GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 December 1938, Page 8

GENERAL ITEMS

Fine Stained Glass Window. A beautiful example of stained glass work has just been completed in Christchurch. It is a double Gothic window for the Sign of the Takahe at Cashmere, and is the gift of the Freemasons of Canterbury. A very attractive blending of the panoramic and symbolic has been achieved in colours that make a strong appeal. In the background are white limestone mountains. and below them forest-clad foothills sloping down to wheat fields, watered by a stream which terminates in a waterfall in the foreground. Two golden symbollic pillars stand in the front of the design. They are surmounted by terrestrial and celestial globes. These pillars rise from a broad tiled pavement, and the whole is surmounted by two striking Gothic heads filled with brilliant effects in ruby and gold. Appearance of Summer Fruits One reason why the public looks forward to the hot weather is because it brings with it the delicious summer fruits (remarks the “New Zealand Herald"). Already dessert and cooking plums, apricots and peaches have made their appearance in the shops and the public’s taste for these fruits is again shown by the fact that they are reported to be meeting with keen demand. Cherry plums, the earliest type of this fruit to make its appearance in Auckland. are selling from 4d to 6d per lb, while Sharp’s Early dessert plums are selling at Bd. Local peaches, which are in good condition this year, are fetching Is 6d to 2s a dozen, while Thames apricots are prices at 8d to Is per lb. Imported Boats The attitude of the Customs Department towards remission of duty on imported boats was explained in a letter from the Comptroller of Customs, forwarded by the New Zealand Rowing Association and received by the Canterbury Rowing Association. The letter stated that the duty on racing boats was imposed to protect New Zealand boat builders and, could not be remitted unless local men were given a reasonable opportunity of quoting for the work. “Inquiries made by this department indicate that, if clubs were to place orders for their requirements early in the year, there would be every possibility of the local builders being able to meet the demand and to execute the orders within a reasonable time,” the letter added. A Wicket First Ball More impressive than any lecture by a teacher on the character-building virtues of cricket was a letter which came before the Auckland Cricket Association’s executive this week from a former representative player, who had been a faStish bowler (says the "Star").

“In 1928, I think, I was selected to represent the province, and a representative blazer was issued to me,” he wrote. "I wish to make it quite clear that, because of illness, I did not actually play, and, under the circumstances, offered to return the cap and blazer, which offer I am glad to say was not accepted. Years have rolled by, and the blazer, in inverse ratio to my corporation, has withered to such an extent as to preclude my appearance in it in any other than the most intimate : circles. I would therefore respectfully request the permission of the association to provide, at my own expense, of course, another blazer with which to dazzle the eyes of my small son, who still cherishes the illusion that his old man was a fast bowler.” This artless epistle so tickled the fancy of the executive as an example of how the game taught players, especially fastish bowlers, to ‘swing it,’’ that the request was granted With a universal smile of appreciation at the manner of attack by which the writer had got a wicket with his first ball. Of course, he was lucky, for had he been a slow bowler he might have defeated his object by sending along the “wrong *un.” Words Against Pistols “Three lessons can be drawn from the crisis,” said General Sir Walter Kirke, Director-General of the British Territorial Army, opening a Territorial drill hall at Middlesbrough. "The first is that ‘Where the carcass is there will the eagles be gathered together.’ The scramble going on for portions of Czechoslovakia shows what a calamity it would be for world peace if the idea got about that the British Empire could not protect its world-wide possessions. The second lesson is that we live in days of power politics and that diplomacy depends entirely on the armed strength behind it. Good words and good intentions are poor equipment with which to face loaded pistols. We must be strong and, rightly or wrongly, we depend on voluntary effort to make us so. To-day the door is open wide to everyone who wishes to do his or her bit; ill fact, so many doors are open that there may be some uncertainty as to which should be entered. I will only

say that the door labelled ‘Territorial Army’ is a very suitable one for any young man with good health and the right spirit. The third lesson is that the Territorial soldier can be relied upon to carry out any task allotted to him. The way in which officers and men came up at a few hours’ notice was beyond all praise.”

Branch Protests. A letter of protest regarding the appointment of Mr W. Bromley to the Onekaka Steel Works is to be sent to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, by the Napier branch of the New Zealand Labour Party (reports the "Telegraph”). The matter was discussed at the meeting of the branch this week, when this decision was j reached. The Premier is to be asked that Mr Bromley be not given the appointment on account of what was described as his "hostile attitude to Labour and its principles.” N.Z. Meat Prices in London Nelson housewives will be interested to compare the prices they pay for lamb and mutton with the following prices which, according to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, were ; being quoted in London in November, and represent a fair average of the prices quoted by the better class shops ill London for the best quality of New Zealand lamb and mutton:—New Zealand Lambs: Legs. 13d a lb; shoulders, lid. loins, lid; necks, 6d; breasts, 3d; forequarters, 9d; hindquarters, New Zealand Mutton: Wethers, legs 9-jd a lb: shoulders. B£d; loins. Bid; necks, 3d; breasts, 3d. “Hold It, Boy!” American tourists at Wairakei Hotel expressed incredulity as some local sports entertained them with lively fish stories. "Call the bluff,” challenged one (narrates the Auckland "Star”). "Right-o,” said the narrator. "Bob will show you how it is done.” Bob, an Auckland business man on holiday, reluctantly played up to his friend's suggestion, and with fishing rod and equipment led the party to the Waikato River. No one was more surprised than he was when his very first cast brought response from a fine trout, and the tourists were all thrilled as they beheld the angler playing his fish. One had a movie camera in action, and as the trout leaped from the water, yelled excitedly, "Hold it, boy! Hold it.” Excitement increased as the angler drew his prize nearer the bank, and then came the climax. Closely crowded by the excited spectators, the angler slipped from a rather precarious foothold and plunged, clothes, fish, rod and all, into 6ft of water. As he emerged spluttering to the surface, his first gaze was on the face of a pointed camera, and the first 'sound he heard was the yell of the operator. “Hold it, boy! Hold it.” Consolingly the cameraman assured the bedraggled angler that when he got hack to the States he would easily claim 20.000 dollars for that film. “Such a study! Such a background!” were the points he stressed. Cheaper Mutton The fall i;i the values of sheep has been reflected by a reduction of Id per pound in the price of mutton in New Plymouth butchers' shops. They estimated that sheep of 601 b were’ now about 5s cheaper than they had been and were passing it on to the consumer, one butcher commented. Use of Motor Spirits Tax “The Highways Committee feels that nothing more can be done at the moment with the league's proposal that the special tax of 4|d on motor spirits be diverted to the highways account, and it is recommended that further action be withheld until a more favourable opportunity,” said a report presented to the executive of the Canterbury Progress League. “It is not suggested by this that the matter should be dropped. Far from it, as there can be no doubt that the proposal is on sound lines; and with the large suport that has been given to it from one end of New Zealand to the other it must be taken up again.” The report was approved.

“Freak” Bridge Hand At a friendly game of bridge in Wanganui this week a freak hand was dealt (records the "Herald”). The dealer had seven hearts and six clubs, all tops with the exception of the king of clubs. The player on his left had seven spades and six diamonds all tops. The dealer bid six hearts and the next bidder six spades. The latter hand was played and resulted in a grand slam with royal honours.