The staff has now arrived in New Zealand, and the Minister of Defence desires that it should be sent in turn to each of the chief cities of the dominion for exhibition. When shown in London, the staff attracted much attention, and it is believed New Zealand people will be highly gratified at having an opportunity of seeing a memento of the historic battle in which H. M. S. New Zealand played so worthy a part. It is proposed to have the staff exhibited first in Wellington, after which it will be sent to Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin in turn, finally returning to Wellington to be deposited meantime in the Dominion Museum.
• Throughout the Ashburton district and county much anxiety has been felt and expressed by the farmers at the prevalence of rust in the crops. This pest has attacked the crop at a very critical stage, and with the continuance of the dry spell that had been so general the prospects for the harvest had begun to take a very gloomy aspect, the vigorous growth in the spring having tended to aggravate the trouble. The cold and heavy rain of Saturday afternoon and night, accompanied and followed by strong winds, has done much to dispel the anxiety, and now little rust is to be seen. The rape crops and mangels will benefit much by the recent rain, while the grass, which has shown a tendency to dry off too soon, has been checked in this particular; and, should the present nor’-wester ease, abundance of grass is assured for the remainder of the summer.
• An interesting relic of the past, in the shape of a Maori axe was unearthed by Mr James Gibson, of Papakaio, while ploughing on Steward Settlement. The axe, which is an unusually fine specimen, is made of dark green highly-polished rock, and is about six inches in length, while the edge is remarkably keen. Maori axes have been found on several occasions in the vicinity of Papakaio.
• Sir, — You quote this morning that ‘‘an able-bodied man doing heavy work can do so on 6lb of potatoes and a little fat.’’ This will surprise most people who think meat is a necessity. It is not so, neither is it a natural food for man. Now as to cost: 6lb of potatoes at the high price of 12s per cwt cost 8d and gives 2310 points of food, whilst 1lb of steak or meat at say, 8d, gives only 1250 points food, so that the real cost of the meat on food basis is 1s 2d as against 8d for the potatoes, or nearly double the cost, irrespective of the cost of the bread, etc. that would be wanted with the meat. It must be borne in mind though, that to get the full value of potatoes as food, it is necessary to cook them in their jackets and break them open to let the steam escape as soon as they are taken out of the oven or saucepan. — I am, etc. Natural Foods.
• The marked diminution of crime that has taken place in New Zealand since the commencement of the war is indicated by the statistics of the Mount Eden prison. The present number of male inmates of the gaol is about 75 less than in the period immediately preceding the outbreak of hostilities. The number of female prisoners is practically unaltered. —ODT, 2.12.1916.
