NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 25

NEWS IN BRIEF.

At the Blenheim courthouse the other morning a bankrupt related how he entered into business as a clock and watch repairer at Invercargill. It was not until he' had made a start that he discovered that there were 21 others in the same line of business; and he lost no time m leaving in search of fresh- fields and pastures new. The suggestion that counterfeit coins are in circulation in Christchurch was borne out by a man who showed a Sun reporter a “ dud ” shilling that had been gi\en to him among other small change. Lighter than the genuine coin, it appeared to be made of type metal, and the millinand stamping were excellently done. An unusual smoothness was apparent, and on | the reverse side the embossing was smoother than on a real coin. I’he desirability of planting a second c r °P of tomatoes has been proved by lie 0.-Watt, of Whangarei. When his earlyseason tomatoes were finished in the first week in January be pulled up the old roots and put in new plants. These are now bearing prolific-ally (says the Northern Advocate), and Mr Watt anticipates taking over a ton from his hothouses. Coming in during the nurseryman's slack period, they will enable him to keep two men in constant employment. The fruit is firm, and quite up to the standard of mid-season. Air Watt anticipates that the crop will be done in July, when he will plant for next spring’s trade. In explaining his lateness in arriving at a public meeting held under the auspices of the Sunlight League at Christchurch Sir Lruby King—who was over ac hour late stated that he had been endeavourmg to find a passage in a bookwhich he had read many years ago. He could not find it in Christchurch, and had telegraphed to <the Parliamentary Library in Wellington for it, advising his willingness to expend up to £lO for a verbatim telegram. “It has arrived,” he sai(L “ and I may now quote it to y °-Y{. e D assa S e dealt (say’s the Press) with the value of sunlight to the human being. , In Switzerland has been found a little hoard of coins of Edward the Elder. \ similar find was made in Rome about half a century ago, and it is believed that English coms of the period following Alfred found their way to the Continent as tribute to the Pope. After 10 centuries the coins discovered in Switzerland have come home. They will think England has much improved in its treatment of money.' for instead of being thrust higgledy-piggledy into a dark bag they have been carefully set out side by side in a nice glass case. They belong to the British Aluseum. . Among those present at' a meeting held in Blenheim the other day was a wellknown farmer, who put in an appearance in a handsome-looking overcoat. He was chaffed by a town resident, who remarked that, although times in the country were supposed to be hard, the overcoat was the only one in the room, which suggested that townspeople were unable .to buy coats. “ Perhaps they are,” retorted the farmer, “but I’ll show you why I wear .this coat.” Thereupon lie slipped off the coat and revealed the worn-out seat of his trousers and an elbow-less coat. He assured those present that it was his best suit, and that he had to wear an overcoat for decency’s sake. The grounds of the Auckland Zoo are becoming a sanctuary for wild bird life, according to the annual report of the curator (Mr L. T. Griffin). The larg 3 number of native and other trees and shrubs that have been planted have grown to such an extent as to give some parts of the park a forest-like appearance, says Mr Griffin. This has attracted large numbers of native and introduced birds, that find the park an ideal sanctuary. It is no unusual sight to notice large coveys of quail, numbers of pukeko, and thousands of smaller introduced . birds, while the native pigeon and tui have also been observed. A pair of the somewhat rare brown teal took up permanent residence on the large lake a considerable time ago, and are still there, while the common grey duck also visit the zoo regularly, morning and evening, and may be counted in dozens. The curator states that a large enclosure containing purely native trees has been provided for kiwis, and provides an ideal home for these interesting birds. During the last year the New Zealand Alpine and Rock Garden Society has been approached with a view to planting the surrounds of the Alassey Alemorial at Point Halswell. The site was inspected and found suitable for the development of certain- rock plants, says the society’s annual, report, but the rock work had been constructed as a revetment rather than as a habitat for plants. Proposals were submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs for remodelling the rock work.- -but -although the artistic development - was. enthusiastically appreciated at the moment no. funds were available. Some reconstruction, however,'was carried out later by prison Tabohr from Mount Crawford, and the council has undertaken to supply-pl ants. - -Two -consignments of these have gone forward, and others are being raised. Point Halsiyell is capable of an artistic development that will greatly enhance the beauty of the memorial. But the council has thought it advisable to dissociate itself from any part in the reconstruction until funds are available to make the rockeries a fitting background to the memorial.

A Rotokauri- farmer, John Wilcock, was prosecuted in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court- last -week for .cruelly ill-treating a mob -of -sheep. - -He pleaded not. guilty. Constable Aplin said -the defendant kept a mob of 90 ewes and lambs in a paddock of from 15 to 20 acres for two months. There was no feed in the paddock. When interviewed, the defendant said he had starved the sheep in order to compel them to eat off the blackberries in the paddock. A Government stock inspector, C. E. Al'Phee, gave corroborative evidence and said the ewes were in a deplorably emaciated condition. He had never seen sheep so badly treated in his 25 years’ experience as an inspector. The magistrate, Air Wyvern Wilson, said it was clear that the defendant had tried to clear his land by starving his sheep. The animals had been caused unnecessary pain and suffering and had boon cruelly ill-treated. The defendant was fined £3.