NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19687, 14 January 1926, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF.

That men are not the only animals to feel the heat was demonstrated to a Hastings gardener the other morning (states the Daily Telegraph). Overnight he left a revolving spray, fed by a hoee, to distribute moisture upon his lawn. In the morning he found half a dozen sparrows cooling their feathers under the artificial raindrops, and enjoying themselves hugely. Tractors have come to stay, and Reid and Gray (Ltd.), Dunedin, are in the forefront with Tractor Implements, Drills, Cultivators, Rollers, Disc Harrows, Ploughs. Call and inspect these at Reid and Gray’s, Princes street South.... Goods traffic through the Otira tunnel last year totalled 552,142 tons, an increase ol 50,100 tons over the previous year’s total. The renting of cushions to long-distance train travellers has proved very popular over the holidays (save the New Zealand Herald). It was found necessary on several occasions to replenish the nightly supply on the Auckland station platform. A considerable sum is taken in shillings by the attendant, and aa many as 400 cushions have been rented on one evening. A fragrant New Year Gift! Send your friends a tin of Blue Mountain Jamaica coffee.—Obtainable only from the coffee specialists, A. Durie and Co., 32 Octagon, Dunedin... . The hot weather being experienced is bringing in the fruit crop, and consignments of apricots and peaches are daily increasing both in number and quantity (reports the Dunstan Times). The season, however, is about three weeks late. A brown kiwi was seen by a party St motorists while they were picnicking in the vicinity of the old Maori redoubt at Okoke, near Urenui (reports the Wanganui Herald). Although the bird was observed at no great - distance from the road, it found abundant cover in the dense native undergrowth and soon disappeared when pursued. The kiwi was a little |arger than an ordinary fowl. « Tug-of-War Trousers, a registered brand, made of best English interwoven moleskin, dark grey; sizes 4 to 7; 21s. Posted anywhere for cash.—Kilroy and Sutherland (Ltd.), 192 Princes street... “A man who won’t work for himself should be made to work for the Government and so compelled to earn something to defray the expense he is to the country,” declared Mr W. E. Gascoigne, J.P., in the Police Court, in sentencing a prisoner to a term in gaol (says the Marlborough Express). A correspondent of the Tlmaru Herald writes as follows:—"Please allow me space to suggest to the Caroline Bay Improvement Association a method of spending the carnival money. A new entrance could be made to the bay, to form a grand drive. This could be done by widening the entrance under the railway and putting it on an angle, and running the incline down behind the caretaker’s house.” We are easli buyers of porkers and baconers at highest market rates. —Barton and Trengrove.. .

'Flic supply of current, from Lake Coleridge has been more reliable of late, only minor interruptions having 'been experienced (reports the Tiraara Herald). The voltage is still excessive, however, according to the borough electrical engineer. Tennis is becoming increasingly popular with the Maori rav> ; n and about Wanganui (remarks the Herald). Throughout the tennis tournament at the Wanganui East courts Maoris were numerous among both competitors and onlookers, the later applauding pakehn and Maori players alike when clever shots wore executed. Some of the most competent umpires at work during the tournament were Maoris. Milton ladies! New bathing costumes are selling cheap at ''Big Store.” Milton! Holiday dress and requisites at popular prices.... An Oamaru resident is growing a new variety of American wheat, as an experiment (says the North Otago Times). The wheat has headed remarkably well, and looks like a heavy yielder. It is said to be rustresistant. For the first time in many years Auckland starts a new ycar_ with an efficient telephone system. The improvement since the cut-over to automatic apparatus has been remarkable (says the New Zealand Herald), and, as is not unusual in life, the public has b«:ome so accustomed to the benefit that it does not realise the extent of former handicaps in this service. Obanism 1102: Tudor Cocktail sales have increased: it’s the repeat orders and the recommendation of others that do it. 2s, 6s 6d, 125... Whilst fishing in _ the Tula Tuki River. Waipukurau, a resident was surprised to see a water rat emerge from its hole, swim over to the opposite bank, and adeptly catch a four-inch trout lying in the shallows (states the Napier Daily Telegraph). The rodent then swam swiftly away, with its prev in its mouth, to its lair. Manv fishermen were surprised to hear of such an occurrence, but. apparently the rat may be added to the list of naterral enemas of the trout.

