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Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 6

There will be no publication of the "Auckland . Star" to-morrow, Christmas Day. Publication will also be suspended on the following Saturday, New Year's Day. Advertisers should make their arrangements accordingly. A specimen of wood that is claimed to be over 1000 years old has been presented to the Auckland School of Forestry by the Conservator of Forests of Tasmania, who has recently sent the school a number of valuable specimens of Tasmanian timbers. The great age of the prize specimen makes it an exhibit of special interest in Auckland, and probably in the Dominion. It is piece of Huon pine (Dacrydium Franklini), which was taken from a tree that was found fallen on the west coast of Tasmania with a celery top pine growing over it. The seed from which the celery top had germinated and grown on the fallen Huon tree, and the age of the celery top tree was 361 years. The estimated living age of the Huon pine, that is, its age before it fell, was 6SO years. Thus the specimen of Huon pine now in the collection of the Auckland School of Forestry is considerably over 10Q0 years, and it is, therefore., occasion for some surprise that the appearance is that of freshly cut wood from a living tree. The Huon pine has several very near relatives amonpn the j trees growing in the forest* of this I Dominion.

The Police Court sat at nine o'clock this morning, when the list was a particularly light one, less than half a dozen inebriates appearing. During the holidays the Court will sit at 9 a.m. each day, when charges requiring only summary treatment will be disposed of. Persons arrested on indictable charges will be remanded until after the holidays. There will be a sitting of the Police Court to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, with Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., presiding, when those "drunks" who. celebrate Christmas Eve unwisely will be brought up, thus saving them from remaining in custody over the weekend.

The grave danger to the bush area in the Waitakerei Ranges by careless lighting of fires is a matter to which the acting-town clerk (Mr. J. Melling) calls attention by a notice in this issue. Citizens are taking advantage of the delightful bueh in increasing numbers, and it has been found necessary to absolutely forbid the lighting of firee in the forest areas. The responsibility of carefully preserving the bush has made it necessary for the council to appoint rangers, who have full authority to. interrogate offenders. The public are urged to safeguard this heritage, not only for the city, but for the Dominion.

The Auckland Automobile Association has received telegrams from agents along the Taupo Road, asking the association to issue a stern warning to motorists on account of the speed at which they are travelling. During the past two days they have been exceeding the safety limit. The agents report that motorists, when they get beyond the city limits, begin to speed, and are a danger both to themselves and other traffic on the road. As a number of the country roads will this year be under supervision, many motorists who think they are miles from anywhere may find themselves prosecuted if they do not change their driving methods.

A collision between a five-seater motor-car and a tramcar occurred at a-quarter to nine this morning at the junction of Patteson and Beaumont■ Streets, Freeman's Bay. The tram was proceeding from the direction of Heme Bay towards the city, and was moving very slowly prior to pulling up at the section stop. The motor, which was also travelling slowly, had come along Beaumont Street, and the driver apparently attempted to cross in front of the tram. The motor-car struck the side of the tram, and the motorman promptly brought his car to rest. The only damage done was to the motor-car, which had its front mudguards smashed in, and front wheels slightly bent. It had to be pushed clear before the tram was able to proceed.

At the gathering at Lincoln College recently to mark the termination of the year, there was a North Island visitor, Mr. A. Green (formerly of Ruakura), whose remarks regarding the proopsal to establish an agricultural college in the North Island were keenly listened to. "Both islands should work together," he said. "How can you in the South Island tackle the problems of the North—bush sickness, pumice and swamp lands, etc.? Therefore there should be a development of Ruakura. The farm there is valued at fIOO.OOO. and on the staff are two Bachelors of Agriculture, and, I might add. they are ex-Lincoln College students."'

A characteristic message lias been received from General Binlwuod. now Commander-in-chief of the British "Forces in India, in reply to a letter inviting him to attend a club gathering at Wanganui. "In a very distant part of India, right away up in the extreme north-east frontier of Assam, and just before marching across the hills into Upper Burma. I have received your delightful invitation, about one and a half months after the gathering was to take place,"' the one-time commander of the Anzac Division wrote; and, continuing, he remarked with pleasure upon the fact that he was still kindly remembered in Wanganui. The fact that he was unable to attend the gathering did not prevent him, he added, from wishing all N.Z.E.F. comrades much happiness, prosperity and good health for the coming year," and for many succeeding years.

A lady who was one day digging idly with the* end of her parasol in the pebbly beach at Ruseell turned up a coin or medal about the size of a five-shilling piece. Visions of treasure trove and pirates' hoards flashed before her mind's e)'e as she picked it up. Fairly heavy, it looked like silver, very much discoloured, but still like silver. True it did not ring very much when thrown down on anything solid, but still there was hope. She treasured it up, and made inquiries when she came back to Auckland. Nobody seemed to be very sure about the proper description of her treasure, the nearest shot being "some sort of an exhibition medal." As a matter of fact, the strange '"coin" is a medal struck to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria in IS3S. On the obverse, there is a portrait of Her Majesty, and on the reverse a symbolical group of females. At one time there was an inscription, but it is too faint to be deciphered. Made of pewter, or some similar alloy, the medal must have lain on the beach for many years to get in its present state of oxidation, but the marvel is that anything of the original design has beon left. The probabilities are that it was brought out many years ago by some early settler, possibly in the early 'forties, just after the young Queen had ascended the throne and gained such a warm place in the affections of her subjects.

Complete arrangements have been made by the City Council traffic department for tlip control of race traffic during next week. On Monday, twelve officers will commence their duties in handling the Ellerslie race rush, which is expected to be exceptional all the week. City Council officers will control traffic at the race-course, and will supervise all parking. They will also govern traffic on the Remuera Road. The Police Department will assist the traffic authorities. Policemen will be on point duty at the intersection of Park Road and Khyber Pass, in Broadway. Newmarket, and at the intersection of Manukan Road and Great South Road. All traffic on Great South Road will be directed by the Police Department.

Decorated with fandle* and lanterns, the. basement of the children"s ward at the Auckland Hospital last night wa= a place of excitement and joy when the Mayoress of Newmarket (Mr=. S. Donaldson) gave her Christinas p.irty. The event, which has been arranged annually for some years. wa« thoroughly enjoyed by 150 children. Many of those things dear to the heart "f n <--hild 'yore crowded on a huge Christmas tree, nnd about six presents were given to each. Santa Claus. in full rpgalia. made the rounds, distributing tho toys.

The members of the Auckland Stock Exchange closed their offices yesterday afternoon for the Christmas-Xew Year vacation. At the final call, the chairman. Mr. G. C. Creagh, wished the members tljp compliments of the season, and said he trusted they would return on January 10. 1027, to start what he felt sure would be a good year for business on 'Change.