NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21363, 17 June 1931, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF

The number of cases of fruit exported from the Marlborough district last season was 58,555, an increase of 3553 on the total for the s previous season. Good supplies of artesian water are available in many parts of the inner harbour lagoon from the Parke Island well to the southern end of the new Westshore bridge, according to advice received by the Napier Harbour Board from Mr H, A. M'Lean, who offered to discuss the matter with the board if the members felt interested. It was decided (says the Telegraph), to keep Mr M'Lean 1 s letter for future reference. '■ ■ , Soviet matches are now in Christchurch, Mr H. G. BU told a Sun reporter. “ I am writing to the Soviet selling agent in Wellington asking what is the attitude of the Soviet to the British Empire,” said Mr Ell. “One retailer in Christchurch informed me that he had been asked to stock Soviet matches, but' had refused to do so.” , , t “ ;

Now the dark mornings are here yob will require an Alarm Clock. Just landed this season’s stock of Alarm Clocks, Luminous Clocks, Striking Clocks, etc. Prices from 8s 6d.—Peter Dick, jewellers, watchmakers, and Opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedin/. . M- ■ ! ( The Federal Line steamer's cadet,' R. B. Westbrook, who received a fractured thigh when he was struck by a broken anchor chain at the port at New Plymouth, was put on board the ship on Thursday and sailed with her to Wellington. Westbrook’s injury was not so serious as first thought, and he made good progress in hospital. Dr Montgomery-Smith, ship’s surgeon, will attend to the lad’s injury on board the Westmoreland. Commercial travellers say that Napier for its size is one,of the best business towns in New Zealand to-day, and there appears no reason for doubting the statement when one sees the steady fiow of trade in the shops (writes the Napier correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). Another surprising fact for the stranger is that the price standard is !6w, and a third is that more trade is being done op a cash basis than'for many, a ddy. Grandism (1357): You will be delighted with the wonderful warming and refreshing effect old London Dock rum lias oh the system. 12s bottle;. Grand Hotel... The heaviest frost recorded in Ashburton for 20 years was experienced, last Tuesday morning, when 17.3 degrees were registered. This was the most severe frost since the record of 19.5 degrees was established on July 18, 1898, and equalled on July 18, 1911. In 1898 the intensity of the cold killed bluegum and wattle/ trees in plantations in various parts of the Ashburton County, and took its toll of trees and shrubs in the town.

An interesting reminder of the visit to Auckland 30 years ago of King George and Queen Mary, as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, is to be seen in the grove of pungo ferns in the Domain drive a short distance from Stanley street (states the New Zealand Herald), Punga ferns were used at the time of the visit to decorate the wharves and Queen street. A few stumps of the fern trunks were preserved, and were planted in the domain in the hope that they would grow again. These identical ferns now form a considerable part of the grove, which 'affords one of the most attractive sights in the domain. ! ' 1 ;

Excessive earthquake insurance premiums were the subject of a complaint made to a Christchurch Sun reporter recently by a Christchurch property owner. Shortly after the West Coast earthquake he insured hie house against earthquake at a premium of £2 10s, but when he went to pay it he found it had risen to £9 7s 6d, He thought it was time the Government devised some scheme whereby owners could insure their properties at reasonable rates.

Annual Winter Sale in full swing. Bigger selections and bigger values than ever. See windows. Call•; and look round; no one asked to, buy.—The Mosgiel Warehouse. A. F. Gheyne and Co..

With the publication of a paragraph about the flowering of plum trees at present,, due to the mildness of the weather, several more seasonal anomalies have come to light (says, the Wanganui Chronicle). Cherry trees, apple trees, and plum trees are in flower in some Wanganui gardens. There is a thrush’s nest outside the bedroom window of a residence, and the bird is sitting. Not only have signs of spring arrived in winter, but the Christmas tree, better known as the pohutukawa, is oiit in blossom in one part.

