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Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 90, 16 April 1913, Page 4

The following is ..Mr. D. C. Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day:—"The indications are for northerly moderate to strong winds, freshening, and veering- by north to west. Increasing haze and cloudiness. The barometer has a falling tendency. Tides good; sea moderate." The Mayoress of Auckland (Mrs C. J. Parr) was "At Home" in the Town Hall concert chamber yesterday afternoon to the citizens. The hall wae converted for the occasion into a drawing-room, effectively decorated with chrysanthemums, ferns and pot plants, the Mayor and Mrs (Parr receiving their guests at the entrance of the hall. Several hundred were present, a pleasant afternoon being heightened 'by an excellent string iband, while Miss Ina Bosworth played a violin eolo. Saturday evening's earthquake did very little damage in 'Wellington, as far as can be ascertained. The two buildinge which are always regarded as "test" structures in respect to earthquakes are the Wellington Free Public Library, in Mercer and Victoria Streets, and the Government iLife Insurance Buildings, on Custwn-houso Quay. The Public Library is built on floating foundations resting on reclaimed land, and has already suffered a good deal by earthquake, nota'hly in the big shock of 190 L Thereafter it was repaired and strengthened at considerable cost. iWien the earthquake came at 7.15 p.m. on, Saturday the public reading-room was fairly full, and as soon as the earth tremor shook the building the crowd deserted *he "illnetrateds" and newspaper files in doublequick time, and bolted out on the street. They stayed not upon the order of their going, but went. Mr 'Herbert Baillie (librarian) was in his room at the time, and though there are hazardouely-ereeied piles of books on every 'hand, only one volume fell to the floor. Aβ far as he knew, no damage whatever had been done to the building. At the Government Life Insurance buildings there is always a chance of trouble, owing to weaknesses having 'been caused by previous "quakes." Some craoke were pointed out to a "Dominion" representative as new, bnt the open-ings seemed to the naked eye to be suspiciously dark with age and dust. A unanimous condemnation of the •ward system was made by the members of the Mount Albert Ratepayers' Association, who addressed a meeting of citizens in the Jubilee Hall last night as candidates for O and D -wards. It was stated that " D " ward was known in the Council chamber as the poor ward, while, on the other hand, 0 netted nearly sftper cent of the rates. General approval was expressed of the Mount Eden.way of doing things, and the speakers suggested that Mount Albert shouid follow, the example of the neighbouring borough and abolish wards. In connection with the arrest of some stores which were being taken out of the Cambridge territorial camp on Friday last. Colonel C. T. Major, who was in charge of the brigade, told a "Star" representative this morning that he felt that the Sixth Hauraki Regiment had been given undue prominence in the matter. Personally he believed that the regiment was as orderly as any other in the camp, and he liad heard of no suggestion of friction the men on labour differences. Except on one occasion, when the meat was not good, he had heard of no complaint regarding the food supplied. Colonel Major was not able to make any statement regarding the arrested stores, as- that matter is to be fully investigated in Auckland. The Ponsonby Boys' Drum and Fife Band are now trying to stir up sufficient interest to start another band in the Mount Eden and Mount Roskill district. About forty members of the band have accepted an invitation from the Empire Theatre management to attend the performance on the evening of Thursday. April 17-th, and arrangements have been made for an opportunity to hear' one or two items from the boys' band, as well as what those interested ihave to say. The social side of the work in a successful Sunday school is illustrated in the annual report of tJie Baptist Tabernacle. This stated that the tennis clubs numbered a membership of 4S, with three lawns brought into -requisition. Football teams entered in grades 3,4 and 5, the fifth grade being represented in the Auckland team that travelled to Wellington. During the year many teachers also took -their classes on an outing by water and land. The school visitor had added 44 new names to ithe roll, and assistance luwl been given to thirty families. Numerous gifts of groceries, clothing, toys, etc., Jiad been received, and the distribution of these made many a mother and child happy. One class of senior girls, with .the help of Santa Clans, filled the stockings of 40 children, while the liberality of many teachers and scholars enabled 40 children to receive free railway passea to the excursion and festival at Swanson on Regatta Day. Danger to life and limb in manifold waj-s is increasing in the city and suburbs, and the value of such an "institution as the St. .John Ambulance Brigade is daily becoming more obvious. A properly equipped building is essential both for .training pupils and attending to accidents, and the association is making an appeal to the public of Auckland next Saturday to provide the £500 needed to finish the St. John Ambulance Station in Rutland Street, and the £1,000 required for a motor ambulance wagon. Further contributions have been received in addition to those already acknowledged in the "Star," viz: The Auckland Bricklayers' Union and the Licensed Carriers' Association, £2 2/- each, and the Furniture Trades Union. Mr R. Laidlaw, jun., and Miss Rattray £1 \/- each, making the total receipts to date £30 15/-. ['Notwithstanding all that has been said about our primary school system and its products," say the Auckland inspectors in their annual report, "we are of opinion that the general level of attainments reached by pupils in the various classes has steadily risen; and that the finished primary school product has been trained in habits of industry and steady application, has had his intelligence and his powers of observation strengthened and quickened, has been taught how to extend and amplify his knowledge, and, in general, has 'been carefully prepared for the work that awaite his coming" i

Towards „ the close of the year (says •the annual report of the Auckland school inspectors), 2,452 candidates from the public schools, exclusive, of absentees, sat for Standard VI. certificates. Of these, 1,998, o* 81 per cent, obtained certificates of proficiency; and 235, or 9 per cent, certificates of competency. From the Roman Catholic schools, 158 candidates were presented for Standard VI. certificates, 95 (60 per cent) obtaining certificates of proficiency, and 30 (19 per cent) certificates of competency. ' Messrs. G. J. Garland and G. W. Murray have been appointed to represent the Auckland Education Board on the Grammar School Board. Messrs. J. D. McKenzie and W. A, Carnith have been appointed to act in a similar capacity on the Whangarei High School Board. At a combined meeting of Good Templars, held last evening in the Epiphany schoolroom, . Karangahape Road, the following resolution was unanimously carried:—That this meeting of .the Grey Lynn Ark of Eden Good Templar Lodges requests his Worship the Mayor to urge citizens, while showing their hospitality to the men of H.M-3. New Zealand, not to press them to indulge in intoxicating liquor, and thus conform to the wishes of the Commander, Captain Halsey, as expressed at the celebrations held in other cities; also, that no liquor be served at any civic functions." A meeting of Air. Joe. F. MacMahon's supporters will be held in the Leys Institute at 8 o'clock this evening. Study the girls! Warm winter coatin tweed and cloth, just opened, 4/11, 5/11, 0/11, 7/11, 8/11.—Grey and Ford, Ltd., Karangahape Road. —(Ad.) Look! Just purchased: Travellers' samples ladies' raincoats, reversible coats, etc. Bargains.—TWarren's showroom, 3rd Floor, Strand Arcade.—(Ad.) Big purchase of ladies' coats. Navy and hlack serge coats, 8/6; worth 12/0. Blanket coats, 15/6, 21/; worth 21/ and 30/. Ladies' golf coats, 12/6, 13/11 up. Girls' golf coats, 8/6, 11/6, 15/11.—Bridgman and Bridgman.—(Ad.)