NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2776, 26 August 1924, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES .

At a large‘public mooting a I Wai roa last week it was unanimously resolved: “That this loprcscnlalivr gathering' forcibly brings-before ibe Minister the necessity of proseruling the East Coast railway more speedily, and that a big deputation be sent to Wellington to interview (lie Minister.” Delegates were appointed to interview the Minister as soon as possible after the 27tii inst. Gisborne and Napier local bodi.es have liPen asked to eo opera I e.

Compared with birds, human beings have a poor sight. An eagle is capable of sighting its iptarry from a great height and is aide to swoop down and seize ii exactly in Ihe centre of its neck. Most birds have good sight, hut in some the facility is more developed than in others. The woodpecker, for in • -•.I a nee, has the remarkable power of flying at a great speed through dense thickets as though it were living through open space. Then, how quickly birds discern food that has been left on the ground. Throw n piece a bread down when no birds arc near, and in a few moments a number of them will be on the spot.

An exploration of some of the many limestone caves which are known to exist in the district, but have not been investigated, is shortly to be conducted by members of the To Kuiti Chamber of Commerce. The decision was reached at the last meeting <d.' the Chamber, when the chairman. Air. W. Broad foot, said (ha! it was well known that there were many eaves in the district hut very little was known about them. The Mnitomo , ;ives were only discovered by accident and if a few enthusiastwould take the matter up and indulge in a little exploration they might discover something out ol the ordinary. A number of members forthwith volunteered to form an expedition of exploration. There ure eaves in the Kangiloto. Oparure and Piopio districts, hut no known attempt has been made to investigate their possibilities. It is known that there is a waterfall in one at Oparure and that certain ol the caverns are on a large scale. Ihe investigators have some experience of the work. It is a somewhat, hazardous undertaking, as there are many holes of unknown depth in the eaves. Ropes, lanterns and ladders will form part of the equipment necessary.