NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 1, 2 January 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Man’s Interest in Gup The story of a little man who displayed a deep interest in a valuable piece of plate at a civic luncheon in London was told by Canon S. Parr at a Christchurch Rotary Club luncheon. The particular piece of plate was a loving-cup, which had been passed round the table, all the guests sipping the wine. The man was noticed following the progress of tho cup round the table, and was questioned by detectives. Why was he so interested in it, they asked. He replied: “Because my teeth are in it." Christmas at Exhibition “The opening of the Centennial Exhibition on Christmas Day was thoroughly justified," said the general manager of the Exhibition Company, Mr. C. I’. Hainsworth, when asked about the attendance. “We wero able to cater for thousands of pcoplo visiting Wellington who would otherwise have had nothing to do. The attendance in the afternoon was gratifying and probably more people tvould have come out in the evening w r ero it not for the 9.30 o'clock closing. In response to urgent requests we decided to keep Playland open until 11 p.m." Annoying Practice. Despite the fact that it was a Sunday night, there was a fairly largo gathering of pcoplo in the Square for the ushering in of the New Year. It is a pity, however, that in their enthusiasm certain young men cannot keep their hands off cars. The practice, for instance, of bouncing and rocking tho smaller makes of motors as they move . slowly along, will lead sooner or later to a serious accident. One youth probably got his deserts when the driver of one car suddenly applied the brakes causing him to come in violent contact with the rear bumper and inflict a nasty gash across his check. Perverse Flag There is a flag at the Exhibition which flies back to front. When a northerly is blowing and all the other flags are stretched merrily out towards the south, this particular banner obstinately flutters northwards. It is situated on the left side of Centennial Tower, and is to be seen as one enters the gate from Kingsford Smith Street. By some curious trick in the construction of the buildings, in that vicinity the wind swirls back upon this particular flag, and makes it appear to fly against the breeze. Many visitors to tho Exhibition have noticed and commented upon this phenomenon, some of them incorrectly believing that it has been purposoly arranged. Tribute to Mr. Hargest “One of the best soldiers New Zealand has produced," was a tribute paid to Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., at a farewell at Balclutha to district members of the first echelon of tho .Special Force. Mr. Peter McGregor, D.C.M., who was the speaker, said that Colonel Hargest was always prepared to do a little more than he asked anyone else to do. The march of the New Zealand troops to the first battle of the Homme was one of the best marches ever made in war, and -- only perfectly-trained troops could have done it. War was hard, ho said, and hard training was absolutely necessary. The New Zealand army had great traditions and he said ho knew the present soldiers would live up to them.