NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23577, 13 August 1938, Page 32

NEWS IN BRIEF

During the course of an address given to members of the Palmerston North Citizens' Lunch Club last week Mr W. A. Waters said that Australia imported a large amount of timber for house-building; from New Zealand. The most popular wood brought from New Zealand was white pine, because it was the only wood the white ant would not attack. , . ' „ Offering genuine reductions in all departments during their annual Winter Sale Gray's Big Store have heaps and heaps of bargains for the thrifty man and woman... An outsize in hen eggs was shown to a Taranaki Herald reporter the other morning. It weighed 6oz, measured nine inches round one way and seven inches and a-half the other. The egg was of perfect shape, and a feature was the strength of the shell. The egg was laid by a White Leghorn hen belonging-to Mr D. Broome, of Brooklahds road, New Plymouth. There has been a remarkable growth of oranges and lemons this year in the Katikati district, near Waihi, which demonstrates the suitability of the soil for growing citrus fruits. There is, however, an apparent laxity on the part of growers as a whole in not making adequate provision for marketing, as is shown by the amount of fruit allowed to rot on the ground.. Visitors to Dunedin will find accommodation at Hotel Central 100 Princes street in their liking. As a result of the fact that the Maori language was not a compulsory sub r ject at schools attended by Maori children, the mutilation of one of the most beautiful languages in the world was taking place, stated Mr Te Kata Thompson in an address at Ohinemutu. The elder members of the race were watching the decline of their native tongue with great sorrow. Coincidences are always interesting, and there is one that might almost be called unique. In a New Plymouth family four members celebrate their birthday on the one day. This is partly explained by the fact that three of the family are triplets. Ex Doric Star, the first of our new season's " Jamaica "—the world's finest coffee. Only from A. Durie and Co.. coffee specialists, 32 Octagon, Dunedin... "I am certainly looking forward to my tour of New Zealand; you advertise this country better than Australia," said Mr Lawrence Tibbett, the famous American baritone, upon his arrival in Wellington. "In the States we know much more about New Zealand than Australia." He remarked that he knew all about New Zealand fishing, and expressed regret that it was not the season for deep sea fishing, in which he was interested. " On the troublous sea of matrimony it is not often that a shipwreck happens through fowls," remarked his Honor, Mr Justice Quilliam, during the hearing of a divorce case in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North last week. " No. but it seems to be the position in this case," said counsel, who made it clear that a resumption of domestic felicity had depended upon the husband of the respondent giving up poultry keeping, a thing that be had refused to do. His Honor, commented that this was the sine quo non. Respondent said her husband had preferred his fowls to her. Grandism (3572): For the : greatest value at the lowest price try the Grand Hcmev Supply Store. Every bottle we sell carries our money-back guarantee... "In many parts of the Waitakeres the regeneration of kaurLareJis can be seen in progress," said Mr T. L. Lancaster, lecturer in botany at Auckland University College, when speaking at a meeting in the college hall the other night called for the purpose of discussing the project of a Waitakere centennial park. Many seedlings were to be found in the tea-tree scrub. These and other forest tree seedlings were making good growth and the areas, if left alone, would eventually become bush-clad again. Cold experienced in homes arid buildings In New Zealand is more intense than that felt in Canada, where even the tramcars are heated, according to a party of Canadians, including some school teachers, who left by the Niagara recently after an extended visit to New Zealand. The Canadians, as well as a number of Americans returning by the Niagara, /Were loud in their praises of the Dominion's scemc beauties, mentioning particularly Waitomo and the Franz Josef Glacier., . For invalids, the finest medicinal brandies are stocked by Crossan at his Waterloo Hotel, Caversham. No delay in filling orders for town or country supplies... Through a prank for which a child was responsible, a Palmerston Nortn cycle dealer has completed an unusual business transaction bv making the sale of a tricycle to an unknown purchaser. Recently he discovered thas the tricycle had disappeared from its customary place just inside the doorway of his shop, and it was through reading an advertisement which, he had placed in the newspaper that the parents of a small child solved the uroblem of the tricycle's disappearance for the shopkeeper. They had discovered that their child had suddenly become the possessor of a tricycle from an unknown source, and. as sooa as they could ascertain the ownership of it, they promptly found means of renaration for the child's escapade by placing under the dealer's door an unsigned note explaining the circumstances and containing sufficient money to pay for the acquisition of this instrument of childish envy. We make and repair met articles ot every description, also set and sharpen lawn mowers, shears, saws. Bcissors, etc.—Dickinson's. Ltd. 441 Princes street, Dunedin..

Two housewives i chatting at their gates in Rawhiti avenue, Christchurch, one morning last week were surprised to see a kingfisher perched oh a twig of lupin, its brilliant blue plumage flashing in the sun. The bird remained motionless for quite a while, peering into the scrub, then made a sudden dart to the ground, rising with a struggling mouse in its beak. It proceeded' to strike the victim against an adjoining gatepost and then released it, at which stage a rescue was effected, the bird being driven away towards the sea and the mouse allowed to escape into the scrub. It was not long, however, before the kingfisher returned and, after a glance around, spotted the mouse again and recaptured it. This time the bird took no chances, but flew away in the direction, of the Rawhiti links with the squealing mouse firmly clasped in its beak. It's furnishing week! See Special Window Displays of Matting, Runners, and Hearthrugs, all at Sale Prices, at Mosgiel's Drapers. A. F. Cheyne and C 0...

An amused Christchurch audience watched recently from windows overlooking a hotel yard, two small, ragged boys, both apparently under 10 years old, robbing the publican. While one kept watch at the gateway his barefooted accomplice tiptoed across the yard towards the stack of empty bottles. At a warning from the lookout, the other changed his furtive approach for a desperately dignified and businesslike strut, bustling out of tntf yard on his little bare feet like an absurd caricature of a chairman or directors five minutes late at a shareholders' meeting. The alarm past, ha sneaked back to the bottle stac*. swiftly tucked two " dead marines under his tattered overcoat, and bustled out of the yard, breaking into a run as he joined his " cobber at tn« gate. After hiding their spoils they were back again within 10 minutes, and. after much exaggerated reconnoitring, to make sure that no one. having noticed their previous visi'. was awaiting their return, they again made off with a couple of bottles. When you marry and settle down, Your wife should never wear a frown. Have Hitchon's bacon every day, She'll just love to honour and obey-.