ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 12

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

" Enquiry," St. Kilda.—The annual returns published in connection with the Friendly Societies Act show that at December 31, 1934, there were 929 lodges with a membership of 100,708, and funds totalling £4,676,427. At March 31 of this year the returns of six central bodies and 78 blanches were outstanding. "Toko," Milton.—(l) W. R. Irvine played in 27 matches. Including four international fixtures, with the 1924-25 All Blacks' team. He did not play In the Devonshire, North Midlands, and Northumberland matches. He scored seven tries during the tour. (2) In reply to a question from " All Black," Seacllff, the names of the team which played against Gloucester and Somerset on October 3 were given as the team against Lancashire and Cheshire, played on October 5. The team In the latter match was composed of Gilbert, Brown, Oliver, Hart, Caughey, Griffiths, Sadler (backs), Hore, Lambourn, Adkins, Roid, King, M'Kenzie, Best, Vorrath. In the lucky try in this game Griffiths and Best fell on the ball. " Old Identity," Broad Bay.—Two correspondents, one from Otago Peninsula and the other from Blackstone Hill, have courteously supplied the words of the old song about which you Inquired. The former states that the song was written by Mr Archibald Mackay, of Sandymount, and was sung by him at a concert in Sandymount School 48 years ago, and the latter correspondent clipped the words from tho Otago Witness, in which they were printed. The words are : I love Bonnie Scotland and England's blest shore, But I love the new land of the Maori far more; . Where labour's a blessing and health reigns supreme. And peace and contentment endear every scene. Chorus. Wl' Its flax and its fern. And rare cabbage tree. Blue shirts and sunbonnets— New" Zealand for me. The land of the kowhal tree, maple, and pine, And blue bully-bully and sweet blooming vine ; Whero the birds whistle cheerily all the day long. And the wild woods re-echo the voice of their song. ' Chorus. Wl' its flax and its fern, etc. Where tho workman's cottage stands 'neat to the view, ' Surrounded by wild flowors of each varying hue; And his fields laden plenty wl' earth's golden spoil Make his home circle, happy and sweeten his toil. Chorus. ~ Wl' Its flax and Its fern, etc. " Jolly Old Sol."—An obvious, error, which we . regret.