NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23081, 6 January 1937, Page 12

NEWS IN BRIEF

About 500 American motor cars arrived at Auckland from New York by the City of Manchester last week. Many were carried on deck. The vessel berthed at Queen’s wharf on the opposite side to the Huntingdon, which arrived from Liverpool with over 500 English motor cars early the previous week. The vehicles are for distribution at the main ports of the Dominion.

The Waikanae River has always been somewhat erratic in the location chosen for its discharge into the sea. For some time past it has been slowly and steadily eating its way through the sandhills in a southerly direction, whereas land owners in the neighbourhood would much prefer it to go in the opposite direction! However, the recent rains have had the effect of flooding the river and altering its course. It has now cut for itself a new mouth to the sea, well to the north of the old one, and if the water will condescend to stay in this channel the settlers will be well satisfied. Grandism (3078): For 54 years the Grand Hotel is a name that has stood for s'ervice and for the best wines and spirits money can buy... Although 11 parties have made ascents of Mount Aspiring all have used the same route, hut recently an ascent was made by the south-west ridge, when three members of the New Zealand Alpine Club made the first traverse of the peak. They were Messrs H. J. Stevenson, R. D. Dick, and D. Lewis, of Oamaru. Six days were spent by the party in climbing, during which time they made the first ascent of the Pope’s Nose on the Divide Ridge and the second of another peak between that and Mount Aspiring. They also made the second ascent of Mount Avalanche, and a traverse of Mount French. _ Mount Aspiring was first climbed in 1910 by Major Head, who reached the summit by the West Matukituki and the north-west ridge. All the successful parties since then have used the same route.

Strength, flavour, aroma! All are found in the favourite “ Bourbon ’’ brand of coffee and chicory. “ Bourbon ” is produced by specialists. Instructions in every tin... A local timber merchant has received from a friend in the same line of business in Vancouver the following acknowledgment of a copy of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Christmas Annual: —“ Please accept our thanks for the Christmas number of this publication. We always look forward to these and must compliment the publisher as usual on the beautiful photographic plates.” Some motorists on the main road near Kaikoura had a very fortunate escape from serious injury and possible death when their car slipped, over a steep bank. A branch of a tree growing in the bank penetrated the hood of the car and brought the vehicle to rest without any injury to the occupants. If, the car had not caught in the tree it would have been dashed to pieces on the rocks below. The accident occurred when the driver was trying to pass another car towing a trailer.

Careful buying for the New Year will turn the thoughts of many residents in and around Milton to Gray’s Big Store. A good beginning for the next 12 months...

Early this year a bell will be installed in the Church of England at Ngaio, Wellington. Mrs H, J. F. Brandt, a parishioner, who died several years ago, bequeathed a sum of money for the purchase of a bell for the church and for its hanging, and at the request of the churchwardens Mr T. D. H. Hall ordered a bell from Gillett and Johnston, Croydon, England, founders of the Wellington carillon, while on a visit to England. Mr Hall, who returned from abroad a few days ago, said that the bell will be unusually large for a small suburban church, weighing 9cwt and measuring over three feet across the mouth. Its note will be A. The bell for Ngaio was to be cast before the end of last year. Mr Hall heard a similar bell sounded, and he described it as having a beautiful, deep tone. The church was built with a bellchamber and ringing chamber, and the bell will be installed so that it can be swung and rung in the proper way. Mr Hall explained that the bell would be tuned in the manner of bells in a .modern carillon, and it could form the basis of a chime if that were ever desired. Special showing of curtains, cretonnes, shadows, hearth rugs, squares, and linos, this week. See special window and interior display. All new goods. Prices right. Buy now.— The Mosgiel Drapery Warehouse. A. F. Cheyne and C 0... When mowing a paddock for hay on his farm at Tauhei, near Morrinsvillo, recently* Mr R. A. S. Browne came across a spike of ragwort plant that showed signs of having been attacked by some insect enemy. The buds along one side had been completely eaten off. Mr Browne, who is a keen naturalist, is hopeful that this is a sample of the work of the ragwort fly, some of which- were liberated in the Waikato a short time ago. He has examined other ragwort plants without finding any similar signs of the insect. Mr Browne hopes that other farmers have noticed indications of ragwort being attacked. While appreciating the value of insects for attacking ragwort, he considers that the solution of the ragwort problem may be the use of suitable fungus parasites. “I don’t think the business people of Wanganui realise what a great asset they have in the Maori people,” said an up-river settler to a Wanganui Chronicle reporter. “ They are the best spenders of the lot and I venture to say that upwards of .£ 10,000 was spent in Wanganui by Maoris during Christmass.” The Maoris were now earning better money than ever before, he said, and it was well known that little of it was saved for a rainy day. This was, in itself, a pity, but the business people reaped the reward and a good deal of money was kept in circulation. On Christmas Eve hundreds of Maoris were seen in the shops, buying clothing and food.

Ashpans (black, brass, or copper fronts) made to fit your grate. Also, log box linings, etc., made to order.— Dickinson’s, Ltd., sheet metal workers. 441 Princes street...

At least 400 men would be dependent on the association for some form of assistance for many years to come, Mr E. F. Willcox, secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, said when reviewing the association’s work during the year. Mr Willcox declared that many returned men were unable to compete in the employment market, so that the association had to step in to relieve the distress of the men and their families. Altogether £4129 had been spent by the association in the last year on giving such help. The Veterans’ Allowance Act had been the means of alleviating distress among a large number of men, but it was hoped that the Act might be amended to enable the restrictions limiting the income of those receiving assistance under the Act to be removed. A summer picnic without a Crossan's hamper is a sad affair. Whatever your requirements, Crossan’s Waterloo is sure to please yourself and friends... Believing that prevention is certainly better than cure in the case of peat swamp fires, the Taupiri Drainage and River Board has issued a warning to settlers that heavy penalties are provided for breaches of its by-laws relating to swamp fires. One clause prohibits the lighting of fires within 50ft of a board drain without the written consent of the board. Another clause places the obligation on settlers to take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of fires and to repair and reinstate drains damaged by fire. It will be recalled that two years ago, when Waikato experienced a very dry summer, extensive damage to drains and pastures was caused by the spread of fires carelessly lighted or not suppressed in their incipient stages. Put your worries all behind you, Brighten life up once again. Eat Hitchon’s Bacon—it will help you Your bright spirits to regain...