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Otago Witness, Issue 3823, 21 June 1927, Page 47

Seventeen bankruptcies were notified in last week’s issue of the New Zealand Gazette, 12 of them being in the North Island.

At the Christchurch Citizens’ Depot for the relief of the unemployed the patience of the voluntary workers sometimes issordy tried (says an exchange). On Wednesday la_t the patience of Mrs Herbert, who is in charge of the depot, snapped suddenly. A young man, unmarried, about 23 years of age, was offered a job at Kimberley. Mrs Herbert ascertained for him that the Labour Department would advance him his railway fare to Darfield. The voting man then wanted his bus fare, for the five miles between Darfield and Kimberley. and when it was suggested that he might walk that distance, the young man replied : “I have done enough walking in my time ; I’ll chuck the job.” This was too much for Mrs Herbert. “I quickly ordered him out of the depot,” she said to a reporter, ‘‘and told him not to como back here for assistance !”

For bachelors and for married couples without young families, the transference from Melbourne or Sydney to Canberra will be less irksome than for those whose youngsters can, at present at all events, get a higher education, such as at the great public schools, only in the older capitals, and who therefore have to leave their children behind. This is the chief lament of a number of officials already at the Australian capital. They are “fed up” even at this early stage. They are suffering from what is known as “Canberritis, M which, while quite innocuous physically, if catching like measles and whooping cough. They feel that they have been pushed away into a backwater, where only motoring and golf, if they can afford it, can disturb the even tenor of their placid way. The clear, pure air of Canberra is healthy, and its blue, sunny skies are good to look upon. But the officials who are among the pioneers are already beginning to compare the willowy, winding Molonglo, which trickles through the capital, with the dear old Yarra and the Sydney Harbour. Sydney and Melbourne are already beckoning to them like a temptress.

Lake Orakei. the sheet of 136 acres of water impounded by the new railway embankment, is (says the Auckland Star) tenanted by a pair of blue heron. The birds, which are becoming fairly scare in. New Zealand, are quite tame, and are not disturbed by the construction work in progress. Moreover, the public works employees are taking care of the heron, and it is hoped that the protection will be continned by the public. Each bird has its own particular patrol, one on either side of the lake. The birds have voluntarily taken up their abode at Orakei, and it is just possible that a heron colony may become established. The suggestion has been made that at a later date other aquatio birds should be introduced, as the lake would make an ideal sanctuary.

Captain F. Hart; the veteran master of the Corinthic, has met with some _ strange and amusing experiences during liis many years at sea, and recounts them with a keen appreciation of their worth.- One yarn reveals fresh possibilities m the “eternal triangle.” An immigrant, who had found the Dominion to his liking, sent home for his wife to follow him, and asked a friend who was also coming out by thro Corinthic to take care of her on the voyage. This the friend did to such good effect that at Hobart the two slipped ashore, and were not seen again. When the vessel arrived at Auckland the husband came aboard to get his wife, and Captain Hart realised he would have to break the news as gently as possible. Giving the poor fellow a “bracer” to lessen his shock, the captain told his tale. He was more than surprised when the “poor fellow” jumped to his feet, tossed his hat in the air, and danced round the cabin with ringing shouts of joy.

There was an exchange of pleasantries between the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) and Sir Archibald Boyd Carpenter, who is at present in Dunedin, at the civic reception to the British Motor Trade Delegation in Christchurch, from which the Mayor emerged second best. Mr Archer said that he noted Sir Archibald was member for Coventry, and, being a Labour man and a Labour Mayor, he- ventured to hope that Sir Archibald was Labour member for Coventry. When Sir Archibald’s turn came, ho remarked that the Mayor had expressed the pious hope that he (the speaker) was Labour member for Coventry. “I had the privilege and pleasure of getting rid of one,” added Sir Archibald to the accompaniment of much laughter and applause.