NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 3, 12 September 1927, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

NOTES FRONT ALL PARTS, THE DOMINION DAY BY DAY, Afraid of Fat, Men. There is a small boy in Spreydon who now is prepared to run a mile rather than meet a fat man (says .the Christchurch Sun). It occurred in this way. There was an outsize in fat men, of the 26 istone class, working on a contract nearby. The small hoy watched him -tear up big chunks of road with his pick. Some day he would like to he strong enough to tear up a road like that. “Mister,” was his inquiry, “what is it that makes you so fat?” “Every week I gobble up a little hoy like you,” was the reply. And’ now the small hoy dodges round at least two blocks away from where that fat man is working. •• • » Wanganui Discovery. Further light has been thrown on the discovery in Moutoa Gardeu s recently of the standard measure for checking the old-style surveyors’ chains (says the Wanganui Chronicle). Mr E. Marchant wrote to tire Lands and Survey Department to see if its records could furnish any information, and has received a reply that the standard chain length tv as laid down by the late Mr John Annabell in 1882-83 when the official survey of the town was being made. The letter adds that the Lands and Survey Department’s report for tire year ended June 30, 1879, records the fact that Mr John A. Marchant laid down by means of steel tapes a standard chain length at Government Buildings, Wellington, “which will be assumed as the standard of the Colony and all other survey standards will in future be expressed in terms of it.” •• • • Dog Goes to Church. On a recent Sunday morning, in a church not far from Christchurch, the preacher was about to begin big sermon when his faithful and devoted dog heard his jvoice (writes “One of the Congregation” to the Christchurch Sun). Until this moment the dog had been content to stay outside, but now, with a bark and a bound, he tore up the aisla and jumped about hi s master’s feet. A grinning choir-boy promptly took the offending animal by the collar and led him outside, he himself returning. Before he could reach hia seat, however, the persistent dog rushed in again by another entrance, ’ wagging his stumpy tail wtih pride and pleasure, and harking louder than ever. By this time, the irrepressible ismiles of the choir hoys and girls—not to mention some of the adult congregation—had developed into laughter. But at length the dog was induced to lie on the doorstep and listen there to “His Master’s Voice.” «« * « False Economies. The Government’s policy of economy in education is bringing about results that are causing the New Zealand Educational Institute grave concern. It is stated that petty economies that amount to pinpricking are rife, which, it persisted jn, will cause sufficient dissatisfaction among teachers to affect the efficiency of the education system. The members of the Auckland branch of the institute are hoping that the nation will -see that such economies are false economies, and that public opinion will cause the cessation of so disastrous a policy. Classes, it i s stated, are still too large, buildings are inadequate, committee grants are too small, grants to boards for upkeep are insufficient, and subsidy grants are too limited. The rigid interpretation of regulations regarding the travelling allowance of training college students and married 'teachers’ allowances are also regarded as examples of petty economies that do more harm than good. 99 9 9 Volcanic Activity. The sudden activity of Mount Tongariri on 'Sunday morning, when large columns of smoke arose from what was thought to be a new vent, has subsided (states the National Bark correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, writing on Monday). It is believed that the smoke came from an old crater. Clouds hid Mount Ngaunlhoe and the Ketatahi blow-hole on Monday, making it impossible to ascertain if Sunday's acttivity has been sustained. Ascents ,of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe aud Tongariro were made last week Ry an Auckland party of four members, who were camping at the Waihohonu cottage. The ascent of Ngauruhoe was made on snow soft enough to ■give a foothold, and it was not accessary to cut steps; The crater was found to.be more than usually active, and dense volumes of smoke were pouring from the vent. This state of activity continued during the week, although no rumblings were heard by the climbers. The Tama Lakes were also visited. Big Tania was frozen solidly, presenting a beautiful sight against Ngauruhoe 'and the surrounding snow-covered, hills. Members of the party were able to cross from one side of the lake to the other on skis.