This old-time craft, which is about 45 feet in length, and was capable of carrying some 70 men, was known by the name of Iro Iro, and belonged to the Ngati Rangiwewehi hapu of the Arawa tribe. It was buried for about 80 years at the east end of Lake Rotoiti, having been interred, in accordance with ancient Maori custom, with the body of the chief who owned it. Some eight or 10 years ago it was dug up, and was used in a canoe race at a carnival held shortly afterwards. It was found to be too heavy to compete with more modern canoes, and was removed to the Island of Mokoia, on the northern shore of which it was drawn up and placed in a spot regarded as of peculiar sanctity, a wahi tapu, the site of an ancient oracle. Here it remained till it was transferred to the care of Mr Bennett. It is intended, as soon as funds can be found for the purpose, to renovate the old craft, and by the addition of a carved figure-head and stern-post, render its appearance similar to what it was a century ago. It will be kept in the churchyard at Ohinemutu, and suitably protected from the weather.
• Sydney: Amidst the war topics which of necessity demand much attention, time is being found for an exhaustive discussion concerning the decline of popular interest in cricket. This decline dates since long before the outbreak of the war. There was a time when the course of an international or even top-grade State match was followed by most of the adult and practically all the juvenile population of our large cities with naming interest. Matters are wholly different now, and even the biggest of the matches draw but very few spectators and receive but very scant attention. The decline of interest must be admitted with unanimity, but there are wide differences of opinion as to the causes of it, and suggested remedies. One point of view which has many adherents, is that if cricket is to regain its hold on the public it will have to be made spirited, brisk, and more definite. It is asserted that in these days of electricity, wireless telegraphy, and swift action and movement in other affairs cricket is too slow altogether for the average man if it continues to be played in a way which leaves the result of a match in doubt for days and frequently gives the spectator nothing more than slabs of tedious stonewalling interspersed with a lot of waste of time in changing over. Some advocate the widening of the wickets or a reduction in the width of the bat as likely to lead to more ''go'' being imparted into the game. But it happens that a majority of those who are the most loyal devotees of cricket strongly resist any schemes for changes in the essential features of the game which they reverence together with its traditions.
• One of the Moeraki fishermen had an unusual experience off Bobby's Head on Thursday last, where three large whales and a calf were cruising (says the North Otago Times). One of the whales rose to ''blow'' within a few feet of the launch, and approaching it. Needless to say, the fisherman lost no time at the tiller, and swerved his launch just quickly enough to avoid a collision with the mammal, which seemed determined to assert its claim to the right-of-way. The school proceeded leisurely northward. - ODT, 17.3.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
