NEWS OF THE DAY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 68, 17 October 1930, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Magpies Annoyed. Instances of golfers being atx tacked by magpies on the Heretaunga Club's course at Wellington have recently been reported. It seems that the birds have a strong aversion to being- approached during the mating season and fly down to peck at the heads of the golfers. One player was so annoyed by their attentions recently that on hi s next round he carried a revolver unci several rounds of blank ammunition, which quickly had the desired effect of dispersing the enemy. Yellow Wool. Another difficulty to < contend against now confronts the wool growers. This is what is known as "canary yellow"—a colour resembling that of the yolk of an egg which makes its appearance in the fleece and which persists after scouring. Naturally its presence detracts from the appearance and value of the wool, and growers and (hose engaged in the wool industry would like to see the last of it. Unfortunately, however, the cause is at present unknown, but. research is to be made with a. view to tracing the trouble to its origin, and steps are already being taken in this direction.

Some Weighty Import. Music, said Dr. Borland in the course of his address to local music teachers, must posses some weighty import or we could ji'ot imagine so many men of great capacity and industry devoting laborious lives to (its production, regardless of stbe meagreness of the financial reward which it earns. There must, indeed, he something in it infinitely deeper and wider than the satisfaction of securing a paying career, even If such should be secured. "Music lead s us to the edge of the infinite", was a quotation prized by Beethoven, and I fancy that people who follow music with even the feeblest immediate motives must have some such thought in their minds, at least subconsciously. There must he something worth while in it to justify so much expenditure of time and mental effort.

Street Musicians. s Street musicians are most noticeable in Sydney nowadays. They have recognised "stands" at various busy points, particularly at the suburban ferry wharves, and appear to do quite good business. Many novel ways are devised to earn a few pence. At Manly, for instance, a diver out of a job entertained spectators by going under water in' his diving suit, walking and posing under water while an "accomplice" on the quay went round with "the hat.'' Shortage of Clergy. In his address at the opening of, the Anglican Synod at Dunedin on. Monday, Bishop Richards, after referring to changes that had occurred in the diocese, said that the net result, of the changes was that more than ever they were short of clergy. They had two vacant cures. Such a condition of things called for spec, ial consideration and prayer. The problem of obtaining a supply of suitable clergy and providing adequate ministrations throughout the diocese was a source of constant anxiety to him. ( Too Much Pessimism. "There is a growing chorus of pessimism, and we must get rid of it," said Sir George Fowlds Sunday afternoon at the reunion of old settlers in Auckland. "We must always expect a pessimistic soloist, sometimes a duet, or even a quartet, but there is no reason for a chorus." Sir George said the example of the old times was one of unqutyicbable courage and optimism. These qualities served them well In times of danger and difficulty. A similar spirit was urgently needed to-day.

Farming 1 and Intelligence. "While I realise the necessity for as many as possible going on the land, I think agricultural education should be confined to those schools where special facilitijes ex/fet for, it," said Mr H. J. D. Mahon, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar •School, at a meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Teachers' Federation, when the Education Report was being discussed, reports the "New Zealand Herald," "I have been told that successful farming is 80 per cent, hard work and 20 per cent intelligence, and I think there is a lot of truth in' that statement." (