NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22790, 27 January 1936, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

An outsize in hollyhocks, remarkably prolific in blooms, presents an unusual sight in the garden of a resident of Rivei road, Claudelands. Standing nearly 10 feet in height (says the Waikato Times), the plant has already shed 172 blooms, retains at the present time a magnificent display of flowers, and possesses' many more buds nearing development. There is little to account for its unusual character. From all accounts, the brief storms experienced in Invercargill on Wednesday and Thursday evenings were real thunderstorms in other parts of the province. On Wednesday exening (says the Southland Times) appreciable damage was done in the Lorneville and West Plains district by lightning, fuses being blown out in three houses, fence posts being blackened and staples forced out, and a cow and a heifer being killed. The following night there was only a sprinkling of rain in Invercargill, but distant thunder indicated that another storm was being experienced further inland. . A heavy

downpour passed across Winton, and steady, rain was reported from other parts of the Central district. The country was badly in need of rain, but fanners yyould appreciate a lighter and steadier fall.

The flowing bowl should be conspicuously in evidence at the festive season. Lose no time in booking your order tor the usual hamper.—W. Crossan, “ Waterloo,” Caversham...

Awakened suddenly from his slumbers in the night and hearing a strange rustling in hia room, a storekeeper in a Taranaki town had visions of someone having entered his room with felonious intent. He sprang out of bed, simultaneous!y_ switching on the electric light. Nothing was to be seen, but the rustling continued. The storekeeper looked under the bed, whereupon he was greatly relieved to discover that the cause of the disturbance was a hedgehog, the largest that he had ever seen, which had wandered into his room. Whatever the Douglas Social Credit system may stand for there is one early debit against the conference which was held .at New Plymouth. Prior to the opening proceedings at the Workers’ Social Hall (says the Taranaki Herald) a member of the audience, anxious to let a little fresh air into the hall, opened up the bottom sash of one of the windows. A slip, however, caused the window to fall and there was a resounding crash of broken glass, with the cost of repair of which, presumably, the conference will be debited.

Best quality regulation dust drums obtainable at Dickinson’s, Ltd., tinsmiths and sheetmetal workers, 245 Princes street, Dunedin..,

To fly from New Plymouth to Hawera to recover a felt hat left in a plane housed at the Hawera aerodrome was the exploit of a New Plymouth pilot recently, although it .must be said that he did not make the whole flight for that purpose alone. The hat belonged to a passenger whom the pilot, Mr- H. W. Lightband, took to Taupo tne other day. The plane in which the trip was made was subsequently returned to Hawera, where the hat was found in the cockpit. In the meantime the passenger had discovered his loss and advised Mr Lightband. Mr Lightband next day flew round the mountain with an Auckland passenger, Mr L. Lynch, who, incidentally, was devoting to the flight portion of a good win at the Stratford races. The flight brought him close to Hawera, so he new a short distance across country, landed on the aerodrome, collected the hat from the hangar and took off again immediately on the return to New Plymouth. Turnbull’s Sample Room, Middlemarch, Saturday, 25th (late night), Monday 27th, Wednesday 29th. Summer Sale in full swing. Call early. Your inspection invited.—A. F. Cheyne and Co., Mosgiel... English-speaking people (says the Auckland iStar) probably lose a good deal in picturesqueness by not applying to their children, as the Maoris and many of the Easterns do, names that have a meaning of their own. In Auckland the custom is well illustrated . in the family of the Rev." Y. g. Chau, the missioner of the Presbyterian Church to the Chinese in New Zealand. His oldest boy. born before he left China, is named Choung Shangj.or “Born in Dr Sun’s City.” Next comes a bright little two-year-old, Sun Shang, whose name conveys the information that he was “Born in New Zea land.” The little daughter, just a few months old, has a name with a double meaning. “Wah Ying,” which is either “ Beautiful ” or “A Chinese Girl Boru in an English Land.” Grandisra (2787): Should Grand House whisky not prove to be just the finest whisky you ever tasted, bring the bottle back and we return your 125...

Hopes that wells in the Heathcote Valley, _ Christchurch, might prove to have medicinal properties were dashed last week, when the report of an analysis c. the water was received by the Heathcote County Council. The report stated that the water would not have any appreciable medicinal value if used either externally or internally. The major constituent (says a northern exchange) was sodium chloride (common salt), together with some bicarbonate of sodium and lime, and smaller amounts of chloride and sulphate of magnesium.

It is given to few to take an official part in the proclamation" of three Sovereigns. Thursday was the third occasion on which Mr A. R. Wills, bandmaster of the Civic Band, had participated in a proclamation ceremony in Invercargill. As solo cornetist in the old City Band (says the Southland Times) Mr "Wills took part in the proclamation of Edward the Seventh as King. That was in the year 1901. In 1910 Mr Wills was conductor of the Hibernian Band at the proclamation of King George the Fifth, and on Thursday he participated as bandmaster of the Civic Band. “Bcurbon" for breakfast! This favourite coffee makes strong appeal to those who know the worth of a genuine beverage.—Duries, Specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin.

As a gesture to show that the local authority in whose, territory Waitangi lay, and as indicating aliveness to the importance of the occasion, the Whangarei Borough Council decided (says the Northern Advocate) to inform the committee which is arranging for the Waitangi centenary celebrations in 1940 that it is prepared to assist in any way. This was done at the suggestion of CT A. T. Brainsby. who said that a broadcast appeal for assistance had been made by the committee, the secretary of which was Mr J. S. Brigham, town clerk of Auckland. A case of interest to second-hand dealers was heard in the Hamilton Police Court when (says a northern exchange) a second-hand dealer was charged with selling a used cycle within a month of the date on which he had received it. Senior Sergeant G. H. Lambert said the bicycle had been stolen. The thief had been dealt with in Auckland. The defendant said he effected the sale three weeks after he received the bicycle, as the result of an oversight. He had since labelled all the machines in stock, and a similar error could not recur. The defendant was fined 10s. Build up your children’s strength with gcod food. Grays carry the right sort at the Big Store, Milton... The steepness of some of the hill slopes, the dry state of the native pasture and the proximity of some of the larger patches to the residential areas of Sumner have induced many children to recondir tion their toboggans and take to the hills. The most popular site for this thrilling' sport (says the Christchurch Scar-Sun) is an unfenced area on the Scarborough Hill just above the end of Bury street. Here,, evening after evening, the boys and girls with their parents and friends, climb up the steep slope, take their stance on the toboggan at the top, and “ let her. go.” The steepness of the grade, the unevenness of the ground, and the general slipperiness of the sunburnt pasture provide plenty of thrills for both young and old. Spills and some bruises occur frequently. and, occasionally, the sledge does not pull up willingly on the edge of a small rocky cliff at the end of the runway. However, the risk continues to be taken freely, and, judging by the sounds of hilarity and enjoyment that float over the residences below, the sport is both attractively alluring and exhilarating. No need for paint or powder puff, Hitchon’s choice ham is quite enough. ’Twill clear and beautify the face By adding charm and giving grace...