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Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1933, Page 6

The opening of the Alexander Library at Wanganui recalls to mind (says the Chronicle) an incident that . occurred some 40 years -ago. Wanganui’s library was then a very small and humble one, and an enthusiastic young lady had just been put in charge. Two ;huge volumes were presented to the library-Sweden-borg’s “Heaven” and “Hell.” Evidently there was no section in the library at that time for religious works, so the resourceful librarian at onoe listed the mystic works under “Books of Travel.

The contention that the Post and Telegraph Department had not passed on to the public the salary reduction imposed on the staff was made by Mr. C. Jackson (Wairarapa) at the meeting of the executive of the Farmers’ Union in Wellington when moving that the department be urged to give a rebate of 20 per cent, on rural mail delivery fees. He thought that the rebate was a suitable way in which the cut could be passed on, The remit was carried.

The new Maori colony near Cape Run- ■ away has been increased by the . arrival of ten families from the Ngati-Porou tribe. The colonists are working hard clearing the property and putting up cottages for themselves. The Ngati-Porou members of the colony are enjoying the new life immensely, particularly when fish and other sea foods are easily obtainable. The property was that recently taken over by the Native Minister from Mr. Neville McLernon. It is for the most part very poor land, and it will be interesting indeed to see whether the colonists, with the assistance'of the Native Minister and his officers, will be able to make anything of it. The fact that the colony is composed of members of two distinct tribes is also interesting, for it is contrary to all Maori custom and procedure that two foreign elements should be combined in one locality. The new colony is under the charge of Mr. Weihana Delamere, who with his family is occupying Mr. McLernon’s house. There are some persons outside the legal profession whose duties compel them to be present at the heavy legal battles fought out in the Court of Appeal at Wellington. These people appreciate conciseness. They seldom get it. To them the law and some of the worthy representatives of the profession have a nasty habit of going the longest way about saying a thing, and, after the recital, not conveying very much. It follows, therefore, that on those rare occasions when the admirable quality of terseness is displayed it is appreciated. But appreciation of brevity extends further. The Bench welcomes it. In one of his reserved judgments delivered on Monday, the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) made a point of mentioning the concise way in which the question in the case was put. This was how his Honour began his judgment: “It is unnecessary in this case to look at any of the material before us except the actual neat question which the Court is asked to determine, and which is stated , with commendable conciseness as being whether the Mortgagors’ Relief Act, 1931, appphes to mortgages of shares in companies. The untoward end of a hippopotamus at the South Perth Zoo a couple of years ago is recalled by the visit to Auckland of Mr. N. (“Nat”) Harper, now a resident of Melbourne, but for over 30 years one of the best-known personalities of West Australia. Mr. Harper the hippo for the zoo at a cost of £ioou, and it was named “Nat” after him. The animal sickened in August, 1930, and so great was its popularity that daily bulletins appeared concerning its health. Veterinary surgeons used all their craft, but the hippo died in acute agony. A postmortem examination disclosed a rubber ball wedged in its intestines, and subsequent inquiries revealed that the mischievous prank of a boy was responsible. Seeing the animal with its mouth extended in a gaping yawn, the youth could not resist the temptation to have a shy. His aim was unfortunately accurate, and the ball disappeared down the animal’s throat, and its fatal illness followed. A year later its body was exhumed, and the work of reconstructing the skeleton commenced. Mr. Harper has just received a newspaper cutting from Perth announcing that it has been placed in the museum. Possibly the scientific tab attached to the skeleton will bear a reference as to the cause or death as a reminder to future generations of small boys that tennis balls are not included in an animal’s diet.