Sallies portray Māori life

The New Zealand Native is ever an interesting study, and the opportunity of gaining an insight into his habits no doubt accounted in a large measure for the highly satisfactory attendance at the Salvation Army Citadel last night, when "A Day in a Maori Pah" was presented by a number of "pakeha Maoris" — members of the Salvation Army. Ensign Charker gave a brief outline of the proceedings to follow, saying that the performers would endeavour, as far as possible, to give a correct portrayal of a day in the life of a Maori household. 

The picture was certainly a life-like one, and the "day" began as every day should begin: a twittering of countless birds in the treetops and a faint glow behind the distant hills, heralding a fine day. Then followed a scene of sudden activity, emanating from a sturdily built pah in the foreground, and enter the chief, with the tribe behind him. The performance met with ready favour, and among the selections contributed were a number of hakas, Maori action songs, poi drill, and a tangi (in honour of several visiting chiefs). The part of the chief was taken by Ensign Fraser, who gave a really faithful representation of an old Native. Mrs C. Brown played the accompaniments.

Record reception in Southland

Mr T.S. Macdonald, 4AH, Waiwera South, who claims a world’s record for the reception of American amateur radio stations by logging no fewer than 62 different stations in one evening, has had further successes. On Sunday night last he logged 6XD, Oakland, California, using a detector alone. With one to two stages of audio frequency speech and music could be heard clearly six feet from the three ’phones which were used, and the carrier wave could be heard loudly all over the room.

Rabbit eradication possible

Many years ago a settler bought a station in Central Otago which was infested with rabbits. It was then carrying 2380 sheep. To give some idea of its condition, 20,000 rabbits were taken off 100 acres of flat land during the first year that he held the run. Immediately after getting possession of the station this owner started to destroy the rabbits. He used every known method — poisoning with phosphorised pollard and oats, trapping, shooting, dogging, ferreting, fumigating and digging in. Initially 12s 6d per 100 was paid for skins, but after a few years rabbiters would not stay on the place at £1 per week and £2 per 100 for skins. The country was cleared, and carrying capacity increased to over 10,000 sheep. When he sold it it was carrying between 10,000 and 11,000 sheep. During the last five years no trapping was done, and there was hardly a rabbit to be seen: the only work done was pollard poisoning. — ODT, 11.1.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden