South Island Maoris.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1940, Page 4

South Island Maoris.

Describing themselves as now desperate. South Island Maori leaders said on Saturday that they felt that the Government's failure to announce some satisfaction of the Ngaitahu land claim had marred the otherwise successful Centennial celebrations at Akaroa. They came to the celebrations expecting that the Government would make some important and favourable announcement. The replies of the Ministers have kept them highly dis-

satisfied. They insist that a settlement must be reached this week. St. Andrew Pipe Band. At a meeting of the council of the St. Andrew Society, held on Friday evening, reports were received on the progress of the Society's Pipe Band, and other activities of the Society. The band is holding regular practices on Saturday evening's in the Little Theatre Society’s Hall in Bannister Street. Arrangements were made for the next monthly gathering to be held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday, May 4. It was decided to hold a Grand Scots Ball in the Municipal Hall, on Saturday. May 18, in aid of the District Patriotic Fund. As most necessaries for the ball have been promised, and a large attendance is expected, the result should be a very considerable increase of the fund. Pin at Larne in City. Some consternation was caused among travellers on Hagley Avenue, Christchurch, shortly before midday the other day, when a large white sow made its appearance on the footpath, and was seen making off for the city

at a steady gallop. An “outsize" in pigs, the sow. which bore signs of battle, seemed determined to reach town. It was eventually discovered that the pig had made its escape from the Addington saleyards, where the weekly market was in progress. Variously described by witnesses of the incident as “a real hunter" and a "Grand National winner." the pig had caused trouble to yardmen earlier in the day. and had been enclosed in a high pen for safely. However, it made its escape, and is reported to have knocked down men who tried to close a gate in its path. From there it appears that it began hurdling the Dens in clear jumps until it left the pig pens and passed through the sheep section, eventually gaining the open road The sow showed such a vicious turn of mind that it was not practicable to catch it by hand, and pursuit was made in a lorry until the pig tired. Fortunately, it was headed off at the hospital corner, and was eventually trapped in the grounds of the Christchurch West High School. Luckily the pupils were indoors.