The Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chmensis), which has been introduced into Auckland by the plant branch of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, promises to be of great use and value here. This new fruit is a native of Szechwan, China, and, though commonly called Chinese gooseberry, is in no way related to the English gooseberry, for while the latter is a prickly bush, the former is a strong growing, deciduous vine. The leaves of this vine, which are nearly as large as those of the grape, have a beautiful plush-like texture, and are very dark green in colour. The large size of the leaves, and their regular spacing add to the beauty of the vine. The young growth of the leaf and stem is covered with fine hairs of a beautiful red colour. The lowers are buff yellow to white, fragrant, and about an inch broad, and are produced in great abundance The fruit is russet brown, and covered with fine hairs, and is about two inches long, and the flesh is of a greenish colour, with a flavour resembling that of the English gooseberry, hence its name. For jams, jellies, and fruit salads it is said to be unsurpassed. The seeds are much smaller than those of the English gooseberry, and the fruit should be gathered in early winter and stored.
Once the leaves are cut with the frost, there is no need to leave the fruit on any longer. It will keep for several weeks after picking.
Commissioner inculcates courtesy
“Attention, men, and show teeth!’’ “Attention, stand easy; dismiss.” The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, of an address delivered to 250 policemen (including recruits on trial) by Mr McIlveney, the new Commissioner.
Between the opening and the closing call to attention there was a space of two hours, occupied by oratorical instruction and admonition, and a prominent member of the force is said to have fainted before the finale was reached.
The Commissioner’s address, though it may have run to liberal length, contained much valuable matter. The concluding words may fitly be quoted. “Remember, I began where you are beginning. A number of you may think me hard. But I try to be just and fair. The few years I am spared will be devoted to your cause, for your cause is mine. Finally, treat the public courteously; the public never forgets a policeman’s generous act.” It may fairly be said that courtesy and generosity are in the tradition of the New Zealand police force.
Gallery clears last hurdle
The upshot of the discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the University Council with reference to the Exhibition Art Gallery must appear eminently satisfactory to all. It would have been nothing short of deplorable if the City Council had had to confess its inability to accept the munificent offer on the part of Mr and Mrs Sargood to make a gift of the Art Gallery building on Logan Park for the permanent civic art collection. This might, and indeed must, have happened had the claim of the University upon the site of the said building been permitted to stand insuperably in the way of its acquisition. The University students have signified their withdrawal from their previous attitude and their readiness to forego their claim to the Exhibition Art Gallery building provided they receive a quid pro quo in the shape of an additional area on Logan Park. — editorial — ODT, 16.6.1926
