NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21390, 18 July 1931, Page 20

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Whangavci Acclimatisation Society lias received 100,000 brown trout ova from the Canterbury Society. They have arrived in excellent order. A count of- salmon taken in British Columbia waters last year showed that the grand total was 37,000,000. It was a record season, the previous high total being 9,500,000 less, in 1926. The switch-ocer from the old system to the new board at the Napier telephone exchange was made last Saturday night. A total of 870 lines, accommodating about 1000 subscribers, is at present on the board, but provision is being made for 1050 lines, with 1200 subscribers. Beer Drinkers.—Southern Hotel special prices for workers’ bar: Imperial Pints, 6d; Handles, sd; Long Beers, 4d; Mediums, 3d each; Bottled Ale, Is 3d per bottle. Southern Luncheon unequalled in Dunedin, 2s.—Tom Cahill... A claim for the value of two ewes which were electrocuted when a 230-volt electric power line broke loose from a pole during a southerly gale on the night of June 23, was received by the Malvern- Electric Power Board at its meeting on July 3. The claim was handed on to the insurance company carrying the board’s public risk. As in the early days, when hard times were experienced throughout the Thames goldfield, men were forced to strike out into new districts and prospect for new finds of gold-bearing reefs, so the present depression (says the Waihi Telegraph) has forced many miners to form themselves into prospecting parties and take expeditions into the back country where there is any likelihood of finding gold. The grandfather clock which Lord and Lady Bledisloe presented to Hastings has been set up at the top of the stairs leading to the Council Chambers. The clock is a beautiful piece of work with a particularly melodious and musical chime. It is of British manufacture, the case being of kohekohe, a handsome New Zealand native wood. “ Pheasants were never more abundant in the Otorohan'ga district than during the past season,” said Mr Murray Pratt, president of the Otorohanga Acclimatisation Club, at a meeting of the Auckland Society. He said that during the season he had secured 34 splendid cock pheasants and other fine bags in the district included those of Mr W. Signal, 28 birds; Mr R. F. Park, 23; and Mr R. Moerua, 18. There might be some excuse for contenting yourself with second best tyres if the world’s best were hard to get, or exorbitant in price; but India Super Tyres are obtainable here right at your hand. —Otago Farmers’, agents... The building figures presented to the last meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council for the month of June showed some improvement on recent months, the total value being £12,895, of which £9OOO represented five shops, in the course of erection, and four dwellings, valued at £3039. The value of the buildings erected in June, 1930, was £49 494.

The Auckland Acclimatisation Society decided last week to reduce. the reward for each pair of hawks’ feet from 9d to 6d. Since the beginning of April, 10,427 pairs have been received, as compared with 6352 for a similar period in 1930. Several members of the society expressed the opinion that hawks are being killed in districts such as Rotorua, where no reward is paid for their destruction, and it was mentioned that some of the parcels contained over 200 pairs of feet.

It had been said that the civilisation of Europe could not be wiped out, but past civilisations had been lost,' said the Rev. J, Paterson, speaking to the Wanganui Rotary Club. It had happened time and again in the past he said; Study of ancient history brought an understanding of true conservativeness and of true progress. _ It showed that civilisation took a long time to develop, and that it could disappear quickly. Grandism (1384).—1f the name “Aragon ” is on the label you get the real wine flavour in , the glass; 4s bottle Aragon Spanish Wine. —Grand Hotel...

Official advice that all earthquake damage between Bay View and Te Ngara crossing on the Napier-Wairoa main highway had been repaired accompanied a request by the Hawke’s Bay County Council recently from the No. 6 District Highways Council that the county should reassume control of the road. “ I think we have been treated very fairly in this matter,’’ said the chairman, Mr F. B. Logan. It was decided to write thanking the Highways Council, which had had the work done, the whole cost being borne by the Main Highways Board. “ He offered me 30 bags of pine cones delivered at my house if I would shut my eyes,” said Inspector Napper, of the Heathcote County Council, when telling Mr H. P. La wry,' S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, how he had found a car with last year’s number plates on it. The car was drawn up at the side of the road while the owner, who had no license to drive, wag collecting pine cones. The inspector suggested. that defendant might be instructed to give the 30 bags of cones to the Salvation Army, but the magistrate made no comment on this proposal. Favoured by a sheltered situation and being grown in sandy soil, a row of peas in the garden of a Gonville (Wanganui) resident presents a very, pleasing appearance. Tire well-grown plants stand some 3i) inched high and have healthy foliage with flowers already making their appearance. A visitor remarked on the unusual sight for a mid-winter month and, it is understood, made haste to gain an invitation to share in the crop which the proud grower hopes to gather when the pods fill.

Ladies’ Winceyette Nightdresses, from 7s Gd; Winceyette Pyjamas, from 8s lid; all richly embroidered; Southall’s Sanitary Towels, Is lid; Menes Towels, 2s 3d; ’ Sanitary Belts, Is Cd; Sanitary Knickers. 3s 6d; Plain and Silk Stripe Fleecy Bloomers, from 2s Gd; all at 20 per cent, discount.—T. Ross, 130 Princes street...

