On Tuesday a lady was guarding a little boy of about three years of age who was toddling at the edge of the water, and as a larger breaker than usual was coming in she stooped to pick him up and place him in greater safety.
The action of stooping apparently attracted the attention of four or five fox terriers and a collie, and the dogs thereupon set upon the little fellow. Before the lady could get him away his clothes were very badly torn, he was bitten in two places on the legs, and generally received a severe shock.
Fortunately, however, he had quite recovered from the shock yesterday, but he still bears the marks of the bites. Inquiries made by one of our reporters show that where a dog is carrying a registered collar, neither the Domain Board nor the police have authority to remove it from the beach, no matter whether it is a nuisance or not.
If it has no collar, however, the police can impound it, but there appear to be so many difficulties in the way before any finality can be reached regarding its disposal that not much relief can be expected from such proceedings.
Ngauruhoe active
Information has been received (says the New Zealand Herald) that Mount Ngauruhoe is again becoming active. On Friday several explosions took place. The whole of the north-eastern face of the mountain was covered with stones, thrown from the crater.
On Saturday morning there were several very loud explosions, dense clouds of heavy black smoke being thrown many hundreds of feet into the air. A peculiar feature is that the vent, or blow-hole, of the mountain appears to be pointed at an angle of about 45 degrees towards the north-east.
Aeroplane ambulance
The latest idea on the western front is to carry seriously-wounded men to hospital in aeroplanes, and experiments have been conducted in France in this connection. An aeroplane ambulance has been constructed, and proved satisfactory during tests.
It is of a standard design, and has been slightly modified to serve as an aerial ambulance. The main modification consists in providing a longer open space in the fuselage than usual, so as to serve as a bed for the wounded passenger, who is strapped securely in place.
At the head of the wounded passenger, just back of the pilot, is a wind shield which wards off the rush of air, while ample blankets and other covering keep him warm during the flight. Travelling at 80 miles an hour the aeroplane ambulance is said to be free from shocks and vibration.
West Coast progress
In conversation with a Southland Times reporter the other day, Mr T. O'Byrne, who has just returned from a visit to the western side of the Southern Alps, remarked on the recent development of farm lands over there.
From 30 to 40 years mining and sawmilling have been almost the sole industries of the Coast, and the bush has been left just as the mills passed through it. Now, however, clearing is in active progress and dairy factories are springing up in the midst of rising settlements. There are both cheese and butter factories, but most of the latter.
- ODT, 15.3.1918.
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