NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1924, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

'I he latest enumeration of the animals known to science includes no lower than. 386,000' recognised species The real number is believed to be very much larger. It has been estimated that of inserts alone the earth harbours 2.000,000 species.

Tho completion nf flip (Him tuimrl is making flip blackberry on flip const no loifgor a post, but profitable (.states the Westport “News”). A seller says he lias orders for from fill) up to half a ton, and could have kept twenty pickers busy during the flush of the season. When Miss Busina Burkinan was making her struggle for recognition in Loudon as an operatic singer. Hume Nellie .Melba held out the hand of kindness and procured her the chance of being heard. Now that she is one of the great singers of the world, and a credit to her native land New Zealand, whose song bird she is, she is passing on the kindness (states an exchange). Recently when in Glasgow Miss Bticknian was being driven each day by a taxinmn named Matthew Dickie, who diffidently asked her if she would hear him sing. The great operatic singer, with her usuijl kindness of heart readily consented, ajid lie sang before the assembled stars. At the conclusion Miss Burkinan congratulated him and said he had a very beautiful voice. Tn a private letter Mr Maurice d'Oislcy in referring to the incident, says that after hearing him sing, it was arranged that lie should make an appearance that very night at the same concert as Miss Buckman. ITe was driving his taxi till the last minute and came on the stage at St Andrew's Hall. Glasgow, before a packed house, in his leather coat, gloves in hand, and in spite of extreme nervousness sang splendidly, and received a great ovation. It is expected that the Glasgow people will arrange for him to lie sent to Italy to bo trained with a view to his entering the operatic profession. He is only 25 years of age and eager to study.