NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20918, 7 January 1930, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF.

About 300 men are engaged on the railway construction in the Jtsuller Gorge at Onkaka, about three-quarters o£ a mile along the, Lyell road from Inangahua Junction (says the Nelson Evening Mail), horty men are employed on the formation work, which will connect the line with the rails at Inangahua Junction going to Reefton. That the farmers of the Whangarei district are realising the value ot liming and top-dressing as aids to increased production is shown by the official figures now released. The tonnage of artificial manures used in the district shows, roughly, an increase of 65 per cent, compared with last year. During the Christmas holidays the Auckland War Memorial Museum was very popular. The busiest day was Sunday. December 29, when 8976 people wfi t THO0 t ‘ Ba y 4116 number was 3822, on the inday there were 2711, and on the Saturday there were 2850. Ihe total for the four days was 18,359. Country Storekeepers.—Handle the famous, acknowledged best, smallgouds in the South island, and increase your turnover; liberal margin.—Barton's. Manse street...

, ■A? evidence of the long mid-summer twilight in Invercargill it is worthy of note that the Hamilton Airways aeroplanes were making ascents over the town on Thursday evening until 9.30 (says the Southland Daily Is ews) . Several patrons enjoyed the thrill of stunting, including looping the loop and cork-screwing. The bowling tournament on the Southland K r j®u did not conclude till the same hour, a the L l, was still Quite good. At the Mar ton Jockey Club’s races the other day there was a remarkable series of coincidences in the day’s results. A publican won the first race, a publican won the third race, -a brewer won the fourth race (the cup), a retired publican won the fifth race, and in the seventh race a publican won, while & brewer’s worse was second.

Owing to enormous demand for Barton's famous sugar-cured Bacon, more, and yet more Pigs are wanted to meet it; highest current prices.—Bartons, bacon curers. Manse street, Dunedin... Last killing season was not a particularly good one for fat lambs, and not much in the way of improvement is predicted for the present season (says a Wanganui paper). The reason assigned is that a large number _ of farmers kept their old ewes for breeding purposes, with the result that the lambs are not so vigorous and do not thrive so well in the early stages, the mothers not having sufficient milk for them. There was a great scurry for shelter on the Ngamotu Beach and the Breakwater when a heavy shower of rain fell the other afternoon (says the Taranaki Herald). People found shelter in every nook and corner, even under trucks on the wharf. Many rushed the merry-go-round on the beach, and the human cargo became so heavy that the machine groaned under the weight. One side of the flooring gave way in a section, and those sheltCTing there had to find cover elsewhere. The damage was only slight. Th* , best sports coats value in Dunedin this year is at “Ascot," corner Princes and Rattray streets. They have 250 coats in single and double-breasted to pick from; prices from 17s 6d..-. For local and visiting motorists alike a most pleasing trip is to he had at the present time along the hanks of the Wanganui River, via the Kauarapoa road and out to Kai Iwi (says the Chronicle). The country is looking exceptionally green and flourishing, adding to the natural splendour of the outlook. A number of people took advantage of the sunshine the other day to make the trip, and were well rewarded for their enterprise. The good condition the road is in added to their enjoyment. Said a visitor to Wanganui; “I have heard a lot about the Wanganui River and was inclined to disbelieve all I was told, hut I can now see for myself that what I was told was true.”

§ave your eyes. Consult Peter Q. Dick. D.8.0.A., F. 1.0. (LondoD), optometrist. Peter Dick, jewellers and opticians. 400 Moray place (opp. City Hotel)... If one wants to bring waste land into cultivation how would he set about it? This is a question of considerable interest, because there is a good deal of land in Britain (says a London writer), that is usually set down as "fit for nothing," and if it could be cultivated the unemployment problem might be lessened to at least some extent. Orkney seems to have found an answer to it—poultry. Today Orkney has 303 fowls to every 100 acres of cultivated land. This means that it beats even Lancashire, whose 286 fowls per 100 acres makes it the premier poultry county of England. Not only do !«^ e n P„ rkney '' fowls la 7.eRRs worth abcut £200,000 a year, but they are enabling land never cultivated before to be brought under the plough. They scratch up the heather and other coarse growth on waste «J» and make '* into serviceable pasture Manufactured in Inchinnan. m Scotland, the India Super Tyres, although new to New Zealand motorists, have a wellestablished and enviable reputation among motorists at Home. Otago Agents. The Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association. Ltd., Crawford street. Dunedin.".. A case of extreme foolishness that nearly ended in tragedy occurred on Mount Messenger a few days ago (eays a New Plymouth newspaper), when two motor cycle riders, northward bound, attempted to climb the mountain on top gear. To do this it was necessary to maintain a speed of approximately 20 miles an hour, which was not only a menace to other traffic on the road, but, as experience showed, was nearly fatal to one of the riders and a pillion passenger behind .him. One of the sharpest bends in the road proved too sharp for the machine on which these two were riding to negotiate, and the motor cycle and both riders went over the cliff. The lives of the latter were saved almost by a miracle. Instead of dropping the 100 feet or eo into the gorge the two men and the machine were caught by a jutting tree about 15 feet or 20 feet below the road, and escaped practically unhurt. "Won't you wait one tiny moment," u Said the miller to the maid. » ' i l>m K° in S for Hitchon's bacon, And I cannot, sir," she said... During the first nine months of this year the loss from fire in Great Britain and Ireland was £9,570,000, as compared with £6,008,000 for the corresponding nine months of 1928. This suggests that the phenomenally dry weather this year has been responsible for an increase in the losses from fire. And this is confirmed by the fact that one hae to go back to 1921—another dry year—before finding a January to September period in which nres have been more costly. It is not only drought that causes increased fire losses, however. A spell of severe frost may send up the figures, partly because difficulties may be met in finding water to fight tn» flames.