The prospectus for the Christchurch Competitions Festival, to be hold in April and May this year, has been issued (reports the Lyttelton Times). The judges are: Vocal end instrumental, Mr H. Barry Coney, Auckland; elocution, Mr Oulford Bell, Wellington, dancing. Miss Gwen Gibbs, Wellington. The official accompanist is Mrs H. J. Beck. Mrs R. A. Green, whoso husband was one of the victims of the Lake Coleridge distfjter, is expected to arrive from Reefton to attend the next meeting of the Canterbury Progress League’s Benefit Fund Committee (says the Chrischurch Press), for the purpose of discussing and deciding the bes: manner of disposing of the money in hard. The meeting will take place at an early date. A fine young female leopard to replace the one that escaped from the zoo soma months ago was brought to Auckland by the ciu&sex from Calcutta (says the New Zealand Herald). The new arrival is about Sft lOin in length and in colour is slightly darker than the male leopard already at the zoo.

Stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Good accommodation; best brands of liquors. ’Phone 721.——C. Hinchcliff, proprietor...

A driver on one of the express trains thac passes through Oamaru daily told a representative of the North Otago Times that he considers tho speed of the trains between Oamaru and Dunedin is too great. In his opinion it is courting disaster. Motor tourists from the south are expressing surprise that there is no approved motor camping ground in Auckland (says the New Zealand Herald). Some of the visitors who are accustomed to the camping facilities provided in Taranaki towns are at a loss when they reach Auckland. The service officer of the Auckland Automobile Association has had to direct motor campers to such remote spots as Orakei and Mangere.

People are learning daily that Chopping in Mbsgiel pays them. A. F. Cheyne and Co. have special attractions for Xmas trade. If you want an outfit or useful presents for friends, see their selection. Moderate prices will lead to business. Shop early.... What is an optimist? This question is easily settled by an inspection through Haykes Bay fruitgrowing areas (says an exoaange). Those coming under the heading have taken the precaution, of tying up their fruit trees in anticipation of-a record crop.

Though the -week-end w* a disappointing, the earlier part of the week was the moss successful from an angler’s point of viewexperienced at the VVaitaki since the season opened (reports the Oamaru Mail). Four anglers secured 52 fish from Monday to Friday, while another succeeded in landing 20 for the week. The excellent sport is reminiscent of the Waitaki of years ago. The heaviest fish caught weighed 121 b, the average being about 51b. All the trout were in splendid condition. Get the best results from your holidaysnaps. Have them developed and printed at Waters’ Pharmacy (under Savoy)... Schnapper are very plentiful at Castlecliff and fishermen from the breakwater are having a good innings of late ire ports the Wanganui Herald). The other day one registered a bag of 14 and another 16. A. familiar figure at any Hamilton fire and the mascot of the brigade is a clack cur.y-coated retriever rejoicing in the name of "Mac.” He insists on. sleeping alongside the main fire engine, and upon tie receipt of an alarm is first on to the driver’s seat, where he stands, all excitement, wagging his tail and barking furious y. Arrived at the fire, he mounts guard over the engine, occasionally: leaving, his pos: to see how matters are going on inside. An All-British Electric Iron can now be bought at Laidlaw and Gray’s, in Rattray street, for 22a 6d. This iron, which has a high nickel polish, weighs six pounds, and is complete with full length of connection. It is a mo|rt satisfactory article, as it picks up and retains its heat for a long time. Supplied in strong 'cartons, \vh ch makes them easily carried through the post. Postage free... - A strenuous form of Christmas holiday, a talking tour of 60 miles, from Hawera to Wanganui, was undertaken by four young ladies of Hawem —Misses G. Clement, A. Kell, G. Rowe, aind M. Reid—and their pluck and perseverance were demonstrated by the fact that they reached Wanganui on the third day. Cver the week-end large numbers of temnis enthusiasts occupied the two new courts which have been laid down at CastlecliS beach, and are now available for play (says the Wanganui Chronicle). Tennis at oignt has -not proved the success it was anticipated owing to the fact that the Jectric light clusters provide a yellow light instead of the white light required. It is quite possible that this defect may be remedied by the installation of more highly-powered bulbs.

