NEAR AND FAR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 210, 29 April 1932, Page 4

NEAR AND FAR

Roosted In Tree. A student of Rolleston House, Christchurch, Mr. H. R. Watts, made himself comfortable among the branches of a tree in Rolleston Avenue on a recent evening with the intention of remaining there for 48 hours to win a prize of £2 offered for the feat. Complete with sleeping bag and ropes upon*' which he rested, rugs and refreshments brought him by his friends, he remained in the tree for nearly 14 hours. He was then. ordered to climh down hy the curator of the Botanical Gardens, Mr. J. Young, who stated later that had the student made applieation -to the Domain Board no doubt he would have been allotted a tree in a more secluded position and been allowed to remain there.

Effect of Diepression on Boys. "The most pathetie and tragic aspeet at the present time is the impact of the economic position upon the boys," said the Rev. J. R. Blanchard when speaking at the annual meeting of the Wellington Boys' Institute and S. A. Rhodes' Home. The average boy, he said, was righ up against it. He could not find work and was losing, in many ways, the best years of his life. The Boys' Institute was helping to keep the boys' minds occupied, and thus prevent them from degenerating. The awful thing that was happening in many a boys' soul was the feeling that he was not wanted, and for a hoy to be made to feel hy the pressure of cireumstances that he was not wanted was terrihle — there was a possibility he might do anything. This institute, through its activities, was making these boys feel they are wanted.

Presentation of Pictures. On Thursday afternoon last, the Waitaki Boys' High School was presented by the Oamaru Returned Sol.diers' Association with the picture "Menin Gate at Midnight," painted by Will Longstaff. The original of this wonderful picture was sold to Lord Woolavington, who presented it to the Commonwealth of Australia. The scene depicted is the massive Menin Gate Memorial at midnight bathed in the radiant light of a full moon, while in the foreground the artist fancies the shadowy, marching legions of the Dead. The function in the Ilall of Memories was opened with the singing of Beethoven's glorious "Hymn of Creation" by the school, accompanied by Mr. Wilkinson on the organ. After the Rector's weleoming address, in which he mentioned the very high honour paid to the school, Mr. Guthrie, the president of the R.S.A., formally presented the picture to the school on behalf of the Association. Defacing Lake Shores. "I hope the New Zealand Forestry League will urge the Minister in Charge of Tourist Resorts not to allow the granting of any residence rights to private persons at Waikaremoana," wrote Mr. E. Phillips Turner, in a letter which came before the league's council . Members of the council pointed out that the granting of foreshore rights was now frowned on almost everywhere, and hoped that no Department would think of alienating land so as to hinder access to the lake or to beauty spots. "Any alienation of the public interest on the shores or in the vicinity of the lake is wrong," wrote Mr. Phillips Turner. The council agreed with him that Waikaremoana should he protected from unsightly shaclcs. The council -will approach the Department.

Climhing Egmont. * "Egmont provides an element of danger, and it is not tolerant of the careless or the ignorant," said Mr. Gordon Fraser, president of the Taranaki Alpine Club, recently. "If young people are to elimb they should serve an apprenticeship in the Alpine Club. It may he irksome to some older climhers to have to come under the discipline of the club. There are always people who will take risks — and it would be a poor thing if there were none — but there is a difference between takiiig risks and being foolhardy and bringing the club into disfavour." Wellington Transport. For some months statements made hy the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, as to the economic working of the City Corporation's transport services have heen somewhat pessimistic. On one occasion last year, when the increase in. the universal coneession ticlcet was made, the Mayor said that the deficit might be in the neighhourhood of £20,000. The annual figures suhmitted to the City Council last week show that, though there is a deficit, it is less than half the sum anticipated hy the Mayor — viz., £9684. Actually the tramways show a credit balance of £269, hut the buses show a deficit of £9953, leaving a net deficit of £9684.