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Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 6

Counsel at the Supreme Court this morning had occupied some five minutes in reading clauses and conditions contained in an insurance policy, and those in the Court room had began to wonder if, after all, it was worth while becoming insured. His Honor, Mr. Justice Stringer, quietly remarked, when counsel concluded, that it reminded him of a man who asked an insurance agent if he was really protected. The latter replied that if he was it was an oversight on the part of the company.

In yesterday's issue a report was published that the name of ''Fernielea" in the upper reaches of the harbour, had been changed to "Coatesville." This district is in the Kaipara electorate, and under the control of the Waitemata County Council, who, it is stated, at a meeting on January 28 last, definitely declined to agree to the change in the name from "Fernielea." The matter is controlled by the Designation of Districts Act, 1908, which provides that such alterations require the consent of the local body. Therefore, the drastic action of the Minister comes as a surprise to the council.

Advice has been received that the Commissioner, in making an award in respect to the Wairau Bridge over the Milford Creek at Takapuna, has recommended that the bridge be constructed on the Inga Road deviation, and that the Waitemata County Council pay 75 per cent of the cost. The local authorities concerned are each to acquire the approaches on the respective banks of the stream controlled by them, and the Takapuna Borough has to construct the bridge within twelve months. Any cost above £6SOO is to be borne by the Takapuna Borough Council. A warrant embodying these terms has now been gazetted.

When a deputation of Devonport residents waited on the postmaster yesterday with reference to increased postal facilities for the borough, reference was made to the wonderful improvement which had taken place in connection with telephonic communication since the automatic system had been installed. "It is a queer thing," remarked the postmaster, "that when subscribers dial the wrong number they hardly ever apologise or blame themselves, but usually answer as though the person wrongly rung up was to blame." "Human nature is a queer thing," remarked a member of the deputation, "and telephone users have in many cases still a good deal to learn in the way of courtesy."

When Mr. F. Caunt, dairyman, residing in Hill Street, Onehunga, started out on his rounds at an early hour this morning he saw a light in an empty house in the same street. Investigation proved it to be on fire and he immediately summoned the fire brigade. The house "had been occupied by Mr. S. S. Jamieson until yesterday afternoon, when he left it and removed his furniture and effects to another dwelling. Mr. Jamieson says there was no-fire in the house yesterday, and in fact there had been none since Sunday morning. He cannot account for the origin of the fire. When he left the place at about 8 o'clock last night with a load of timber a final look round showed the place to be quite safe. The building, consisting of four rooms, was an old landmark in°Hill Street, having been erected in the early days of Onehunga. It was considerably damaged inside. Miss Rout is the owner of the property. The insurance was not known.

Under the heading of "Important a short leader appears in the journel ot the Belfast Chamber of Commerce calling attention to the urgent need for the resolute enforcement of economy in both national and local administration. It points out that since the war the public have grown so accustomed to colossal statistics, financial and otherwise, that their real import is to a large extent neglected or misunderstood. The article adds that stereotyped officialdom is difficult to move out of the beaten track. It is suggested that chambers of commerce and other civic authorities should write strong letters to members of Parliament, city councils and various corporations dealing with public money, insisting on retrenched expenditure. The article continues: "To-day's expenditure is excessive. It can be materially reduced without impairing the efficiency of the service. But only a general and sustained insistence on reduction will attain the desired result."

The New Lynn Town Board is to make another effort to obtain a resident police constable for the township. The burglaries of the past week have caused much concern in the locality. In moving that the Justice Department be again communicated with on the subject, Mr. S. Wilding, at last night's meeting, referred to the rapid growth that had taken place during the past five years. The figures at the recent census showed an increase in population of nearly one hundred per cent. Taking the immediate neighbourhood outside the Town Board area into consideration over three thousand persons resided in the district.

"During the year's work in round figures," states the Railway Board in the current issue of the "Railways Magazine," "there has been an increase of 1J millions in passenger journeys and of 200,000 tons in goods. With an increase of 1\ million train miles there has been a decrease of 4id in the net operating earnings per train mile. After paying interest charges of £1,900.000 there is a net surplus of £21,000, as against the net deficit of £57,000 last year. While subsidies on account of branch lines and isolated sections amount to £359,000, renewal provisions (in excess of expenditure) have been made to the extent of £317,000. Prospects for the coming year are, however, not so bright. Besides effort to obtain more business there is need for the practice of economy in small things as well as in great. Here every member may help."

Sir Arthur K. Yapp, K.8.E., in an article on "Business Organisation and Management," writes as follows: "I really believe, from close personal experience, that the general run of masters and men want to deal fairly by each other. Disputes, strikes and lock-outs are always traceable to misunderstanding, and often, I fear, to misunderstanding deliberately fomented, either by the reactionary employer or the unscrupulous agitator, both of whom play upon ignorance and evil passion, and" profit by their exploitation. The golden rule of life for all men and women is to do unto others as you would others should do unto you. It is not a difficult rule to understand, but most of us seem to find a difficulty in its practice."

A three-roomed cottage at the Hillsboro' Cemetery was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The "fire-had a good hold when discovered, and, as there was no water supply available for firefighting purposes, it was useless for the Onehunga fire brigade to go to it. The cottage was burnt to the ground. Mr* Jones, the last tenant, had vacated the place about two hours before the fire took place. The property belonged to the Onehunga Borough Council, and wa« insured for £2.50 with the Standard Insurance Company.

An appeal by Marshal Joffre as president of the National Committee of Voluntary Contributions, set ire for the restoration of the value of the franc has been issued to all Frenchmen and friends of France. A committee of six members French and British, has been formed in Auckland, under the leadership of Mr. P. S. Ardern, president of the French Club, to receive voluntary contributions, which will be handed over by the various' New Zealand committees to the French Consulate in Auckland for transmission to Marshal Joffre in Paris.

A private cable message received from Australia reports that the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company has suffered a severe loss of costumes and settinzs through fire. The company has been disbanded, although on the" eve of its departure for New Zealand. An orzanised public appeal is being made throushout Australia for funds to effect replacement.

A youthful cyclist afforded somewhat of a thrill to people on the wharf at Tauranga yesterday by taking a plunge into the harbour, bicycle and all. There was a strong tide running, but the youth was promptly rescued by Captain Wells, of the Northern Co.'s Tuhoe, who sprang into the water and held him up till further assistance was fortheomine. The bicycle was later recovered with a grapple.

The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Norwood> and the chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board (Mr. J. Coyle) are among those at present laid aside by influenza, reports our Wellington correspondent.