NEW ZOO STAR

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1934, Page 19 (Supplement)

NEW ZOO STAR

THE BOXING KANGAROO. BANANAS IN REPTILE HOUSE. The London Zoo has a most promising candidate /for the proud position of Zoo boxing kangaroo, says the Children’s Magazine. Most male kangaroos have an instinct to box, as their method of, attacking is to rear up on their hindquarterifr and, using their tails as a means of support, to strike blows with their powerful back legs. But although the Zoo’s kangaroos and wallabies are often willing enough to challenge their keeper to an unfriendly fight, only rarely will one of these animals learn to box amicably with a man. The Zoo’s last boxing kangaroo, Billy, -died four years ago, and until now has had no successor. Recently a new wallaby called Rupert arrived at the Gardens, and as soon as he had settled down in a den began to play with the keeper’s broom whenever the man entered his home to sweep. After a time the keeper offered to box him. The wallaby at once responded and behaved extremely well. Every morning now Rupert has a boxing lesson, and as he is progressing well and his temper seems remarkably good it is hoped that he will soon be ready to show off on the word of command. Rupert is nearly five feet high, but Billy, the Zoo’s famous boxing kargaroo, was over six feet. He was always ready to have a match with his keeper, and when told that time was up he would deliver a gentle knock-out blow. He was such an ardent boxer that he trained one of his housemates to act as sparring partner when the keeper was not available. He also taught his son to box; but neither of Billy’s pupils would box with a man. During his long career as the Zoo’s boxing kapgaroo Billy only disgraced himself once. • This happened when he was boxing with the keeper for the benefit of a photographer, and apparently the camera and its clicking worried the kangaroo. He suddenly turned nasty, and instead of boxing in his usual gentle manner he became, aggressive and delivered a real knockout blow, and the keeper fell. Billy then tried to attack again, but happily the man.managed to rise from the ground and, dodging his irate opponent, retreated from the ring. The following day the kangaroo expressed his regret, and made it quite clear that the whole episode was an unfortunate accident which would not occur again. Whipsnade has a .boxing kangaroo called Joey, who once belonged to Bostock’s menagerie, but though Joey , is an expert boxer his temper is uncertain, and sometimes his challenge is not meant kindly. ... ■ The -Reptile House at the Zoo has Scored an unexpected success. To give local colour to certain dens small banana trees, palms, and shrubs are planted in the ■ background;, but as the earth is necessarily shallow this vegetation rarely grows to ■ any height. However, a banana tree planted on the banks of a pond inhabited by alligators and crocodiles Has not only grown so high,that it now touches the glass roof of the house, but is bearing fruit. ’ About, twelve healthy-looking bunches of bananas have been counted, and in the heat of this house the' fruit should develop and ripen. THE NEW HAIFA. PALESTINE’S GREAT PORT. Haifa, known to the Romans as Sycaminum, has since ancient times been a place of importance, for it is a fine natural port for shipping. It lies under Mount Carmel, on the Bay of Acre, and is connected with the . Central ■ Palestine and Damascus < mailways.' It is-hoped soon to make it the terminus of a Haifa-Bagdad railway. It 'is already an airport of the Imperial Airways, connecting up Palestine with England, Persia, India, and Iraq, A splendid harbour has just been completed, and officially opened,. It is worthy, of the situation. There is accommodation for several big steamers, and plenty of room for lighters,' with good wharfage. The new Haifa will rank only after Marseilles and Genoa. A branch- of -• the Iraq oil pipe runs to the port, which also handles Palestine’s cotton and potash. It -is a pity that the new harbour’s inauguration was marred by political disturbances, the Arabs resenting what they deem to be an excessive fresh immigration of Jews from Germany. In fact, the number of such migrants appears to be small (perhaps 6500), and it is to be hoped that racial feelings will subside. It is impossible to deny that the new Palestine has made great progress, through the Jewish population. CHRISTOPHER’S HEAD. Christopher’s head did not reach up to the counter, even when he stoop on tiptoe,’ so it was dull for him as he stood at his mother’s side while she gave her orders to The grocer. Suddenly there appeared a large hand holding a biscuit wrapped in tinfoil. “Would, you like a biscuit?” asked the grocer.. Christopher would and did, but it was soon gone. Then, standing on tiptoe and squeaking loudly, he asked: “Did you know I’ve got a baby sister?” MIKE’S PRISONER. Some evenings it was so dark in the jungle that only the night birds could see, and all the other folk had to go to bed early. Then there was a lot of grumbling. “It’s that old moon,” said Pepper the Porcupine. “If only we could get hold of her and tie her to a tree we’d always see at night. If I knew her hiding place I’d go .and fetch her out pretty quick. Look here—l’ll give a grand prize to the one who takes the moon prisoner.” Then all the jungle folk set about trying to catch the moon, and Mike the Monkey was determined to get her. He smiled when he saw Prim the Parrot flying high at night,’’‘trying to peck the moon out of the sky. He smiled when he saw Bruin the Bear make a rope of vines and climb the mountain to try to reach the moon. Mike knew where the moon was—she bathed in the river every night! ‘Til build a prison over you, my beauty, while you’re - washing your pale face,” grinned Mike; “how stupid of you to float in the water like that 1” So Mike gathered sticks and large flat leaves, and he worked hard all day building two walls across the river. At night, he saw the moon creep between the walls, and wash her face in the water. Quick as Could be, Mike built a roof over those walls and captured the moon. Next night it was pitch dark, and when the usual “early-to-bed” grumbling began Mike said proudly that the moon was his prisoner. Down to the river tripped all the jungle folk, looked at the prison, and listened to the moon moaning to be det out. “One—two—three —I’ll open the door a little way and you catch her with your rope, Bruin,” whispered Mike. Bruin was all ready. Mike opened the door —and out rushed Canibite the Crocodile. How they ran! Canibite only had tips of ears and tails for supper. When the moon came out again, didn't she just grin at Mike for catching her reflection! He’s never bowed to her since.

