NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26708, 1 March 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Baffled Spectator Probably the most baffled spectator of the great array of vehicles in the Tahuna area after the display on Saturday evening was a large cockatoo. Seated perkily on top of a fence, the bird's erect crest was silhouetted clearly. His frequent comments, whistles and ejaculations provided a source of considerable amusement to passing car passengers. First Offenders Fined

Three first offenders, who appeared in the City Police Court on Saturday on charges of drunkenness, were each convicted and fined £l. Mr T. L. Gillions, J.P., and Mr J. F. Himburg, J.P., were on the Bench. Corvettes Sail

A crowd of several hundred people assembled on the wharves yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to the two corvettes, Arabis and Arbutus, which sailed at 4.30 for Wellington. The two warships proved a popular attraction during the week they have been in port, and on Saturday, when the Arbutus was open to the public, a continual stream of visitors passed over the ship, and the souvenir pennants were in strong demand. New Zealand Music

The preparation of a dictionary of New Zealand music and musicians is being undertaken gratuitously by Mi T J. Kirk-Burnnand, for the General Assembly Library. Mr Kirk-Burnnand *aid that it would be possible to include only personalities and compositions of national importance. He expected that the work would take at least two years. Already a general plan had been prepared of the contemporary musicians and music to be included, and he was now anxious to meet persons acquainted with eauy musical developments in New Zealand and descendants of early performeis and composers. Increase of Crime

An increase of crime had been evident in all the countries he had visited—Canada, the United States, Britain, and parts of Europe, said Mr Reeves Harris, who has just returned to Christchurch after a business trip overseas. There was no doubt, he said, that the incidence in America was now alarming, particularly in some areas. For instance, in Chicago, while he was on his tour, there was the first real gangster war for a long time. Several persons were killed. Juvenile delinquency was causing much concern in the United States. The reason for this had been traced back to the war when children were left to their own devices while their mothers worked in factories. Driver for 25 Years

Though he has been driver and guide to visitors from overseas for more than 25 years, Mr “ Billy ” Higgs, of Wellington, still finds the work too attractive to give up. Before he became a contract driver for the Government Tourist and Publicity Department, he drove a hansom and landau in Wellington 41 years ago, and was one of the first to change over to motor transport. “ I have been driving for the Tourist Department for 25 years and 1 have enjoyed every bit of it. I have had all sorts of people and I have never had one I disliked," said Mr Higgs recently. “My last holiday was at trie Dunedin exhibition in 1926. and I have not left the wheel of a car since. I have been on practically every road from the Ninety-mile Beach to the Homer tunnel, and it has been a happy life.”

For rings, watches and Jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers 36 Princes street. Dunedin.—Advt.