NEAR AND FAR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 128, 22 January 1932, Page 4

NEAR AND FAR

Rabbits Increasing. i After being vigorously kept in check for a number of years tbrough the activities of the various rabbif*boards and the Department of Agriculture, the rabbit pest is starting to increase slightly in Canterbury. The AgricuJtural Department, it is understood, reports an exchange, is taking active steps in the very near future to combat the pest and reduce its numbers. The increase in the number of rabbits is a direct result of the depression and the dry season, Farmers have been unable to find the money or the labour to deal with rabbits, and the boards.have been handicapped. Moreover, the dry season -has been very favourable to the prolifie breeding of the animals. Had there been good rains, millions of rabbits would have peen drowned out of their Burrows in the low-lying country. Canoe over Century Old. There has just been launched by the Maoris at Raorikia a canoe which is over 100 years old (states the Wanganui Chronicle). This canoe will be seen in action at the Anniversary Day carnival under the name of Kemp's Pole, and will 'he a worthy opponent of the fanaous Kaiwhaiki canoe. It will be manned by 25 warriors, and should preSent an inspiring sight as it is driven forward by the flashing paddles. Throwing Away Opportunities. "Speaking of the "East generally, and of our. New Zealand relations with it, I want to say most emphatically that we are throwing away golden opportunities of developing trade relations in what is'going to be one of the chief trading areas in the world," said Mr.. J. E. Strachan in an interview at Wellington. Mr. Strachan was one of the Dominion delegates to the conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations. "I shall have more to: say about this at the proper time and place," he added.

Opossuni as Radjo Fan. When a resident of Warwick, in Queensland, turned the tuning-dial of his five-valve wireless set one night recently he was puzzled at being unable to pick up any of the broadcasting stations. He became more mystified when a strand of hair began to work through from the rear of the set. An examination revealed an opossum sitting amid the wireless gear, futilely endeavouring to release its tail. The enthusiast helped the opossum out of its predicament, and the animal spent the evening as a listener-in. He showed marlced partiality for syncopated melody and a distinct aversion to static. The opossum belonged to a resident of the street and had crawled into the set when the cabinet was open. Caroline Bay. Oamaruvians recently had an oppoi'tunity of seeing Caroline Bay, Timaru, and admiring its great beauty. The Mayor of Timaru , Mr. W. J. Satherthwaite, and Crs. G. Benstead, H. J. Mathers and F. Chittock, showed the visitors around. The sum of £27,000 has been spent on the permanent improvement of the bay, £17,000 by the Borough Council and £10,000 by the Caroline Bay Association. The new, well appointed Bay tea rooms, built at the cost of £2500, are the most recent acquisition to this great resort. They have accommodation for 400 people.

"Pollarded." To many an unusual word is as good as a mystery and they are not satisfied until its meaning is solved. Last Monday evening the Wellington City Council was intrigued when presented with the word "pollarded." The reference was to trees and the city curator came to the rescue with an explanation that it meant cutting the head off a tree.

More Confidence in Australia. "There is certainly a deeided improvement in the spirit of the people in Australia since the elections," said the Rev. Dr. C. J. Morkane, rector of the Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, who arrived at Wellington by the Ulimaroa fromi Sydney after a holiday Visit to Australia. People seemed to have gained more confidence, he said, which was a strilcing contrast to the feeling prevalent twelve months ago. During Christmas they seemed to spend their money more freely, and some of the business firms reported that trade had been better than for years past.

Never Again. "Please accept my resignation from the association. When the slump fizzles out I will join again." This was the text of a resignation received : from a member at a meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association. ! "Cross hina out; he will never be able to join again," observed a member, ■ amid laughter. The resignation, however, with several others, was held over in the meantime, : Profitable Cow. A cow recently killed at Ararat Hospital for the Insane has shown a handsome profit. The cow was pui'chased 11 years ago for £8. She was milked for nine years out of the 11, and returned 26,280 quarts of milk, an average of eight quarts per day. Valuing this at 4d per quart, a total of £438 worth of milk was produced. To keep the cow cost £8 per year, and deducting the purchase money a profit of £347 5s 9d was shown. Even this was added to, for the carcase netted from the butcher £5 5s 9d. ' ? ' Virgixi Peak Climbed. Miss Ida Corry (England) and Mr. Jack Sharp (New South Wales), ac_ tompanied by Guides Alack and Christie, made a successful assent of "Big Mac," at the head of the Fox Glacier, last wedk. "Big Mac" is next to Mt. Torres and Mt. Tasman, on the main divide of the Southern Alps, and has hot previously been climbed.