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Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 94, 21 April 1924, Page 4

Cargo work on the waterfront was suspended to-day on all steamers except the Ruahine, at the Queen's wharf, which continued discharge of her large shipment of bapic slag from London. The Otaki, at the King's wharf, was engaged in preparing her holds for loading refrigerated produce later in the week, but all other steamers observed a close holiday. The Port Caroline and the Waitemata, discharging Australian hardwood and Nauru phosphates respectively at the Central wharf, will resume operations to-morrow morning; and the arrival of the motor ship Hauraki from Sydney and the Tofua from Suva will create a busy stir on the King's wharf throughout the day. The coastal steamers in port will also start work in the morning. In view of the fact that the country is now becoming a network of wires transmitting electric current, the Education Department has been requested to warn the school children (per medium of the school journal) of the danger arising from contact with live wires, which may, through falling trees, storms, or some other cause, become broken. On making further inquiries regarding Moumahaki State Farm, a Wellington reporter was informed that if the farm is disposed of there is a probability of a chain of experimental plots being established along the coast, one being at New Plymouth and one at Hawera. The present area at Marton will be developed further, and an area will probably bo used in Levin. The scheme appears to be favoured by certain leading members of the Farmers' Union.

The autumn meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was inaugurated at Ellerslie on Saturday in beautiful weather. There was a large attendance, and the racing was most interesting throughout. The Easter Handicap was won by Mr. E. George's Hipo, which returned his supporters a good dividend. The Champagne Stakes went to Mr. T. H. Howry's Nigger Minstrel, with Motley second. Her Excellency Lady Jellicoe captured the Onslow Stakes with Father's Voice. The totalisator showed an increase of £10,395 10/, compared with the corresponding iiay last year. People in the vicinity of the Northcote wharf yesterday about 10 a.m. experienced some thrilling moments. A resident, Mr. James Henry Kipling, of Woodside Avenue, was having trouhle with the engine of his motor cycle. He was seen to endeavour to ride the machine up-hill, but as this appeared to be impossible, he turned the vehicle round and rode down the cutting. As he neared the wharf it was evident that the cycle was beyond control. Apparently realising that he would not be able to check its progress before it raced over the end of the wharf, the rider diverted the course of the cycle towards the waiting-room, with which it collided with considerable force. The outside seat was smashed with the impact. Mr. Kipling was thrown clear of the machine, but was badly cut about the head, and was taken to the Auckland Hospital. The Costley Home is very full at present, there being no less than 316 inmates in residence there. The infirmary ward relieves the general hospital to a great extent; there are over 100 patients there, most of them being chronic. It can hardly be realised what this means to the main institution, because beds become available for patients who need ordinary treatment and-recover quickly, which means that the beds can be useover and over again through the chronic cases being moved away to the annexe at Epsom. There are now five trained nurses at the Home, besides a large number of others who are skilled in nursing. A new chef has been recently engaged, and only the very best joints are prepared for the old people. One man of 86 said the other day that if things went on improving their condition 'out there would be equal to the boarders of a firstclass hotel, and best of all, he added, was the picture show on Saturday night, when the New Zealand Picture Supply .Corporation sent them out the current week's films shown in the city. At a meeting of residents of central Takapuna, held in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening, it was decided to form a Takapuna Central Progressive Association. Mr. W. Blomfield was voted to the chair. A committee of eight was appointed to bring forward matters of interest to the residents of that locality and report to the general body. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. W. Blomfield was elected the first chairman, Mr. White secretary, and Mr. Black treasurer. Over 40 members were enrolled. The objects of the association are to advance the interests of Takapuna generally, and the central portion in particular. The Postmaster-General announces that he has been in communication with the Commonwealth telegraph administration and cable, administration for sometime in an endeavour to inaugurate a night letter telegram service between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. A satisfactory agreement has now been reached, and the new service will be available on May 1. The rate by either the Pacific or the Eastern route will be a minimum of 3/ a message of 20 words and 2d for each succeeding word. (Press Association.). ■ In his address touching the railway dispute at the Strand Theatre last evening Mr. P. Hickey referred to the capital the Government was making about granting free railway passes to the employees. "It is not a question of getting a free ride, but of getting something to eat when away,.' said Mr. Hickey, who added, "there's not much sustenance in chewing the end of a railway ticket." An undenominational church camp is being held at Ngaruawahia, where 300 visitors are under canvas. The offerings are being devoted to the payment of camp expenses and the support of foreign missions. A river excursion to Hamilton was held on Saturday. A Wanganui "Herald" reporter was informed at Patea that a very big effort is being made to raise the necessary money to keep the local freezing works in operation, and there was every indication of success. Farmers and business men alike were realising that it would mean a big sacrifice to allow £250,000 worth of buildings and plant to lie idle. It has also been suggested that a railway siding should be put into the works and save expense in cartage to the railway and boats. During the month, of March the total births registered for the urban areas of the Dominion amounted to 1073, as against 1100 in February—a decrease of 27. The deaths in March were 438, an increase of 60 as compared with the previous month. Of the total deaths males contributed 248, females 190. Seventythree of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 16.6" per cent of the whole number. Fiftyeight of these were under one year of age. It was related at a meeting of the Okoia Farmers' Union (says the Wa- | nganui "Chronicle") that two lads, at a I place between Apiti and Rangiaohia, in ! a week killed 700 rabbits, and that at a | spot where, in 1914, decent rabbit shooting could not be obtained. Owing to the imported marmalades cutting into the trade of the New Zealand article, the Dominion manufacturers have cut their prices for all lines of marmalade in tins l's, 2's and 6's, and jars l's and 2's (says an exchange). This cut is not because manufacturing costs are lower, but is solely to combat the imported article. "I am not sure a man is the best for the position—a smart girl might be better," stated a Tararua Power Board member in reference to a position to be filled. "I have got a lot of time for the' girls of to-day, but mighty little for the boys." "I wish to refer to the president's reference to our luxury expenditure," said Mr. S. A. Longuet, "speaking at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Wellington, "and especially his reference to motor cars. It may be some comfort to you to know that those associated with the trade can assure us that the number of cars sold for pleasure alone is not as great in proportion to-day as it was in the past. The percentage of the sales, for business purposes, and to save 1 time and to increase one's earnings is i greater each year. I have had opportunities of studying analyses of sales in I connection with the motor trade, and . have been astonished at the large proI portion that must be classed for comi mercial uses."