NEWS OF THE DAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 80, 13 March 1931, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Refugees Go Home A number of earthquake refugees were passenger s by the mail train were paassengers by the mail train Napier district. Two or three families totalling about a dozen members intend leaving to-morrow.

Changing the Climate A scheme which would make the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and the eastern coast of Russian Siberia semi-tropical, both now having extremely cold climates, has been submitted to the Soviet Government by one of the most prominent leaders in Japan. The scheme suggested is that a dam be constructed at the narrowest point between Saghalien, of which the Japanese own the southern half, and the continent, which would turn the cold arctic current eastward. The suggestion of Japan is that the two countries split the cost and obtain benefits that are inestimable.

A Long Thres Miles. The longest three miles in Canterbury must be that between Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill (says the Christchurch Times). By some mistake the Automobile Association has erected a sign at the lake giving the distance as three miles only, whereas it is five miles. The “bagmen” so frequently to be met with about these parts are the ones who complain the loudest over the error. Some effort has been made to scratch out the figure three, but quite unsuccessfully, for it still serves to mislead motorists and “swaggers.”

Day’s Good Deed .. An amusing story is told in connection with the recent visit of the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, to Rotorua. As the Chief Scout’s car approached the vicinity of the Ohinemutu Pa, Lord Baden-Powell detected a scout among the many people who were hurrying to the reception. He promptly instructed the driver to ‘“Pick that chap up, or he will be late for parade.” The Scout, thus rendered a good turn, was still a mixture of astonishment and pride when he arrived , with the official party, and seated on the knee of the touring Commissioner, LieutenantColonel E. P. Le Breton,

Stratford Operatic Society At its last meeting the committee of the Stratford Operatic Society considered a letter from Mr. W. Graeme Holder, of New Plymouth, who, in reply to an inquiry, stated that he had nothing suitable to • offer at present, but offered to write something specially for the performance by the society. This offer was accepted with thanks. Mr. Holder is well known both as an author and composer. He has written, among other things, “Mariette,” “A Pair of Braces,” “Parabaya,” “Riddle of the Sphinx,” “The Blue Parrot.” He also wrote both words and music for “The Beachcomber,” produced by the Commercial Travellers before Christmas. He is, however, best known to Stratford audiences as the author of “Diane Develops,” which was performed by the Eltham Society some months ago.

Napier Beach Changed One of the most extraordinary and noticeable features of the earthquake’s afteVlnath has been the alteration in the formation of the beach and the sea bed out from the Marine Parade. Previously the sea was deep within a few feet of the beach, resulting in the presence of a dangerous undertow in anything but the calmest weather. At the present time, however, the surf rolls in for some fifty yards out to sea, where waves can be seen breaking in shallow water. The extent to which this portion has been raised is signified by the fact that a reef has made its appearance, the presence of which was unknown before, and at low tide is high and dry many feet from the water.

East Coast Railway After about two weeks’ stoppage on account of the earthquake, work is again in progress at the Kotemaori tunnel, states the “Hawke’s Bay Herald.” The work was undamaged except by earth falls at the mouth, and concreting is now being carried on at both ends. This work is expected to be finished by Easter. The permanent rails are now laid up to within a few chains of the southern end. The line is blocked about Eskdale' and at the embankment, but the Public Works Department has been doing god work and it should not now be long until the line is again open to Putorino.

Boulders Destroyed by Quakes A boulder, at least ten feet in thickness at its greatest girth, and weighing several tons, lies on the side of the Taupo road just past the Petane turn-off. It rolled from the hilside on the opposite side of tire road, and came to rest when stopped by another boulder, not quite so large, which now supports it. The smaller of the two has lain there so long that it is partly embedded in the soft earth at the side of the road, and partly overgrown by moss, grass and creepers. Both boulders originally came from the same part of the hillside and both were moved by earthquakes. The smaller one, it is said, came down when the North Island was shaken in 1855, and the larger one joined it again last month.

Insurance “Coincidence' 1 At the conclusion of the Supreme Court in Wellington of the 'case in which a claim was made against the Norwich Union Fire Insural3.ce Society, Ltd., arising out of the; destruction of a house in Karamea by fire, counsel for the insurance company, which was successful, said, that, although costs were asked Ijor against the plaintiffs, they were not applied for in the case of the occupier of the house. Counsel for the plaintiffs, addressing Mr. Justice Blair, expressed appreciation of t;Aiis action. Smilingly his Honour saw! that insurance companies were not always given credit by juries for having a conscience, but at one time he used to have a lot to do with insurance companies, and he had noticed that some of them had a very active conscience.