Mr C.F. Newham, photographer of the Goverment Publicity Department, has just returned to Wanganui, and expressed the opinion that the top of the mountain and the crater had fallen in a good deal since his last visit.
‘‘The effect is truly magnificent,’’ he continued, ‘‘when the two colours clash and turn over in great rolls which reflect a dull red from the crater below. Sometimes the shots go up singly from each vent, and each puff is accompanied by a rumble and a roar while sparks shoot out and tremendous red hot boulders crash down the side of the hill. It is a wonderful and spectacular display which probably comes only once in a lifetime to the average New Zealander.’’
Mr Newham stated that on Tuesday the mountain was continually active and some of the shots easily reached 4000 feet high. On Tuesday evening at about 6 o’clock there was a tremendous roar and the ground shook for a long time — at least it appeared a long time to Mr Newham — but he stated that the shake probably lasted two or three minutes. Windows rattled nearly to breaking point, and then a tremendous shot of dense black smoke curled into the heavens. The lips of the enlarged crater were vividly red with flame, while huge red-hot boulders crashed down all sides of the mountain with regular monotony.
An undesirable custom obtains with some cowkeepers of denying the new-born the high-coloured milk that comes first. The unusual colour is due to a substance called colostrum, and has long been recognised as containing a natural aperient specially designed to clear the young creature’s bowels of the accumulations during uterine life. Giving it to the pigs or throwing away is not only wasteful, but denying the calf a substance which recent research shows has valuable properties.
Power board extending reach
The Waitaki Electric Power Board is slowly extending its rural services. The Weston installation was recently completed, and the connections are gradually extending south and west. It is hoped shortly to have Totara, a settlement a few miles to the south of Oamaru, fully served.
Reckless drivers slammed
Prompted by strong remarks from judicial and magisterial benches, police and local bodies, while devising new traffic regulations, are increasing their vigilance for drivers who have an utter disregard for rules and for life. Drunken motorists are being gaoled, the penalty for speeding is being increased, the test for drivers’ licences, in most cases, being made more difficult.
Yet, though the hand of the authorities is heavy in the land, it cannot be said that a real check has been put upon the recklessly inclined. Accidents continue in unreasonable numbers, fatalities continue, motorists persist in passing stationary tramcars, and to speed along the highways. If ever there was a vital problem, here is one. From all parts of our own Empire come the same reports — the reckless motorists continue in their own mad way, and the lists of killed and wounded are over full. — ODT, 21.5.1926
