DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BT TII.KGRAVH- I’EESS AI3N'., COPTBIOHT.

SLEEPING FIGHTERS

AUCKLAND, Dee. 7

A consignment of 1000 lacewing flies arrived in the freezing chambers of tin? Aorangi from Vancouver, and are lo lie forwarded to t.lie Cawtliorn Institute, Nelson. 'l’lie flies are dormant warriors, and tire to lie released in parks it nd pleasure grounds of the South Island to protect oaks and other trees front the depredations of predatory aphides. They wore collected by entomologists from under the loose hark of [line trees in British Columbia, and are expected to [trey on aphides and hold in check their devastation of deciduous trees.

The insects are found in all parts of the world except the small oceanic islands and Xew Zealand. and are among the most valuable groups ol beneficial insects known. Most- of the species inhabit forest trees, and thus their chief value lies in their ability to control outbreaks id’ aphis on such trees as pine, spruce, ami oak. The attempt to introduce the Mies is the result of a discussion of the problem between Dr Gibson. .Dominion entomologist for Canada, and Dr. T illvard. of the Cawfhron Institute. Iho problem of transporting them across the Bacific. and then waking them up in Xew Zealand to summer six months before it is expeeted, has not yet been solved satisfactorily. If any appreciable number of the present large consignment survive, further shipments will probably he made.

MAIDS SBEEDKD CD. AUCKLAND. Dec. 7. Tii,. Aoiaugi's mail was despatched ,011th by the expresses last night. Hint no time was lusi is shown by Ihe fact ibat seventy bags were placed 011 the limited express, which was delayed only eleven minutes, (lie train steaming out at V.‘_M. thirty-on.' minutes alter the Aoraiigi bad anchored. Tim remaining ‘-’CI! bags of southern letters were unloaded into a second launch and despatched by the ordinary express train, which Icit lor Wellington at. 7."i11. having been delayed only live minutes.

OVKII. NIAGARA I- A lIS. A t 'OK DA XI). Dee. Visitors to Niagara, are always told of the wonderful performance ol a man who went over the tails in a. barrel, and lived t.o tell the talc. I!i v name was ‘'Bobbie” beach. All Aucklander (Mr ID K. Suttic) recalled this adventure to-day when speaking ol a visit lie paid to Xiagar halls on October t:U!i. |.each, be said, was still very much alive. Me heard the narrative of Loach's adventures, as everyone else heard it. and supplied the sequel from his own experiences. •‘While journeying across the Duckies l,v train. 1 went into the smoking compartment.” relates Mr Suttic. Another man was also smoking there, and we talked together for awhile. Breseiillv lie introduced liimsell to me as Bobbie |.each. Me was a short, thickset man with a strong spark of itilveiiture. ‘Why did you do such a mad thingb 1 asked him. 'I thought 11 might be a way to make money quickly and holies! lyreturned I.each, with the greatest irankness. Leach was travelling with his wile am.l daughtei to Australia.” Me passed through Auckland by the Xingara on November Pth.. when the names ol Mr and Mrs It. Leach and Miss B. Leach appeared in the liner's passenger list.

II is said of Loach that, on one occasion he went up I'-’.OdJ feet by balloon and dived from il in a parachute, and Mint he had quite a number of experiences in negotiating Niagara Itapids and The Whirlpool. Me was introduced to a number ol Aucklanders during ids brief call here as the survivor ol' the barrel adveui lire, which lie accomplished in fm'lv minutes. corin' Ki K.II'KT I K . A I' (' K I. A N 1 1 . Dec. '-. 1 1 is uni often 1 bat .M r lb K . Muni. S.M.. is emphatic regarding Court etiquette. but this morning a ease occurred in which Ids Worship lelt it bis daily to speak plainly. Ihe lawyer concerned, when the case was called, said that if it could be adjourned imlil In-morrow le had arranged for aiinllitr Magisl rate to heat il . Mr 11 mil : Von have no right to make an arrangement in have tour 1 a>e heard before a particular Magist t it le. Counsel said he had not arranged for a particular Magistrate to hear iliis case. Mr limit: Dor some reason ol your own you waul a particular Magistrate l(. bear 1 1 1 j s case. 1 do not want lo hear il. lint wish to make il clear that ii is a wrong practice to try and arrange for any particular Magistrale to bear it. Counsel said tvliat happened was that he went to a Magistrate for advice m i 1 said lie could hear the ease tnmorrow morning. Mr Hunt: It is a had practice for roun.-el lo go to a Magistrate for advice. Anyway, 1 adjourn the ease and it, can lie board Itv anolher Magistrate.

HI [SKI*: IN' SCHOOLS. !’!!<)(• ItKS.S ()|.’ MOVKMKNT. A FCK L.A.N D, December S. The progress 11 1 tin- Lililc in schools movement uni rolmvl i.o >iv ArcliI• i-■ lii>ji Avc-rill ;i! mooting ol Llio Coim. il of Christian (ongrogatiniis. The Archbishop quoted from :i reporl of i !.c organising s-eorciary of the liililc ill Srliools League, which was presented lo a recent meeting of tho executive held in Wellington. The report stated that many Parliamentary candidates who had approved of a Hill tor the teaching; of tlie liihle in schools ha! been eleeted to Parliament. In iho new House it v.a- estimated tlial forty-eight members, including three .Maori members, might he relied on to support tin’ Hill. One member was in favour of the Nelson system, eleven were classed as doubtful, and twenty were opposed to the Hill. H was accidental thaf a majority of members support inn the Hill were Reform members.

The report considered that further steps should he taken in the campaign. These included the appointment of a permanent organising secretary, letters to members of the House of Representatives and Legislative Council, selection of a member to " father the Hill in Parliament, ami also for calling of the people of the churches to prayer for the success of the Hill.

Archbishop Averill said they should he very thankful to ho in the present position, and if the Hill was ever going to he passed it would he passed by the present House. They should do their best to create a feeling in the country in support of the Rill, which they believed to be for the rights of the children and for the glorv of God.

SAWMILLS STOP. IXYHRCAROILL. December P. Prominent sawmill owners of Southland state there is a severe slump in the sawmill industry. The demand for white pine for use in fruit and cheese crates is still in fairly good demand. For other classes of timber, the demand is not sufficient to keep Hie mills going, as is apparent from the fact that a few mills have closed down, while others have been working only font and five days a week. These circumstances have induced the owners to close down for an extra week during the Christmas holidays. It is some years since the trade has beer so slac-k as at present. The conditions are said to be largely due to the importing of foreign timber.