NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Electric Railway Vehicle. An electric tower wagon for the inspection and repair of overhead cables is to be placed on the electrified section of the New Zealand Government railways between Christchurch and Greymouth. This new vehicle, it is worth recording, will be utilised on a railway line which runs through the longest tunnel in the British Empire—the Otira tunnel —situated beneath the famous Arthur's Pass of the Southern Alps. The tunnel is five and a-quarter miles long, with a single line gradient of one in 33. Arthur's Pass shunting yard is 2240 ft above sea level. A Good Save. Papatoetoe Fire Brigade made a good save last evening, when it was called to an outbreak in a new house owned by Mr. E. J. Bennett, in Cornwall Road. The call was received at 6.45, and within five minutes the volunteer brigade (which was finally organised as recently as a month ago) was on the scene and at work. The Otahuhu Brigade arrived soon afterwards, but its services were not needed, the flumes having already been extinguishd. The seat of the fire was under the house beneath an open grate. Power for Orakei. An early start is to be made with the work of laying electric power along the main roads of the Orakei block. Negotiations are proceeding between the Auckland Power Board and the Lands Department with regard to the guarantee of consumption, and four miles of streets will eventually be supplied. The first house on the block is now nearly completed, and the erection of a second has been started. The complete wiring system will not be undertaken until consumers are ready to take power from the board. Protective Colouring. In referring to the curative effect of colours in an address before the Auckland Psychology Club last evening, Dr. P. Fennelly, a former president of the British Association of Practical Psychology, jocularly remarked that he had not yet discovered a colour that would keep the mosquito out. "I believe you have some glorious manifestations of mosquito life in Auckland," he added, "and be sure that as soon as a colour is found to deal with that pest, I will let you know." It was claimed for blue, however, that no fly would pass through a window of that colour.

A Wet Wicket. The grassy sward of Devonport Domain is an unfailing attraction to seagulls even during dry weather, and after a spell of heavy rain its charms are more potent than ever. There must have been a temporary stoppage in the surfacewater drain during the week-end, for the greater part of the grass was under water this morning— truly a "wet wicket." What grass was left exposed was literally white with gulls, bent on business of a wormy nature. There seemed to be plenty for all, so for once it was not necessary to be an early bird in order to receive due reward. Inspecting Electrical Equipment. Inspectors of the Auckland Electric Power Board are now engaged inspecting every installation in the board's area in accordance with the new regulations being enforced by the Public Works Department. The regulations require the inspection of all connections at least once every live years. The magnitude of the task that will have to be accomplished by the Auckland Board is shown by the fact that nearly 50,000 separate installations will have to be examined. The inspection is being systematically carried out, and it is expected it will take five years to complete the work. A fresh start will then be made. Nothing is to be overlooked by the inspectors, and every piece of wiring, globe, or machine will be carefully tested. An Unusual "Catch."

A Timaru angler scoured a novel inhabitant of the sea last week—a fish of which no local sportsmen had any knowledge. This was what is known as the bur fish, of the Atlantic coast of the United States. It came to the edge of the water at the foot of the rubble facing the wharves, and Mr. M. J. Dunn got it out with a stick. It is about ten inchcs long and six inches broad, and is the reverse of attractive in appearance, having a snub nose, two big bulging eyes, and a grey body with black spots, covered with sharp spikes. It has the power of distending its body with water or air, and on this account, 'probably, it is sometimes called the swelllish. It was distended when caught, but was very irvuch smaller half an hour later. It is to be preserved.

Daffodil Man's >£10 Challenge. Great things are pending in daffodildom, judging by this letter, which appears in the July "Smallholder":—"Sir, — I have read with much interest the article in the June number by Mr. 'Weightiuan re the best dozen daffodils. I issue a challenge to him that I will stage 24 varieties, three of each, and will not stage any of the varieties he mentions (although I have them all but "Puzzle"), at either the show at Wanganui on September 13 and 14 next, or Hutt on September 19 and 20, or both places, if lie prefers it, and if he should beat nie at either place or both I shall give to the N.Z.N.D.S. the sum of £10 for each time he does so, and will not ask him to do so. A reply through the 'Smallholder' will oblige.—-Yours, etc., Robert Gibson, Sutherland Road, Manaia." Safety of Passengers. Regulations or instructions which are made for the express purpose of protecting passengers on fast-moving vehicles should never be j disregarded. One of the most obvions breaches is the sociable habit of those who pjrsist in standing on front platforms of trams and buses to engage the attention of drivers, who would seem to be equally culpable by permitting conversations, however unimportant or innocent the chats may be. In travelling by bus to a local suburb recently a "Star" reporter was requested by a number of ladv passengers to ask a man to stop talking to the driver, failing which they desired to immediately leave the vehicle. Public safety demands observance of this traffic rule. In any case, most people strongly object to the offence, which, unfortnnately, is all too common, even on our tramcars. Passengers to Dunedin. An adverse report regarding the Auckland proposal to establish a tnrough service between northern and southern cities connecting via Picton was presented by the Transport Committee at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The committee stated: "It does not seem probable that through passengers from Auckland to Dunedin and from Dunedin to Auckland will be very numerous, and it is certain that travellers from Wellington to the South Island, and from the South Island to Wellington, would prefer the present ferry service. Then the business men of Canterbury find the ferry service for communication with the North Island all that is to be desired. There is also the question of cost. The through fare from Auckland to Dunedin, including the motor trip between the railheads, must of necessity be greater than at present. It is more than probable that the fleet of cars necessary for the communication would cost much more than the revenue from them would warrant. From the consideration of these points, this committee considers that the proposed reorganisation of the through service between the northern and southern cities of this Dominion is not at present advisable, as it would result in disorganising of present services, detrimentally affecting residents in Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson, as well as necessitating an unnecessary expenditure of doubtful revenue-producing value." The report was adopted.