NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 40, 17 February 1930, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Dogs and H&ppers,

Several speakers at a meeting of the Fur Trappers' Association on■ Saturday urged that trappers should be allowed to tako dogs with them into State forest reserves. Reference was made to the increasing menace of wild pigs and goats, and the opinion was expressed that it was useless to urge their dostructiou while denying the use of dogs to trappers. "It is practically impossible to get a wild pig out of .the bush without dogs, and the hunting docs not, repay the effort," said one speaker. It was decided to approach the State Forest Service with the request that opossum trappers should be allowed the use of at least one dog. Canadian Bowlers Pleased. The secretary of the team of Canadian bowlers, Mr. W. B. Cowan, writing from luvereargill to the Minister in Charge of the Tourist and Publicity Departments, the Hon. P. A. do la Pcrrc'llc, lias expressed the appreciation of all members of the kindness and hospitality shown them by the Government and the people of the Dominion during their six weeks' tour through New Zealand. Mr. Cowan wrote that all members of the party very much enjoyed their stay in Now Zealand, and warmly appreciated the facilities and hospitality extended during the tour.. He wished to thank the officers of the Departments concernedMn the team's visit for the efficient transport arrangements made, and for the courtesy shown. livery member of the team had very thoroughly enjoyed his visit, and owed much to those who were responsible for the plan of the trip. Married In the Dark. Churches may not be the best-lighted of buildings at night time, but perhaps the ceremonies and services in their precincts gain in solemnity thereby. Still, complete darkness is a trifle^awkAvard, as a marriage party found in St. Paul's pro-Cathedral on Saturday night. All was in readiness for the bride's arrival —guests assembled, bridegroom and wedding attendants waiting—and then, just as her car drew up—out went the lights! Followed some bewildering but not unainusing moments. The bridegroom was offered a torch, but refused; candles were unearthed and lighted and cast a flickering glow over the bridal couple; guests struck matches, and shielding these with their hands, endeavoured both to increase the illumination and to follow the service. In this unusual manner the ceremony proceeded until the nuptial knot was tied —and then the power came on again! ' "Ked Rain" from Australia. It has been suggested that the periodic red rains experienced in some parts of New Zealand are attributable to dust storms in. Australia, it being believed that great clouds of red dust are, from time to time, carried across the Tasman Sea at a very high altitude. In an effort to confirm this theory, Mr. H. 0. Goulter, of Marlborough, secured samples of the rust-like deposit left in that district after the rain of 27th November, and forwarded them to the Commonwealth Divisional Meteorologist, who had them examined by the Commonwealth Minesi.Department. This Department, so Mr. Goulter has been informed, discovered that the samples consisted mainly'of minute particles of quartz, felspar, biotite, mica, and haematite. The presence of much biotito suggested to the Department that the dust had been derived from an area whero metamorphie rocks, such as schists and gneisses, arc plentiful. As rocks of this type are common in Western Australia, tho Department considered it possible that the dust originated there, but it was impossible, the Department added, to state definitely that the dust was of Australian origin. Sunday Bail Traffic Increasing. Tho increasing popularity of Sunday excursion trains'between Auckland and Hamilton has necessitated tho running of an extra train, states the "New Zealand Herald." The additional express, which will stop only at Newmarket, Mercer, and Frankton Junction, will be commenced to-morrow morning, and will be run every Sunday until further notice. The additional train will make a total of five Sunday trains between the two centres. On Sunday, 9th February, it was estimated that over 3000 passengers travelled on the four trains, while on a previous occasion over 750 people were carried from Auckland to Hamilton on one train. The heavy Sunday traffic experienced recently has resulted in the trains being lato on occasions, and tho additional train will minimise delay. Cause of the Commotion. A huge flock of seagulls circling round a beacon and making an almost deafouing noise attracted the attention of visitors to Harrington Point, Port Chalmers, a few days ago. After a time tho birds dispersed, but small numbers returned at intervals and renewed their cries. It was at length found that the cause of the commotion was the fact that one of tho gulls had caught its leg in tho beacou. Disliking the. thought of leaving it to starve, some of tho visitors persuaded ■ a launch owner to free the bird, which was eventually liberated after having been held fast for four, hours.