NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23108, 6 February 1937, Page 24

NEWS IN BRIEF

Many acres of manuka and broom at Taupo were destroyed by fire recenuy, the outbreak seriously threatening many residences in the northern portion of the town. Several householders removed their furniture, but a band of workers fortunately subdued the fire just before the houses were reached. i The epidemic is passing away, and all patrons of the Waterloo Hotel, Caversham, need have no fear of any contagion. Good spirits keep away all troubles... " There is not going to be any cheap stone fruit this season." said one auctioneer at the markets in Wellington recently, as he knocked down secondgrade apricots for 6s a case. "The trouble is there is not enough to go round. Hawke's Bay was badly hit by the rough weather in the spring, and early summer, and supplies from that quarter have been , restricted. The stuff, 1 am selling now is from Canterbury." Visitors to Dunedin -will find accommodation at Hotel Central 100 Princes street, to their liking... Mount Egmont has now taken mora human lives than any other mountain in New Zealand. It is felt by mountaineers (says a northern paper) that too many people venture on to the mountain, which is subject to rapid changes in weather, without knowledge of the risk involved in a solo climb. Sixteen tragedies x on the mountain are held by those who know its changeable weather to prove that even though it may be possible to stroll to the summit on favourable days, it is impossible for visitors to take too much ! care, either in seeking advice from exi perienced climbers or in taking a good , supply of food and clothing. 1 Grandism (3105): Not always a Scotchman's first whisky, but pnce he drinks it—it's his for keeps—best Scotch, and only 12s bottle... The receipt of conscience money to the amount of 2d in stamps was reported to the Peione Borough Council, at a recent meeting by the town clerk, Mr H. Firth. . A letter signed "Two Bathers, Kelburn," accompanied the remittance, with the explanation that the money should have been paid" for the use of the bathing sheds on the Petone beach. " I think they must belong to the Oxford Group," said the town clerk amid laughter. A rabbiter reports an enlightening happening with regard to a cat and stoat. He noticed these two animals (says the Wanganui Chronicle) from different angles simultaneously stalking a rabbit. The rabbit, becoming aware of the cat, dived into a hole. The cat followed. Within a second or two in. went the stoat. The rabbiter on watch came fourth and blocked the hole up. He made a close examination to discover whether the animals could find any other way out than by . using the entrance. In a fortnight's time he went back and opened the prison. The rabbit had been eaten, the cat was dead and half-eaten, and the stoat had gone. ; Buyers in and around Milton are ! having a good time at Gray's " Big Store" Sale. Millinery, dresses, dress materials, clothing, and hardware all have their special attraction... When the slang term "hoyed" was ] introduced by a witness during the hearing of a theft case in the Auck- ! land Police Court the other day the magistrate (Mr C. R. Orr-Walker) was told that it was an expression for stealing. "It may have a technical meaning which the witness does not know," the magistrate said. "I will require more evidence than his to establish the true meaning, of the term, unless it can be interpreted, by the police." Detective Sergeant M'Hugh vouched for the. correctness of the interpretationgiven, and the case proceeded. ; .. The codlin moth is becoming a more serious menace in fruitgrowing ;disitricts, throughout the world. This was the opinion expressed by Mr Ealph. Paynter when speaking at a meeting of Hawke's Bay fruitgrowers. Referring to past control in English orchards Mr Paynter said that the codlin-moth was causing more concern at Home now than in the past. "I.am.told that in some districts in California it I is impossible to control the codlin [ moth at all," he commented.

Special showing ot 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...

Two skeletons dug up by Public Works employees while doing formation work on Hollis road, Waikino, recently, have aroused much local interest. The skull of one reveals a forehead having very little height or width and receding to a very marked degree. The chin is abnormally prominent. When the skull is held in an apparently normal position the lower part of the forehead is further back than the bend of the jawbone. The skull is in a good state, of preservation, but the rest of the skeleton was scattered. It was. found in about two feet of clay near a hilltop, and alongside it was another skeleton in an excellent state of preservation. This skull was normal, but the legs had apparently been tied to the neck at the back. The site of the discovery is not a Maori burial ground, and there are no signs of Maori occupation in the neighbourhood. \ : Strength, flavour, aroma. All are found in the favourite "Bourbon" brand of coffee and chicory. "Bourr bon" is produced by specialists. Inst ructions in every tin...

Maori speakers at the Ahipara Native settlement, which was visited by the Minister of Lands and Acting Minister of Native Affairs, Mr F. Langstone, recently, expressed the' hope that the Government would restore some of the land which had been taken from them in the early days. The Natives, they contended, should be brought back to the land and not allowed to work away from it, then to waste their earnings on drink and bring little back for their homes." If they did work away from the land,, then a part of their wages should be retained and spent for their benefit; oh their homes and land. It was pointed out. that the., population ol! many tribes was increasing. The Government was deeply interested in the welfare of the Maori people, said Mr Langstone, but'it would take more than a day to right the sorry history of the Native race. He said he would be pleased to go into the questions put before him. Flies bring disease. Keep your windows and house clear of these troublesome pests by using our fly baths. Quality meat safes stocked in all sizes. —Dickinson's Ltd., Sheet Metal WoVkers, 441 Princes street...

To the thousands of sightseers that visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens every year, the orderly maintenance of the acres of gardens and lawns and the constant changing of the flower displays would seem sufficient occupation for the small staff employed (states the Christchurch Press). But to entitle it to the term botanic, the staff of the Gardens carries out a big work that is of interest chiefly to the small body of botanists and also.to students of horticulture in the conduct of a world-wide system of exchanges with gardens and botanic institutions overseas. From all corners of the earth are gathered, regularly,,interesting and useful botanic specimens to complete groups of plant life already in the gardens or else to start a new group just as in the museums collections of historical or geological value are built up. Every plant, collection of seeds, or specimens received from overseas is acknowledged, recorded, and its development watched and tended. In return the Christchurch. Gardens send away samples of New Zealand flora, and surplus plants and. seeds, originally exotic, obtained by exchange in days past. In the same way the history of these is recorded and their destination set down on the records. When you've tried our Hitchons Bacon ■' f. And our Oxford Sausage t 00,., . . You'll be pleased and well contented. Hundreds are—Why not you?..