None of the elaborate fittings have been removed, and the car will, therefore, be landed at Wellington ready for service.
In appreciation of mothers
In common with the rest of the world, the North-East Valley Presbyterian Sunday School celebrated Mothers’ Day on Sunday, May 9.
In the three lower divisions the rooms were gay with flowers and greeting cards, which found their way home to mother when the day was over.
Round the room were posters about mothers’ care and love. These were read by volunteers from the class.
The leader, Miss Moss, then gave an interesting talk to the children about what father and mother had done, and are doing for them, and read some very fine verses about ideal fathers and mothers. The greeting cards, through which white ribbon was strung, were passed round to be filled in by the children, and tied to the bunch of flowers that was handed to each. When this exciting part was over the session closed with prayer and the singing of a vesper hymn.
Plant pest
The chairman of the Clutha branch of the Farmers’ Union (Mr John Christie) stated at a meeting of the branch on Wednesday that ragwort in the Owaka district was proving a great nuisance, and so great was its spread that many people considered the weed would yet drive the dairying industry out of that district.
Amundsen flies over pole
A wireless from Captain Amundsen says that the Norge encircled the Pole several times, then headed for Point Barrow. The flags remained upright in the snow, proudly fluttering in the wind.
A message received from Fairbanks says: “It is reported here that the Norge reached the mainland of Alaska near Point Barrow, and is heading down the coast towards Nome. Details are lacking. The local radio stations have not received any direct word from the Norge.’’
Brave feats
Last year Amundsen bravely attempted the North Polar flight, but only to fail. Again this year he engaged in a second perilous attempt, and he has won the goal. He had a competitor in Captain George Herbert Wilkins, and the curiosity rife as to which of the two intrepid airmen would first succeed in reaching the coveted goal was largely dissipated when, somewhat unexpectedly and without preliminary flourish, a third explorer came into sight in the person of Commander Byrd who has apparently forestalled Amundsen in as complete a manner as in 1912 Amundsen himself forestalled Scott at the South Pole. The parallel is scarcely complete, however, for while Amundsen was able to leave behind him at the South Pole a trophy which could not but convince any who came after him, there is not the same opportunity of establishing an abiding record at the North Pole. There is, of course, the possibility that with so many flights to the North Pole, the trip may presently become a common and ordinary performance, so that, like swimming the English Channel and other feats of endurance, it will excite little attention. At present, however, the man who embarks on the flight does so with the consciousness that he takes his life in his hand and may never return. Nor, beyond the satisfaction which the peril ensures, does there seem to be any very commensurate return in the shape of an addition to human knowledge or experience. — editorial. — ODT, 15.5.1926
