Tárogató, 1950 (13. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1950-07-01 / 1-3. szám
TÁROGATÓ 15 twenty years; sheep, ten years; squirrel, eight years; stag, fifty years; tiger, twenty-five years; wolf, twenty years. While the average age of the whale is somewhere between one hundred and two hundred years, Cuvier asserted that it is probable that some whales attain the age of one thousand years. Some fifty years ago one of the Rothschilds installed in the Zoological Gardens in London an animal then described as “the oldest living creature in the world.” It was one of the giant tortoises of the Aldabra Islands off the coast of East Africa, and at that time it had had a recorded existence of one hundred and fifty years, in addition to the unknown increment of its age previous to its transportations to the Island of Mauritius. This was, it was thought at the time, the same tortoise that was mentioned in the treaty between Great Britain and France where the island was ceded by the former country in 1810, and it had therefore changed its status as a national heirloom four times within a century. When the length of the lives of other animals is contrasted with that of the giant tortoise, it is clear that the latter must enjoy some special advantage either of structure or of habit conducive to longevity. The Lambeth tortoise, which was introduced into the London Zoological Gardens by Archbishop Laud about the year 1625, died in 1773, owing to some neglect of the gardener, having lived in its “last situation” one hundred and twenty-eight years. In 1833 Sir Charles Volville, Governor of Mauritius, sent to the London institution a tortoise weighing two hundred and eighty-five pounds. It was four feet four inches long, and had been in Mauritius for sixty-seven years, having been brought to that island from Seychelles in 1766, by the Chevalier Marion du Fresne. At that time it was fully grown; so its real age was probably much greater. CANADIAN-ITALIAN VISA AGREEMENT The Department of External Affairs has announced that Canada and Italy have concluded an agreement modifying their visa requirements for temporary, visitors. Beginning June 1st, Canadian citizens who are bona fide non-immigrants (visitors, not seeking employment or permanent residence) and who are in possession of valid Canadian passports may, without previously obtaining an Italian visa, visit Italy for periods each not exceeding three consecutive months. Italian citizens, who are bona fide non-immigrants coming to Canada and who are in possession of valid Italian passports will receive from the Canadian Embassy in Rome, visas free of charge, valid for an unlimited number of entries to Canada during a period of twelve months from the date of issue of such visas. This agreement in no way exempts Canadian or Italian citizens from the necessity of complying with the immigration and residence regulations of Italy and Canada. In this connection it should be noted that Canadian citizens who visit Italy for the full period of three months without visas may only re-enter Italy without visas after they have been outside that country for one month unless they obtain a waiver of this restriction from the Italian authorities. During the last year, Canada has concluded similar agreements or arrangements with Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and France. CONTEST FOR V.L.A. SMALL HOLDERS The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a competition for all small holders under the Veterans’ Land Act. $9,000 in prizes will be awarded to the veterans who have most successfully developed their property. No entry fee is required, but those wishing to have their property judged must fill out entry forms which may be obtained at the regional offices of the Veterans’ Land Act. The contest will be administered on a district basis. A first prize of $20.00
