Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 6

Town Talk

Visit by Airmen. In the course of a tour of the North Island, Flying-Officer R. Whitehead and Mr. R. Nicholl, who flew the “Faith in New Zealand” over the Tasman Sea to Auckland from Gerringoug Beach last Novem/bcr, are to arrive at the Wanganui airport on Friday afternoon at about 4 o’clock. During a brief stay in Wangaaui they will speak at the Plaza Theatre. A West Coast Breakfast. More amused than annoyed, a Yorkshireman at present touring the Dominion told a Post reporter of the cost of a small meal for himself and his wife at an accommodation house in a West Coast (town. Wishing to leave the town and I have a meal before the regular dining .hour, the tourists made known their request. A pot of tea, some bread and butter, and two boiled eggs each was /the offering, and 5s was the charge! Slaughtering at Abattoirs. At the last meeting of the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the president, (Col. G. Mitchell) reported that, accompanied by Mr. Howell, he had paid a visit to the abattoirs and several of the meat works for the purpose of investigating the methods of slaughtering. Further investigations are to be made and a comprehensive report will then be submitted to the society, and also through the Press to the public. Ancient String Games. A demonstration of several of the intricate figures of the ancient Maori string games called “ whai ” was given at the festival at Orakei Maori Village on Saturday afternoon by Mrs. .la-re Karena. The traditional names of some of the figures are ‘ 1 Tonganui, ” “Te Kotiro,” “Te Tamaiti,” and “ Tonganui me tana wahine.” The ends of the string were joined, forming a loop about 3fi in length, which was manipulated with marvellous skill into “cat’s cradle” patterns between the two outstretched hands of the player. Some of the figures are so intricate as to require the assistance of a second player to mill the loops loose in order to display the pattern of the figure.

Bottle of Water Exploded. The other day an Auckland commercial traveller met with a severe injury, by which he nearly lost his thumb. He was removing from his motor-car a large bottle filled with water, when it suddenly burst. About two years ago, when motoring through a country district, he was delayed through the car tank running out of water, so he there and then decided to carry a large bottle full for emergency purposes. It was a “square rigger” receptacle that exploded. It had barely been lifted from the floor under the rear seat when it burst, at a fortuitous moment, in fact, as the sufferer’s intention was to raise it in the light to his face level, to ascertain whether it required replenishing. Prompt Broadcast. It is an old saying that it is necessary to go away from home to hear the news. A case of this is reported by a Gore short-wave radio enthusiast who states that when listening to the Empire news service from the 8.8. C. Empire station at Daventry on Friday night he heard the announcement of the death of Professor John Macmillan Brown. Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, which was first * announced to the New Zealand public in Saturday morning’s newspapers. The British announcer gave extensive details of the career of the late professor. The news service, which is broadcast each evening at 10.15 p.m. regularly contains items from all the chief countries of the Empire, as well as outstanding foreign items. Historic Bible.

When he utteuded ihe diuroh advice at the Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday, the Duke of Gloucester used a Bible which is said to have an interesting association with the English Royal family. In 1842 Queen Victoria presented this Bible to a Miss Hannah Hobbs, who is believed to have been a domestic at the Royal Palace. The Bible bears an inscription on the front cover indicating that the gift was from her Majesty, aud inside is written Miss Hobbs’ name and the signature of the Queen’s Lord Chamberlain. The liible was brought to New Zealand by relatives of Miss Hobbs, and was lent to the Cathedral for use of King George when he attended divine service while visiting Christchurch as the Duke of York. The use of the Bible by Prince Henry t one of the King’s sons, has forged another link in this interesting chain of associations.

Price of a life—Ten Shillings? This is the tale of a man who valued his life at 10s—and then at nothing, because he had no change. A man was rescued from drowning on a beach by members of one of the surf cluibs. In the flurry of a second call soon after, he. little the worse for his adventure, wttlked away unnoticed. The following Sunday members of the surf club were col'leeting donations to help them save more lives. They came to one car, a passenger of which informed them that they would be able to get a donation there, because one of the others in the vehicle had been rescued the previous week by that very club. The spirits of the mennlber rose—’for collecting is a thankless job—-and so did his expectations. The man put his hand in his pocket—and pulled out a 10 s note. The member’s eyes brightened. The man, however, put his hand back into his pocket, and then with a bright smile he who, but for the efforts of members and others of the club, would have been the guest of Neptune, said, “Sorry, I have no change."

Scouts in Melbourne After being away from Wanganui for about a month to attend the Woild Scout Jamboree at Melbourne, Rover Gordon Park, one of the Wanganui representatives at the Jamboree, has returned to the city. A total of 12,000 Scouts from 21 countries attended the Jamboree, which lasted from December 27 to January 17 and was an event to be. long remembered, he said. Not the least impressive incident was the opening, when thousands of Scouts, 16 abreast, marched past the GovernorGeneral, Sir Isaac Isaacs and the World Chief Scout, Lord Baden Powell. '1 he march was staged in simple and effective manner. Following a solitary Scout flag, the symbol of their unity in Scouthood, the 12,090 came over the brow of a hill, file upon file. The scene of the march-past was an arena three acres in extent, flanked by grandstand* and grass-covered knolls, with the sea glittering in bright sunshine only a few hundred yards away. Tn this march. Rover Park had the honour of carrying one of the flags for the New Zealand contingent. The marchpast was witnessed by ovei 20,000 specta tors.