News in Brief

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20276, 10 April 1934, Page 8

News in Brief

Drought in the Sounds. of the results of the drought has been the death of quite a large number of native trees and shrubs in the Sounds, says the “ Marlborough Express.” In Queen Charlotte Sound, in particular, substantial sections of bush have gone brown and dead as if affected by fire. The scenic reserve at Harbour Point on the western side of the entrance to Onahau Bay has suffered, and another point where the hand of the drought has fallen heavily is that on the western side of Lochmara. Mabel Island has not escaped the severe conditions. « « Rumbling Hills. “ The almost continuous loud rumblings in the hills and earth tremors experienced in the Colling wood (Nelson) district are really alarming until you become used to them,” said a Wanganui gold prospector who has just returned north on a brief visit to his family. These tremors have not been so frequent since the last severe earthquake, but previously they could be felt day and night at short intervals, while the noise like loud thunder from the high hills was at times almost terrifying. Vi X X 44 Home ” and “ God's Own Country.’ Mr James Smith, retired superintending engineer of the Union Company, will leave • shortly for England on a special commission for the company. Speaking at a social gathering in Mr Smith’s honour, tendered * by the Marine Engineers’ Institute at Wellington, Mr J. Rankine said he hoped Mr Smith would come back again. “ Too many of our able men go Home and stav there. From the point of view of the engineer or the navvy, from any point of view. New Zealand is a fine little country. Let's hope you will come back to God’s own country." Mr Rankine announced that he himself was going to England for a trip soon, but would not stay long.