EYESORE TO BEAUTY SPOT

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1933, Page 6

EYESORE TO BEAUTY SPOT

WASTE LAND ON FORESHORE

SITE FOOT OF WEYMOUTH STREET]

WORK FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

The beautification of waste-land at the foot of Weymouth Street, between the railway line and the sea, is to be undertaken by the New Plymouth branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. It is planned to spend part of the Poppy Day fund on the work, which will, be commenced immediately by ex-service-men.

At present something of an eyesore, the plot is about half an acre in extent and is covered with lupins and rubbish. The Borough Council has granted the association permission to develop it, and it is hoped to transform it into a beauty spot similar to the reserve by the Workers’ Hall. The work to be accomplished will convert the plot into a pleasing complement to the eastern end of Kawaroa Park, where it abuts on the driveway leading to the municipal baths. It is intended that ex-servicemen will commence clearing and levelling the land early next week so that it will be ready for the planting of grass, trees and shrubs about the beginning of next month. Eventually it is hoped to put down paths and install a seat or two. It is of interest to recall that the original work of forming the rockery and grass plots on the bank in front of the Taranaki Club in Queen Street was undertaken by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, which then sponsored a plan similar to that now to be applied to the foreshore at Weymouth Street. The results achieved in Queen Street by the association and subsequently developed under borough supervision have won unstinted admiration both from residents of New Plymouth and visitors, especially during the season when the bank is glowing with mangolds and other floors. “V7e hope to make another pleasing transformation at the foot of Weymouth Street,” said Mr. D. L. McKay,, president of the association, last night. By expending the Poppy Day funds on such work we are not only helping the returned soldiers, but the money subscribed so generously by the. people, is also being employed usefully in creating something that will be an asset to the town.”

An interesting effect of the influenza epidemic of 1918 was mentioned by Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, during an interview on Saturday. When he first came to New Zealand, he said, .he was. impressed by the fact that, in examining specimens, the presence of the influenza ■bacillus was a rarity. Probably not more than 4 per cent, of the specimens showed the bacillus, but in England every, other specimen revealed it. Then the epidemic came, and since then the proportions had been much the same as in England, approximately 50 per cent, of the. specimens showing the bacillus. This proportion was still being maintained. “There was. no bitter hatred to be seen in air fighting during the war,” said Squadron-Leader J. L. Findlay, talking to boys of Christ’s College on Saturday evening. “There was a remarkable spirit of camaraderie among the airmen of both forces. Often if a British pilot were brought down in the German line the German pilot would drop a note on our aerodrome saying so. He might also drop some of the defeated pilot’s personal belongings. British pilots would do the same, too, for-Ger-mans. This shows how fatuous it all was for so many men to be fighting just because of arguments among politicians.” What he described as a “startling” example of the great extent to which fresh cow’s milk can influence the growth of children was quoted by Mr. H. E. Longworth in an address to the Workers’ Educational Association in Christchurch on Saturday night. In an institution in England a group of boys were being fed, for dietary experimental purposes, on what - were considered to be thoroughly wholesome foods. One pint of milk was added to the daily diet, of each boy, and the average annual gain in weight was increased from 3.851 b. to 6.981 b. and the average annual increase in height from 1.84m5. to 2.*63ins.

The first troop of air scouts in New Zealand has been formed In Dargaville, and the keenness and efficiency of the boys in working on the aerodrome is an indication of the practicable, nature of the movement. Twelve specially. selected 'boys from the Scout ranks comprise the air scout troop, and their duties on the aerodrome, which include handling the aeroplane while taxi-ing on the ground and cleaning it after the day’s work, are assisting in making them “airminded.” The instructor of the Dargaville Aero Club, Major G. C. Cowper, said that the work done by the boys’ was invaluable in the operations of the club, and they had already reached a high standard of efficiency. The difficulties of the clergy in a sparsely-settled parish in the Waikato diocese are described by the Rev. S. W. Golding, of Otorohanga, in the Waikato Diocesan Magazine. “It seems that the large majority of Anglicans are. only Anglicans when they wish their children to be baptised, married, or buried, otherwise, we never see them at church services,” he states. “Why is it that the Plymouth Brethren and Roman Catholics can give us a lead in these matters ? Indeed, they put us to shame. The same may be said as regards finance. Finances here are in a very unsatisfactory condition, and something will have to. be done to improve them, unless the parishioners wish to continue the experiment of constantly changing their clergy, for clergy, like other men, are entitled to a living and to be able to pay their way. In this respect it should be mentioned that the parish still owes my predecessor nearly three months’ stipend, 'which ought, in all honour, to be paid. It is to be hoped that matters will materially improve as regards both finances and church attendances.”

Some amusing aspects of the Cromwell gold boom were related to a Dunedin Evening Star reported by Mr. R. D. Coghill, who has just returned to Dunedin after a busy week spent in the Central Otgao township. Mr. Coghill said that the whole population of Cromwell, including, of course, the visitors, seemed to be split up into cliques whose demeanour suggested that they were budding secret societies. Every hotel bedroom was apparently the headquarters for a band of conspirators, who. were careful to carry on their conversation in low tone. In the main street the approach of a visitor was sufficient to interrupt for the time being the flow of excited but subdued interchange of ideas and inspirations, while out on the famous flat itself the investigations of neighbouring parties were watched with flattering interest. “Cromwell at the present time must be easily the most fascinating place in New Zealand,” concluded Mr. Coghill.

Savings of real worth can be made at Scanlan’s sale at the Melbourne Corner. Read these: 36in. velveteen, 1/H yard; stylish winter coats, half-price; all-wool cardigan suits, 15/6; dress skirts, 5/6, 7/6 and 9/6; real nappa gloves, 5/11; Prophylactic tooth brushes, half-price; “Flosse” chenille, 9d skein; also many wonderful bargains in ladies’ hose.*