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Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1938, Page 4

Albino Mutton Bird. An albino mutton bird was caught by Ramon Skerrett at the allotment of his grandfather, Mr G. H. Skerrett, J. P., of Awarua Plains, Southland. Mr Skerrett’s allotment is on a mutton bird island named Taukihepa, approximately 60 miles from Bluff. This was the first albino mutton bird that Mr Skerrett had seen in 57 years of visiting the various mutton bird islands, and it is thought to be the only specimen in existence. Mr Skerrett sent the bird out alive with Captain J. W. Thomson, master of the motor-vesse’, Ranui, with the intention of presenting it to the Dominion Museum, Wellington. Mr Skerrett, on his return from the island, received a letter from Mr W. J. Phillips, acting-director of the museum, stating that the authorities would be pleased to accept the albino mutton bird for display in the museum. “No More Speeches.” Urging the various hockey associations in New Zealand to do away with a lot of the usual entertainment, particularly speeches, for visiting teams, the New Zealand Hockey Association bulletin, which has been received in I Napier, quotes an excerpt from an interview in Sydney with Miss Warwick, manager of the All-England hockey team which recently visited New Zealand. “I am very glad that there are no more speeches to be made to Mayors,” the excerpt from the interview reads. “The team knows my speeches off by heart, and after all it should, as I made 40 of them and gave 10 broadcasts in seven weeks. We were given a Mayoral reception in nearly every town we visited, and after such consistent entertainment we are grateful that the Australian part of our | tour is of an informal nature.’.’ Now will those associations that have declined to take any notice of previous appeals please give a little attention to Miss Warwick and have more consideration for the pleasure of future visiting teams? the bulletin asks.

Wheelbarrow Wager Won. The wheelbarrow-pushing' marathon conducted by the Alexander brothers, of Victoria, for a wager of £2OOO, ended successfully on Saturday, a cablegram from Sydney reports. Alex. Alexander succeeded in pushing his brother Henry, who weighs 12 stone, from Adelaide to Sydney, 1104 miles, in just over nine weeks. The Alexanders were given an ovation by a large crowd on their arrival in Sydney. They were escorted by police; The barrow-pusher is a war veteran ,aged 48. He declared that the feat showed that the “diggers” were still efficient and had great powers of endurance. The barrow will be auctioned and the proceeds devoted to the war veterans’ home. Warning to Motorists. The sharp bend near the crest of the Pukeora Sanatorium Hill on the main highway between Waipukurau and Takapau has been the scene of several serious accidents to cars travelling northwards. Some confusion is caused by the lights of Waipukurau in the distance and the apparent continuance of the road straight ahead. Red reflectors were recently erected as a warning but as an extra safeguard, on the suggestion of the Central Hawke’s Bay member on the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association, Mr B. Mathieson, a standard “danger” road sign has been placed in position by the automobile association officer. Cabinet Minister as Soloist.

Once again the Hon D. G. Sullivan sang the “Isle of Capri” at a repent community singing gathering in the Civic Theatre, Christchurch. The theatre was full, and Mr Sullivan received a spontaneous ovation when he appeared on the stage, and consented to sing what is now almost acknowledged as his theme song. Mr Sullivan was loudly applauded, the scene being reminiscent of the occasion on which he made civic history when, as Mayor of Christchurch, he sang the same song. The sum of £5B was taken, and this will be devoted to the Mayor's relief of distress fund.