During bowling tourney, Messrs Phelan and Bertenshaw will be in charge of National Billiard Parlours, behind Bank N.Z... A medium-sized roast of beef that cost 13s was one of the things that brought home to Miss H. A. Sharp, of Napier, the heavy cost of foodstuffs in England (reports the Daily Telegraph). Miss Sharp, who was in England for six months, has just returned to Napier, and her 'impressions of conditions in England confirm what other trippers abroad Have said—that England at the present time is not the happiest country in the world. Bathing caps, high-grade rubber, attractive styles, from 2s 6d, at Waters’ Pharmacy (under Savoy)... Following the completion of the holiday season the unemployment register at the Invercargill branch of the Labour Department contains the names of an unusually large number of men for this particular season of the year when farming and other pursuits are requiring labour (says the Southland Times). During the past week, the departmental officers have placed four labourers in private employment, thus leaving 28 names on the unemployment register at the week-end. Out of this number 17 were labourers and five farm hands, the other trades represented being as follows: —Butcher, blacksmith. hotel porter, clerk, ched hand, and ploughman. Mosgiel ladies and gentlemen should, as matters of duty, pleasure, and economy, buy their Christmas gifts at the local jewellers, Exchange Buildings, Mosgiel. Great variety to select from.... Some amusement was caused in Oamaru recently- when a oar wearing the epitaph “Give us a smile, boys, we’ve just been married to-day,’’ and bearing a newlywedded couple, passed through the streets (reports the North Otago Times). The occupants, oblivious of the fact that they were responsible for a good deal of hilarity, drove from Morven to OSmaru with the idea that their secret was unknown to all but themselves. They were later seen in a garage with a scrubbing-brush and ?oap, obliterating the evidence of their entry into the new sphere of life. Leading dieters urge the necessity of good footwear. Here w an opportunity < f purchasing the best in English and colonial manufacture at prices ranging fromLadies' Shoes from 8s 6d, Men’s Boots from 18s 6d. Early inspection invited.— Otago Farmers’. Crawford street... Mr A. M. Oast, of Deptford, is to have a telephone on his coffee-stall. This will, fee the first London stall “on the ’phone.” A good story is going the round of clubland concerning a certain Cabinet Minister who at one time was much addicted to auction bridge ‘(says the Auckland Star). He holds an official position which is very expensive to maintain in accordance with old-t ime traditions, and when he assumed office laughingly explained that he would have to retrench. Ruefully mindful of a tendency to hid higher than his band always ‘warranted, he grimly advised his friends that he would either have to go into a smaller house —or give up bridge. His club frienda expostulated. “For goodness sake, don’t give'up bridge,” they said; “if you do we shall all have to go into smaller houses.” A good breakfast means mneb to most people, puts one in good humour for daj, promotes energy, which tends to good health. Barton and Trengrove’s_ sugarcured bacon is on the menu of discriminating persons... Two aeroplanes now make a special ascent every (Jay at Duxford Cambridge, for the purpose of reporting the weather. , The scenic road which is being built by prison labour to the summit of Rang! to to, the volcanic island which stands like a scnt nol at the entrance of Auckland Harbour has not yet progressed 200 yards, but if a proposal to double the gang now at work is made effective, the road should be completed in well under two year* (rtjportj the New Zealand Herald). In any event it will open up several good beeches near the Beacon by next summer. Says Pat, “There’s Doolan’s sister Kate; Ste’s married to a ohap I hate. He never brings home, Hess her soul, A nice Smoked Hitchon’s Bacon R 011.”..,