NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3882, 11 December 1928, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

An interesting find was made at the Grey Harbour Board’s quarry at Cobden. In breaking down the stone face the workmen unearthed two shark’s teeth embedded in the rock. Both teeth were highly polished, in splendid condition, and entire.

New Zealand, I was informed, can obtain all the money she requires in the United States. Wherever I went I found how high our credit stands, and in addition New Zealand is recognised as one of the best governed countries in the world. —Mr H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. It has been decided by the New Zealand Federated Sawmillers’ Association to have suitable samples of the native timbers prepared for. distribution to all secondary and technical schools in, < the Dominion with a view to future timber users gaining a real knowledge of the appearance and qualities of New Zealand timbers.

“No country in the world is more respected than New Zealand,” said ,Mr. McKenzie, chairman o£ the Auckland Harbour Board, on his return from a trip abroad. <fWhereever a resident of the Dobinion finds himself he is welcome and I think this speaks volumes for our boys who went to the front. They have left their impression upon the world.” One of the tests given to Wan.'ganui students at last week’s matriculation examination was to write a sentence using the word “misogynist” (says the Herald). One candidate, who had never be- . fore heard the word, took ,a chance and wrote: “The misogynist’s profession was a strenuous one and extracted all of his energy.” When the candidate learnt that the word 'meant “woman-hater” she laugh-

ingly exclaimed: “How _ be must have hated women!” A serious outbreak of fireblight was discovered in the Whangarei 'town area by inspectors of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture last week, says the Auckland Herald. The disease was mainly confined to holdings , with two or three trees. Within the last fortnight between 50 and 100 pear trees have been destroyed, this being due to the infection ; being left on the trees in the early part of the season. In some cases where the blossom has been infected the . crop is completely spoiled. Whitebait is appearing along the shores and creeks of Stewart Island this year in what appears to be an endless stream. No one on the island seems to know much about the catching of whitebait, though some of the children catch a few by crude nets of scrim. Red cod pursue the shoals right into fresh water and up the Ohekift River great numbers of shags are fattening on the little fish. The water in the island rivers is very dark in colour, or no doubt someone would turn the fact of the prevalence of whitebait into commercial profit. Traffic in Cashel Street, iChrist- , church, between High Street and •Manchester Street, came to a dead .stop the other morning (says an ’exchange), and for about half an hour vehicles took alternative routes. Motorists approached, sound- ' ed their horns, saw the cause of the ! trouble and retreated. Cyclists followed their example. Even pedestrians declined to go on. A swarm of bees had complete possession. At least they settled about the , taxi-drivers’ telephone box, until an expert arrived with a box and proi ceeded to gather them in handfuls.

It is often thought that the domestic cat will never wilfully go into water, or even wet its feet, but cats living near the seashore soon acquire the habit, especially if they think they can surprise and claw a fish (states the “Auckland Star”). During the recent high tides, when some of the shallow beaches not usually covered with water were completely submerged to a depth of about a foot, many young eels ventured in to get the food which they expected to find in new surroundings. At one place on the North Shore an old cat followed by half a dozen kittens plunged into the water, and, grabbing by the head an eel fully 18in. long/dragged it to the shore, where no doubt a little later her family would enjoy a good feast. At Wlanganui Magistrate’s Court the other day Mr. Barton, S.M., was asked to make an order against a defaulting debtor, counsel arguing that defendant admitted spending 1/6 a week on tobacco. The Magistrate is reported to have replied: “I can see no more reason for cutting off debtor’s tobacco than .cutting off the sugar in his tea.” Doubtless Mr. Barton recognised that the habitual smoker would go without tea altogether rather than give up his pipe. To a great many men tobacco is not a luxury it is a necessity. Anti-tobaccoites say it is highly injurious. It isn’t, provded the right kind of tobacco is used. The imported brands, we all know, eontan far too much nicotine to be wholesome. But what about our own New Zealand tobaccos’? They contain so little nicotine that they may be considered rather beneficial than otherwise. And you can’t beat them for flavour and fragrance. That’s because they are toasted. Ask any tobacconist for “Riverhead Gold” (mild), “Navy Gut” (Bulldog) medium, or “Gut Plug No. 10” (Bullsliead), full strength.