GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 13 April 1939, Page 6

GENERAL ITEMS

Maori Relics A Wanganui resident, digging in a section recently, came upon two very old skeletons, states “The Post’s” correspondent. One was a male and the other a female, and underneath them was a haru (comb). The comb is made of whalebone, and is some seven inches in length. There are four prongs about six inches in length, and the top is quite plain, with one small corner broken. Little is known about the combs of the ancient Maori. They are commonly said to be used as ornaments, but this one is so plain and so long and narrow that it looks more useful than ornamental. Fire at Indoor Bowling Green The Nelson Fire Brigade received a call at about 9.15 o’clock this morning to the Jubilee Indoor Bowling Green in Hardy street where a fire which had just commenced to break into flame at the rear of the premises, was controlled by means of a portable spray pump before any major damage was done. Evidently a cigarette butt had been carelessly dropped by a player last evening into the sawdust which fills the ditch at the end of the green. The sawdust had smouldered throughout the night and by this morning had spread to the woodwork and understructure of the platform at the northern end of the building. When the caretaker. Mr A. Brown, opened the door this morning, he was confronted with heavy smoke throughout the building, which fortunately had all the windows and doors closed, preventing any draught. However, the fire had burst into flames when it was discovered. It was fortunate that the caretaker had gone to the building earlier than usual this morning. Car Hits Telegraph Pole When a car driven by a Christchurch visitor to Golden Bay, Mr Stevenson, skidded off the Waitapu road near Page’s bridge it struck a telegraph pole and was considerably damaged. Mr Stevenson and one passenger suffered cuts from flying glass but they were not seriously injured. Messrs 6. Page and Walkey who reside in the vicinity, gave assistance and the car was taken to Takaka. Dangerous Rubbish "Watchful” writes to "The Mail”: "On wandering around the Queen's Gardens, one is amazed at the mass accumulation of rubbish behind the Suter Art Gallery. Tn event of fire through carelessness. during this dry weather, the Provincial and Technical School buildings would be endangered. As the Council is appealing to the public to take every precaution while on its bush reserves. I would suggest that they do the same, by removing the rubbish before it is too late. I hope the Mayor and the councillors will visit this locality and see for themselves.” Languages in South Africa The fact that about 60 per cent, of the European population of the Union of South Africa spoke Afrikaans was stated in Auckland by Mr II Botha Reid, of Capetown, to be one of the things which had to be realised when approaching South African problems. Of these, he said, about 30 per cent, were bi-lingual. Of the Englishspeaking section about 20 per cent, were bi-lingual.

Veteran’s Hardship

The hardships which the Social Security Act impose on a number of vet-

erans and war pensioners were commented on unfavourably by one Hawkcs Bay returned soldier, who declared that at present he is worse *ff than he has been since he returned from the front.

“Two years ago I was in receipt of £1 I a week pension and a similar amount ; by way of sustenance." he said. “About ( then the sustenance was reduced to 10s a week, making my income 30s a week. Now. with the introduction of the Social Security Act. my pension has been increased to 25s a week—and I have been refused sustenance altogether. So that, quite apart from rising costs. I am 5s a week worse off this week than last.” j Easter Marriages Numerous though they were, the j marriage licences issued by the Auck- [ land registrar, Mr J. H. V. Carr, for j the Easter period of nine working days prior to Good Friday, were slightly fewer this year than those issued in! the corresponding period last year. The j number was 172, compared with 180 i last year. The number of marriages j performed in the registrar’s office dur- ! ing the same period, however, increased from 30 to 45. and 14 cere- j monies were performed there on last i Thursday alone. During the week be- i fore the holidays the number of licences | issued, which remain effective for three months, averaged 20 a day Headlights in Dust Motorists who travelled on Auckland j dusty country roads at Easter reported j that the use of motor-car head-lamps in the daytime under these conditions , was a substantial advance toward j greater road safety. Several drivers said that they had been able to see the headlamp-beam of oncoming cars lonR! before the cars themselves I ad emerged from the dust, and there was general agreement that wider adoption of the practice would result in fewer accidents due to poor visibility Goat as Scavenger As well as providing a rustic touch to the surroundings, the goat which belongs to the Sign of the Takahe serves a useful purpose—as a highly efficient scavenger, states the Christchurch “Star-Sun.” Late on Monday afternoon, after a big crowd of holidaymakers had spent the day in the neighbourhood. the goat was systematically cleaning up the area, pushing his way under seats and into all sorts of corners in search of scraps. Greasy paper seemed to be highly appreciated, but in spite of its weard diet the goat thrives, its weight being high above the average. Visiting Indian Dentist J Having rerd about New Zealand’s (scenic attractions. Dr. B. E. Vacha. an Indian dentist from Bombay, arrived at Auckland by the Awatea this week in the course of a world tour (reports the "Herald”). Dr. Vacha is accompanied by his wife, and will spend a week sight-seeing in New Zealand before leaving for America. Dr. Vacha said that in recent years good progress had been made in India in solving many of her problems There was a feeling during recent months in Tndia during the crises in Europe that through the influence of Britain there would be no war. Dr. Vacha expressed confidence in the influence of Britain cs a factor in preventing war in Europe. Otago’s “Drinking Horn” The prowess of the Otago students j is not confined solely to their activi- i ties on the field of sport (states the' “Daily Times”). Proof of this was given to a large gathering, including a good representation of the general public this week when, at an appointed rendezvous. 24 male students too’: part in a drinking contest, the winners of which received what was styled a “Drinking Horn.” Actually it was the polished horn of an animal mounted on a wooden shield. This striking, if somewhat incongruous looking prize, was won by the Otago team—six students who drank six reputed pints of beer in the surprisingly rapid time of 20 2-ssec. Second place went to Victoria University College. Auckland being third, and Canterbury securing the wooden spoon. The contest was efficiently organised and well controlled. Two timekeepers—armed with stop watches—and a starter saw that the rules of the competition, the- first of its kind to be conducted, were strictly adhered to. In the first heat Otago was matched against Canterbury’s six: but the northerns were two receptacles behind when the last Otago man put down his “empty.” The official time was 22sec. Victoria won the second heat from Auckland by one drinking vessel in 25sec. In the second round Auckland beat Canterbury and Otaeo defeated Victoria. Prior to each heat, supporters of the four Universities encouraged their teams by giving spirited hakas.