NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 143, 13 March 1939, Page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF

Exhibition Band-Shells

The official test of the Centennial Exhibition bandsliells, which was to have taken place on Saturday, was postponed because of the rain. The bandshells have been specially erected for the visit of the West Guards Band, and the test, to have been carried out by the Port Nicholson Silver Band, was to have been open to the public. Outsize Salmon. Au outsize quiniiat salmon, weighing 331 b., the largest caught this season, was landed by Mr. J. Milligan from the Waitaki River last week. Wild Pigs Attack Gardens. The scarcity of feed on the bills has resulted in wild pigs from the back of Eastbourne coming down into the borough at nights and in the early mornings. Judging from the inroads made on gardens they have found vegetables better eating than the rough feed obtainable iu the hills. Two have paid for their venture to civilized parts with their lives.

Bequest to Football Club. A bequest of £5OO to the Christchurch Football Club made under the will of Mr. J. R. Evans, who died about three years ago and who was associated with the club for more than 50 years, has been received by the club. The bequest was made unconditionally; and the club has decided to set the money aside as a permanent memorial to Mr. Evans, and to use the income for club purposes.

Bullets Perforate Water Main. In the course of an inspection of the source of the Waihi water supply, the borough turncock discovered the maiu pipe line in a leaky condition. The main had been perforated by rifle bullets, and from the 12in. steel pipe water was spouting 40ft. into the air. Bullet holes were also found in a corrugated iron shed at the dam. This vandalism has occurred during the driest spell for some time and with a low water level in the dam. £3O Lost and Found.

Losing a purse containing £3O in notes, two women who are spending holidays at Palm Beach, Waiheke, were lucky enough to meet the finder not long afterward. They were going to Surfdale from Palm Beach when they discovered their loss, and they Immediately retraced their steps. On the way they met Mr. G. Kawhai, a Maori workman. They were delighted when he produced the purse, and he was gratefully rewarded. Purchase of Bush.

The Government has purchased an area of more than 200 acres of native bush on both sides of the Brynderwyn deviation of the State highway from Auckland to Whangarei. An announcement to this effect was made by Mr. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden.. In the area secured are fine specimens of kauri trees, and as both sides of the road are included in the purchase It will mean that this route will provide fine native bush scenery. The propertv was purchased by the Government from Snelling Brothers and is being set aside as a scenic reserve.

Prompt Police Action. The theft of a shirt from the Salvation Army men’s shelter, Buckle Street, Wellington, was reported to the Mt. Cook Police Station at 5.45 p.m. on Friday. Two minutes later Sergeant IV. Carrau saw William Cecil Rhodes, bushman, aged 61. with the sleeve of a shirt, protruding from his coat. Rhodes was interrogated and as a result appeared in the Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with the theft of a shirt and collar valued at 6/6. “This man has a very long record for sneak thieving,” said Sub-Inspector D. J. O’Neill. Rhodes was fined £3 by Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M.

A Happy Ship. A compliment to the New Zealand Shipping Company’s management of its vessels and to Captain E. Holland and the ship's company of the Rangitata was paid by tiie British High Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, on his arrival at Auckland from London. Sir Harry said that on the voyage everything possible was done for the comfort and happiness of the passengers. One thing that had impressed him particularly was that the three classes were not kept strictly apart, but were brought together at sports and otherwise, so that'a spirit of real comradeship prevailed. This spirit, lie -felt, typified that of New’ Zealand/