In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23167, 7 April 1937, Page 6

In Town And Out

King George V Fund Half of the net proceeds from a series of dances being organized by Mr Hoani Halbert is to be given to the King George V Memorial Fund. Mr Halbert has arranged to hold dances in a number of towns in Southland and is even venturing into Otago, so that those who have not contributed directly to the fund will have an opportunity of doing so indirectly. Slumber in the Afternoon

Hoani Halbert is to be given to the King George V Memorial Fund. Mr Halbert has arranged to hold dances in a number of towns in Southland and is even venturing into Otago, so that those who have not contributed directly to the fund will have an opportunity of doing so indirectly. Slumber in the Afternoon It was a very warm afternoon and a taxi driver in a city rink was very drowsy, so he composed himself to sleep in his car with an improvised pillow of newspapers. However, his colleagues were very wide awake and solicitors for his repose, so one painted on the car window exhortations to the public not to disturb the sleeping one. So he slept on peacefully despite the hurrying of traffic, but passers-by noticed with amusement the signs: “Drive quietly,” and “Sleeping quarters to let.”

Cricket and Football The value of cricket or any other sport for the contacts which it enabled the player to make was referred to by Mr T. W. C. Tothill at a complimentary social to Mr H. W. Rogers, president of the Suburban Cricket Association, in Christchurch. “Football and cricket are invaluable for the friendships one forms,” said Mr Tothill, “and of the two cricket is better because of the time opponents spend together off the field. In football one just goes on the field, hits the other man, and comes off again.” Cheap Wireless Set

A 'Dunedin suburban school committee recently conceived the idea of gathering bottles to pay for a radio set for the school. A circular was sent out to householders asking them to cooperate, and boys of the sixth standard were sent out several weeks ago with a card authorizing them to collect. The scheme was a complete success, many thousands of bottles being gathered and making, a very imposing pile when they were stacked in the school yard. The school, as a result of the proceeds, is now in possession of a first-class radio set. Collision With Two Cars

A modern twist was given to the naval expression to “rake an enemy fore and aft” at the intersection of Spey and Dee streets yesterday afternoon. A baby car proceeding east along Spey street halted suddenly at the intersection to permit busy traffic in the main street to pass and was rammed from the rear by a motor truck. The driver of the heavier vehicle, apologetic of his unceremonious salute, politely backed away to strike another small car standing behind him. Crumpled mudguards on two highly polished cars were the only signs of the incident as all three vehicles departed on their ways. Issue of New Uniforms

The Battalion Boys’ Band was issued last evening with the uniforms which arrived recently from Scotland. The uniform consists of a Black Watch kilt of bottle green and black, sporran, khaki tunic, Glengarry bonnet with plume and khaki socks. The latter are almost concealed by white spats, which come half-way up the leg. The band will make a striking picture at the public parade which is to be held in the showgrounds on May 22. At present the Battalion Band room is being renovated. The special appeal for the new instrument fund is meeting with a ready response from the public and about £lOO has already been received. Milford Sound Speaking at the bush preservation conference in Wellington last week, his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Galway) said- that one spot in this country in which he was most particularly interested at the present time was Milford Sound. He had every hope that when the Homer tunnel had been completed the planting of the reclaimed areas in the vicinity would be undertaken with a view to ensuring that this spot remained the most glorious in New Zealand. With this ambition he knew the Minister in charge of Scenic Preservation (the Hon. F. Langstone) was in full sympathy. His Excellency also referred to his announcement on Arbor Day of his intention of presenting a cup to the local body planting the best and most artistic mile of main highway. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, he continued, it had not been possible to draft a set of rules governing the award of this cup, but he was hoping that this could be undertaken within the next week or so. Conservatorium of Music A suggestion that the money which the Government proposes to spend in establishing a radio conservatorium in the Dominion should be allocated partly to the four main centres has been made by Mr C. B. Plummer, chairman of the Bohemian Orchestra and president of the Auckland Choral Society. “Instead of centralizing the whole of the Government’s effort in Wellington, an endeavour should be made to. build up three leading musical societies in each centre, so that they could be at the call of the YA stations,” said Mr Plummer. “They could then be used as required, either singly or in combination, at large festivals held in the cities. The value of this may be readily appreciated if one considers the planning of programmes for the approaching Coronation ceremonies in the Dominion, and, further ahead, on the occasion of New Zealand’s centenary celebrations in 1940.” Mr Plummer suggested that £lOOO should be given to each of the four main centres or more if warranted.

Geyser Emits Tortoise While a group of sightseers were watching a geyser playing at Ohinemutu they were astonished to see a solid black object thrown out with the steam and spray (says The Auckland Star). When they investigated they were still more astonished to discover that the black object was a small tortoise, perfectly preserved and apparently perfectly “cooked.” Comparatively few people in New Zealand have seen a tortoise, much less seen one ejected from a geyser, and the find caused the greatest surprise and speculation until it was revealed that the proprietor of a neighbouring camping ground had had five of these creatures, one of which had recently disappeared. It is hardly likely that the tortoise blundered into the geyser vent, and a more probable explanation is that it was thrown in. The action of the mineral water has completely preserved the tortoise and the interesting exhibit was promptly taken by the finder.