Earnest support for birdsong
Successful broadcasting of the nightingale’s notes in England has led Mr A.J. Rutherford, Alfredton, Wellington, to suggest that the voices of the tui and the bellbird should be broadcasted in New Zealand. He is an enthusiastic lover of native birds, and in this he is very much in earnest. "Why not capture, in some sylvan glade, those morning chimes,” he asks, "and send them all over the dominion?" The chimes of these two New Zealand birds are so clear and penetrating they should be recorded easily, and as easily broadcasted.
Horses bolt with covered wagon
Considerable excitement was caused in Princes street about midday yesterday, when two horses attached to a carrier’s van bolted for a considerable distance. The horses were standing outside Messrs A. Harris and Co’s premises when they became frightened as the result of a sack blowing off the seat of the van and ran away, notwithstanding the fact that one wheel was chained. A considerable number of people were in the street at the time, but they quickly sought safety and nobody was hurt. At Dowling street the van struck an electric box on the corner and smashed the casing of it. The horses continued their wild career until they were near the top of the rise above Dowling street, where they were brought to a stop by two pedestrians.
North Dunedin identity dies
The death occurred at her residence in Dundas street on Sunday of Miss Mary Jane Bell, aged 80 years. Throughout an illness lasting three months Miss Bell was bright and cheerful, but the end came suddenly. Miss Bell came to New Zealand from Victoria in 1873 and took up her residence in the North Island, but in 1892 she came to Dunedin. Miss Bell was a staunch supporter of All Saints’ Church.
Light, airy school for Port
The Port Chalmers School buildings have been so much improved that the rector (Mr G.F. Booth) says past pupils would hardly recognise their old school. The improvements are of the cheerful order. The interior of the school has been remodelled, class rooms re-arranged and waste spaces utilised to good advantage. The outside stone wall has to a large extent been removed, and replaced by glass work. The class rooms are flooded with light, and the atmosphere sweetened by adequate ventilation. The lighting and ventilating and the important matter of temperature are of modern design. The old-time gloom has given place to gladsome sunlight and exhilarating airiness. The carrying out of the improvements has been going on for several months, and is now nearing completion. — ODT, 19.8.1924
Compiled by Peter Dowden