Broken weather has seriously handicapped shearing and haymaking in the Wanganui district. Shearing is three ‘Weeks to a .month behind, and it is certain that extra demands for labour will be made to cope with the rush which is bound to set in once fine weather ob-, taiiie. ' JThe suggestion from the Government that a bag of ducks for one day sboalll be limited to 10 was rejected by Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society twojKT years ago. Now the Shooting Committee"*' of the society has recommended that the limit should be fixed at 15. At present those who have taken out licenses regularly for many years say that if they are not to be given or allowed to have what they term a “fair innings,” they will not take out a license next year. ' Bathing towel wraps, with draw cord, heavy quality, bright colours, wonderful value at 12s 6d, post free, from James Gray and Sons’ Mail Order House, Milton... Some New Zealanders who live in New York recently received a letter from Alaska, somewhere in the neighbourhood . of _ the Arctic Circle. They were surprised when they found that the letter contained New Zealand racing news. jfe. radio listener in Alaska had heard 2YiJ giving race results, and forwarded them to the New Zealanders he knew in New York. It took the news a fraction of, a second to reach Alaska from New Zealand. It took the letter nine days to go from Alaska to New York. Grandism (910): It is a matter _of common knowledge that the Grand wines and spirits are second to none in the Dominion. Home supply store. Princes street... The maximum load at the Lake Coleridge power station during the week ended December 29 was 21,160 k.w. (previous week, 21,040 k.w.) and was recorded between 11.30 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, December 24, when the weather was almost Antarctic in its severity. At the Addington substation the maximum load was 15,750 k.w.' (previous week, 15,252 k.w.) and was recorded between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on Monday, December 23. _ The lake level was at 1672.15tt\_r previous week 1667.15 ft, and the inflow from the Harper River was 210 ' cusecs, previous week 290 cusecs. Just opened—A new range Ladies' .Sanitary Towels (Southall’s) per dozen packets, Is lid and 2s lid; Mere, 2s 6d and 2s lid; Lilia Soluble Towels, Is lid and 2s 6d; Lilia Soluble Towels, with shield, 2s 6d and 2s lid; Ladies’ Rubber Sanitary Knickers, 2s lid and 4s lid; Elastic Belts. Posted to any address.— From T. Ross, 130 Princes street... The particular problem which has been causing the trustees of the Jubilee Institute for the ’Blind, Auckland, special concern of late has been that of married ,men who lose their sight. The importance of training such men in use* ful work has been strongly felt, and a number of them have been induced to come to the institute. An unfortunate feature about this plan, however, was that it meant separating husband and wife or father qpd mother apjjl children. The trustees, aided by the gift of a block of land, have decided to endeavour to provide homes for the wives and families of blinded men. Do not miss this; Prince of Wales W house whisky. IDs 6d; four or more, 10s. ' Fine old port, 3s.—C. Hinchcliff. proprietor. Phone 10-721... In modern institutions for the blind in Britain, such as Glasgow, with 600 blind men and women workers, Mr Clutha Mackenzie, on his recent trip abroad,' found a great bum of industry and many large orders being executed for shipping companies, distilleries, hotels, hospitals, and the wholesale trade. In Paris women were employed in the very delicate task of manufacturing bouquets, wreaths, and sprays of flowers the finest beadwork. .These were the French for the , decoration of graveM? and tombs. In Cairo, where a small in- f stitution of 40 or SO men and boys.' run .by a British committee, was struggling against the great difficulties of Mohammedan apathy and the lack of funds to do something for the- roughly estimated 200,000' Egyptian blind, some very good Turkish carpets were made. For suitable Christmas Gifts try Conn’s Grand Pharmacy, Prescription Specialists, High street, Dunedin... What is considered a record of interest to farmers and shearers was put up by a gang of six shearers at Messrs Galpii'. Bros.’ shed, Woodlands, Marten, on New Year’s Day (says the Wanganui Herald). A total of 1724 ewes and lambs were shorn in eight''hours 50 toinutes. The gang was one got together by Mr Stan Johnston, and Ganger J. F, Askerman was in charge. One shearer had to do all the counting out and grinding of combes and cutters for the gang. Taking this into consideration the tallies are all the. more creditable. Individual tallies are— Mack Tompson 320, A. Gillam 301, P. Donovan 300. Wilson Marshall Ackermann 270, S. Brannigan 241. Workers, these Interest you. Fatio*s Scots grey working shirts, 6s lid; dark striped cotton tweed trousers, cuff bottoms, sizes 3 to 6 only, 8s lid; canvas carrier vesta, tweed lined, 16s 6d; posted anywhere for cash.—Kilroy and Sutherland. Ltd.. 192 Princes street, Dunedin... During the holiday period it has been a common sight to see cars coming in to Wellington from the Akatarawa and nearby_ country with plants, ferns, or trees tied to the sides (says the Evening Post). Such despoiling of the flora causes • much damage. to_ wild life, as untouched L bush in the vicinity of the city, apart r from reserves; is becoming all too rare. Birds suffer as their haunts are destroyed. It is uncertain, however, if many of "the plants so pillaged (generally out of season) will grow, for exposure outside a motor car to every wind, with dry roots in the open air, is sure to do very material damage. In Australia there is a society which prohibits (under Act of Parliament) the taking of wild plants into the cities and the sale of certain species such as boronia. Such a society and such an Act would be very useful in New Zealand. Ex Papanui, wo have received our second consignment of “ Blue Mountain Jamaica,” the finest coffee grown on earth. Obtainable only from A. Durie and Co, coffee'specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin... “ When one considers the conditions obtaining in other countries. New Zealanders should have no reason to be depressed over their unemployment problem. This statement was made by Mr C. F. Bennett, who returned to Auckland by the Aorangi after an extended trip abyoad. The impression he gained was that the world had not yet recovered from thfflßf period of trade depression, and that xm~J employment was still a serious problem.. I visited 25 countries during my tour,” Mr Bennett said. “With few exceptions there were general complaints about the slackness of trade, and in consequence there were thousands of unemployed aU most everywhere. This even applies tor the United States, a country which such a great reputation for prosperity. Even where trade was booming a year ( or two ago, with massed production in highly organised secondary industries it is generally admitted to-day that supplies are m excess of the demand. The unemployed lists are growing instead of diminishing.” Men, your Xmas suit is here. We have just opened up a full range of Lynx suits in new designs; sizes to fit ail builds. We can fit you. Priced from £o I9s 6d to £7 19s 6d. Call end see them. —A. F Cheyue and Co. Auckland’s waterfront is always interes^^’I ¥ , “ U t j , ere ffe not many corners winch could be called picturesque the Star). There is. However, one spoiT where passers-by like to hang over the breastwork rail, or lounge on the adjacent wharf, watching the boats and the men on them, and that is the little basm I? rn v “ -V ■N e^son street wharf and •VL “ reas tovork across the road from the city markets. It is a narrow basin and so shallow that at the shore end it dries out and leaves humps of rich black mu'd, which does not smell of lavender. In this little wet dock the seine-net fishermen land their catches, put their nets and ropes ashore for drying, and take in ice and stores. Most of the craft are launches, tmt there are still a few that sail, though it is true they always have auxiliary power, and probably only use their sails to steady the boat. On the wharf, drying rails have been put up, and oni them the brown nets are dried and ovetdk hauled by the fishermen, who mend tSe\( broken meshes. They are following one oi 1 the oldest occupations in the world. From ’ the earliest times man has caught fish in nets. And, oddly enough, the knot that is us ea. is the same all over the world > modification of the bowline. The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but he , had fled. “F” stand all night if I can have Some Hitchon's ham.” he said..,