NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 34, 12 February 1929, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

NOTES FROM ALL PARTS. THE DOMINION DAY BY DAY. HERB, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE A [LASTING IMPRESSION. As evidence of the lasting impression made by the Wanganui Queen Alexandra Band on the occasion of the broadcast early in December, satisfied listeners-in continue to send in 'donations. Altogether a total of £22 has been received from all parts of New Zealand. » .

MOTORIST'S "SERVICE OFFICER."

The Wanganui Automobile. Association will probably employ a "service officer" on the roads in the .district. He will be a man with mechanical knowledge who can advisei "stranded" motorists as to necessary repairs, but his work will also entail reiports on roads, and sign. ' posting. The' matter is at .present in the hands of a sub-committee of the association. ~ ~ CHASEiTa TEAM. '' At a hearing of a miotor case in the Dunedin Police Court last week a discussion was raised as to; the speed at which tramca'rs travelled ' over intersections. Mr J. R. Bar-> tholomew, S.M., had asked at what speed trams crossed street intersections, and Mr H. E. BarrOwclough stated that he had been] informed by the tramways manager < that it was doubtful if a laden can could attain a speed of 20 to 25 miles an hour on level ground. "I have travelled on trams a good deal,", remarked the magistrate, "and—but I do not wish to discuss tram speeds just now." Mr W. G. Hay said that he had chased a tramcar on the flat and had had to travel 2$ miles an hour. . "Did you pass, it?" queries the magistrate', amid' laughter; .

WHAT MIGHT HATE BEEN. as 'Sir Joseph "Ward, in welcoming t!he competition al> the Domjiniorl swimming championships at Wellingsaid he would have liked to see with them Brigadier-General Freyberg, and add his congratulations on his attempt to swim the English, Channel. As a piece of 'advice td those conducting the swimming events in Wellington next time, he said it wo»ld add to the lustre bf the occasion if there were an event for politicians. He undertook to see that it was a good draw. (Laughter.) He was Sure that the present occasion would bring out some fine performances, but anyone who accomplished faster times would be acclaimed by all who knew what a wonderful thing it was to be a good swimmer. He himself had been over the side when six years of age in Foveaux Strait, and was in the water half an hour, during which

time he probably swam a few boats' lengths, but if he had not been able ito swim somebody else, might have now been, addressing them. BOBBERS IN THE HIVE. Strange the feelings one has on approaching a bee hive when the colony is active! The, other day an expert apiarist paid a visifcto a friend at Drury and was shown into the apiary, where the work, |of honey gathering was in full swing. A band of robber bees had arrived a little earlier, and a deadly combat was in progress. The visitor ventured close to the scene of angry buzzing,,, and in a moment the -defending colony transfefrejd its attentions to him and his family. Pursued by a bee population in the worst of tempers, the unfortunate party made off for their motc|r-car. The experience was one the apiarist had never known before, and he attributed the attack to the prevai lence of robber bees during the.past few weeks. These roaming colon-

ies have adopted the practice of attacking horary-looking hives, and the onslaught is >. usually met with a stubborn defence. The colony -in ipbssession; suspecting any likely individual (of being the cause of trouble, promptly'- shows its resentment. A summer with a short honey season is always liable fto encourage robbers, but the position this year is reported to be excepI tional.