numbers of Australian Catholics, including prelates and priests, will travel on the Wanganella. It is pointed out that accommodation in Auckland during Centenary Week will be at a premium, and for that reason bookings should be made immediately.

Summer Health Camp in Nelson

At last evening’s meeting of the Nelson Children’s Health Camp Association, the president, Mr H. J. Savage, stated that every endeavour was being made to establish summer health camp buildings in Nelson. At a meeting of the Dominion Advisory Council in Wellington he had moved a motion, which was carried, that if more money was collected for the King George V Memorial Fund than was needed for the establishment of permanent camps in the four main centres, the surplus be used for building summer camps in the secondary districts. However, the amount of money available for this purpose had not yet been disclosed, though at the next meeting of the Dominion Advisory Council, which was to be held shortly, a definite scheme would probably be decided upon. National Sports Council Valuable reports and suggestions have been received by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, from southern sports bodies in respect to the proposal for establishing a National Sports Council. The Minister said that week that he was pleased with the amount of consideration sports bodies had given the scheme. “The recommendations and suggestions which have already reached me and those to be received between now and the end of the present month will be collated, and then arrangements will be made for a second conference to be held in Wellington,” he said. “There will be a lot of useful and helpful material to be dealt with. I am hopeful of seeing achieved the desired end—the formation of a sound national organisation which will inspire and encourage the true aims of sport and physical culture for the people.” Rewi’s Last Stand The Te Awamutu Historical Society is keenly interested in a project for a talking picture based on the epic defence of Orakau in the closing stages of the Waikato War in the sixties of last century Twelve years ago the story was produced as a silent film under the title of “Rewi’s Last Stand,” the filming taking place near Rotorua, with Maoris in that locality prominent throughout the picture. If present plans are carried out the new talking version will be filmed near Te Awamutu. The hastily-constructed earthworks where Rewi Maniapoto and his gallant band made their historic defence are about six miles from Te Awamutu. Ten Thousandth Passenger Last week Union Airways carried their tea thousandth passenger over the Palmerston North-Dunedin route, and if this first good round figure has built up slowly during the first eighteen months of operation (says “The Post”) thte second ten thousand should be far more rapidly passed, for greater use is being made each month of the inter-island service between Palmerston North and Dunedin, and the Wellington-Auckland service will commence on Sunday with the New Zealand public well impressed with the value of fast transport.

A sitting of the Court of Arbitration will be held in the Supreme Court room at Nelson on Tuesday, 27th July, at 2.15 p.m.

To-night the Loyal Nelson Lodge will hold a dance in the Oddfellows’ Hall The committee is sparing no pains to ensure patrons a happy evening. Mr Harold Williams has been engaged to supply the music, and the floor is being specially prepared. The programme will consist of old-time favourites, interspersed with one taps, fox trots, and the Gypsy Tap. Optimists Unlimited, Hardy-st., are advertising on page 11 a special purchase of popular lace-front Corsets for 8/1.1 (usually 25/).* Ladies’ All-wool Vests, with long and short sleeves, comfy and well fitting Alpha, St. Margaret, Minerva and Sun ten. At McKay’s, 4/11, 5/11, 6/6, 7/11.*

The popular fortnightly dance will be held on Saturday night in the Fire Bri gade’s cosy hall Patrons are assured of an enjoyable evening with a programme of modern and old time dances

Ladies’ Winter Bloomers, in finest auality Interlock and also fleecy lined silk, W and O.C. At McKay s', 2/11. 3 o 5/6 *

The annual Sale of Work held by the All Saints' Girls’ Friendly Society will take place in the Parish Hall on Saturday next, at 2.30 p.m. Mrs Hilliard has consented to open the sale, and there will be stalls for cakes, sweets, produce, fancy goods, and plain sewing Afternoon tea may be obtained at 3 o’clock.

Summer Time That reverting to Standard Time in February instead of April would benefit the farmers, was the opinion expressed by Mr J. H. Hayward, of the Maungatapere Dairy Company, at a meeting of the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce, states a Press Association message. The extension to April, he said, had an effect on cream collection. Most companies collected daily, and the waggon had to start at 7 a.m. at least at the far end of the run. It was impossible for these suppliers to get cream out in time, and it had to be held over, with a consequent loss of quality. Mr Hayward proposes to move at the National Dairy Association conference that Summer Time be terminated in February. Tire Chamber of Commerce is to consider the question at the next meeting. Marlborough Sheep for Japan Making one of the most valuable consignments of stud sheep ever to leave Marlborough, a draft of 240 rising four-tooth merino ewes and 11 twoshear rams, which were purchased from the estate of the late Mr Charles Goulter, Hawkesbury, on behalf of Japanese interests, at a considerable cost, have begun the first stage of a long journey to Japan (states the “Express”). Upon arrival at Wellington they were transferred to the Japanese steamer Melbourne Maru, which leaves almost direct for Japan with a big consignment of sheep selected from all over New Zealand. The merinos, which are in a bright, healthy condition, are very uniform in size, and are excellent speci mens of the breed. In order to acclimatise the sheep to the conditions in Japan, they were put on hard feed some weeks ago as a means of preparing them for the type of pasture- they will have in their new country. A quantity of chaff and hay was also taken from Marlborough to provide fodder for the sheep during their long sea voyage. New Ships Named The names Kaipara and Kaikoura have been chosen for the two motorships now building by the New Zealand Shipping Company for the M.-A.-N.Z. Line Service. in the Mon-treal-New Zealand trade. The vessels are single-screw motor-ship? of 5900 tons gross, with a deadweight carrying capacity of about 9000 tons. They will have a service speed of about 13£ knots.