NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Mischief for Idle Hands Seeking a means of diversion with which to while away the leisure hburs of holidays is a problem that frequently taxes the ingenuity of school children, and it is almost inevitable that many youngsters will find their way into some form of mischief. Two small boys armed with a mirror were noticed yesterday amusing themselves in Stafford street by reflecting the pale rays of the wintry sun into the eyes of passing motorists. They presented a double hazard, as oncoming drivers had not only to contend with the glare from the mirror, but were forced to avoid the boys, who placed themselves firmly in the middle of the street to carry out their dangerous experiment. City Council Meeting As the King’s Birthday will be observed on June 7, when the next meeting of the City Council,would normally be held, the council decided last night that it would meet on the night of June 8. South Island Air Hostess The first air hostess to be appointed by the National Airways Corporation in the South Island, Miss Ivy Penna, has been chosen from 55 applicants from all over the South Island. She took over her new duties at Harewood Aerodrome yesterday morning.

Objectionable Exhibits Malformed or objectionable animals exhibited at sideshows were discussed at the meeting of agricultural and pastoral societies at Gore. When Mr A. W. Cooper, of Gore, mentioned these animals, several speakers added that there were often objectionable exhibits of human beings. The meeting decided that the annual conference should discuss the subject. Bpoks for Germans Twenty books for lending libraries in the British zone of Germany have already been collected by the Auckland University College Library as part of a scheme sponsored in New Zealand by the National Library Service. “After 12 vears of mental cave dwelling. the Germans have emerged into grim reality dated but determined, ignorant but eager to learn.” states a circular issued by the British Agency for International Relief in Germany. Hearing of Petition The tentative date for the public hearing of the petition of Roseneath ratepayers seeking the inclusion of that area, now in the West Harbour Borough, in the Port Chalmers Borough is November 2, according to advice received at a meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council last night. Provided that no objection is raised by the Waikouaiti County Council, the Local Government Commission will dispense with a public hearing of a similar petition from Reynoldstown residents. Supplies of Gas

Presenting the Gas Committee’s report to the City Council last night, the chairman, Cr Barr, read from a trade journal which stated that in America, England and elsewhere gas companies were being inundated with demands for gas far beyond their capacity to supply. “ The position in Dunedin is precisely the same as that being experienced overseas,” he added. “We are unable to meet all the demands for gas, and it is absolutely essential that consumers should conserve the supplies as much as possible.” Milking Cows at Shows

The inspector of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mr I. Grant, asked the meeting of agricultural and pastoral societies at Gore to consider inserting in all schedules of shows a clause “ that all cows be milked out on the morning of the show;” He referred to cases where cows had greatly ne.eded milking. Mr J. Marshall (Balclutha) mentioned that no milking cow could be judged satisfactorily unless first seen with a full udder and then judged again after milking. The meeting agreed to ask all agricultural and pastoral societies to ensure that cows-in-milk classes be the first judged in the morning at shows, the cows to be milked out directly after judging. Old Macetown School

Only a few ruined buildings still stand at Macetown as a reminder of a former mining settlement populated by nearly 1000 miners. A link with the past is a collection of attendance registers of the old Macetown Public School which have been handed to the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. They were found recently in a deserted hut in the ghost mining town. Thomas Patton is recorded in the register as one of the first pupils who went to the school on January 9, 1877, and left on November 25, 1881. The school was evidently closed in 1916, when most of the mining claims shut down because of the First World War. Many of Macetown’s buildings were removed to Arrowtown, about nine miles away. Pioneer Exhibition The public is still showing a keen interest in the centennial exhibition which was arranged by the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, and will be closed in June before reopening as a permanent exhibition. Up to April 30, 22,563 people had paid to see the display. Meanwhile, the association is making plans to provide a fire-proof room for housing valuable records and, when circumstances permit, the office accommodation will be improved. The association’s annual report, which will be presented at the annual meeting next Tuesday, says that the roll now stands at the record number of 4001. consisting of 70 early settlers and 3931 descendants. . During the year 1204 new members joined. Ninety-seven members died. Stage Fright

A diminutive black kitten was successful in reaching a window ledge on the second floor of a building in Lower High street about 12.45 p.m. yesterday, but after peering over the edge and seeing how far it was to the pavement, and watching the small crowd which had gathered, suddenly realised its perilous position. How it had got there is difficult to say, as all the windows along the ledge were closed, but it obviously was unable to escape, so two painters mounted ladders. in order to make a rescue. The ungrateful kitten, by now thoroughly frightened, strongly resisted capture, and at last had to be knocked off into a tarpaulin held stretched .below on the footpath. When last ’’seen the kitten was travelling at top speed across the Queen’s Gardens with all of its nine lives intact. City Plantations

Information was sought by Cr Hayward at the meeting of the City Council last night about the amount of planting that was to be done at the city plantations. He was told by the chairman of the Reserves Committee, Cr Jolly, that the city owned 12,000 acres of forest and 7.000,000 trees. The areas at Waipori were owned by the Electricity Department, and those in close proximity to the city, such as Whare Flat, were under the control of the Water Department. Cr Jolly added that the Reserves Department did the work on the plantations, but had no say in the distribution of the trees, or their sale, nor did it receive any payment from the other departments. He promised Cr Hayward that he would submit a report on the planting programme.