NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A boy named Burmester fell off a monkey bar at Opunake Beach on Monday evening and broke his arm. He received medical attention and is progressing favourably.

There were between 180 and 190 shops in Devoji Street between the post office and Eliot Street, said Mr. E. H. White at the New Plymouth Retailers’ Association meeting last night. It was reported that the association now had 110 members.

Roused by a noise among the poultry in the early hours of yesterday morning, an Avenue Road resident made an investigation and discovered that a newly hatched duckling had been killed, while another was being carried away by a hedge hog.

New Plymouth retailers last night decided to adhere to the previously decided closing hour of 9.45 on the occasion of the Duke of Gloucester's visit to the town. Advice was received from the Mayor (Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour) that the Duke would arrive at 9.45 instead of at 10 as previously arranged, but there was no suggestion of an earlier closing. Should the children’s sessions at station 2YB, New Plymouth, be suspended temporarily during the summer period, the North Taranaki Radio Society will seek the permission of the Post and Telegraph Department to utilise the two hours saved each week for a programme on Friday nights. The nature of the programme has been left in abeyance.

An old beach, two well-preserved puriri trees, and the rib of a whale were the interesting discoveries made by workmen erecting a new building in Devon Street, New Plymouth. Four shafts were pierced to a depth of 25 feet when excavation was in progress and the curiosities were then revealed.

The recent news of the capture of two Sharks, One 10ft 6in in length, at Napier, and the other 23ft long, at Gisborne, indicates that there are a number of these monsters cruising about the east coast. Recently in the roadstead at Napier a member of the Rangitiki’s crew saw a 7ft shark gnawing at the rope attached to the passengers’ Stairway. He threw it a large lump Of meat, which the shark snapped up without hesitation.

“We have a definite promise from about four retailers that if we accomplish anything definite they will join,” was a statement by Mr, E. H. White, chairman, at the New Plymouth Retailers’ Association meeting last night that caused amusement. It was stated that a further canvass just commenced had already brought in 20 to 30 new members. The opinion was expressed that Shopkeepers and commercial men were realising the association’s value, whether anything had been accomplished yet or not.

“The Melbourne Crowds hustle along,” remarked a member of the Union rowing crew, “and they don’t wait to give any change, either. I had an experience of that one evening when I thought to purchase a paper from a newsboy. There were several people in the vicinity at the time, and I held out a shilling. Someone promptly grabbed it and disappeared, and I had to dive into my pocket again for another coin. I held on tighter next time, and made sure that it went into the newsboy’s hand.”

It is estimated that the cost of the deviation of the Main South highway in Canterbury between Hinds and Winchester will probably be between £60,000 And £70,000. This figure will include the formation of the new portion of the highway, the paving and. the construction Of bridges. The Main Highways Board has approved Of the wdrk, which Will start as Soon as the foUte of the deviation has been definitely decided. The deviation Will shorten the distance from Christchurch to Timaru by ten miles, ahd Will involve the construction of 15 miles of nejv highway. More people are touring in the South Island at present than at any corresponding period in recent years, and there are indications that this improvement will be sustained throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Government Tourist Department’s office at Christchurch is Very busy arranging tours at present and it was stated that Overtime has to be worked to keep up with the demands. The choice Of tours takes h very Wide range and includes the West Coast glaciers, the Sounds and Central Otago.

The remarkable courage of birds during the nesting season was recently demonstrated to a New Plymouth resident. Through Observing thfe mOVeffiefits of a native tomtit, a black bird with a white threat afid about tWO and a half inches in length, the watcher found a small hair and mosS nest in a hole in a tree. Climbing Up tb the iiest and stretching out his hand towards the tiny grey female bird, he was astonished when she flew at his arm and attacked it viciously with het beak. On another occasion he approached a quail’s nest, extending his hand to touch the Usually very timid bird, and received a sharp peck. During the hearing Of an action in the Supreme Court at Auckland concerning a dispute over the payment for alleged extras involved in the Construction of a house at Kerikeri, detailed evidence was given in respect of building costs. Counsel questioned the amount claimed for One Of the. fittings in the bathroom. “Plumber's costs,” commented Mr. Justice Fair,- “always Seem excessive td those Who. are not plumbers.” Mr. Leary, who appeared for the plaintiff: It is not the only profession, unfortunately, in which the Costs are considered excessive.

“In the first place, the school is not a mere cram-shop. Its teachers are not mere instructors, to pass on so much information to the children,” commented the Rev. D. J. Davies, vicar Of St. Peter’s Church, when speaking at the Terrace End School jubilee thanksgiving service at Palmerston North. “It is the tone of a school that' really matters,” he added. Tone was a difficult thing to define. It was a kind Of spiritual atmosphere which the child’s soul breathed as long as ho WaS in contact With the school. All children who came to the Terrace End School Were enriched, ennobled and deepened. Good tone depended upon the headmaster, teachers, the children themselves and the cO-operation mid loyalty of the parents.

In spite bf previous efforts to expedite the completion Of the new scenic road round the East Cape from Gisborne to Opotiki, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, has advised the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce that the road must wait its turn with other similar works until at least next year. The chamber wrote pointing out the position to the Minister and urging that funds should be made available for the completion Of the road. Mr. Bitchener Stated in reply that the question had already been carefully considered and it had been decided, in view of the limited amount of money available, and the greater urgency of the work of serving settlers who were without access, that the money could not be spared for this purpose.

An unusual case in which conscience money was paid by a person who was not positive he had committed any offence, but wished to be on the safe side, is reported at Dunedin. Ten years ago a business man employed a youth who lawfully or otherwise, gave to a lad of his acquaintance two small articles which ho averred had been given him by his employer from the shop in which he was working. The tiibught that possibly the articles, the value of which amounted to a little over one shilling, had not been honestly secured, apparently troubled the recipient, for the business man was surprised the other day to receive from him a sum of money and a letter explaining the circumstances of the transaction, and asking forgiveness for any possible misdeameanour.

Although no extensive constructive work has been done lately at Rugby Park improvement is always taking place. The grass has grown sufficiently well for sheep to be grazed, but owing to weeds there is not the best of turf. On the south-eastern bank' shrubs effectively relieve the drab clay surface. Bushes covered with yellow blooms are a fine sight from the road. The four hedges of pinus, gums, macrocarpa and lawsoniana with . rapid growth are making a solid barrier which should keep in check youthful gate-crashers. With the exception of chamber matters, the November session of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth concluded yesterday morning. Mr. Justice Smith, who has presided, concludes his business this morning and will leave tomorrow for Wanganui to hear applications under the Mortgagors’ Relief Act. He will return to Wellington on Friday. The good prices ruling for sheep are creating quite a demand for good workable areas, and those interested in sheep and cattle farming are requested to peruse the advertising columns for particulars of two desirable areas in the Ohura district. Having been farmed recently under capable management, the properties are already producing an appreciable income whilst yet offering scope for profitable investment of further capital and energy.” ■ '