LONG AGO STORIES. ROSANNA AT BOARDING- SCHOOL. Rosanna was in a great state of excitement, for she was going to be married and sent to boarding school on the same day! She was 13 years old, her bridegroom was 15, and they had seen each other twice! On the morning of the great day the girl was up early, and while her mother and maid were curling her hair, she read about her future school—which was far more important to her than her wedding. “Mrs. Katherine Tappin keeps school at Highgate,” read Rosanna. “Here ■young gentlewomen may be soberly educated, and taught all sorts of learning fit for young gentlewomen. The needle, dancing, the French tongue, a little music; to read, write and cast accounts in a small way; also to make wax work, and paint upon glass; to raise pastry, and make sweetmeats, sauces, and everything that is genteel and in. the fashion.” ' “It will be the best education money can buy,” said her mother. “You must be diligent, Rosanna, for when you are educated you will enter upon the life of a fashionable married lady.” “I shall have much to learn!” exclaimed Rosanna. “And what will be-

come of my bridegroom while I am at sctiool?” ■ \ “He will go to Oxford, and later he will travel in. Europe. Probably you will not see . him again till you are 17 or 18, but it will save a lot of trouble to get you married now, for as you and he have suitable fortunes it .is as well ter settle your future in advance.” Rosanna did not have a new dress for her wedding,, but went to church in her second best with her parents. Waiting in the porch was a boy carrying a. gun and surrounded by members of his family. “I’m going to shoot rabbits like a man ■on my wedding day,” he said sulkily to Rosanna. “I’m going to- boarding school!” she cried proudly; “ His harder to raise a good pie crust over the rabbit than to shoot the silly creature.” “Children, this is a solemn occasion, said Rosanna’s father.

So they were married. When they came out of church they said a hasty farewell, and Rosanna jumped into her father’s coach and went off to boarding school.

After bidding her parents good-bye, she was taken by Mrs. Tappin into a room,'where 20 young gentlewomen were copying the portrait of her Majesty, Queen Anne, on parchment trays, arid introduced as the Lady Ravenhill. • “No!” exclaimed Rosanna. “My wedding is to be kept a secret. Miss Rosanna Stutt, please, till I be 17.” So Miss Rosanna Stiitt went io school on her. wedding day to learn to be a fashionable lady. ROME' RINGS WEDDING BELLS. 2600 PRESENTS FROM MUSSOLINI. ,How Londoners who stand for hours to see a bridal procession would have loved to be in Rome the other day. They would have had their fill, for no fewer than 820 couples were married at their parish churches to walk together later in one vast procession to St. Mary of the Angels, where Mass was celebrated in the. light of fifty great chandeliers lent by St. Peter’s. Altogether 260 Q couples were married that day in Rome and the province of Latium, and each received a present from Mussolini—his photograph and a 500-lire note - (about £8). Few of them were well-off, and such a present meant much to them'. The very poorest even found two such notes in their envelope. In the evening the Pope blessed the couples, arid crowds threw flowers at them as they again passed by in- procession. Rome will not soon forget her wedding day, which was also the 11th anniversary of the Fascist rule. THE THEREMIN. UNCANNY MUSICAL- INSTRUMENT. An amusing but doubtful contribution to musical instruments was shown in London the other day. , The invention is known as the Theremin. The music was made by electric circuits and a reproducing ‘ device, on the lines of a wireless apparatus, and might almost be said to be gently and musically controlled howls. The- instrument was played with two hands, the left hand being raised or lowered over the side of the cabinet, this causing a variation in the strength or amplitude of the sounds. The right hand was moved to various positions, each causing a different note to be produced, the hand acting, as one side of an electric condenser. An expert can with" practice certainly play some effective solos, but without considerable skill it is equally possible to get some very terrible effects. LEAGUE PORTRAITS. The League of Nations now has the beginnings of a picture gallery of the prominent people who have takeri part in its work. The portrait of Count Apponyi, great man of Hungary and firm friend of the League, well-known and well liked, has been presented to the Council by the Hungarian Government. It will join one of Viscount Cecil of Chelwood presented. earlier in the year and a still earlier one of Mr. Dandurand of Canada. A bronze bust of Nansen and a plaque of Leon Bourgeois at present complete the collection, but a portrait of Sir Eric Drummond is .promised for the opening of the new buildings. JOKE. Postman: Here is a letter for you, Pat —with a black border, too. Pat: Alas! My poor brother is dead. Postman: How do you know? You haven’t read it yet. Pat: But I know his hand-writing. (Sent by Joyce and Allan Hartley.) , RIDDLE. What three letters frighten a burgler away ?—I.C.U., (Sent by /Avis McCoard.)