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This New Zealand

An alarm clock is being used by a farmer near Invercargill to wake his dog and give himself more time in bed in the morning. He used to get up in the morning and send the dog out to the paddocks to bring in the cows for milking. Then he put an alarm clock in the dog's kennel, making sure that it went off at the moment that he shouted to the animal to go and fetch the cows in. Now the dog accepts the alarm clock alone as a signal. The farmer stays in bed, and when he gets up the cows are already in the yard.—"Evening Post."

Mr. Woodward stressed that justices (of the peace) were chosen for their experience and sagacity and the trust placed in them by their fellow-citizens. Therefore, they represented the mature common-sense of the country and were probably more entitled than anyone else to express an opinion on matters of national importance.—"Dominion."

Commenting upon hotel accommodation, Sir Stenson Cooke considered that tourists were well catered for . . . and the neatness and freshness of the waitresses were also worthy of commendation.

"Today is the day of the Army, Navy, and Air Force," said the Rev. Canon A. H. Norris, proposing the toast of the three services at the annual reunion of the Veterans' Association in Christchurch on Saturday evening. "The day of the convinced pacifist, if there ever were any, is over."

"I tried to persuade her to send out love to the whole world instead of sending out all those vibrations she used to send out," said a witness who was describing in the Supreme Court at Auckland the mental condition of a woman relative. "You are something of a Christian Scientist?" suggested counsel who was examining her. "Oh, no I'm not, I'm a psychologist," she replied.

"The British race is the finest in the world, and in no other nation is a sense of justice, of truth and of fair play so inherent as in the British nation. In a year's time we shall be strong enough to assume our rightful place at the head of the nations of the world."—Sir James Leigh-Wood, a vice-president of the Royal Empire Society, London, at a reception of the R.E.S. at Wellington.

Describing other functions which New Zealanders visiting England should see, Mr. Marks said that the Eton-Harrow cricket match was most interesting. Nobody appeared to take any interest in the game, but all the aristocracy of England attended.—"Evening Post."

Tender advertisements will be found on Page 4.— Columnar insertion in "Dominion."

At the conclusion of his address the Minister was loudly applauded. This was followed by further hakas, one of which was led by Sir Apirana Ngata, causing a great deal of amusement. It was known as the "petroleum haka," and demonstrated in no uncertain manner the attitude of the Maoris of the East Coast toward the Government's petroleum policy as it affects the payment of royalties to the Maoris.—Dominion.

Its eerie cry, described as resembling demoniacal laughter, has earned it the name of the laughing hyena, and will probably startle Newtown residents the first time they hear it, windborne on the still night air.—"Dominion."

The immediate news value of the autumn exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts which was officially opened last evening by the president, Mr. D. A. Ewen, is that the pictures selected and displayed, adequately express the quiet sanity of outlook which seems to be the natural heritage of New Zealanders whether in battle or at peace.—"Dominion."

Rates of pay:

Driver, steam road roller, £5 p.w., plus 1/6 p.d. for getting up steam.—Public Works Department report.

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One of Newbolt's finest poems, "The Vigil," was reprinted in many of the leading newspapers when Britain declared war on Germany. It is illumined by this solemn invocation:

England! On thy knees to-night,
Pray that God defend the right.

Newbolt in his writings marshalled in imposing stanzas all that was noble and elevating in British character, sportsmanship and tradition. He was strongly imbued with the public-school spirit, and his finest inspirations were drawn from the sea and Britain's maritime glory.—"Dominion" editorial.

It has been so difficult to obtain cooks and maids that certain farmers' wives in Canterbury have adopted the practice of obtaining references from girls leaving their employ testifying to their good qualities as employers. They claim that only in this way can they persuade girls that it is reasonably pleasant work for them.

Set out below are two references obtained by the wife of a prominent Canterbury pastoralist from her workers:—

"This is to state that I worked for six years for Mrs. X, and only left as I married. Mrs. X is most considerate and thoughtful and so are all the family, making her place a good home for any girl. The work in the kitchen is exceptionally easy, and I found I was always glad of a chance to go back and relieve after I was married. Altogether I can thoroughly recommend the position in the kitchen or the housemaids, and should any applicant like more information I should be pleased to give it."

"This is to certify that I was in Mrs. X's employ as a cook for 18 months. I only left to take up a position nearer my home. I always found her a thoughtful and considerate mistress. Dominion.

During the year it was decided to send an official party to the Poor Knights Islands with a view to exterminating the wild pigs on those islands.

The operations were completely successful, a total of ten pigs, the total pig population of the islands, being destroyed.—Internal Affairs Department's report, 1937.

New Zealanders are sociable and hospitable in the extreme, and quick to welcome congenial newcomers. The social distinctions are not nearly as clean-cut as at Home or in India. This does not mean that all classes freely intermingle in private social life, but that a sturdy spirit of self-reliance permeates the entire community.— "New Zealand for the Home Maker and Settler," issued by Tourist and Publicity Dept.

