NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23204, 31 May 1937, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

"Nobody knows what the farmer wants; he does not even know himself," said Mr A. Leslie, former •veterinarian at Lincoln College, in an address to the North Canterbury execu- . tive of the Farmers' Union, a few afternoons ago. He added that it was only when the farmer found his pocket tapped that he began to squeal, and then he did the thing thoroughly (reports the Star-Sun). Anniversary bargains this week at the Big Store, Mflton,. Men participate in this with overcoats at 75s and 655... . " You take a stroll round most towns and you'll find that the finest buildings belong to the people who control the fire board —the insurance companies." remarked Mr L. Glover, during the hearing of the firemen's dispute. in * the Conciliation Council (statesthe Christchurch Star-Sun).. "You are thinking of life insurance companies. Name me one of the fine fire insurance buildings," retorted Mr K: W. Robinson. The Victorian Minister of Labour (Mr E. J. Mackrell), who recently visited New has apparently taken back with him happy recollections of his stay in Christchurch. Last week there arrived a letter for the secretary of the Canterbury Aero Club (Mr P. R. Climie) again expressing his thanks and those of Mrs Mackrell for the hospitality they received. They mention particularly a flight with Mr Ernie Clark. Grandism (3201): Aragon Wine, 4s--When the air is sweet of the scent of flow'rs,*. ....'.; v., l--;'i .'• Of the rose and the eglantine, I, happily, dreamily muse for hours— O'er a pipe and a bottle of Aragon wine... A dead duck was produced for examination by the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society the other night. ,It was stated to be a cross between a wild grey duck and a domestic Indian Runner. It was shot by a Palmerston : North sportsman on the opening day of the season, and had been preserved in cold storage. "I think this disposes of the theory that the grey duck will not mate with any other breed," said Mr C. E. Aldridge, chairman of the Game Committee. The bird was very much larger than any ordinary grey duck, and, while part of its plumage was typical of that of the native grey duck, there were.considerable white patches on neck, body and wings. Mr S. T. Tisdall said, there could be no question but that the grey duck and mallard mated in the wild state. The pure grey duck was rapidly decreasing in numbers, and fully half those shot this year were of the mal-lard-grey duck cross. Mon! That's,gran' whusky they keep at the Waterloo Hotel, Caversham. M'Nab says it is the best he's' tasted never more beforehand I wull say, so did her neither... . Again the chairman of the Waimairi County Council has gained his seat as the result of a draw from a hat. The other evening Messrs T. O. Newnham and W. G. Chapman were nominated, but the voting was even, and Mr Newnham was elected when his name was drawn out of a hat by one of the reporters. A similar position arose at the annual meeting last year, and Mr G. G. Gardner was elected when his name was drawn out of a hat. In both cases Mr W. G.,Chapman was the defeated candidate (reports the Star-Sun). Magisterial admonitions concerning motorists' carelessness in pulling out from the kerb without giving warning might as well not be uttered for all the notice some drivers take of them (says the Star-Sun). But there is one careless motorist at least in Christchurch who will probably not suddenly rush out from the kerb in future. Without any warning at all this, man* driving a small car, turned out sharply into the stream of traffic and learned his lesson in a split second, for a big, powerful car in passing pushed the greater part of the offender's off-side front mudguard into a shapeless mass of junk. Special showing in all departments of new winter goods, all'bought before the rise. Be wise, call early. Your inspection invited.—The Mosgiel Drapery Warehouse. A. F. Cheyne and C 0...

A characteristic common to most visitors from overseas who call at Christchurch is a knowledge of languages (says the Star-Sun). These visitors, almost without exception, have had two or three languages at their command, including a facility for English. For example, a Syrian priest who was in Christchurch recently could claim a knowledge of five languages, while a commercial man from Switzerland, whose English was almost perfect, was also fluent in French, Italian, and German, the three tongues commonly spoken by the. Swiss. He could add Spanish to the list, having acquired that language through a business connection with Spain. Best quality regulation dust drums obtainable at Dickinson's, Ltd., tinsmiths and sheet metal workers, .441 Princes street, Dunedin... ,

Trying to get an automatic windscreen wiper for a motor car these days is like looking for gold, according to a Christchurch importer and retailer. He 'said that the wipers had been so scarce that he had had to turn down as many as 20 orders a day, and recently when one importing firm landed fresh supplies it had been able to let him have seven only. Supplies were trickling through very slowly, but the demand brought about by the regulations requiring a warrant of fitness for motor cars could not be met. Only the other morning a garage proprietor had rung him up in a state of great excitement, and asked him to hold a couple of wipers, which he would send round for immediately. The manufacturers in England and Australia seemed to be rationing them out to the importers, and the importers were compelled to ration supplies among the retailers. Strength, flavour, aroma. All are found m the favourite "Bourbon" brand of coffee and chicory. "Bourbon" is produced by specialists. Instructions in every tin... For several weeks there has been an acute shortage throughout the Dominion of rear cable brakes for bicycles owing to a sudden rush for them brought about by the enforcement of the regulations. A Christchurch leading cycle dealer said that his firm had been .without supplies for some time, and had scoured the Dominion for fresh supplies without suc : cess (states the Star-Sun). It was expected, however, that the shortage would be relieved by the arrival of a new shipment in a few days, but in the past few weeks he had had to turn down a lot of money because he had been unable to supply brakes. The shortage appeared to be due to general delavs in shipments from England, coupled with a sudden increase in the demand for these brakes locally. Now and then an angry blast Foretells that winter's coming fast.. 'Tis then that we appreciate Hitchon's bacon on our plate...