NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1923, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

One of the delegates at the recent conlerenco of those engaged in the agricultural industry, expressed tin.opinion that in twenty years the value ol laud in the Dominion would depreciate by many millions of pounds sterling unless immediate and drastic steps were taken to eradicate or check the growth of noxious weeds.

Jn the -Malay States the Englishman is the only man who is regarded as white. '1 his, Mr l’ratten, ALP., told a Sydney audience, was a great compliment to England. Tho natives railed others “American man,” “French man,” or “German man,” but the Englishman they called “White man.” It was an indication of the high respect in which the Englishman was held among the Islands.

Creditors at a meeting in connection with a. Chinese bankrupt estate at Wanganui were much interested in the set ol hooks produced by the manager of the concern (says the “Chronicle”). These would correspond with the cash book and journal of the European tradesmen. They were two bulky volumes, neatly written in Chinese characters. and from them the witness was able to extract a record of practically every transaction. To aid tiie bookkeeper was another bulky tome, a (iiinese-Euglisli dictionary. The exhibit was another indication of the thoroughness of the Chinese trader.

A little diversion was caused at a meeting of creditors in the Christchurch Official Assignee’s office (relates the “Press”). The bankrupt, in the course of an examination respecting the number of beneficiaries under a will, stated that there were nine, although the meeting was-under the impression that the number was eight. He offered to give the names of them. Air Beswick, who was appearing on bankrupt’s behalf, said that perhaps the cr.-o was like that in which an Irishman omitted tc) include himself in a count. Air IT .1). Adand, who represented a creditor, said that the version he had heard of the joke was that an Irishman, when asked how many pigs he had. answered eight. He thought, howetet. that there was one more, but he could never satisfy himself on the point, because the animal in doubt persisted m running about so much—it would not lcj.fi> still long enough to allow him to count it.

The old ceremony of “Landing toe Die” by the Thames AYaterman, dating hack to the reigil of Henry VIII.. ar.'l which has not been observed for over a century, was recently revived ai Eel Pie Island, Twickenham. A large number of residents donned the totunic of the Tudor period, “Henry VI11.” with his Queen, Katherine, attended by a jester end courtiers, sailed round the island in a motor-launch, driven hv Ernest Barry, the world s champion sculler, hearing the famous pic. The launch was attended by Thames watermen in their livery and wearing their badges. On landing on the island, the pie was home m triumph by Ernest Barry, while, amid cheers and laughter, the Queen, assisted by the jester, cut the pie, and the King and herself partook of it. It was afterwards handed round the crowd.

The unattractive condition of some of the coal mining districts ol the AYesl Coast are often greatly exaggerat ed by casual visitors; Inti in order to effect improvements, the AYestport Coalmining Company recently commissioned Air Tan nock, superintendent of reserves at Dunedin, to visit Denniston and Alillcrton. In ascertain what improvements are possible in view of the climate and other natural conditions. .As the result of Air Tail nock s report, the company -has- commissioned Mr Coudic, who was formerly in charge' of the tourist resorts at Cornwallis Park as forester and superintendent, of amenities, for the purpose of carrying out a scheme of tree planting, both for beautifying and providing timber for future necessities, also with intention to provide facilities for swimming ill some of the company’s dams, and. in addition, playgrounds for children, tennis courts, cricket and loothall grounds. Air Tannoek estimates that a thousand acres might he made available for tree planting near Alillcrton. and a -ito near the dam at Alillcrton is recommended as tho nursoix.

“I have the happiest recollections of my last visit to New Zealand,” said Oscar A.sclio prior to his departure for ihe Dominion. “1 found great cordial itv there, combined with a remarkable keenness ot appreciation, audiences as intelligent as they were kind. It isji jest of humorists in other parts ol the Empire that New Zealand is a _ cold Scotch place, hut I did not find it so, nor have 1 yet discovered coldness to 1)0 a characteristic of the Scotch. Be that as ii may. my experience in the Dominion when 1 was last here was of a kind to keep alive in mo a great desire to visit yon again. During these intervening years much water lias run under the bridges. A\ e have had the ('teat V.’ar and New Zealand knows a lot about Hint. I’m not sure that even the people of Great Britain taking them as a whole, realise ye how thoroughly Australia and New Zealand did their bit. I mention (his now because 1 am personal!v indebted to those great fighters of ours. T had lto more cordial friends or warmer supporters than the soldiers of New Zealand and Australia during all ihe years of my recent work in London. F iool that I am paying a very dear friend a visit in the home of his family."