In the Dominion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 197, 20 August 1929, Page 8

In the Dominion

Invitation in Bottle . There is quite a touch of romance, about the travels of a bottle containing a message which was thrown from thc Aorangi on Sunday, January 13 last, by Mr John Fuller, the wellknown theatre proprietor, on his journey from Australia to New Zealand, hi a whimsical moment Mr Fuller had written on a visiting card, “Admit four, best seats,” and in a sealed bottle had cast thc message overboard off thc coast of Australia. Nearing New Zealand he sent out yet a further message. As a sequel to thc incidents an old Maori of Bland Bay, Whanga ruru, discovered one of the bottles on thc beach 18 miles south of Cape Brett last week. Thc message has been forwarded to Mr A. Main, secretary of the Waitcmata Electric Power Board, who, on making inquiries, learned that thc instructions are genuine, and will be honoured by the management of St. James’ Theatre. Value of Exams

“In recent years there have been heard certain ultra-superior people who declaim thc value of examinations,” said Professor J. Maxwell Walker, chairman of thc Professorial Board, at thc Auckland University College capping ceremony last 'Friday. “However, there are still some of us who are firmly convinced of the fact that examinations arc really of value from thc educational viewpoint, and at any rate from thc viewpoint of students building up a career. In this respect thc examination system could hardly be replaced.”

Unsuitable Trees “Rakau Maori” writes in the Auckland Star: “Some of thc people who have been suggesting certain native trees for thc avenue of approach to the War Memorial Museum evidently know little about thc habits of the trees they suggest. For instance, some advocate an avenue of nikau. That would be very striking, but unfortunately thc nikau is a most unsightly tree once removed from the shelter of the dense bush. Out in tho open it looks like the last rose of summer after a tornado. It must have the most complete shelter. To my mind the most suitable tree for the avenue is the glorious pohutukawa. Thc staring white stone of which tho |ius<|m is built requires some foil, and this would be given perfectly by thc dark green of the pohutukawa. Then think of thc magnificent sight it would be at Christmas time with a long crim-son-topped avenue leading up to the colonnaded portico! The hill on which the building stands is very rocky at a shallow depth, but that would not trouble the hardy pohutukawa, which on the sea cliffs seems to grow out of the very rocks themselves. I sincerely hope the idea of planting the foreignlooking phoenix palms has been effectually killed, and that we will hear no more about the rows of cedars, the particular kind selected growing up into a most unsightly thing; obviously the men who suggested it could never have seen it in its old age.” Big Fire Recalled

Twenty years ago last Monday the destructive fire which completely gutted the Strand Arcade, Auckland, occurred. Thc fire, which caused damage approaching £lOO,OOO, was one of thc most disastrous in the history of Auckland. Early in the progress of the outbreak a man who had entered the burning building was cut off by the flames, and stood on the top fireescape balcony frantically calling for help. Tho spectators held their Breath, and jwerc ;I>.) witnesses of a thrilling rescue by Mr Thomas Robert Macferson, who was cheered to the echo as he snatched the trapped man, Mr E. Crouch, from his perilous position and brought him down to safety. In recognition of big heroism Mr Macferson was awarded the Stead gold medal by the Royal Humane Society, the highest New Zealand award for bravery. The award has been made only four times. Mr Macferson, who is still employed by an Auckland firm, also the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal for saving people from drowning.

Traces of Former Forest A peculiar discovery was made on a farm at Te Rahu, near Te Awamutu, recently. While an excavation for a gateway was in progress, a stratum of sandstone about 2ft. thick was being cut through. Embedded in the stone near the lower side was found a piece of beautiful kauri gum. Below the layer of stone was a considerable number o.C rcots of large trees, indicating that ages ago there was a forest there.

The People’s Court “I believg I am expressing the views of the magistrates of New Zealand when I say that I abhor technicalities. This Court is a people’s Court, and is not the Supreme Court. I must confess that I always look upon technicalities as a sign of the weakness of the case of the individual who raises them.” Thus Mr A. M. Mowlem, S.M., in thc Napier Magistrate’s Court, giving judgment in a civil claim in which an extremely technical point was raised for the defence. Councillors at Baths

“In all the ten years I have been going to the Te Ara baths,” said Mr W. S. Wilson, addressing the Reserves Committee of the City Council at Wellington, “I have never seen a Mayor or city councillor present. Now, in Christchurch and Dunedin you do see members of the council present fairly often, perhaps not always to bathe, but just to see how things are going along, i believe if this were the case in Wellington our baths would not be so dreadfully out of date.”