Local & General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 54, 18 February 1949, Page 4

Local & General

Missed The Pipi “Look, I missed those pipis. They did not give me any,” Sir Peter Buck remarked at Ruatoki on Friday, pointing to a pile of pipi shells, which had been consumed by the Maori school children. Sir Peter expressed regret at having missed the shell fish and would have liked to take some with him only he was on the point of leaving and could not wait. Bank Picnic Held Over 40 members of the staff and friends attended from Whakatane, Te Puke, Rotorua and Tauranga a combined picnic of various branches of the Union Bank of Australia, at Mt. Maunganui on Sunday. The picnic was held on the property of Mr D. Debreceny and the day was spent boating, swimming, tennis and eating. Scientists And Maoris The scientists who visited Ruatoki on Friday showed their keen interest in the Maori people by the way they mixed with the local inhabitants. Many had cameras, which they used constantly, while others were busy questioning various individuals and taking down notes. While they seemed to enjoy this quest for information, it was obvious too that the Maoris were enjoying it just as much. Rare Bird “Although it has been protected for the last 21 years, today the king, or carunculated, shag numbers only 100 and is in danger of extermination,” says the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. This type of shag, which exists nowhere else in the world, is similar to the pied shag, but is distinguished by white patches on the upper surface of the wings and by its pink or whitish feet. It is found in the Marlborough Sounds. The Minister appeals to all yachting clubs, launch owners and persons interested in the preservation of this national asset to do their utmost to help the department in this important matter.