NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Mount Albert Requirement. In order to augment the water supply in the Borough of Mount Albert, arrangements have been made with the city authorities for the borough to obtain a further supply from the 33in main at Gladstone Road. The work of connecting up with the main is now in hand, and it is expected that the extra supply will be available at the end of the present week. Residents may now look forward to an increased pressure, and an ample supply throughout the district. The Water Commission. A letter was received by the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening from the Minister of Health (the Hon. ,T. A. Young) in regard to the proposed Water Commission, stating that the chairman of the commission would be a legal gentleman of high standin,-. and that the members would be a retired engineer of wide experience, and an engineer from the Public Service with wide administrative knowledge. Manual to Automatic. Telephones in Takapuna were switched over from manual to automatic at midnight last night. The preliminary work had occupied several months, but the actual change over was accomplished within a few minutes, everything going without a hitch. Like children with a new toy, a number of subscribers did their first dialing in the early hours of this morning, the new system being subjected to a thorough try out. A Fly in the Ointment. Captain Stenbeck, of Auckland, is a bluff sailor who has spent nearly forty years cruising and trading amongst the South Sea Islands. He arrived by the Tofua and related his latest adventure, the piloting of a small ketch across tho Southern Pacific from Suva to the New Hebrides. The boat is the Loloma, and she belongs to the Scveuth Day Adventists, whose missionaries labour in the islands. Captain Stenbeck happened to mention that he stayed, as a guest of the Adventists, in hotels in Sura and Vila (capital of the New Hebrides). "And very nice, too!" was the listener's comment. "I don't know so much about that," said tho old sailor ruefully. "You can't ask a parson to pay your wine bill!" Memories Revived by Renown. As the long, grey bulk of the Renown moved up to her anchorage opposite the Queen's wharf this morning many among the thousands watching her from the wharves and waterfront must have had memories revived of her last visit to the Waitemata. Tho scene was similar, but with differences. On that auspicious morning 6even years ago the great battlecruiser swept up to the accompaniment of the same kind of water welcome from Auckland's myriad pleasure fleet, but the skies were blue and the sun shone brilliantly over sea and shore, giving the needed finish to a scene of colour, movement and enthusiasm, for which the Waitemata is Nature's own setting. On that occasion also the warship, instead of steaming to moorings in the harbour, swung round into the central basin and slipped smoothly into a berth at the Queen's wharf, while the cheering crowds were able to see the Empire's premier Prince standing on the upper bridge, smiling happily in response to the loyal enthusiasm of his Royal father's Antipodean subjects. Once again a Royal prince visits us with his charming and popular princess in the same ship, and the hearts of Auckland's people go out in loyal greeting to them as to the Duke's brother seven years ago. For, apart from our inherent loyalty to the head of the Empire and all he stands for, our present Royal princes have a way of getting to the hearts of the people. Her Birthday Party—Cancelled. It was a little girl's birthday this week, an event looked forward to each year, because it was an occasion when she was allowed to invite all her little friends to join the party, where all the dainty eatables so dear to the heart of children were provided a-plenty. But lately she had heard her parents talking about the men out of work and the hardship being endured in many homes, of the little children who were not able to get the good things which sht and her friends would enjoy on her birthday. So she told her mummy not to have a party this week, but to send some money to the poor people. And the Rev. Jasper Calder received a cheque for £5, while the little girl cancelled all arrangements for her 1027 birthday. "I have received many cheques from good people of Auckland," said the Rev. Calder, "but not one was more appreciated than the 'fiver , this week." A Slide on the Shell. Powdered shell may be good for footpaths, but that it is not good for clothes is the opinion of at least two Aucklanders. Both young, they were gaily making their way down to the harbour in order to cheer the Duke and Duchess, and all went merry as a marriage bell till they reached a fairly steep elope. Shell had been laid there to prevent people slipping, but on this occasion it failed to act. The girl slipped first, clutched the young man who was escorting her, and both sat down suddenly. The young fellow's blue suit was torn, as well as badly soiled, and the girl's dress was ruined. Principal and Vice-Chancellor. By a majority of ten to nine, the University Council has decided to ask for an amendment to the University Act in respect to the appointment of a principal and vice-chancellor. The point at issue is whether the two offices should be held by the same person, and whether the principal, being an executive officer, should be chairman of the council in the absence of the chancellor. Because of the principal's close personal touch with the affairs of the university, Professor Hunter considered that the new officer would ■be highly qualified to act as chairman, but the universitv practice of Great Britain was cited by Sir Robert Stout against the combination of the two offices*. Handling the Royal Baggage. An hour after H.M.s. Renown dropped anchor in the Auckland Harbour this morning, a party of bluejackets set to the task of transferring Their Royal Highnesses and suites' luggage to the end of the King's wharf. Several trips had to be made, the whole proceedings being accomplished in a most expeditious manner characteristic of the Navy. Upon the luggage being deposited on the wharf, it was immediately taken charge of by Inspector J. H. Colthurst, who is in charge of transport for the New Zealand Railways throughout the whole tour of the Dominion. He had a team of porters as well as one of the guards who will be in charge of the Royal train with him. It was the duty of this partv to label and check each package. This operation makes it possible for the Duke and Duchess, or any member of their staff, to obtain a suit case or any other part of their baggage at a few moments' notice. Putting It Through. With yells, groans and squeals, to the accompaniment of appropriate gestures, half a-hundred wool brokers competed keenly at the Scots Hall ast night for 20,000 bales of wool offered on behalf of Auckland farmers. No one with ears :o hear or eyes to see could doubt that these were the keenest class of business people in the world, he most anxious to get on with their job. Yet they, too, caught the Royal infection, and, instead of adjourning at 10 p.m. to finish the sale this morning according to schedule, they decided to carry on. It was one o'clock this morning ere ;he most persistent buyer had got his last bid in. 5y this tune there were signs of hoarseness and dissonance even from well-trained throats, but the special effort of the wool buyers was much appreciated by the staffs of the local wool brokers, who were freed for a few hours this morning in consequence. Auckland Infirmary. Improvements are still being effected in the grounds of the Auckland Infirmary, where several of the shelters have been shifted to more suitable positions. The laundry building is in need of renovation and will have to be attended to soon. Most of the work being done is under the personal supervision of Mr. John Rowe, chairman of the Infirmary Committee, who ia in daily attendance at the institution, ___"