"Perhaps journalism is ahead of us in defending the liberties and rights of the people, because it has wider opportunities. In any case, we at all times are anxious to preserve the rights and liberties of the people of New Zealand. Linked with the Press we can do anything."— Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., at a civic reception to delegates of N.Z. Law Society.

"I have got no time for experts of any sort," said Mr. W. H. Freeman, S.M., in the Pukekohe Magistrates' Court, when counsel for the defence called a motor expert. "But this expert is a particularly expert one, your worship," counsel protested. The case proceeded, however, without the man's evidence.

"Mangaweka is a very solid district," said Mr. Cobbe, referring to the progress made. "The Jersey cow has done a great deal more for New Zealand than ever politicians have. I can't help but see the wonderful advancement made."— Hon. J. C. Cobbe opening a new post-office.

Mr. Curtis added that his address would not be political, and he would not review the recent legislation, because a chamber of commerce, not being a political body, must act impartially. . . .

Any undue interference with trade and commerce deprives men of initiative.

"There can be no commendation for a Government which, through its officials, practises a greedy and selfish policy of interference which crushes the heart out of all private enterprise, enterprise which has been pioneered and firmly established by sheer perseverance and grit.— Presidential address to Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

We New Zealanders have become both selfish and indolent. We are decadent without ever having reached nationhood. We have become our own worst enemies. Are our men likely to join the colours when the whole country has gone defeatist? No doubt they think they may as well stay comfortably in their beds and hope for the best. Let us beware lest our bed of roses becomes a bed of thorns.

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In reaching the no-conscription decision was our Cabinet swayed by conscientious objectors? If so, it is time, in the face of grave peril, that they were replaced by men who have the stomach to prepare us to put up a decent fight when the war clouds burst. If New Zealand cannot produce another army like the one she sent overseas 1914-18 and do it quickly, then we women may as well equip ourselves with revolvers and make a pact to save our children from the bayonet and ourselves from rape.

—I am, etc.,

Honourable Death.

—Letter in "Dominion."

Referring to the Springboks' victories Mr. Baker said that too many "soft" footballers were playing today. The game was not hard enough. It had degenerated from the high standard of earlier years and must be restored to that position.

Rugby should be made "tougher" by hard tackling and hard forward play. It was largely an individual question and every player should be trained to stand up to a vigorous and strenuous contest from start to finish.

Mr. T. H. Pearce, in voicing the players' attitude, said: "If you want hard football we'll play it, but we want to know the referees' attitude beforehand."

The subject will be discussed at a special meeting with the referees.— "Dominion."

"It astounded me, in speaking to the men, to find that many held the view that their employers regard them as so many wage slaves. It seemed to come as something quite new to many of them that their employers have an intense desire to maintain and improve their working conditions, wages and standard of living, provided they, for their part, pull in with their employer instead of against him.—Mr. J. R. Rooper, managing director of the Port Line Limited, of London, in an interview.

"Your bar-tenders are awful. If a bar-tender in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York served some of the cocktails we have been given here, he would go out on his ear."

Mr. van Sinderen complained that his party had been served with champagne at Waiho that was not even iced. In America champagne was served with "a lot of ice." The bottle was surrounded with ice and water, but in New Zealand it was considered sufficient to place the bottle in a shallow "potato dish," with a few pieces of ice around the bottom.— "Dominion."

It is just about time New Zealand set an example to the rest of the British Empire by the reintroduction of compulsory training. As an ex-digger I can speak of the value of the training one received before leaving for the front. I am sure the young men would benefit very considerably from the lectures given by the medical officers on personal hygiene, sanitation, and general cleanliness.—Letter to "Dominion".

Where to Stay in New Zealand Christchurch

The Private Hotel of Christchurch the Hotel ——

Up-to-Date and Replete in Fittings

Refinement in surroundings and Patrons

"Last week-end nearly broke my heart," said the Minister, referring to the fact that there had been seven deaths from accidents during that period and that some of them had been caused by drunken drivers. "If God spares me and the people trust me," said Mr. Semple, "I am determined to put the drunken driver off the highways and by-ways of New Zealand. Some may say, 'He's a wowser, interfering with the liberty of the subject/ but if drivers want to distort their brains and pervert their bodies with liquor, they'd better crawl up a gaspipe out of the way —they are not entitled to turn high-power motor cars into infernal machines to slay the people of New Zealand. I appeal for your help to make that type of individual on the roads as scarce as the dodo."—"Dominion."

The performance of a Rotorua fisherman who caught a tiger shark weighing 9531b. off Tauranga has not caused feelings of envy among sportsmen who visit deep-sea fishing grounds.

The explanation lies in the fact that the tiger shark is not classed by the Bay of Islands Fishing Club as a sporting fish. When it is hooked it sulks. The fact that the landing of the tiger shark required an hour and ten minutes was not considered worthy of notice since a striped marlin or mako shark weighing only 2501b. could be expected to provide at least two hours and a half of sport, leaping frequently 12 or 15 feet into the air.—"Dominion."