Bees put many humans to shame by their industry, but, like humans, they have their weaknesses, according to Dr Gordon Macdonald, High street, Dunedin, who believes that he has seen cases of drunkenness amongst those otherwise exemplary insects: “For some years I have made observations on the habits of bees at certain seasons During the long, warm days of summer, especially after a shower, the bells of certain flowers get full of water. If this rain falls during the night, the following day it ferments, owing to the sugar or nectar secreted in the cup dissolving in the water. During this stage bees and other insects come and gorge themselves. The bees become quite helpless and remain in or on the flower all night. They can be handled at will, and resent no liberties one may take with them. The conclusion I have arrived at is that they are drunk. After sleeping off their debauch, they fly away as if to report themselves at headquarters. The flowers of the nasturtium and of the common flax are their favourite ‘pubs,’ as, apparently, here there is abundance.
Weighty argument
“It is a retrograde step, and I am surprised at any farmer contemplating anything of the kind, because it simply means a reversion from the motor lorry to the horse drawn vehicle.’’ With those words, emphatically uttered, Mr Jasper Clark, energetically supported by. Cr King, attacked the proposal of Crs Wilson and McGregor to classify county roads in Bruce County as third class, thus making the limit for loads on the roads six tons.
Cr Wilson said the limit was by no means too light, as the ratepayers had the river to transport and bring in produce. The lorries had done far too much harm already. If farmers would only use their horses a bit more and the destructive lorries less, it would be better for their pockets and for the county's roads.
Cr King said that six tons was far too light, and besides being totally unfair to the ratepayers it would not be tolerated in his riding. He concluded by saying that as usual, these new measures would be adopted, and the added burden would be cast on the shoulders of the poor ratepayer.
Cr Clark said the county was crying out for increased production, better, cheaper and quicker methods, and here was a council doing its best to prevent all this by imposing a ridiculous limit on lorry traffic, denying the back country farmer his lime and manure, which would not lighten the ratepayers’ burdens in the slightest.
Cr Wilson moved an amendment that the limit be six tons. The amendment was defeated, and the motion carried. — ODT, 1.6.1926
