NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 20

NEWS IN BRIEF

“ it is estimated that for the increased amount of wages, the days worked by the staff were approximately 2861 fewer than in 1936, owing to the introduction of the 40-hour week,” stated the chairman’s report to the annual meeting of the Waipa County Council. The welcome given at Crossan s Waterloo Hotel, Caversham, to all visitors offers sufficient inducement to return again and again... “There is at present a very keen demand for girls for commercial work,” comments the principal of the Wanganui Girls’ College (Miss A. C. Tizard) in her monthly report. “We have not been able to supply all the requests for girls for such work.” Illustrating unusual soil fertility and the semi-tropical nature of the climate at Helensville, Auckland, bananas of the finest quality have been grown in the grounds of the Parakai Hot Springs Hotel. The healthy clusters were stated to be equal in taste to the finest of imported lines, and guests at the hotel recently had the novel experience of tasting excellent fruit that was raised within a stone's thro v of their tables. Special showing of Autumn Goods. Call and see our attractive window and interior displays.—A. F. Cheyne and Co., the Mosgiel warehouse... “Do these photographers who are seen all round the streets pay a licence? ” asked Cr W. Duncan at a meeting of the Wellington City Council. He was informed that they obtained a permit. The Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop): “ No, the idea, I suppose, is that we should get along the street without being troubled. It will be a matter for the By-laws Committee.” When a composite company of mounted rifles was in camp near Wanganui recently sections of the men had a competition in collecting katipo spiders. The director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Mr Gilbert Archey, heard of this competition at the time of receiving a request from the British Museum authorities for a collection of katjpo spiders for the use of a scientist who is studying the venom of certain classes of spiders. Mr Archey applied to - the camp, for the spiders. secured as a result of the competition, and these are being sent to England in fulfilment of the request. Bargain tables are still to the fore at Gray's Big Store, Milton. Millinery, Mantles, Dress Fabrics at clearing prices... ■ A somewhat novel form of illumination was hit upon by the driver of a gig who passed along Somme parade, Wanganui last week. A whisky bottle, minus ■ the bottom, was held uprigh t by the neck, inside of which was a flickering candle. The eqUippage was a picturesque one, the driver with reins in one hand and “lamp” in the other peering into the night as cars with brilliant headlights passed by. At one stage in a political meeting at Geraldine the Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb) began to draw attention to the evils of “ the Government.” It was not long before he substituted “ Opposition ” for “ Government” in his attack. He led the laugh against himself, “I have been criticising Governments for so long. ’ he said, “that it is still easy to forget and make a slip.” An interesting coincidence was noticed by a motorist who 1 secured his new number plates in New Plymouth. Sitting in the driving seat he opened tfye new plales.i and was astonished to .find that the number on the plates and the mileage on his speedometer coincided exactly. With a possible r combination of 200,000 different numbers for the car and anything up to 100,000 miles on the speedometer, it seems that the one chance in rn&ny millions occurred at the right time. Ex Doric Star, the first of our new season’s “ Jamaica ’’—the world’s finest coffee. Only from A. Durie arid Co., coffee specialists 32 Octagon. Dunedin... In the Waitotara bush near Wanganui, there exist kiwis in considerable numbers. In the evenings when rain is imminent they are commonly, heard by settlers in the locality. An indication of the numbers of the birds is given by the fact that although one kiwi will call only once or twice in a night the calls are heard at frequent intervals.

“ I do not know, whether you are aware of the fact, but New Zealand has been sponging on the • Mother Country for years and years,” said Mr W. P. Endean, M.P. for Parnell, in the course of a political address to a Rotorua meeting. “We depend upon good old England to take our dairy produce, and we depend upon her to defend us. New Zealanders are the greatest race of spongers in the world” . , After relicensing last year 38 dogs were shot in the borough of Takapuna, Auckland, said the dog inspector, Mr H. R. Collins, when the question of stray dogs was discussed at a council meeting. Mr F. H. Carr commented that steps must be taken to . remove dogs not accompanied by thenowners from the streets and beaches. On the roads they were liable to cause accidents. On Mr Carr’s motion it. was decided to write to the Petone Borough Council for information regarding its impounding scheme, which Mr Carr claimed had been a distinc t financial success. , Have you seen our " three-in-one bins, for sugar, flour, and bread? Painted to suit the colour scheme of your kitchen or pantry. Moderately priced.—Dickinson’s, Ltd.. 441 Princes street, Dunedin...

After nearly 25 years’ trading in the West Coast sevice, followed by about six years of languishing in Auckland Harbour, the Northern Steam Ship Company’s steamer Arapawa was transferred to the Central wharf, Auckland. recently for the removal of her engines. Plying mainly between Wanganui and Onehunga. the old ship occasionally visited Hokianga and Dargaville in the north, and sometimes went as far south as Westport. Bunt in Scotland in 1908, the Arapawa spent six years in the Wellington-Patea service before being taken over by the Northern Steam Ship Company. - Plans for the first planting of trees for the proposed soldiers’ memorial avenue at Paraparaumu have now been completed, and the first section of the work, which is to be carried out fay the Returned Soldiers’ Association in conjunction with the Beautifying Society. is scheduled for August 4. T • complete scheme provides for the planting of an “Avenue of Remembrance,” which will flank the main highway leading to the soldiers’ memorial gates at the entrance to the domain.

Grandism (3510): About warmth, you need to know only one word—Glovin (Rum Punch), a fine substitute for Rum. 5s 6d bottle.—Grand... A visit was recently paid by Mr H. S. James, of Hamilton’, and a party of friends to. some little-known caves at Taumaratotara. between Te Anga and Kinohaku. 30 miles west of Waitomo. The entrance to the caves !s hidden in dense bush, and is exceedingly difficult to reach owing to the rough character of the surrounding country. Only about 50,people have visited the caves since they were discovered in 1914. Mr James and his companions had to make two descents, one of 20ft and another of 50ft, with ropes to reach the interior of the caves. At the bottom they found themselves in a stream of a depth varying from a few inches to several feet. The caves extend for a distance of half a mile, the width ranging from a foot or two to 90ft, while the roof is from 40ft to 100 ft high. The whole of the roof Is illuminated by glow worms and gigantic stalactites are suspended from it. Another feature of the caves is a crystal pool. Only two other cayes in the world are known to possess such a pool. The formation in the water resembles coral, and gives the pool a remarkable beauty. When' Farmer Wayback comes to town, To get his monthly ration. On no account does he forget His roll of Hitchon’s bacon...