Hot Springs, in Arkansas, is famous for its hot waters and its scenery. And after June 12, when a 90-day divorce law comes into effect, it is expected to combine scenery with separation, and to wrest from Reno the title of “ Champion Divorce Centre of America.” Reno may retaliate by adopting a *six-weeks’ divorce law. The Mayor, Mr M'Laughlin, points out that 300,000 people a year visit Hot Springs. “ Now,” he says, “ they can kill two birds with one stone. They can come for the climate and the baths and get a divorce at the same time. Here they can find things to make them forget their marital unhappiness—golf, mountain climbing, and horseback riding.” Students are breaking down in health under the strain of “ cramming,” according to a statement made by Professor E. C. C. Baly at a meeting of the London section of the British Association of Chemists. “As a result of research in all parts of the world, the amount of knowledge is increasing at a rate which is truly alarming,” said the professor “ The student has' crammed into him an amount of knowledge which is truly unbelievable. The system under which we are living as regards the teaching of students must break down sooner or later. I believe I am now able to see how the system is going to give. The student is beginning to break down in health. The fault lies in the teachers and learned pundits who control things. They have lost their sense of proportion, and they have forgotten the difference between knowledge and wisdom.”

The necessity of having car headlights properly adjusted was strikingly demonstrated (says the Northern Advocate) when a serious accident nearly occurrekl on the Portland road. As it happened, the nothern patrol of the Auckland Automobile Association was On his way to Portland to teat lights in that township, and he came upon a car over _ the bank at a dangerous angle. This car had met a car coming from Whangarei and was dazzled by the strong headlights. Betorc the driver had time to pull up his wheels had slipped over the bank. With the assistance of a steel tow-rope the car was eventually replaced on the road. t T. Ross. —Stock of new season's gloves, hosiery, corsets, ladies’ and children s vests, cardigans, and umbrellas/for next two weeks will be sold at 20. per cent, re- ‘ i duction on present low prices, or onefifth off all purchases of 2s 6d or over.— T. Ross, 130 Princes street.... _ ■'U ; “ Some people declare that it is not tpe ; least use educating young Maoris as thdy' invariably go back to the mat,” said MW Kinross, principal of. the •Turakina Maori ' Girls’ College, at the session of the Presbyterian General Assembly at Wellington. “ Now, what is meant by this tern ‘back to the mat’? ” asked Miss Kinross. “If it means that the. young men and girls sometimes op back home, and do their part in picking the com and potatoes, is that a matter, for sneering? Far worse would it be if boys and girls were educated to'such an extent that* they would be too proud to do honest toil on the home farm.” , . All British! The cpffees and Chicory used in the ‘Bourbon” brand are all Empire, products. Blended by A. Dune and Co., coffee specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin. “Bourbon” for v “ I am rather disappointed that the Farmers’ Union is not playing a greater part in farming questions and matters in. the country,” said thc.Leadcr ofthc Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates) at Waipu the other night. “ The similar organisation in Great Britain has done a tremendous amount to assist the farmer, and is consequently keeping abreast with matters affecting his well-being. For instance, the union has secured a large number of legal ’ judgments to assist the farmer and advise the struggling man. in the present circumstances of our country there is a great opportunity for farmers to make the best use of their unions.” • ;’•>;£• We are selling Penfold’s port wine « 4s ner bottle, house whisky Us, pints 0e; cash with order. Prince of Wales Hotel. C. Hincheliff,. proprietor... An interesting acquisition by the Wanganui Museum is a collection «f moa egg fragments presented by Mr J. West, who picked them up on some sand dunes along . the, coast. These fragments recall the ta« that the moa used to lay. eggs on the sand; where the sun would hatch it is claimed that there are only two whole moa eggs in the world. On? wa*.bought by a celebrated Jewish collector in Lpar don, who paid £BO, foo it, while the other is possessed’by the Otago Museum, it w a remarkable. fact that this egg was discovered in the spoil of a gold dredee by a miracle it was not broken, Bully Hayes, the notorious seafarer, was at that • time working. on the Another presentation is an old brass badge of the 'sßth Regiment, which was stationed at ; the Redoubt at Wanganui in the days of its infancy. The badge ,was Picked up on the site of the Sarjeant Art Gallery spmp 15 years ago. : ' /. Men are wearing. leather coats with all round belts thiswinter. The Aseot..Outfitters, corner are showing the best value at £5 15s, ana. will post any size anywhere, tor cash... Corroboration of, ; the indictment ot hedgehogs as enemies of ground nesting birds at a former meeting of the society was read at the meeting of the Wellijigton Acclimatisation Society recently, from MrDerwent Lee, of Park avenue, Lower Hutt, who.stated that last season -Hedgehogs had levied Heavy toll on his duck pgesi Deposits of 20 egg shells, taken away by hedeehogsy were found on'tber emoval of rubbish,, heaps'of stseks, etc., and also other deposits under boards and' piles of; stakes. Near a hest containing, a hedgehog and four/youne ones were found,quantities of egg shells which he identified as those from his ducks. “They seem to be getting as destructive as .rats,” concluded the writer, " and instead of encouraging them', as we have' done in the past on account of the work they do amongst snails, we will have to destroy all we sec. After all, a few snails are not j worth the price of several dozen eggs. ) All prices at Gray’s Big Store have been brought into line with to-day’s reduced values. An inspection will repay you when you visit Milton.,. . \ ■. Many amused, glances and much giggling on the part of the fair sex accompanied the progress of an unconventionally clad young man along Main street, Gore, the other morning says the Southland Times) . His apparel consisted of a university ) beret, a short raincoat tied round with string, knickers which stopped far short 4 of the knees, and rolled down stockings. ’ Around; pne legdangledasuspender and ~ around the other a bootlade. His appearance was certainly unusual, and many were the speculations in regard. to the new had drifted into the town. ' The general opinion seemed to be that he was “dippy." The young man gave no outward sign that he noticed wj® unusual amount of attention being paid to him, and looked rather solemn as he paced the streets. In reality,: however; he was enjoying the joke. He was One of a party of university Students;who have, been. spending {he vacation by cycling, to various parts of Southland, all dressed- in an equally unconventional way. Gore’s visitor mentioned that on the previous day the party had visited Lumsden, where the residents had turned out in force to inspect them. : . Shop at Barton’s.-A-Cooked ham, sliced. Is 8d; whole cooked hams,-Is 6d; halfhams, cooked, Is 7d; baepn, large rolls, BJd per lb: bacon, light rolls, 9|d; bacon, half-rolls. lOd; rashers, 9d to 15... Asked by a Waikato Times representative why so many great pianists arranged similar programmes. Mr Miseha Levitzki, the famous pianist at present touring the Dominion, said that the subject had led to discussions in Australia. It is a many-sided problem,” he .said, and not nearly so simple; as music lovers think. We have to consider the. sophisticated and the unsophisticated in our audiences. To the first group belong the critics and professional musicians, who go to all concerts, and Prefer novelties Decause they have heard the well-established classics so many times. But then there arc the others who do not wish to hear novelties, bo much are they engrossed with the music which is, familiar to them. iet it •we play the familiar music we are told that it is hackneyed., As if a Beethoven sonata, for example, could ever become hackneyed! Do you know that have been playing the Bach Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue for 20 years, and to-day l am discovering new features in that work? And so it is with the classics of music.”