The prompt action of a passing motorist prevented serious damage when a fire broke out in the engine of another car in Mount Eden road, Auckland, recently. The fusing of wires in the electrical equipment of a sedan ear caused the outbreak. The passing driver used a small hand extinguisher to such good purpose that , the flames were almost entirely suppressed before the arrival of the Mount Eden Fire Brigade. The damage was confined to the wiring amj a slight blistering of the paint on the bonnet of the car.

The seal pond at the Auckland Zoological Gardens, vacant since the death of the last sea lion, will shortly be occupied by a pair of pelicans, which have been ordered from the Melbourne Zoo. These curious birds should form a distinct attraction (says the New Zealand Herald) on account of their unusual build and thei r handsome plumage. They are very much at home in the water and are adepts at swimming and diving. In accordance with an ancient custom' the people of Lichfield, Staffordshire; have chosen Miss Clara Talbot as “ Queen of the Bower.” She is IS years of age and has long anburn hair. The custom is said to date back to the time of King Alfred, and this is only the third occasion on which a queen has been chosen. The full title of the festival is “ Courte of Arraye and View of Men at Amies,” and it is said that it was inaugurated by the warlike King of Northumberland to commemorate his victory over the heathen ruler of Mercia, in a battle near Lichfield. The Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest bodyguard and oldest military corps existing in any country. Henry VI instituted them as a Royal Bodyguard in 1485, and they fought with, him on Bosworth Field. They were originally responsible for the safety of the Sovereign within doors, and guarded the interior of the Palace. They brought up the King’s food and “ tasted ” it for fear of poison, and performed the daily ceremonial of “making the King’s bed.” From this custom derive the initials Y.8.1T. (Yeoman Bed-hanger) and Y.B.G. (Yoemen Bed:goers) still affixed to certain Yeomen on the Roll. The Yeomen still dress as they did in Tudor days, with Tudor cap, coat of Royal scarlet with trimmings of Imperialpurple, and gold lace and ribbons of red, white and blue, together with the ruff which was added in Elizabeth’s reign. “Their function,” says Mr H. Clifford Smith in Buckingham Palace, is still to “uphold the dignity and grandeur of the English Crown.” When the King opens Parliament a Yeoman armed with his partisan marches in line with each wheel of the Royal coach, and eight others with a sergeant-major immediately behind.

The secretary of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society in Ilia latest progress report to members, states: ■‘Your executive has to report steady progress and ever-increasing good, results as the outcome of the united endeavours of many to further the interests of our native birds and forests. That major" menace to our forests —plant-eating animals—ls receiving some attention, probably far from adequate, but never- ' theless a start in the necessary elimination ’has been made. The society, like every other organisation, feels the pinch of hard times. The Government grant of £SO previously, given has along with many other such amounts been withdrawn.,.' We would, therefore, appeal to members to continue their past support and enhance it if possible.” Now the dark mornings are here you 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... A strange position has occurred in Hobart with regard to registration’of the birth of Maida Jean Eaton, which has only been discovered after a lapse of 22 • years. Miss Eaton required her birth certificate to enable her to apply for a professional position. On going, to the department concerned she found that the nurse had registered her as a male and given her her father’s Christian names, Thomas Arthur. The State Act provides that no correction can be made of error after two years, and how the matter can be rectified is puzzling the minds of the authorities.

Boots and Shoes are being quoted at the new low prices at Gray’s Sale, The Big Store, Milton...

The pressing need which exists in the Wellington diocese for additional clergy in thickly-populated parishes was referred to at a recent session of. the synod, and a committee was set up to report upon the best means of providing rein forcemeats. Mr W. Haydon Maclean said that a clergyman could look after a pariah of 3500 satisfactorily, but there were parishes which were much larger. In order to provide the men to cope successfully with the work on a basis of 3500 per ,man, 29 additional clergymen would be required in the Wellington diocese. He suggested that a fund should be established for the purpose. Masterton, for instance, had a population of IOjOOO, and had only two clergymen, and was entitled to an additional curate. .

