In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23652, 29 October 1938, Page 8

In Town And Out

Hallow-e’en on Monday

Hallo w-e’en, the popular Scottish name for the eve of All Saint’s Day, falls on Monday. Also known as All Hallows Eve, Holy Eve, Cake Night, and Nutcrack Night, it is a day for the superstitious. From earlv times it has been associated with many superstitions and' customs, several of which are referred to in Burns’s poem of this name. Hallow-e’en is supposed to have come down from the ancient festival of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit trees. Apples and. nuts play, a big part in the pastimes indulged in on this day, the nuts being used for purposes of divination. There still lingers a superstition that children born . on Hallow-e’en possess supernatural gifts.

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs The excellent work being done by the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association was mentioned by the chairman of the Southland Education Board (Mr S. Rice) yesterday when suggesting that the board’s donation to the association be increased from £5 5/- to £7 7/-. During, the last two years there had been a wonderful increase in the membership of the clubs, he said. It was 1200 last year and that number was expected to be doubled during the coming season. A donation of £7 7/- was made.

Miniature Rifle Ammunition A recommendation that the Government be asked to give assistance to miniature rifle clubs in the form of cheaper ammunition on the same basis as defence rifle clubs was adopted by the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. The opinion was expressed that the encouragement of young men in the. country would have a beneficial effect in keeping down rabbits. It was also decided to urge that an effort be made by the Government to supply rifles and new barrels at the same rate as before because of the increase in the membership of defence rifle clubs. New Branches Formed \

The formation of new branches of the Farmers’ Union at Edendale and Thornbury was reported at the meeting of the Southland provincial executive yesterday by the organizer (Mr G. R. Herron). He said he had received a very good response in the Fairfax district and a new branch would be formed there soon.

Teachers’ Salary Regulations The new regulations governing teachers’ salaries will necessitate the transfer of 13 teachers in the Southland education district, according to a statement made by the secretary of the Southland Education Board (Mr H. T. Thompson) yesterday. Some of the transfers will take place at the beginning of the new school term in February. ' y Fast Air Mail ,

After being in transit for 13 days, the Empire air mail which left London on October 16 is expected at Wellington when the Awatea arrives from Sydney early this afternoon. The time taken is only one day more than the record of 12 days for the Empire air mail between England and New Zealand. This mail was despatched from London on. August 6 and reached Wellington by the Awatea on August 18. Provided the Awatea is not further delayed the air mail should be landed at Wellington in time for the Auckland portion to be sent north by the 3 p.m. express. On four other occasions Empire air mail from London has reached New Zealand in 13 days.— i Press Association. Lofty Crane in Christchurch

One of the loftiest cranes yet to be operated in New Zealand is placing the steel stanchions and girders in position for the new chief post office in Christchurch. When its jib is hoisted, as high as possible, the crane has a height of 182 feet. Viewed from any angle, the crane jib, because of its slenderness, appears to reach a greater height than the peak of the Cathedral. Actually it is 30 feet lower.