NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1929, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

LOQUACIOUS SAMOANS. \ Speaking at the Auckland annual re-union, of the Samoan Ex-Service-men’s Association, which was formed by members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces who participated in the' occupation of Samoa in 1914, Sir George Richardson gave some idea of the Samoan people’s loquacity and love of speech-making. “ Shortly after 1 arrived in Samoa as Administrator, a large number of natives gathered to welcome me,” said Sir George. 11 The spokesman was a notable chief, and for upwards of a-quarter of an hour he spoke with barely a pause. 1 turned to an official and inquired what he was talking about. ‘ Nothing very must yet,’ was the reply. I He ha: only said, “Ladies and gentlemtn.” AUCKLAND’S LARGEST CLOCK. Made of a slab of marble measuring 10ft by 7ft, the face of the clock of the new Civic Theatre is the largest in Auckland. It measures about 20 square feet more than the dial of the Town Hall clock, which is Bft in diameter, being circular in shape. The dial was hosited into position yesterday. The clock will be electrically controlled by a master clock, of French manufacture, which is accurate to within one second a day. It is also electrically driven and requires no winding, being run by batteries. v NATIVE DIET. \ A missionary in Ugi views with mingled feelings his approaching return to New Zealand. “ It’s ten years since i was there,” lie writes to a friend, “ and 1 want you to send me up an outfit of clothes so that I don’t look too much like a woop-woop when 1 arrive.” Under the civilising influence the natives m the South-Western Pacific,, wlire the small island Ugi is, have cultivated a taste for meat and biscuits. One station placed an order some months ago for 80001 b of “cabin bread,” and another ordered 7cwt of preserved meats. Other articles in demand are rice and tobacco, Turkey twill for loin cloths, fish-hooks, and a varied assortment of chemicals and provisions,