Annual Winter Sale in full swings Bigger selections and bigger values than ever. See windows. Call and look • round: no one asked to buy.—The Mosgiel Warehouse. A. F. Cheyne and C 0...A remarkable instance of child fortitude was witnessed at the Winter Show .when the Auckland Highland and National Dancing Society held its annual competitions (reports the Star). A girl aged 10 years was dancing in the sailors’ hornpipe section when she was noticed to be in difficulties. She seemed to be in pain, but she kept on dancing. When she left the stage it was found that a safety pin had entered her first toe to a-, depth of about half an inch. As most of the dancing is-done on the toes, it credit on the child that she kept dancing. When 1 the results were announced, she was placed’ second. • •

Car 116 ts the most popular one in the Wellington tramway service (remarks the Dominion). It is a‘ combination car which has been converted into a closed-iu one by the provision of solid sides and windows in place of flapping blinds in tbe central section. It has always been known that the car with blinds was not exactly suited to Wellington conditions, yet there have been no new cars other than this pattern for 15 or "20' years. Car 116 is a welcomed break-away from tradition. On the near side of the car there are two doors, as well as those in front and behind, and if it does take a little longer to load and discharge passengers the increased comfort and immunity from draughts and rain are regarded as ample compensation. . - - - - 1 :

Shop at Barton’s. —Cooked ham. sliced. Is Sd; whole cooked, hams,-. Is 6d; halfhams, cooked, Is 7d; smoked;hams, Is Id; bacon, large rolls, BJd per lb;- bacon, light rolls, 9}d; bacon, half-rolls. 10d;- rashers. Speed and spills were t<S the forefront at the Blue Lakes. Mount Cook, last Sunday, when tbe Hermitage staff played, and lost, an ice-hockey match, with the Mackenzie team. The Mackenzrie ’ team, headed by Mr W. Hamilton, of Irishman’s Creek, who is a noted skater, was too good for the home team. Incidentally, Guide Alf Brustad had his first experience of ice-hockey in this encounter, andstill bears marks of the fray. As he said; “ They got the goals and we got the bumps! ” At his home at Irishmans Creek, apparently, Mr Hamilton has an extensive, electrically-illuminated, private ice-skating rink. Speaking of the “war debt holiday” offer recently suggested by America, Mr A. J'. Davey, at a recent meeting of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, said that so far os war debts were concerned, he was inclined to the belief that the offer foreshadowed the beginning of the end. He did not think the offer was an act of-graciousness on the part of the United States) but a hard-headed business policy.; “America is feeling the pinch,” Mr Davey said, “and lias her army of unemployed. The Americans, I think, realise that, as long as countries have to raise money to pay their war debt interest, they will pot, in view; Of . the present circumstances', be in a position to trade in the’ many avenues open in the United. States.” v > Stetson flats-reduced from ,52s Cd to 29s 6d (posted Is extra) is only one,of the bargains at our Winter Sale.-—The “Ascot, Cr Princes and Rattray streets, Dunedin... ■ - -

The enforced return of the Uliraaros. to port after leaving Wellington; for Sydney recently was a fortunate occurrence for q young man and his wife, booked as passengers, who had travelled qll the way from Putaruru, and who arrived in Wellington just in time to see -the ship steaming down the harbour shortly after midday. They were just 10. minutes too late. Faced with the prospect of waiting a week for another ship, and having arrived cold and hungry, their Jot was not a happy one until they heard that the 1 Ulimaroa was putting back to- the harbour to undergo slight repairs. The local office of Huddart-Parker, Limited, got into communication with -the harbourmaster, who sent out one of the pilot launches to the Ulimaroa, the young couple getting on board, as the chief steward remarked, “ just in time for afternoon tea.”

Men’s working shirts sizes 14* to 17, striped “Tiger Twist” or plain; grey “Oliver Twist,” 7s lid;.Khaki Veldt, 8s Cd. Posted anywhere for cash.—Kilroy and Sutherland, Ltd., 192 Princes street, Dunedin...

Twenty-five pheasants, comprising 17 cock birds and eight hens, were liberated in Frenchman’s Swamp, about five miles from Russell, last week. The area has been declared a sanctuary " give the birds time to breed. The birds were sent from Kawakawa by , the Bay of -Islands Acclimatisation Society (eaya the New Zealand Herald), and cost 25s each. This is the first liberation of birds at Russell for several years. Pheasants were beebrning very scarce, serious inroads on their number having befen made by wekas and weasels. Burning-off operations have also been responsible for destroying nests. The Russell Town Board area is also a sanctuary. The pheasants just liberated were old birds, and it is hoped to secure a consignment of young game next year. All British! The coffees and chicory ** used in the “ Bourbon ” brand are all Empire products. Blended by A. Dune and Co., coffee specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin. “Bourbon” for breakfast...

“For Sale, a Horse, £l,” was a notice displayed outside a'shoeing force in Woolston, Christchurch, the other morning, and upon inquiry a Sun reporter discovered that that was not the lowest price at which horses are sold nowadays. “I had a horse in here to shoe the. other day,” said the blacksmith, “which its owner had bought for ss. It was quite a good horse, too. There is still some demand for draught horses,, but light horses are right out. of the picture now. Even trotting horses, which have been put on a hard mark, are not bringing much. While blacksmiths have been complaining of declining business for years, if we could return to the business we were doing five years ago we would he quite satisfied. However, I’m certain that heavy horses will not disappear altogether, and I’m only sorry that the lax .on motor vehicle! isn’t a lot bigger.” He swiped the ball a mighty blow.

And holed it out in one. He’d dined on Hitchon’s bacon— That’s how the trick was done.