NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11650, 15 October 1923, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

During the off bowling season, Mr Dixon, of the Victoria Club, got a working-boo together, with the result that the pavilion has been painted, and it looks much the better tor its new coat.

During the winter months Mr W. X. Tucker had charge of the pastimes and social anangcments at Victoria Dowling Club, and ho succeeded so well that members on Saturday expressed the hope that he would take up the duties again next season.

“Yes,” said the old resident, “I remember when the first Crimean shirts were on sale. The importer tried to sell some to me, but I said that I was afraid they would shrink so much in their first wash as to be useless afterwards!” ‘“Wash/’ said the importer, in an injured voice. “Wash! You don’t wash them, you brush them!”

The cry of the morepork owl is familiar, and can frequently be heard in the suburbs. He is another friend of farmer and orchardi9t, for his food consists of moths, rats, mice, and occasionally small birds. Farmers and orchardists should encourage this bird, says the New Zealand Native Birds’ Protection Society.

Atlantic salmon fry are now being distributed on the headwaters of the Wanganui river, and there is every prospect of their doing well (says the “Chronicle”). On the other hand, quinnat salmon are working up the coast, so possibly two varieties will be a future inducement for anglers. As far as is known, the two salmon will flourish in the same river.

A Wanganui builder remarked recently that the difference of prices in some lines he was interested in resulted in Wellington firms getting business that would otherwise be done in Wanganui (says the “Chronicle”). He mentioned :ound bar iron ae a case in point, stating that it was quoted in Wanganui at £23 10s a ton compared with £lB a ton in Wellington. After allowing for the steamer freight a big saving could be effected.

A lady walked into an Ashburton rahdware 6hop the other day to buy a water-tap. As tape vary in size and style, the attendant asked the lady to state exactly which kind she required. “Just an ordinary tap,” she replied. The attendant, - persevering, explained that the taps used in connection with the borough water supply were different from those outside. He then asked: “Is your tap in the borough or outside?” Quite seriously the lady replied: “Oh, no. It is in the washhouse.”

“I have now been three whole days dealing with cases arising out of motor collisions,” said Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., at the Hawera court (states the “Taranaki Daily News”). “Thev seem to be remarkably frequent in Taranaki.” Mr P. O’Dea agreed that this was the case, in fact, he believed quite half the reported collision cases in the New Zealand law reports were of Taranaki origin. This was due, he thought, to the temptation to travel fast on the miles of excellent tarred roads in the province.

Exceptionally good supplies of fish have been received on the Auckland market recently (says the “Herald”). Flounder especially has been very plentiful, and schnapper also has been in good supply. Crayfish are stated to have been very plentiful, and altogether indications point to a gradual return to normal in the matter of supplies generally. Trawling on the West Coast has again proved successful, the Thomas Currell having arrived at Onehunga with a very fine haul of large schnapper of a particularly good type.

A letter of an unusual character inis been received by Mr Frank Thompson, general manager of the Christchurch tramways, from a boy eight years of age. “Last night,” the boy wrote, “I boarded the 7.38 No. 10 car at the Square before it stopped, and when the conductor 6poke to me I told him to mind his own business. I wish to apologise for both, and promise to be more careful and less impudent in the future. I am sorry. Yours affectionately.” An acknowledgment in terms as handsome as the apology will be forwarded.

A typical instance of the daring which is displayed, by bicycle and motor-car thieves was evidenced in one of the busiest portions of the business centre of Christchurch at 11 a.m. one days recently (says the “Press”). A youth was seen riding his bicycle along the street. He dismounted, entered an adjacent right-of-way and proceeded to a motor-car, which was parked there. Producing a spanner from his pocket, ho began to unscrew the bolts which secured one of the headlights of the car, and had nearly completed his task when he was interrupted and questioned. Had the boy not been interrupted he would undoubtedly have made a good “getaway” with the fitting.

A remarkable escape from death or serious injury was recorded last month in the case of Vitc Cicio, a small boy, who, while attempting to fly a boxkito several times larger than himself from the roof of a three-storey apartment house in New York was carried screaming and struggling into mid-air A strong wind which suddenly sprung up gave the kite a sufficient pull to topple Oicio over the roof’s coping The boy retained his presence of mind to keep a grasp on the string and soiled down slowly to the street below, the kite acting as a parachute. Within 20 feet of the pavement tho descent was more rapid, and Cicio was knocked unconscious wnen he landed. "With tho exception of a few bruises he escaped uninjured.

At the last meeting of the Public Schools’ Association ui Christchurch, Mr R. H. North said he thought the mooting should take up the question of replying to the remarks of Mr H. S. Batchelor at the recent annual meeting of the Canterbury Amateur Swimming Centro, Mr Batchelor having accused the teachers of apathy in regard to teaching swimming to school children. Mr North said strong exception should bo taken to Mr Batchelor's remarks, which were ridiculous. The chairman (Mr G. Ormandy) treated the matter lightly. As a matter of fact, said Mr Ormandy, the custodian of the tepid baths had informed him that teachers had lately been taking more interest in swimming than for years past.

An idea, of the rapid deflation of German currency is given in the receipt by an Auckland firm of a letter which was contained in an envelope bearing stamps to the value of 3500 marks'— three stamps of 500 marks each and one of 2000 marks. It was 2Jd i>o9tago between Germany and New Zealand before the war, and it is understood that the same rate is now applied, so that Germany's exchange must now he in the relation of 3500 marks to 2ld. Some of the speculators who wore optimistic concerning Germany's currency recovery, and «imply rushed marks at 10(10 to the £, some of them investing largely with the idea of making fabulous fortunes, must now be feeling very eorry for themselves.