Men’s working shirts, sizes 14$ to 17, striped “ Tiger Twist ” or_ plain grey “Oliver Twist/' 7s lid; Khaki Veldt, 8s 6d. . Posted anywhere for cash. — Kilroy and Sutherland. Ltd.. 192 Princes street, Dunedin... > Just after the Nelson City Council, had settled down to business the other evening considerable distraction was caused by;the loud yelpings of a dog from-the corridor of the chamber. In a weak moment a councillor opened the door to find the cause of the trouble, but succeeded only in making more. The animal, which was evidently suffering, dashed between the councillor's legs, and taking the barrier separating the auditorium in its stride, sought sanctuary under the forms, its howls increasing meanwhile. _ The town clerk, whose unerring aim with an ink bottle put a sudden end to an invading rodent some years ago, was quick to take in the situation, and anned with a long pole he endeavoured to induce the dog to retire. But the more the pole was pushed at one end the louder became the noise at the other. By this time all the councillors were taking a keen but cautious interest in tlie incident, but none of them showed any particular longing to make heroes of themselves by getting to close grips with the invader. Eventually the owner of the dog arrived, threw a sack over it with some difficulty, and earned it violently protesting from the sacred precincts of the chamber. When councillors had reassembled Cr Moyhagh raised a laugh by strongly protesting against the councillor concerned “introducing deputations of this sort.” I was once a pig, a jolly little pig, They gave me all the tucker I could take on. But to gain fame I’m changing my name, Now I’m known as Hitchdn’s prime * bacon... 1