Who’s Who on the Niagara

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 11

Who’s Who on the Niagara

Carrying ever 500 passengers and FnKlish and Amt'i ic<in mail for Auok*ss. H.M.S. Niagara arrived at Auckland from \ancou\er at 1.4«» p.m. vesterdav. Moderate weather was met With during the run from Suva, although the early part of the voyage marred by unpleasant conditions. Mr. T. H. Taylor, entomologist of Fijian Coconut Commission. is passing through Auckland on liis way (./java, whci o Jic intends to make an intensive study of Wio coconut disease. i* 4 caused by a small insect which bores its way into the nut. Although the insect is picsent in .Java it is combatted successfully and Mr. Taylor hopes to discover the natural methods 0 f defeating its ravages. In the last live years the clergy and j ay staff of the Church of England in Fiji has increased from three to 21. Tliis news is brought to Auckland by Archdeacon W. J. Hands, of Suva, who 1S visiting New Zealand on furlough, jfe will spend must of liis time in Wellington. The archdeacon says that the work of the Church is developing steadily in Fiji and the influence of the Chinese school —the only one in the islands—is extending. It caters for a present population of 1,000 To be the guests of honour at an important native feast in Fiji was the experience of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Williamson, ex-Aucklanders, who have After tiie feast a native chief presented Mrs. Williamson with two valuable native mats. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, who are paying a holiday visit, will remain for about six months. The "War Cry,” New Zealand’s official organ of the Salvation Army, is to be conducted by a Canadian officer, brigadier *. A. Church, who will take the editorial chair left vacant by Colonel Sandal, arrived yesterday and will proceed to Wellington to take up his duties. He is accompanied by Airs. Church and his daughters, Margaret and Winifred. Twenty-five years—practically the* whole of his Salvation Army Career —have been spent in Canada by the brigadier. He Mas Mjb-ediu>r of the “War Cry” in Winnipeg and Toronto when Colonel Sandal was editor-in-chief and since then he has been editor of that paper.

Sir Herbert Matthews, London, is \isiting New Zealand to see the progress of the plantations of the New Zealand Perpetual Forests Company, of which he is a, trustee.

He visited New Zealand four years ago when the plantations were in their early stages ami now lie wants to see what progress lias actually been made. The Forestry Commission in Kngiand is doing good work, lie says, and has received a reasonable grant from the Government.

On liis way through Canada, Sir Herbert was asked if the New Zealand company would turn its attention to afforestation there, but he told liis inquirers that they had enough to do in the Dominion itself without going ; broad. Canada, he says, has wasted her timber assets, but is now taking active steps to put them in order and plant new ones.

Mr. H. W. Richards, Australian shipping manager for Dalgety and Company, has been on a trip to Great Britain and the United States. He states that the Diesel engine is now regarded as the most economical means of propulsion, but America is rapidly developing the electricallydriven vessel. The cheaper methods of handling fuel oil had resulted in a steady loss of ground for coal as fuel for ships. However the greatly increased demand for oil might increase its price with the result that more use would be made of pulverised coal. Clem Dawe and Eric Edgeley. the two comedians of the former Midnight Frolics Company, are returning to Australia after visiting theatres in Eugland and the United States. They saw more than 300 shows and have secured the rights of several of them tor production under the J. C. Williamson management. ‘‘Love Lies.” Mr. Edgeley considers the best of the lot. They also have Spring is Here.” “Oh Kay” and Fitter Patter.” “Remote Control” is a thriller, which they propose to produce. The brothers mentioned that A l Jolson. the sentimental talkie singer, may visit New Zealand and Australia.